I had a really wonderful time at the Bowers Museum. It's a lovely cultural museum in Santa Ana, probably one of the best in Orange County, but it makes a serious misstep in the Mission Indians exhibit that is really unconscionable and needs addressing. Parking is paid, despite what is said online, so be prepared for that. Restaurant looked good. A few vegetarian options. No vegan options that I saw. Gift shop was interesting for a museum gift shop. Worth checking out. Try to get a tour from the docent Diane, she's the best. The exhibits: My favorite was Spirits and Headhunters, which focused on cultural art out of the Pacific Islands. This was a gorgeous exhibit that was beautifully laid out, making full use of the space in such artful ways. I truly was happy and content to just exist in here for a couple of hours, and that's exactly what I did while going through, reading the inscriptions, and looking up a little more information on my phone. This is where we start getting into the iffy for me. As I'm losing myself in learning more about some items in one exhibit, I was kind of accosted by a docent who called me out for being there for a long time. This was a quiet day and I was one of probably three other people that were in there, so I was a little confused. She proceeded to talk at me about the history, which, sure, was welcome, but felt far more like she was trying to catch me doing something I wasn't supposed to be doing. It really took the peace out of the moment and kind of killed my enjoyment. I managed to shake her off and get back into the moment, looking up different things, when another docent again starts talking at me about the items, but in a very western-centric lens that downplayed the artistic abilities and achievements of the people represented, with a lot of emphasis on how "primitive" they were. Modern art history and anthropology views utilitarian art as just as important and vital to the continued development of a culture as aesthetic art so I was a little shocked that this outdated view is being held by the museum, especially when we were surrounded by the literal elements of the aesthetic tastes of the Polynesian cultures on display. Aside from that and the interruption, this exhibit was just so good. I still have so much good to say about it. The Miao Silver exhibit was so good. You have to see it before it goes away. Just incredible craftsmanship. The Chinese art exhibit was so good!! I came just for this and it didn't disappoint in any way. The Mission Indians exhibit needs serious updating. To display it as is, unconscionable, erasing the genocide of the indigenous people of the area and calling their enslavement in the California Mission system just them "helping" to build the missions and "helping" to grow vegetables and "choosing" to stay close and "choosing" to wear Western clothing. I was shocked. I was disappointed. It was the last exhibit I saw and I'm glad it was, because I probably would have left after seeing it if it had been my first one. Honestly, the best thing about this museum was the docent Diane, the most intelligent, qualified, and welcoming person I had spoken to that day. I met her in the Chinese art wing and she was an utter delight to chat with, providing excellent information that really rounded out my understanding and added to my curiosity. She skillfully engaged families and I watched her just get so many kids excited and into the art they were looking at. They'd ask questions and make observations and she'd just encourage it along. She moved to the California Visions wing just as I was going through it and showed me some really incredible details I never would have otherwise picked up, like pointing out a husband and wife painting team and the differences in their work. She kept my energy and my interest up in a wing that otherwise I wasn't as excited for. I wish every museum had a Diane!

i really enjoyed this museum. it's easily accessible from the freeway and major streets. the only downfall was there being minimal parking available and having to pay for parking. i feel the price of admission was fair for everything you're able to see while visiting. we were lucky enough to actually speak with some of the volunteers who explained some of the different art in different rooms.

Another Hidden Gem !!! Located in Santa Ana, O.C., it’s pretty close to the downtown area. The museum has an amazing collection of Polynesian artifacts, which I think is the main draw of this museum. It also features a little bit of Chinese, Hispanic, early California and some Mission pieces and the way things are curated are easy on the senses. They also added some thematic music to the exhibit rooms that added to the overall vibe as if you’re being taken back in the time and this was one of my personal favorites of my visit because museums usually don’t play music in their galleries. The museum’s architecture is patterned after the early California Missions but the entrance is modern. The gift shop is nice and there is also a restaurant on site. There is ample parking across or you can do street parking as long as you’re conscious of the allotted time. I also wanted to add that they did a neat exhibit on Mt. Everest. Lastly, dedicating a gallery for California’s budding artists is the way to go, so Congratulations!!! May I suggest if they can include educators to their discounted entry, that’s a win. Bring the family and enjoy!

The parking costs $6 dollars. Admission is $18, but we get free admission for being members of other museums. The exhibition are well curated, with 8 galleries: ancient arts of China (the best), spirits and headhunters, gemstone carvings, California legacy, bounty and first. We had fun and it is worth the visit- of course not comparing to the old palace or La Louvre museums.

This museum is clean, spacious, and had a unique variety of exhibitions. I especially loved the gold sculptures! I was able to find some souvenirs in the gift shop to take back home to Arizona. If your hungry there is also a cafe, but unfortunately I didn’t get a chance to check that part out.

Very interesting. Good place to learn about history of other cultures . There is a restaurant on-site. Entrance fee is $15.00/person and parking is $6.00/ day.

Pretty big museum with an extensive collection of art and SoCal history. The Hokusai exhibition costs extra but I would say it’s worth it to check out. I was pleased with this visit and would recommend going to anyone from the area or visiting.

Great family festivals, gift shop with great selections of gifts, books. The museums regular collection is very impressive but so are the traveling exhibits. If I lived closer than 250 miles, I would be a member.

I started going to the Bowers Museum when I was a child. It has since built up and has more of everything. Plan to spend time here enjoying all of the educational things to see and the beautiful art and exhibits. This is a great place to bring your family for the day. Very peaceful and quiet.

Visited here are looking up museums in the area. Looked really interesting. Entry was reasonable and paid for the $10 extra to see the disney exhibit. I didn’t feel the disney exhibit was worth it for me personally I could have gone with seeing that portion as I hadn’t seen many of the newer disney films so that’s my fault but I think if you’re an avid disney fan you’ll like it! The rest of the museum was awesome - I particularly loved learning about the formation of California and the early years in its history. The Chinese exhibit was also one of my favourites - some stuff dating back thousands of years. Took me around 2 hours to go around reading a fair amount of all the exhibits. Could probably get 3-4 hours out of it as some of the others ones did not interest me as much as the Cali and China exhibits. Worth a visit I think!

Second trip to the Bowers for a Gao Pei exhibit and again I wonder why I don’t see all their shows. The building is lovely, the docents are wonderfully informed and articulate and the restaurant is easy, well-run and offers a variety of healthy, flavorful options that are beautifully presented. Our group of eight was treated like family and left feeling like we’d taken a mini vacation, just a few miles from home. Five stars!!

We'd only ever gone to Kidseum before, so this was our first experience and we really enjoyed ourselves. Bought our pre-timed tickets online for 10 am the night before and had almost the entire museum to ourselves for most of our 3 hours spent inside. We could have stayed longer and taken more time but one child wasn't feeling up to it. Adult tickets $13 and student ticket $10, we have a 10 year old who got in free with an adult. Parking is $6.00 and close by the entrance on Main Street. Really enjoyed the Gemstone exhibit and because we are Hawaiian, we loved the Pacific Island art area which was mostly about Melanesia (Papua New Guinea) but still made us feel relevant. We didn't pay extra to go into the Disney exhibit but a few people came out looking excited.to have gone in. Probably could have stayed the entire day looking and relooking at all of the cool artifacts they have in their collections - especially the basketry!

The Mt. EVEREST exhibit was really informative especially the lady who guided the tour, she was very helpful and answered all of our questions regarding mount everest.

Excellent museum!! The quality of their exhibits are equal to those at New York or Los Angeles museums. And their restaurant has excellent food!

I went specifically for the Gold and Jade exhibition and it did not disappoint. The docent was extremely knowledgeable and passionate about educating our group regarding the technique and intricacies of each piece. It's a large open space that's beautifully curated. I'd consider a membership here once finances allow for it!

Wonderful museum filled with surprises. Amazing Polynesian collection and two rare items from Taiwan. Saw the Hokusai show from the British Musem, what a treat!

Great tour with ghost stories. I really love the museum. can't wait to go again again this was a hosted ghost tour

Was able to check out the Disney Archives exhibit in May 2021 and was blown away with all of the items on display. Really presented well and enjoyed the entire experience. I look forward to returning again for additional exhibits. Not a bad drive from either San Diego or LA.

The Disney exhibit was great, but I really appreciate the Pacific collection...one of the best between NZ and NY. Worth a visit!

Easy parking. Clean restrooms. Friendly staff. A beautiful museum with an amazing CA Mission exhibit. The Disney collection was impressive. The cafe had some yummy food. We will defiantly return

Nice museum with a mid-sized collection of art pieces and displays. The parking is paid via digitally on your phone and the staff is helpful once you're inside. At times they'll have book signings as well. The gift shop is also pleasant to to browse for small memorabilia for your visit.

We visited the Disney Archives 50th Anniversary Exhibit on Thursday, 10/1. Tickets for seniors are $20. Parking is $6. Our entry time was 10 a.m. The staff are wonderful and very helpful. Had lunch at the little bistro (and discovered the sandwiches were made fresh daily from the Naples restaurant at DTD). Visited the lovely gift shop. It was difficult Not to buy anything. The museum has a outside patio too. Overall, I rate it 10 out of 10.

Really cool place! It wasn't busy, so I was able to enjoy the exhibits. Only $15 for entry and $6 for parking. Definitely worth a visit.

Saw the Everest exhibit it was fantastic. The Disney Crown Jewels was great as well. The Orange County exhibit is always good. The gift shop has some really neat goodies for sale and the staff at the museum all around is top shelf. Thanks.

We went for the Disney Archives exhibit and it was fantastic! The regular museum exhibits are also worth checking out. Parking is six bucks, but it's easy and right at the museum. If you are a Disney fan, you must check out this exhibit before it ends next March!

I recently had the pleasure of photographing a wedding at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, California. The venue offered a unique and captivating setting for the special day, with its blend of cultural exhibits and beautiful outdoor spaces. The staff's professionalism and attention to detail ensured a smooth experience, allowing me to focus on capturing the couple's precious moments. The museum's architecture and lush gardens provided a diverse range of backdrops for my photography, adding depth and character to the couple's visual story. As a wedding photographer, I can genuinely recommend the Bowers Museum for couples seeking an inspiring and well-organized venue for their celebration.

This is a hidden gem! I didn’t know I would like it so much. It’s far beyond my expectations and such a surprise! My favorite part are the Gift of Los Angeles by Gayle Garner Roski, and the Gallery with paintings by William&Albetta McCloskey. People working at the Gallery are so knowledgeable and showed that they know well and love every piece of art there. They made the tour more joyable. I might possibly revisit when they have new event or collections. Highly recommend.

The exhibition of Guo Pei's haute couture collection has to be seen (at Bower Museum until May 14th 2023!) to be believed! Wonderful tour guides & worth admission. I'm so so grateful to this Museum for displaying such an extraordinary & inspiring collection that is beyond fashion & art- it is pure genius workmanship on display! ✨✨✨👏

Here for the first time because of the Guo Pei exhibition. Seems like it was popular. They extended the exhibition for an additional week. However, even popular, it was never unbearable. The staff very friendly and helpful. Really loved how they had a guided tour at 1 pm. The docent was helpful, knowledgeable, and very friendly. Asked questions and she was able to answer. The outside they had live music, plenty of places to set and enjoy food and beverages in the nice summer weather. They happened to be giving out free samples of fruit pie this day. Win!

Beautiful day at the Bower's Museum where they had an outdoor Bridal Show in their courtyard. Patina Catering group was on hand for appetizers and beverages and my favorite was meeting their pastry chef Francil. She and her staff made some quite tasty little desserts to serve at wedding receptions, bridal showers or tea parties. Francil is originally from Sonora, Mexico near the Arizona border. Her grandfather owned a bakery in Mexico and she worked with him when she was a little girl. On her vacation time she would make an effort to go to France as often as possible and take culinary classes.

Great Venue, I’ve attended several events here, each time, staff is friendly, “attention to detail” is pristine which have made the events delightful!

Beautiful exhibits. Detailed information for the items per exhibits. Time well spent today! Most of the pics are of the Chinese Dynasty exhibit. One is the Pieces of 8 necklace from one of the the Pirate's movie, Disney Crown Jewels exhibit.

Small museum that isn't very elaborate but has several interesting exhibits, including ones on the Pacific Islands and ancient China.

Very detailed museum. A lot of different exhibits and all of them were interesting. The rooms are spacious, too, so it doesn't feel cramped.

Even though there were many visitors in the Bowers Museum , spacing was not an issue due to the size of the park. All visitors did have masks on and social distancing was evident.

My friend and I went to the Crown Jewels of Disney exhibition, and after enjoying the accessories featured in dozens of movies, we had a lovely lunch. We wandered into the Everest exhibit, and learned a lot about the British expeditions over 45 years of attempts to make it to the summit. I enjoyed learning a little about the Tibetan culture, and found myself agreeing with the Buddhists who couldn't understand why these European men were risking their precious incarnation to climb in the dangerous places surrounding their homes.

What a lovely musuem tucked among a bustling neighborhood :) Very sweet, kind, welcoming staff - even the security guard knew lovely things about the property and took a few minutes to chat with us and share his favorite exhibits. Also there was quite the variety among the permanent collections - and some traveling ones that just wrapped. Local residents can get a discounted entry fee - but double check their website for all the relevant info. There was a decent sized gift shop on the way out, and a restaurant across the hall ~ all in all, I feel you can easily spend two to four hours there 😀

A great place to know more about historical and contemporary art, including textiles, carvings, paintings, and more. Exhibits are immersive and there are helpful volunteers and employees to guide you through. Upon walking in, there's a receptionist table ahead and a gift shop to the right. At the table, they offer maps, guides, future or current event brochures, and a fun scavenger hunt for families. Staff are helpful and respectful. A student discount is available for entry. Their exhibits rotate every now and then. Artefact or display descriptions show the importance or uses of the item. Soft music may play in the background as TVs show the history behind the exhibit. Restrooms are clean and there's easy access to seating in most exhibits.

Love the Bowers, such a great museum. Went to the Guo Pei exhibit. It is Fantastic! I highly recommend seeing this stunning conjunction of color, fabric, jewelry, shoes, and attention to smallest detail.

Parking: they have a parking lot but it's paid parking. There's a few free spots in the neighborhood but only for 2 hours. I went on the free day and had to park several blocks away in Floral Park. The museum ordinarily is not free but there are days you can enter free with you are a Santa Ana resident or have BoA card. The exterior is well kept, lots of greenery. The inside this month was full of Chinese and Polynesian artifact and artwork and woodwork. There was also a section for more local history including indigenous, Spanish colonization and Mexican rule. It's not the biggest museum I've been to, definitely small compared to others but lots of exhibits. They have premium exhibits that cost extra to see. Worth a visit especially if entry is free.

Great museum. I called ahead, and didn't need to make a reservation or buy tickets online. There was no long line, checked in quickly. There are many great displays, sculptures, paintings,jewlery,baskets, gems,tools,masks,drums. We saw displays from various geographical areas, like China,and from local areas,like early Laguna Beach. There was so much to see, I happened to look at my phone,and had been there a couple hours. It didn't feel like I was there,that long. So many interesting exhibits,time just flee by. The displays are informative, signs explain the cultural history of displays,also tvs show some relevant history, and you can use your phone to scan qr codes,to obtain more history/ background of exhibits. There were also docents available, if you have any questions. I loved the gift shop, so many items, for both children and adults. Parking was across the street. There's a kidseum/ museum across the street. Admission was 15 bucks an adult. Sundays are free admission for Santa Ana residents. Staff were very friendly,social.

We had our ESA Pug with us and the Museum staff were so kind all around. We got personal tours from Ellen on California Artists and Sherry on China’s Art history. SO informative and inspiring! Totally recommend visiting :-)

The Bowers Museum is one of the better independent museums of California! It showcases an interesting collection of pacific influence, with an early West Coast Influx of culture, imports and artifacts. It’s a very interesting place to see, learn and experience! There’s several sections of unique exhibits, from the entry hall, to the right. The California area is a bit off to the side, left of the entry hall, down another long hall and left again, before the special exhibit hall. There’s also an upstairs section included with local displays. I’d suggest looking at the included brochure for a brief perspective. Docents are available for guided tours. There’s also special exhibits on display for an additional charge. A regular museum store and a special exhibit store offer related merchandise. An excellent cafe serve’s visitors and walk-ins. The presentations are on par with the top of the line museums of California! The museum building is meticulously maintained, inside and out and includes a style mix of Mission Revival and Modern Contemporary design. Street parking may be available for less than two hours where permitted, though I’d suggest getting a paid parking spot, as it may take more than two hours to experience this place and all it has to offer! The North Bowers Museum Parking lot, is off of Main Street. The South Bowers Museum Parking lot is off of W 20th Street. The flat rate fee is $6.00 per vehicle. A bus loading zone is on the 20th Street side. I first heard of this great place through my tour passengers who were staying in the area hotels. I’d also often glance at the hotel sightseeing brochure stands for information on additional visitor activities to include on their to do list. Locals may not have been aware of this treasure chest of art and information until more recently, with the inclusion of internet referred places of interest. I recommend this museum for visitors and locals as a top priority for making time to see when in Orange County!

California Art Institute exhibit was excellent. Standing exhibits were also hig quality. Particularly liked the Spirits and Headhunters about the Pacific Islanders.

Beautiful facility, easy parking and very helpful staff. The exhibits were well done. I was particularly impressed with the photography collection. If you are local you might compare single day admission prices versus an annual membership. It was about $20 more and you get unlimited visits (the exhibits change every few months) and a discount in the gift shop and restaurant. A very worthwhile half day trip.

I had the pleasure of capturing a wedding recently at Bowers Museum and absolutely loved this wedding venue. The location offers so many beautiful backdrops for your wedding photos and the staff was awesome.

Very nice place for older kids interested in science and for adults. Not much for younger children. The aquarium is pretty cool, and the planetarium shows are good. Luckily they had a nice little ice skating arena outside. That made my kids day. It is an extra charge. The museum isn't cheap. So be sure you're kids are interested in looking at things. Mine prefers "doing" things. For that I would suggest the Exploratorium.

Cool place, lots to see

We loved it. The Walt Disney archives was amazing.

Great place and great work! We loved it!

Beautiful museum! Friendly staff! Came for the Disney Archives Exhibit and had a great time!!!

Temporarily closed

It had a lot of interesting information and items. It was a lot bigger than I expected.

less than I expected. One staff was not friendly. Why was she so rude to us? 🤨 more kindness please

The Bowers Museum is currently closed in accordance with Orange County health guidelines. When the museum is open, it's always a 5 star experience!

Fun place to visit, really enjoyed the Disney section

Beautiful museum in beautiful Golden Gate Park. The rainforest, aquarium and African Hall exhibit are beautiful! My two boys really enjoyed their time there. We didn't have time to see the Planetarium or the living rooftop, but we plan on returning.

Nice but pricey

Great museum with some great exhibits. A little busy and lacking enforcement on social distance, otherwise great!

Disney exhibit was interesting. Mostly some more recent movie and television props and concept pieces. The other exhibits were definitely worth a visit as well.

An excellent museum with a great historic content about the region where it stands. It has temporary exhibitions, a good collection about California and the history, a permanent exhibition of Chinese culture and Pacific Islanders. I think everyone can find something interesting.

So many neat exhibits! It felt like being behind the scenes of Disney!

Amazing exhibit of Guo Pei couture. I will definitely keep an eye out for other exhibits coming through. Very pleasant experience overall. Could use an update in their ticketing system to accommodate online purchases so that we don't have to wait in the same line as those purchasing tickets that day.

With the $25.00 Adult Admission for the Disney exhibition and the $6.00 for Parking price tag. It's not so bad.

Disney exhibition is fantastic

Went for the Disney archives exhibit. Only thing is I wish there had been more.

Very nice museum in Orange County. It's not big, but it's definitely worth a visit. The staff is also very friendly.

Good museum.

Great place! Took 9 kids here for a little field trip. Kidseum is closed, but actually museum is small enough that it held their interest for 2.5 hours.

A fun little museum. Bigger than expected. The Indonesian section & ancient section was cool - but the other half of the museum - including the disney portion was a bit underwhelming.

Enjoyed the Disney Archive exhibit today!

Very informative, now showing the Disney Archives.

Hidden Gem..

Very interesting museum. A little on the pricey side, but I really enjoyed the Disney Archive exhibit.

Disney Archieve was very cool to see! I have gone to quite a few Disney tours, archieve events, and watched a lot of exclusive shows so I've seems majority of the items. It's always nice to see in person, even on repeat an avid Disney/D23/Walt fan... Cool to see Mulan's live action sword up close, that was new!

An amazing community resource full of great local history. An absolute must see and the gift shop is amazing!

Great museum go for a visit

Very nice museum, I enjoy all the exhibitions!

Great exhibits , staff is helpful and friendly.

I enjoyed the temporary Disney Exhibition.

Great place

The Disney exhibition is great.