Muzeo Museum and Cultural Center - Anaheim

Wednesday-Sunday 10:00am-5:00pm
Location: 241 South Anaheim Boulevard
Why Go There? Historic 1908 Carnegie Library building holds permanent collection highlighting history of Anaheim, surrounding area. Artifacts include fossil findings, indigenous peoples crafts, 9th-Century winery and citrus-farming tools, memorabilia; main gallery changing exhibits, special events; entrance fee main gallery (Carnegie gallery free admission)
More Information: Muzeo

Brea Gallery - Brea

Wednesday-Sunday 12:00pm-5:00pm
Location: One Civic Circle
Why Go There? City run gallery hosts four contemporary art exhibits yearly, annual juried California artist works show; gift shop
More Information: Brea Gallery

Sherman Library and Gardens - Corona Del Mar

Daily 10:30am-4:00pm Thursday-Friday until 7:00pm June-Labor Day weekend
Location: 2647 East Coast highway
Why Go There? Premier botanical garden hosts outdoor art exhibits; research library with Pacific Southwest history collections; property includes popular garden-to-table restaurant, plein air artworks
More Information: The Sherman

Orange Coast College Doyle Art Pavilion Gallery - Costa Mesa

Tuesday-Thursday, First Saturday 11:00am-5:00pm (fall 2021 schedule)
Location: 2701 Fairview Avenue (opposite side from main campus entrance: Doyle located between Starbucks/Art Center classroom building 180)
Why Go There? Focuses on contemporary art with dynamic programming intended to inspire artists, students, scholars, local, international communities. Designed by architect Steven Ehrlich, Doyle Arts Pavilion features a main and a project gallery; exhibit opening receptions; free admission. Lot D parking is free only during exhibition receptions and Saturdays in both staff and student areas, otherwise meter parking nearby (if driving).
More Information: Frank M. Doyle Arts Pavillion

Cypress College Art Gallery - Cypress

Monday-Thursday 10:00am-2:00pm and by appointment
Location: 9200 Valley View Street
Why Go There? Hosts visiting artists, student and faculty exhibits; lectures; opening receptions; free
More Information: Cypress College Art Gallery

Dana Point Fine Arts Association Shows - Dana Point

Location: Dana Point Harbor
Why Go There? Active association organizes, hosts several outdoor fine arts shows/sales throughout the year featuring variety of media from member artists: Festival of Whales Show (March); Spring Art Festival (April); Mother's Day Fine Art Show (May); Dana Point Fine Arts Show during Maritime Festival weekend (September); Fall Festival Show (October)
More Information: Dana Point Fine Arts

Elephant Parade (tm) - Dana Point

Location: Scattered around town, many are found on Del Prado between Old Golden Lantern and Ruby Lantern
Why Go There? Colorful, uniquely decorated elephant statues created by artists and celebrities to raise awareness of the plight of Asian Elephants, encourage conservation efforts
More Information: Elephant Parade

Ocean Institute - Dana Point

Saturday-Sunday 11:00am-3:00PM fee entrance (gift shop opens 9:30am, free admission)
Location: 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive
Why Go There? Exhibits maritime science, history; interactive activities; offers tours: tide pool hikes, kayak, whale and marine life; bioluminescence night cruises; annual Maritime Festival (September); gift shop; adjacent to Old Cove Native Plant Preserve
More Information: Ocean Institute

Fullerton College Art Gallery - Fullerton

Location: 321 East Chapman Avenue
Why Go There? Hosts changing exhibits featuring student and artist-in-resident works; permanent art collection showcased biennially alternating years with faculty exhibitions
More Information: Exhibitions

Fullerton Arboretum, OC Agricultural & Nikkei Heritage Museum - Fullerton

Arboretum: daily 8:00am-4:30pm
Wednesday, Friday-Sunday 12:00pm- 4:00pm
Location: 1900 Associated Road
Why Go There? 24 acre arboretum contains desert, mediterranean and woodlands collections, childrens garden, restored 1894 Eastlake style Victorian house and gardens; changing exhibits, tours, special events: annual Victorian Tea (May), Summer Solstice party fundraiser (June), Brews & Blues (August), plant sales; donations welcome (requested for tours)
More Information: Fullerton Arboretum

Fullerton Museum Center - Fullerton

Thursday 4:00pm-7:00pm (subject to change)
Location: 301 North Pomona Avenue
Why Go There? Fender Guitar creator Leo Fender resided in Fullerton and his story/guitar memorabilia is feature in a permanent Leo Fender Gallery; changing pop art exhibits in main gallery; evening Haunted Walking tours; gift shop; modest entrance fee, discount for seniors, students
More Information: Fullerton Museum

Huntington Beach Art Center - Huntington Beach

Tuesday-Saturday 12:00pm-5:00pm (Thursday until 8:00pm, Saturday opens 9:00am)
Location: 538 Main Street
Why Go There? Changing exhibits; special events include annual arts festival; gift shop
More Information: Huntington Beach Art Center

Irvine Fine Arts Center - Irvine

Monday-Saturday 10:00am-5:00pm (Thursday until 9:00pm, Saturday opens 9:00am)
Location: 14321 Yale Avenue (Heritage Community Park)
Why Go There? City run center hosts changing contemporary art exhibitions showcasing local, regional artists; special events: juried Studio Arts Festival (first Saturday in June), variety of media, live music, art demonstrations, food, including ice cream sundaes served in handmade collectible ceramic bowls; Holiday Faire (November) showcases 100 artists, food for sale in collectible ceramic bowls, small admission fee
More Information: Exhibitions

Orange County Great Park Arts at the Park - Irvine

Location: 8000 Crest Park Boulevard
Why Go There? Palm Court Arts Complex Great Park Gallery changing exhibits, Great Park Artist Studios; Hangar 244: 10,000 square foot event center; shaded outdoor performance plaza (enhanced with 54 Canary Islands date palms) schedules popular summer movie nights on the lawn
More Information: Exhibitions

UCI Art Gallery - Irvine

Location: 712 Arts Plaza Building 721
Why Go There? Showcases contemporary student, faculty artworks; juried exhibits
More Information: University Art Galleries

UCI Institute and Museum of California Art (IMCA) - Irvine

Wednesday-Saturday 11:00am-4:00pm (Saturday opens 12:00pm)
Location: 18881 Von Karman Ave #100 (Airport Tower downtown)
Why Go There? Dedicated to American Impressionist art depicting California landscapes, 2,500 square foot space features rotating exhibits from 3500+ artworks collection (temporary location until dedicated museum built on UCI campus); no admittance cost.
More Information: UCI IMCA

La Habra Art Association Gallery - La Habra

Saturday-Sunday 12:00pm-4:00pm
Location: 151 West La Habra Boulevard
Why Go There? Hosts several annual themed shows featuring variety of media, includes judged members show
More Information: La Habra Art Gallery

First Thursday’s Art Walk - Laguna Beach

First monthly Thursday 6:00pm-9:00pm
Location: Throughout town (map, galleries listed on Visit Laguna Beach website)
Why Go There? 30+ galleries showcase changing artist works, variety of media; special events, music
More Information: First Thursday’s Art Walk

Laguna Art Museum - Laguna Beach

Thursday-Tuesday 11:00am-5:00pm)
Location: 307 Cliff Drive (metered parking near museum Cliff Drive/Coast Highway, additional street parking residential area east of museum, across Coast Highway)
Why Go There? Exhibits California artists or works representing California life, history; changing exhibits; events include music concerts, art films; discount entrance seniors 60+, students 18+ (free to 17, under and first Thursday evenings)
More Information: Laguna Art Museum

Laguna College of Art & Design (LCAD) Gallery - Laguna Beach

Wednesday-Sunday 11:00am-4:00pm
Location: 374 Ocean Avenue
Why Go There? Features exhibitions by world-renowned and emerging artists, students; free
More Information: LCAD Gallery

Sawdust Festival - Laguna Beach

Fourth of July weekend-Labor Day weekend
Daily 11:00am-7:00pm, Friday-Saturday until 10:00pm
Location: 935 Laguna CanyonRoad
Why Go There? Popular annual festival started by artists features Laguna Beach artist works, festival activities; tickets entrance fee (draws huge crowds)
More Information: Sawdust Festival

Saddleback College Art Gallery - Mission Viejo

Monday-Tuesday, Thursday-Friday 12:00pm-5:00pm
Location: 28000 Marguerite Parkway
Why Go There? Changing exhibits from guest artists, visiting artist lectures, special events; opening receptions; free reservations required for non-students through eventbrite (during Covid restrictions)
More Information: Saddleback College Art Gallery

Civic Center Park Sculpture Exhibition - Newport Beach

Location: 100 Civic Center Drive (easily reached by bus, if not driving)
Why Go There? 20 eye-catching thought provoking sculptures, information plaques accessible for close-up or distance viewing via pleasant 1.5 mile walking paths throughout award-winning park. City of Newport Beach brochure with color photos, sculpture listings, park map available at the Newport Beach library directly south of the park or online
More Information: Sculpture Exhibition in Civic Center Park

Gray Matter Museum of Art - Newport Beach

Monday-Friday 9:00am-6:00pm by appointment only
Location: 530 32nd Avenue
Why Go There? Intended to stimulate the gray matter of one's brain, showcases local artists; gift shop; hosts events
More Information: The Gray Matter Museum

Newport Beach Public Library - Newport Beach

Location: 1000 Avocado Avenue
Why Go There? Changing art exhibits; art lectures; free
More Information: Calendar

Hilbert Museum of California Art at Chapman University - Orange

Tuesday-Friday 1:00pm-5:00pm (2021 temporary limited hours)
Location: 167 North Atchison Street (across the street from Orange metrolink station)
Why Go There? Opened in 2016 with Hilbert family multi-million dollar, artworks donation, collection is dedicated to and contains significant repository of 1000+ images of 20th century California artist works; includes oils, watercolors, drawings of urban and industrial California scenes, coastal views, farms, ranches and landscapes of everyday life; permanent and rotating displays; no cost admission
More Information: Hilbert Museum

Santiago Canyon College Art Gallery - Orange

Monday-Thursday 11:00am-3:00pm (opening receptions Thursday 4:00pm-6:00pm)
Location: 8045 East Chapman Avenue
Why Go There? Changing exhibits showcase local artists, faculty, student show (May), winter art sale; Media includes painting, drawing, sculpture, digital media, photography, video
More Information: SCC Art Gallery

San Clemente Art Association Gallery - San Clemente

Monday, Wednesday-Friday 12:00pm-4:00pm, Sunday opens 10:00am
Location: 100 North Calle Seville (Community Center, entrance east side)
Why Go There? 200+ member artist association hosts judged gallery art exhibits/sales, variety of media; featured artists; special events include Paint San Clemente/Plein Air Gala (June), annual arts and craft fair (August)
More Information: San Clemente Art Association

Mission San Juan Capistrano Museum & Garden - San Juan Capistrano

Tuesday-Sunday 9-00am-4:00pm
Location: 26801 Ortega Highway
Why Go There? Showcases historic and religious artifacts, 18th-20th century paintings, interpretive room dedicated to Native American art; permanent collection includes landscape and portrait paintings, religious artifacts; entrance fee (slight discount for seniors); mission tours available
More Information: Exhibits

Bowers Museum - Santa Ana

Tuesday-Sunday 10:00am-4:00pm
Location: 2002 North Main Street
Why Go There? Largest museum in Orange County evolved from Orange County history focus to include/reflect fine arts of indigenous peoples of the Americas, the Pacific; permanent Chinese exhibition; growing Oceanic collection; 90,000+ artifacts, artworks; hosts special events: films, musical presentations, lectures; 300-seat auditorium; on-site lunch restaurant; senior, student, weekday discount
More Information: Bowers Museum

Grand Central Art Center - Santa Ana

Tuesday-Sunday 11:00am-4:00pm (Friday-Saturday to 5:00pm; Sunday 3:00pm)
Location: 125 North Broadway
Why Go There? Explores contemporary art and visual culture: locally, regionally, nationally, internationally through collaborations among artists, students, the community; a California State University Fullerton College of the Arts collaboration with the city of Santa Ana
More Information: Grand Central Art Center

Additional Resources

Anaheim GardenWalk - Anaheim
Art installations, murals, art in windows; 400 West Disney Way

Public Art Sculptures - Brea
Interactive Map

Cultural and Fine Arts - Buena Park
Changing art exhibits in City Hall Council Chamber by appointment; 6650 Beach Boulevard

Street Art - Costa Mesa
Colorful murals, public art, utility boxes

Public Art - Dana Point
Utility boxes, sculptures, statue, mosaics, fountains, tributes, murals, etc.

Fullerton Art Walk - Fullerton
Monthly first Friday art walk downtown

Public Art - Fullerton
Map

Public Art - Huntington Beach
”A collection of over 40 site specific works located at beaches, parks and businesses throughout the City”

Murals - Laguna Beach
Guide

Sculptures and Public Art - Laguna Beach
Art guides

Art Exhibition - Newport Beach
”The annual exhibition features recently created original artwork in various mediums, including oils and acrylics, watercolor, charcoal, pen and ink, sculpture, photography and mixed media” (June)

Southern California Plein Air Painters Association (SOCALPAPA) - Newport Beach
Art show/sale: Environmental Nature Center; 1601 East 16th Street (June)

Public Art - Newport Beach
Map

Public Art Catalog - San Clemente
Art in public places

Tustin Area Council of Fine Arts - Tustin
Events

Annual Old Town Tustin - Tustin
Craft crawl, art walk

Yorba Linda Arts Alliance Foundation - Yorba Linda
Annual Celebration of the Arts and Music Festival; 4701 Casa Loma Avenue/Hurless Barton Park (June)
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