This small but fascinating museum in Santa Ana pulls in big exhibitions from all over the world.
The museum is small in size but big on exhibits, with around 120,000 diverse and unusual artefacts all waiting to be discovered, representing cultures from the Pacific Islands, Africa and Asia. See the 200 items from the Quin, Han and Tang dynasties and admire the famous miniature terracotta warriors that were brought to the museum in 2011. There’s a shield made from animal hide from Africa and an initiation mask from the Congo. There’s even a coat worn by a colonel in the American Civil War. Artefacts date from the Neolithic era right up to the 20th Century.
Don’t miss the Native American Art Collection, the museum’s largest exhibit, with its impressive collection of more than 24,000 pieces dating back from prehistoric times to the modern day.
Immerse yourself in some 2,000 works from celebrated Californian artists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Most notable is the 40-piece collection by husband-and-wife artists William and Alberta McCloskey. They toured America together in the late 19th century painting portraits and still lifes. Learn more about the early days of Orange county with the vast collection of memorabilia.
Bowers Museum hosts visiting exhibitions, related films, guest lecturers, workshops and music performances. Visit the museum’s website for details and a timetable of events.
For children, Kidseum is a fun, interactive learning centre where they can play and learn at the same time. Check the opening hours before your visit, as these vary throughout the year.
The main part of the museum is open between Tuesday and Sunday and entry is free on the first Sunday of the month. If you plan to visit the featured exhibition on a Sunday, be aware that you’ll have to queue for a separate free ticket and then you may have to wait again to get into the exhibition space as only 250 visitors are allowed in at any one time.
To get the most out of your visit, allow at least three hours to look around. For lunch, try the excellent Tangata restaurant on site. This is a popular restaurant, so it’s best to book beforehand.
The Bowers Museum is a five-minute drive from downtown Santa Ana. Paid parking is available and the museum is also accessible from downtown by bus.
