The Hilbert Museum of California Art is one of the best places in the country for California Art. Named after Mark and Janet Hilbert who endowed some of their collections to the museum and also donated a sizable amount to build it, this repository is indeed a must for art lovers. Showcasing 247 works including watercolors, lithographs, oils, animation and movie art, the collection takes you through the varying scenes of California from the 1920s to the 1970s. Notable Californian masters from the 20th Century like Emil Kosa Jr, Joan Irving, Milford Zornes, Francis Caldwell and Ruth Peabody feature in their collection.
Whittier Community Center is a dynamic and a thriving community center that is responsive to the needs of its local communities. The organization provides a wide spectrum of activities and services to all age groups and you can even subscribe to their membership to participate in these activities all year long. They also let out their rooms to the patrons at affordable prices for celebrating private events.
This playhouse features all kinds of great plays, from comedies to drama. It has been going strong for 35 seasons and doesn't show any signs of slowing down. Spend an afternoon or evening being entertained by these great actors and the wonderful plays. Tickets are inexpensive, running anywhere between $5 and $18, and season tickets are equally affordable. Call the Box Office for the current schedule and ticket details.
Take a boat tour of Newport Harbor and make your trip to Orange County complete. You can take a variety of tours inside the harbor or venture out into the ocean where you'll be shown playful sea lions, and depending upon the season, whales (January through March). It's a great way to fill your lungs with some salty sea air and learn why so many Southern Californians have decided to call Newport Beach home.
The unique history and culture of surfers is a big part of the Southern California's personality. As such, the Surf Gallery pays tribute to the whole scene by featuring regular exhibitions by, for and about surfers. Photos capturing the athletes in action hang alongside oil paintings meticulously produced in the off-season by surfers both well-known and up-and-coming.
While in Laguna Beach, be sure to visit the oceanfront gallery of Wyland, an artist well-known for his paintings of marine life. Nicknamed the "Marine Michelangelo," the first thing you'll be amazed by is the variety of mediums used in his art. Murals are seen on the exterior walls while bronze sculptures loom over the front entrance. The inside overflows with even more: Lucite sculptures, acrylic sculptures, oil paintings, abstract art, brush art, photographs, bronze tables, portholes and mirrors.