Children's Museum at La Habra

301 S. Euclid St., La Habra, CA, 90631.
(562) 905-9693.
Web site: Children's Museum at La Habra

California's first children's museum, the popular, hands-on Children's Museum at La Habra is celebrating its 20th birthday this year. An interactive learning center, the Children's Museum at La Habra enriches the lives of ALL children, their families and educators through participatory exhibits and activities in science, history, the arts, culture and everyday life. Children can program a real computer, try on exotic costumes, ride a carousel, and much more. The museum is an active learning center for young children where they can challenge themselves, discover how the world works, try on new roles, and learn through play in hands-on exhibits and programs. The popular youth facility is housed in a renovated 1923 Union Pacific depot which contains 15 permanent exhibits with temporary exhibits which change 3 times a year. Permanent hands-on exhibits include: "Nature Walk;" "Science Station;" "Dingo Dig;" "Kids on Stage;" "Sop, Look and Listen" and "PreSchool PlayPark." The changing exhibits for 1998 include: "Passport to Egypt" which runs from February 9-June 14, 1998 and is followed by "Games People Play" which runs from June29-September 6, 1998. The Children's Museum also hosts art workshops, birthday parties, a Halloween "Un" Haunted House and Breakfast with Santa. Freeway close to AMC Theaters at The Block .

• Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.,
• Mon.-Sat.; 1 p.m.-5 p.m.,
• Sun. Closed major holidays.

The Bower's Museum of Cultural Art

2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana, CA 92706.
(714) 567-3600,
Tours: (714) 567-3680
Fax: (714) 567-3603.
Web site: Bower's Museum

Displaying the art of indigenous peoples from the Americas, Pacific Rim and Africa, the Bowers Museum of Cultural Art is Orange County's largest museum. It features spacious changing exhibit halls, a gourmet restaurant and a stylish store. Permanent exhibitions include: African, Native American, Asian, Pre Columbian, and Oceanic art, plus fine paintings by California artists and historic artifacts of the old west. The museum hosts an array of world-class traveling exhibitions and colorful community festivals throughout the year.

Kidseum, 1802 N. Main St.

Kidseum: (714) 480-1520

For the kids, Bowers has added "Kidseum," an 11,000 square foot facility adjacent to the main building, where children have fun while learning about people and places, past and present. Interactive displays, touchable artifacts, costumes, masks, storytelling and art labs provide young visitors with avenues for creativity, communication and understanding. The Bowers Museum believes that learning about people through their arts will lead us to a greater understanding of ourselves as well as a fuller appreciation of the marvelous diversity of the human family. The museum is located on the corner of 20th and main Streets in Santa Ana and is easily accessible via OCTA buses.

• Open Tues.-Sun. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.,
• Thursdays 10 a.m.-9 p.m.,
• Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day.
• $2-$6.

The Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace

18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, CA 92886.
(714) 993-5075,
(800) 872-8865 (US/Canada),
Fax: (714) 528-0554.
Web site: The Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace

Southern California's "high-tech roller coaster ride" through some of the most important issues, events, controversies and personalities of our time. View countless articles collected during his political career. This privately supported, non-profit institution is dedicated to educating the public about the life and times of the 37th President and encouraging interest in history, government, and public affairs. The nine-acre Library and Birthplace is a three-dimensional walk through memoir featuring a 52,000 square foot museum, 22 high tech galleries, movie and interactive video theatres, along with the First Lady's Garden and much more. Permanent galleries include the "Road to the Presidency" showcasing Nixon's public life including his service as Congressman, Senator and Vice-President. The "Vice-Presidency" presentation takes visitors around the world with one of the most active and successful Vice Presidents. To continue the theme, "World Leaders" features priceless gifts presented to the President and Mrs. Nixon by heads of states from around the world. The exhibit wouldn't be complete without the "Structure of Peace" Gallery that presents the President's strategy for the opening of the Peoples Republic of China, his travels to the Soviet Union and efforts to bring the boys home from Vietnam. Other must see permanent exhibits include the Berlin Wall, a historically accurate recreation of the Lincoln Sitting Room, Gowns worn by various dignitaries and, of course, the Watergate Gallery, the largest exhibit dedicated to a single subject at the Library. There are other special exhibitions that take place throughout the year. Located only minutes from Disneyland Park. Visitors are invited to tour the farmhouse where America's 37th President was born and raised. View the burial site of President and Mrs. Nixon which is set among over 1300 rose bushes in White House-styled gardens. Browse the unique Presidential Gift Shop on site. Group tours and after-hours special events are welcome.

• Open Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.,
• Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Admission: $5.95 adults, $3.95 seniors, $2 children ages 8-11, free for children under 8.

Irvine Museum

18881 Von Karman Ave., 12th floor, Irvine, CA.
(949) 476-2565.

The Irvine Museum is dedicated to the preservation and display of California Impressionist art,dating from about 1890-1930, a beautiful and important regional variant of American Impressionism that has come to be associated with California and its remarkable landscape. Located in an office building near the John Wayne Airport. Through Sept. 19: Painting Partners, California paintings by husband and wife, parent and child, teacher and student.

• Open Tues.-Sat. 11 a.m.-5p.m.
• Free.

Old Orange County Courthouse Museum

211 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana, CA 92701.
(714) 834-3703.

The Old Courthouse has presided over Orange County jurisprudence since its construction in 1901. From far reaching court cases to the everyday activities of government, it has been the traditional home of County government. Even now, after a state-of-the-art replacement facility has been erected, the renovated old courthouse continues to serve several county offices and houses the Old Courthouse Museum. Many of the turn-of-the-century residents were new arrivals from the East Coast and Midwest who had been lured by low railroad fares and tales of health and wealth. These folks helped forge a sense of community in their new home with the construction of the county's first courthouse. This was due in large part to William Spurgeon, the founder of Santa Ana, who sold the county this parcel of land, provided a courthouse be erected on the property within 10 years. By 1898 the county constructed its first jail. By 1900 plans for a Richardsonian Romanesque-style courthouse building were created. The grand staircase features monumental Corinthian columns, Tennessee marble stair treads and oak handrails. The open ironwork in the risers was designed to allow air to flow for ventilation. The third floor lobby rotunda showcases the infancy of electrical lighting with its use of skylights to enhance the gasolier-electroliers, as well as the chandeliers that accommodated both gas and electricity. The Old Courthouse Museum provides an exhibit gallery featuring temporary and traveling history exhibits. The courthouse itself is nationally registered as a historic place and there are many areas of interest throughout the stately building. Couples still get married at this turn-of-the-century courthouse. Located on Santa Ana Boulevard and Broadway in Santa Ana. Adult and school tours.

• Self-guided tours are available Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Tours are offered to walk-in visitors on Tue. Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
• For visitor information call (714) 834-3703.
• Free.

Fullerton Museum Center

301 N. Pomona Ave., Fullerton, CA 92832-1927.
(714) 738-6545.

Dedicated to developing and presenting the best in multidisciplinary exhibitions and educational programs in the areas of history, science, and art. Changing exhibitions focusing on contemporary topics and ideas are presented in the museum's three galleries. Museum focuses on modern-day culture through writing, art, film and artifacts. Unique and intriguing series of demonstrations, concerts, lectures, and family activities are produced throughout the year.

• Open Wed.-Sun. noon- 4 p.m.,
• Thurs. noon-8 p.m.
• $2-$3.

International Surfing Museum

411 Olive Avenue, Huntington Beach, CA 92648.
(714) 960-3483.

Visit "Surf City's" unique museum that holds an extensive collection of surf memorabilia commemorating over 80 years of American surfing heritage. There is a Surfer's Walk of Fame, and an entire wall is dedicated to surf music.