Updated for 2025
The Bowers Museum in Santa Ana is a beautiful art museum for you and your family to explore. Dedicated to celebrating world cultures through their arts, the Bowers museum is a great place to visit.
The Family Guide to the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana
Bowers Museum
2002 N Main St, Santa Ana, CA 92706
Hours:
Tuesdays – Sundays 10am – 4pm
Bowers Museum Activities for Families
Bowers Books for Kids
Storytime in the galleries. Every last Saturday of the month they hold story book readings in the galleries followed by a fun art project that kids will love. 10:30-12.
Free Family Festivals, sponsored by the Nicholas Endowment, held on the first Sunday of the month
Enjoy a full day of fun for the entire family. Face painting, art projects, live performances, and more, with a different theme each month. Past Festival themes include:
- Lunar New Year
- Renaissance Chocolate Faire
- Celtic Festival
- Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival
- Cinco de Mayo
- Reggae
- Pacific Islands
- Rock ‘n Blues
- Mehregan Persian Festival
- Asian Mid-Autumn Festival
- Mexican Day of the Dead
- International Winter Holidays
- check the website for a list of this year’s themes.
Family Scavenger Hunt
Explore the Museum as a family as you search for art and artifacts in each of the galleries and each of the exhibits. There’s a nice, printed scavenger map to use as you navigate the museum. Families are encouraged to take selfies with their finds and post with the hashtag #BowersMuseum.
Bowers Museum Exhibits
California History
There are several galleries with exhibits on the history of California, including the Legacy of the Missions and Rancheros, California’s Bounty, and the galleries themselves are in the style of a ranch house and Mission.
Art of the Pacific Islands
This exhibit is filled with artifacts from all over the region known as Oceania, highlighting Micronesia, Melanesia, and Polynesia.
The Ancient Arts of China
In this exhibit, you’ll see objects from over 5000 years of Chinese history and culture.
Temporary/Traveling Exhibits
The Bowers Museum has hosted an exhibit of the Terracotta Warriors multiple times over the years, as well as exhibits like: The Power of Photography, Guo Pei: the Art of Couture, Asian Comics: Evolution of an Art Form, and more.
Admission Prices
| Adult | $18 |
| Seniors (over 62) and Students (over 12) | $15 |
| Children (under 12) | Free |
| Santa Ana Residents | Free every Sunday |
Parking:
There are two parking lots, with plenty of spaces, with a fee of $6-7. Or if you prefer, there is metered street parking nearby.
Dining:
The Bowers Museum features the Tangata Restaurant (or “mankind” in the tribal Maori language of New Zealand). With modern decor and a menu of California cuisine, the restaurant caters to museum patrons of all ages. Located in the Bowers Museum’s Mission-style courtyard, the restaurant dedicates half of its seating to alfresco dining on two large patio areas.
Related: The Best Museums for Families in Los Angeles
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