Our Top Picks for Orange County Museums and Tourist Destinations You Should Visit in 2022

Orange County is famous for many reasons, from its vibrant communities to its legendary theme parks, but have you truly experienced all that our wonderful corner of California has to offer? For instance, there are many museums scattered throughout the region. With so many different kinds of museums, at least one of them is bound to tickle your fancy. Consider one of these museums for one of your next Orange County events:

The Richard Nixon Library

President Nixon’s library is one of two Presidential libraries in California, the second being the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley, Ventura County. Here you can learn all about and experience Nixon’s turbulent presidency first hand. Even if you found yourself falling asleep in your history classes during your school days, you will find this interactive experience anything but a snore.

The Pretend City Children’s Museum

This Irvine museum allows children to be an adult for a day, where they will do several different kinds of grown-up jobs, shop for their own groceries, and go to the ATM. Your child will surely have a blast, but it will also make them appreciate their childhood a little more while it still lasts. Pretend City is also a non-profit organization, and children can opt to donate some of their “Pretend City money” back to them. Kids will also have the opportunity to snack on some great food during their visit!

The Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum

Surf’s up. Did you know that Huntington Beach is recognized as the official Surf City USA? That’s right! The museum, devoted to the memory of Duke Kahanamoku (1890 – 1968), recently re-opened in late August 2021. You can even see the largest surfboard in the entire world standing at a whopping 42 feet, as seen in the Guinness World Records, so if you are in love with all things surfing, come on over to the International Surfing Museum, open Thursday through Sunday!

Mission San Juan Capistrano

Mission San Juan Capistrano is one of the famous California missions, established before California was even officially a state! It was named after Saint Junipero Serra (1713 – 1784), the patron Saint of California. Founded in 1776, the same year as our nation, it is known as the “Jewel of California Missions,” attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors per year. Catholics and non-Catholics alike will appreciate its distinct relics and beauty of the Serra Chapel, the only church where Saint Serra held mass that still stands today. Serra also has his own museum, the Junípero Serra Museum, located in San Diego.

The Laguna Art Museum

This Laguna Beach museum entirely consists of work by California artists. Founded in 1918, it serves as the oldest cultural institution in the Laguna area. The art featured in the gallery dates as far back as the 19th century leading up to modern day artists. LAM also has an art education program for children so that your little ones can also learn to appreciate the wonderful world of art. If you are a fan of the fine arts or are passionate about the culture of California in general, then you absolutely must put this museum on our list of Orange County events to experience first-hand.

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