Sea kayaking, body surfing and sun tanning are what attracts some people to Orange County, but others prefer the cool shade and indoor climate control. The sunny Southern California county is home to dozens of museums, including the Laguna Art Museum. Historic homes, such as the birthplace of Richard Nixon and Victorian-era architecture styles, dot the neighborhoods.
The Bowers Kidseum is Orange County's largest museum with 11,000-square feet of space. Specifically involved in interactive children's exhibits, there are cultural and artistic activities that involve kids and their family. Play dress-up with an international flair, using items from the multicultural closet. Learn how to make your own musical instruments from all across the world. Hide behind a mask from another culture, or listen to other languages as you learn about their history. Create your own language through imaginative symbols using the rubbing table. In the art lab, create a paper mache sculpture or ceramic artifact. As of 2010, the museum is open to the public 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and by appointment only Tuesday through Thursday. The museum is closed on Monday.
Visit the Mission San Juan Capistrano for a history lesson of the local area from the 1700s. Established in 1775 by Father Lasuen, the mission is open to the public as an educational resource. Take a docent-guided tour lasting about one hour if you are with a group of at least 15 people; make a reservation in advance. Learn more about the Lewis and Clark Expedition during the Lewis and Clark Exhibit at the mission. Join a class that teaches the art of Native American basket weaving. As of 2010, each second Saturday of the month is Living History Day where members of the Living History Society dress in period costumes by sharing historical information through hands-on activities and dramatized performances. The mission is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, and closed on Christmas Day and Thanksgiving.
The Aquarium of the Pacific is the fourth largest aquarium in the United States. Featuring more than 50 exhibits and about 11,000 animals, the aquarium was established in 1998. Interact with animals in the Shark Lagoon or by feeding lorikeet birds. Learn more about the local environment or discover animals that live in the North Pacific. See the reefs found in the Tropical Pacific, before embarking on a Harbor Cruise. Watch a 4-D film about turtles, or go on a Behind-the-Scenes tour to learn more about the aquarium science and ecology through the expertise of scientists. Aquarium hours as of 2010 are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day with the exception of Dec. 25.
