The Best Alternative Museums In Orange County, California

Huntington Beach is known as one of the biggest surfing capitals of the world, so it seems more than fitting that such a city would house a surfing museum. Dedicated to preserving the history of surfing, it is a must-see spot for any surfing fanatic. Some of the highlights include George Freeth’s 1919 surfboard – he was the first person to surf Huntington Beach – to the recent addition of the World’s Largest Surf Board, which arrived at the collection on January 22, 2016. And with only a $2 cost of admission, it’s an inexpensive way to enjoy a traditionally expensive area.

Serving as a home to historic pieces such as the 1929 Ford Model A, 1956 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud, and the 1973 Porsche Interscope Indy Car to the multiple Ferraris and Lamborghinis, this museum is sure to attract any car or racing enthusiast, as well as history lovers. The walls of the Marconi Automotive Museum house street and race cars and even some motorcycles, with every vehicle kept in a lustrous and shining condition – evidence into preserving these pieces of history. Best of all, the museum donates profits to help at-risk children. What better way to enjoy the community than to know you’re giving back as well.

For those interested in both Impressionist art and the beauty of Southern California, The Irvine Museum presents a unique niche of paintings to fit this mold. Through the showcasing of these paintings, the museum hopes to inspire a love of nature as well as raise environmental awareness. One such example is their exhibit featuring California paintings that emphasize water in order to bring attention to the drought and how devastating it is to lose such a beautiful natural resource. These beautiful landscapes provide a look into times past and hope that it inspires us to preserve what is left for times in the future.