Hilbert Museum of California Art, Orange

About Hilbert Museum of California Art

The Hilbert Museum of California Art in Orange showcases narrative art—works that tell stories of California's visual history from the late 1800s to the present. Visitors explore a two-building ensemble with 26 galleries displaying rotating selections from over 5,000 artworks in the Hilbert Collection, including oils, watercolors, illustrations, drawings, animation art and movie production art. The museum traces California's evolving landscape and daily life through works by California Scene painters, Hollywood studio artists, illustrators and animators. Exhibitions feature paintings of bustling towns, quiet harbors, family homes, farms, highways and trains that capture specific moments in Orange County history and reveal California's distinct light and scenery. The collection emphasizes how different artists interpret the same scenes across generations. A visit suits families and art enthusiasts interested in how visual artists have documented California's story. The museum operates Wednesday through Sunday and requires online reservations for entry.