Museum Hours
June 15 Update: Masks will only be required for unvaccinated visitors, in accordance with recent COVID safety standards in the state of California. Click here for other new health and safety precautions to expect during your visit.
Closed Mondays, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Closing at 2 pm on Christmas Eve.
Bowers Museum and Gallery Store
Tuesday - Sunday
10 am - 4 pm
Tangata Restaurant - Now open!
Tuesday - Friday 11 am - 2 pm; Saturday & Sunday 11 am - 3 pm
Please note: Tangata Restaurant is not currently taking reservations due to COVID. Walk-ins are welcome!
Kidseum
Currently closed for renovations. All family programs will continue at the Bowers Museum.
Temporary Exhibition Closure
Ancient Arts of China is temporarily closed through October 2, 2021 while we restore the galleries from hosting our temporary exhibition Treasures in Gold & Jade: Masterworks from Taiwan.
General Admission
General Admission ticket includes access to all current exhibitions.
| Type | Price |
| Members and Children Under 12* *Must be accompanied by paying adult |
Free |
| Adults | $15 |
| Seniors (Age 62+) and Students (12+) | $12 |
Please use touchscreen scroll left to right to view full pricing chart.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
Cash, Personal Check, Cashier Check, American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Discover
/ Location
Directions
The Bowers Museum
The Bowers is located at the corner of 20th & Main Streets in Santa Ana - one minute from the 5 freeway, (Main St. South exit) and just minutes from the 57, 55 and 22 freeways.
Parking
Parking is available directly north of the museum for a $6 fee. In the instance of overflow, the lot just south of the museum on 20th street will also be made available. Nearby metered and timed street parking is also available. Bowers Museum Members have the exclusive opportunity to purchase an Annual Parking Pass for $20.
Public Transportation
The bus line servicing the Bowers Museum and Kidseum is the OCTA bus number 53. Metrolink and Amtrak trains stop at the Anaheim Station (3.5 miles from the museum), and the Santa Ana Station (1.7 miles from the museum).
Free and Discounted Admission
Group Tickets
Adult, Senior, and College Groups of 15 or more receive up to $3 off per ticket and personalized scheduling! To schedule your group of 15 or more please contact the Tours Office at 714-567-3680 or tours@bowers.org
Santa Ana Sundays
Bowers offers free general admission to all Santa Ana residents on Sundays through a generous donation in memory of Dorothy Goerl and courtesy of the Lockhart Family. Santa Ana residents will need to provide proof of residency through an ID, driver's license or utility bill.
Click here to download a bilingual flyer for Free Santa Ana Sundays
School Groups
K-12 School groups, Homeschool groups, youth groups, and scouts can take part in special student tours, art projects, and programs. To schedule your school group of 15 or more, please contact the Tours Office at 714-567-3680 or tours@bowers.org or book your school group online!
Military Discounts
In honor of miliarty, Bowers Museum is pleased to offer free General Admission to all active duty military year round with proof of ID.
Each Veterans Day, all veterans also enjoy free General Admission to the Museum.
Finally, Bowers will launch participation in the Blue Star Museums program this year on June 22, 2021. This program will provide free access to the Bowers Museum for active-duty military, National Guard, and Reserve personnel and up to five family members June 22 through Labor Day, Monday, September 6, 2021.
All military discounts are given onsite only, with valid military ID.
Bowers Museum Members
Enjoy a year of FREE admission to Bowers Permanent Collections and Non-Specially Ticketed Exhibitions. You’ll also enjoy, depending on membership level, 1-2 FREE tickets to Specially Ticketed Exhibitions, Gallery Store discounts, invitations to members' previews, and many other benefits.
Family Festivals
Thank you to the Nicholas Endowment for sponsoring our Family Festivals on the first Sunday of each month. Admission to the Family Festivals in the Key Courtyard is free. General admission on Festival Sundays to Bowers Museum is free to Santa Ana residents and Bowers Museum members only.
Please note Family Festivals are temporarily being offered virtually. Visit the Bowers at Home portal for details.
Visitor Resources
Please Note: Masks are now required for all unvaccinated visitors.
- Learn more on our Health and Safety page
Below are some helpful guidelines to help you plan your visit. If you have a question or special need, feel free to visit the Information Desk in the lobby, or simply ask a staff member or security officer.
Bags
Backpacks, oversized purses, briefcases, and luggage are not permitted in the galleries at any time. The Bowers Museum reserves the right to inspect purses, briefcases and packages as employees and visitors enter and leave the premises.
Cameras
Still photography is permitted at the Bowers for private, noncommercial use. Photographs may not be published, sold, reproduced, transferred, distributed, or used commercially in any manner.
The use of flash photography and/or tripods is prohibited at all times.
For inquiries related to press or commercial filming/ photography opportunities at the Bowers, please visit our Online Pressroom.
Gallery Behavior
Touching any of the artwork in the galleries is strictly prohibited. Many are very fragile, and even the stroke of a gentle finger can leave a residue of damaging oil on an object. For your protection and safety, no climbing is allowed on outdoor sculptures.
Food and Drink
Food and Drink are not allowed in the Museum's galleries or Kershaw Auditorium. Food and drink are available for purchase at Tangata, our beautiful restaurant in the Margaret Key Courtyard.
Re-Entry
You may not re-enter a Specially Ticketed Exhibition.
You may exit the Museum and our permanent collections and return later in the day if you would like. Tickets are valid from the printed entrance time through the end of operating hours on the day of your visit. Just remember: please retain your admission sticker and ticket stub to present upon re-entry
Restrooms and Drinking Fountains
Restrooms are located on the main floor in Dorothy and Donald Kennedy Wing in the Anthony W. and Sharon D. Thompson Foyer and off the John M. Lee Court in the Dr. Wan-Lin & Assumpta Kiang Family Foundation Rotunda. Restrooms in the Historic Wing are located off the Main Foyer. All of these restrooms locations are wheelchair-accessible. Drinking fountains are located near the restrooms in the Dorothy and Donald Kennedy Wing.
Sketching
Sketching is permitted in the Bowers' permanent collection galleries and special exhibitions. You may write down notes or sketch in the galleries, but only using dry media, such as No. 2 pencils. Please refrain from leaning against walls or glass cases while sketching.
Strollers
Baby strollers are permitted at all times in the permanent collection galleries. However, the use of strollers may be restricted in special exhibition galleries due to certain loan restrictions and high visitor volume in these areas.
Photography/Video Policy
As a visitor to the museum, you hereby grant to Bowers Museum the irrevocable and unrestricted right to use and publish photographs or video of you for Bowers Museum publications, electronic reproductions (websites, social media) and/or promotional materials or any other purpose and in any manner or medium. In addition, you grant permission to alter the same without restriction; and to copyright the same.
You further acknowledge that by entering the property of the Bowers Museum that your participation is voluntary and you will not receive financial compensation of any type associated with the taking or publication of photographs and or videos or participation in company marketing materials or other publications. You acknowledge and agree that publication of said photos and or videos confers no rights of ownership or royalties whatsoever.
You hereby release Bowers Museum, its contractors, its employees, and any third parties involved in the creation or publication of marketing materials, from liability for any claims by you or any third party in connection with your participation.
Weapons
The use or possession of any type of weapon or explosives is strictly prohibited.
Animals
Animals are not permitted at the Bowers. The only exception is for service animals on a leash and under their masters’ control as authorized by applicable law.
For additional information call 714.567.3600
Onsite Public Tours
Meet at the main admissions desk to enjoy a docent-led gallery tour free with your general admission ticket. Choose from 'Best of Bowers' highlights of the permanent collection or 'Public Gallery Tour' - a sort of choose your own adventure theme. Tours are subject to volunteer docent availability and may need to be cancelled without notice. Thank you in advance for your understanding.
Tue - Fri*
1 pm Best of Bowers Public Tour
2 pm Public Gallery Tour
Sat
11 am Public Gallery Tour
1 pm Best of Bowers Public Tour
2 pm Public Gallery Tour
Sun
11:30 am Public Gallery Tour
*1 pm Best of Bowers Public Tour
2:30 pm Public Gallery Tour
*Note: There will be no tours on the first Wed, first Fri, second Thur, and Third Tues of the month until further notice because of volunteer shortages due to the pandemic. There will also be no 1 pm Best of Bowers Tours on Festival Days.
Virtual Public Tours
Registration is now open for virtual public tours, geared for all ages. Checkout the Program Calendar for upcoming dates and reserve your virtual spot today!
$5 Members, $10 General. Ticketholders will receive a private link to view the online presentation prior to the tour.
Virtual Private Group and School Tours are also now available. Click here for more information.
All areas of the Bowers Museum are wheelchair accessible. Wheelchairs may be requested at the time of your visit from the security officer at the Museum's entrance.
Complimentary admission will be given to caregivers who are accompanying a visitor with accessibility needs.
Shop the Gallery Store online at shop.bowers.org for delivery or pickup, regardless of if the Museum is open or not!
The Bowers Museum Gallery Store is open during regular museum hours Tue-Sun 10 am - 4 pm.
Visit the Bowers Gallery Store online to start shopping now and sign-up for our newsletter to hear about the latest sales and unique merchandise you can't purchase anywhere else!
Tangata Restaurant (or "mankind" in the tribal Maori language of New Zealand) features modern decor enclosed by glass walls, a ceiling framed with stuccoed beams, and large windows to allow ambient light to illuminate the main dining area. Located in the Bowers Museum's Mission-style courtyard, the restaurant dedicates half of its seating to alfresco dining on two large patio areas. The patios and courtyard are perfect for romantic weddings or evening receptions.
We’re very pleased to announce that we have reopened our kitchen for Dine-in and are excited to welcome you back with our Smokehouse BBQ Menu with spacious outdoor seating available!
Open Tuesday - Friday 11 am - 2 pm; Saturday & Sunday 11 am - 3 pm
Families are welcome at the Bowers Museum and encouraged to take advantage of our free admission for children under 12 years old.
Bowers Family Scavenger Hunt offers a fun, interactive way for children to explore the galleries while learning. Pick up a copy at the admissions desk and collect a prize once completed!
Enjoy a special kids' menu at Tangata Restaurant upon request, limited to availability.
Changing tables are available in each restroom in our oversized stalls, indicated by a changing table decal on the door.
Baby strollers are permitted at all times in the permanent collection galleries. However, the use of strollers may be restricted in special exhibition galleries due to certain loan restrictions and high visitor volume in these areas.