Bowers Museum

“An excellent museum with both permanent and local conditions, focusing on cultures. Highlights include the Chinese, local Californian, and Polynesian permanent collections, with a mix of cultural artifacts and visual art, as well as a rotating set of collections that are often in collaboration with other museums. These exhibits tend to last a few months, and need separate tickets. The special exhibits are a bit cut off from the permanent collection physically, but the overall flow of the museum is nice. There are a variety of events hosted here, from the free cultural and family events during the main cultural holidays (including Chinese New Year), to specialized events for the exhibits themselves, such as board game nights. Sometimes, guest lecturers can provide greater insight into an exhibit with special lectures. Parking is available but does need to be paid for.”

“The moment that stood out most was encountering the small, simple‑looking figure. Standing before that Han dynasty female tomb figure left me with an unforgettable experience. She’s been fulfilling her role as an attendant in the afterlife for over two thousand years, and she’ll continue for eternity. Sharing space with 2,000‑year‑old exhibits from just inches away creates a powerful emotional impact. The museum provides QR codes to help visitors learn about each exhibit. I visited on a weekday afternoon and happily spent about two hours exploring the museum. Not too clouded. Elementary school field trips were there, listening and learning from the guides. I plan to come back for the upcoming exhibits.”

“Recently went to see the Terracotta Warriors exhibit. Well curated and not too crowded. We went on a day where there was a separate festival in the courtyard. The permanent exhibits are also enjoyable. Parking can be tricky, especially on weekends where there are other activities going on; however, there were other additional overflow lots and street parking. Street parking may be free or metered and may be less than the on-site parking fees. Ate at the Tabata restaurant and the food was good. The hostess did a great job accommodating our large party as a walk-in request.”

“The newest exhibit, "Global Threads, India's Textile Revolution" at the Bower's Museum is fantastic! I have always loved sewing and fabrics, and this exhibit taught me so much about how Chintz fabric was traded, the political side of it, along with the international economies. They are true artists, and I highly recommend everyone to go check it out.”