Things to Do in Hilbert Museum of California Art: A Day Trip from Colton

The Hilbert Museum gives you a focused look at art connected to California, with works ranging from paintings to animation and movie production art. Founded through the generosity of art patrons Mark and Janet Hilbert, it opened in 2016.

The collection includes more than 5,000 oils, watercolors, illustrations, drawings, animation art and movie production art. That breadth makes the museum a good fit for a day trip built around California’s visual culture, rather than a single medium or period.

Colton offers a starting point for the outing. If you are planning other stops around town before or after the drive, the Colton area guide for visitors covers local places and landmarks.

The museum is at 167 N. Atchison Street in Orange, across the street from Orange train station. Metrolink’s Orange County and Inland Empire-Orange County lines serve the station, which is approximately one block west of the museum.

If you are driving, the museum recommends the free Old Towne West parking structure at 130 N. Lemon Street, one block east. Free two-hour street parking is often available on the museum side of N. Cypress Street behind the museum. There is also a small onsite lot with spaces marked RESERVED HILBERT MUSEUM.

Vehicles with a valid disability placard can park in all three areas. The museum is ADA-compliant and all on one level, with accessible restrooms; its main entrance is level with the parking lot and sidewalk.

For bus travel, the OCTA and Chapman University stop is approximately half a block from the museum, in the roundabout near Streamliner Diner. The museum also permits visitor drop-off and pick-up at its main entrance.

If you are flying into Ontario International Airport before staying in Colton, it is about a 24-minute drive from a two-star Colton inn. Make the museum route a separate leg of your itinerary and confirm current transport options before departure.

The museum does not publish a suggested visit duration, so plan around its opening hours and the exhibitions you want to see. With free admission and a reservation valid until 5:00 p.m., you can arrive for your selected time and, space permitting, leave and return later the same day.

For a group of 10–20, arrange the required advance reservation by phone before setting out. If your group is larger than 20, the museum says it cannot accommodate it.

Confirm the day’s operating hours, available galleries, reservation arrangements and parking details before leaving Colton. Exhibitions and access can change, so make your plan from the museum’s latest visitor information rather than relying on an older itinerary.

For airport transfers connected to your Colton stay, Ontario International Airport transportation to Colton covers planning options. For this museum outing, check the official site before you go.