CALIFORNIA · PLACES & PERSPECTIVES
Brea
Public art and a quieter Orange County outing
Brea lies in northern Orange County, near Fullerton and the Chino Hills. It works well as an arts-and-parks outing: pair a gallery or performance with downtown dining, or give the nearby open space its own part of the day.
Follow the city’s art collection
Brea’s arts program brings together the Brea Art Gallery, Curtis Theatre and an outdoor sculpture collection. Choose an exhibition or performance from the current calendar, then explore the public art at your own pace. The gallery and theatre are distinct venues, so check their individual arrangements.
Make room for the landscape
Carbon Canyon Regional Park offers a change from the built-up streets, while Chino Hills State Park is a separate, larger outdoor destination. Choose an actual trail or picnic area rather than entering a park name alone into your plans. Weather, trail condition and available daylight should shape the outing.
MAKE IT YOUR JOURNEY
Plan your visit
For a relaxed day, start with either art or a park and leave time for a meal downtown. Brea is inland, so do not expect beach conditions or treat the Orange County coast as a walkable continuation. A car can simplify the separate stops; check parking and any park entrance charges with the operator.