Formerly known as the Orange County Museum of Art or OCMA – a beautiful, modern space that relocated to Costa Mesa from Newport Beach in late 2022 – this impressive museum was renamed the UC Irvine Langson Museum in 2026, reflecting its acquisition by UCI and absorption of the university’s former Langson Institute & Museum of California Art. Adjacent to the Segerstrom Center for the Arts and across the street from South Coast Plaza, the 52,000-square foot museum includes two primary floors of interior exhibition space, plus outdoor rooftop and plaza areas that can accommodate sculptures. Upstairs indoor and outdoor dining spaces connect to the museum for scheduled events, with a cafe and gift shop on the first floor.
Since opening, the museum’s outstanding curation has included exhibitions from contemporary artists including Daniel Arsham, Jennifer Guidi, Fred Eversley, and Charles Long; more recent exhibitions have ranged from a study of Yves Saint Laurent drawings and outfits to a broad exploration of Sophie Calle’s photography, video, and three-dimensional works. As of mid-2026, it’s still unclear whether or how the museum’s focus will change following the merger of UCI’s art collections. Admission is free, and paid parking is available in a nearby garage.
