Photo contributed
Staff Report
Two Solvang museums, the Elverhøj Museum of History & Art and the Wildling Museum of Art & Nature, are teaming up for a series of fun and informative day excursions.
Each trip is co-hosted by the Buellton and Solvang Recreation Departments for transportation and reservations. A skilled museum representative will provide background information on the various experiences and exhibitions. Participants will enjoy a specially curated day of art, culture, and beauty, free from the stress of driving.
Kicking off the series are Elverhøj and Buellton Recreation Center with a trip to The Getty Villa in Malibu on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., for $49.
After nearly three years of major renovation, the galleries of the Getty Villa reopened with an entirely new arrangement that situates the art in its cultural and historical context. The Villa is home to the greatest collection of Greek and Roman antiquities in North America. The visit will start with a 45-minute architecture and garden tour followed by free time to explore the collection and get lunch.
Elverhøj’s second excursion of the series is to The Hammer Museum on Tuesday, Nov. 19, from 7:45 a.m. to 6 p.m. ($43) with the Solvang Recreation Department. This museum operated by UCLA is home to a diverse collection of historical and contemporary works.
The visit will start with a 60-minute guided tour followed by free time for lunch and to view more of the museum. On both trips, guests will enjoy insightful background information and insider tips provided by a skilled Elverhøj Museum representative.
The Wildling Museum is hosting two nature-focused trips. Their first, with the Solvang Recreation Department, will be to Morro Bay for a day of birding and a visit to the Museum of Natural History on Thursday, Oct. 10, from 8:15 a.m. – 5 p.m., for $43.
Birding expert Peter Schneekloth will lead the group to see and learn about various birds in the marshes, creeks and shores of Morro Bay. Birding will be followed by a quick stop at the Museum of Natural History and time for lunch and shopping on the Embarcadero.
On Tuesday, Dec. 3 (8 a.m. – 6 p.m., $49), the Wildling Museum and the Buellton Recreation Center will host a holiday themed trip to the Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge. Guests will stroll through North America’s largest camellia collection along with many rare and beautiful plants from around the world. They also will see the historic Boddy House and view art highlighting the intersection between contemporary arts and sciences in the Sturt Haaga Gallery. After the gardens, participants will enjoy lunch on their own in Old Pasadena.
Reservations for The Getty Villa and Descanso Gardens can be made at www.buelltonrec.com/buellton/or by calling the Buellton Recreation Center at 805-688-1086.
Reservations for The Hammer Museum and Morro Bay Birding trip can be made at www.cityofsolvang.com/188/Adult-Programsor by calling the Solvang Recreation Department at 805-688-7529.
For more information regarding trip content and themes, contact the host museum. Elverhøj can be reached at 805-686-1211 or info@elverhoj.org. The Wildling can be reached at 805-688-1082 or info@wildlingmuseum.org.
