The Museum of Make Believe Is the Most Magical Hour You’ll Spend in Laguna Beach
You knock three times, the door opens — and suddenly, you’re inside a glowing, handcrafted forest in the middle of Laguna.
The Museum of Make Believe is part immersive art exhibit, part whimsical scavenger hunt, and fully unlike anything you’ve seen before.
It’s a place where scent machines, storybooks, puppets, and tiny treasures come together to create a world built entirely on imagination.
The story behind the museum is just as magical as the experience itself.
It all began with a puppet — a tribute to the founders’ beloved cat, Oscar.
Geoff Mitchell, a local artist and co-founder of the museum, crafted the puppet as a personal memorial. But when it was later shown in a museum exhibit alongside a short story, something unexpected happened: visitors didn’t just admire it, they connected with it. They shared their own stories, proving that imagination could spark something meaningful.
That one puppet turned into an entire world, and Oscar now lives on in the museum’s logo — a reminder that love and creativity can build something lasting.
Together with his wife, creative partner (and high school sweetheart) Amy Mitchell, the couple began shaping their vision into reality.
They knew they didn’t want a traditional gallery — they wanted something immersive, something that brought art, storytelling, and wonder together.
After exploring different themes, the storybook forest emerged as the perfect concept. With encouragement from board member and museum team artist Kelsey Irvin, who also happens to live in Laguna Beach, they found their home. The city’s artistic spirit and whimsical charm made it the perfect match.
Building the space was a hands-on, learn-as-you-go process.
The couple (plus a small team of volunteers) spent six months creating everything by hand — from the moss-covered cottage at the entrance to the giant tree crafted from corrugated tubing and fabric maché.
Even the moon in the back of the exhibit was a happy accident, born when their handyman tilted a round light on its side and said it looked like a moon. They ran with it. The hand-painted cobblestone path you walk through? That’s an original mural on the floor.
While Geoff focuses on the sculptural and visual art — including miniatures, puppets, paintings, and even composing the soundscape — Amy brings in the interactive and narrative elements. She writes most of the stories, builds the gardens, and adds playful touches like scent machines and treasure hunts. The result is a shared vision that feels personal, layered, and lovingly built.
The museum offers three ticket types, each one with different levels of interactive fun.
The Dragon Keeper’s Experience includes admission plus a golden dragon’s egg filled with surprises.
The Treasure Hunter’s Experience adds a beautifully illustrated treasure map, encouraging guests to explore the exhibit through a whimsical scavenger hunt.
For those who want the full experience, the Storybook ticket includes everything above plus a printed storybook to take home.
Their popular scavenger hunt sets the tone for how to move through the space. It encourages guests to notice tiny details, hidden elements, and clues scattered throughout the exhibit.
You’ll find moving butterflies, dragonflies, invisible boats, and changing seasonal scents (right now it’s sandalwood, pineapple, and jasmine). Even the bathroom — officially known as Admiral Sky’s Water Closet — is fully themed. (One guest even left a glowing Google review just for that.)
What makes the space feel so intimate is its scale and the intention behind every element. Only 20 people are allowed in per hour, or, if you want the whole place to yourself, it only takes 16 tickets to buy out the hour. Walk-ins are welcome, and coming on the half hour often means fewer people. The team wants guests to feel like they can slow down and fully explore, without crowds or distractions.
And yes, the entire museum is nonprofit. Every single ticket purchase goes directly toward supporting the space — from exhibit maintenance to future expansion. The Mitchell’s and volunteers all donate their time, driven by their belief in the power of storytelling and art to connect people and spark joy.
"Make believe gives you all of your own power back to create the world you want the way you want it," Amy and Geoff say.
Storytelling is at the core of everything.
Sometimes the art comes first, and the story follows — other times, a narrative idea inspires a whole scene.
The snow dog puppet, for instance, was inspired by another one of their real-life pets, a dog named Sparrow, who passed away during the museum’s early construction.
His story now lives on inside the space, honoring his memory in a way that feels deeply personal.
Reactions from visitors have been heartfelt and moving. Some adults have teared up while exploring, reminded of their own childhoods. Kids light up when they see their names on the Tree of Make Believe. Couples love it for a creative date idea (Valentine’s Day was packed), and solo adventurers often say they’re glad they came alone — it gave them space to connect with the stories in their own way.
It was originally intended for adults, but families have embraced it, especially those with older kids. Many parents say the space gives them a chance to reconnect with their preteens or teenagers.
The current exhibit isn’t seasonal, but it’s always evolving. The team is working on a third garden right now, centered around a mini-lop rabbit and his strawberry patch. More features are being added all the time, making each visit slightly different than the last.
If you’re planning to go, here’s what to know: the museum is located at 1590 S. Coast Highway, Suite 5, in the Bluebird Center in Woods Cove. Look for colorful signage and banners — the entrance is slightly set back from the street. Parking is $5/hour and can be reserved in advance or paid on-site, or, depending on the time you go, there’s street parking. And while the space is appropriate for all ages, it’s best enjoyed by those of reading age and up.
You can learn more or book tickets at museumofmakebelieve.org or get tickets directly here.
And if you need anything, you can reach the team directly at info@museumofmakebelieve.org. They’re happy to help — and chances are, they’ll be the ones welcoming you in when you arrive.