Neighborhoods: Brea

Brea’s name (Spanish for “tar”) befits a place where wildcatters struck it rich and oil seeps from the rolling hills. These days, the northern Orange County city is more renowned for shoppers fossicking for bargains at the large Brea Mall. Shoppers will discover some pleasant surprises, however, including an innovative city art program, which has become a model and inspiration for public art programs nationwide.

Art in public places

Brea’s outdoor art program is one of the largest in the nation, with a collection of more than 130 pieces, making the city a virtual outdoor gallery with a sculpture around every bend. The city provides “A Self Guided Highlight Tour” brochure to the pieces ([714] 990-7177; www.cityofbrea.net) and also runs a new Art Shelter Program, in which original paintings are installed in bus shelters. If art in galleries is more your style, the Brea Gallery (1 Civic Center Circle, Plaza Level, [714] 990-7730; www.breagallery.org) has changing exhibitions.

An oily history

Olinda Oil Museum (4025 Santa Fe Road, [714] 671-4447) is a 12-acre historical park devoted to the oil boom era. There’s an original oil well from 1897 that is still pumping, antique equipment and a former field office that has been turned into a boom-town museum. There is also a loop trail where visitors can retrace the steps of oil pioneers.

Downtown

Downtown Birch Street, where a refurbished 1934 sign reads, “Brea welcomes you,” is a bustling pedestrian promenade of shops, restaurants and cinemas. On Thursdays, it becomes a nighttime farmers market with local produce and crafts. ([714] 674-0801; www.breadowntown.com).

Local hang

Taps Fish House and Brewery (101 E. Imperial Highway, [714] 257-0101; www.tapsbrea.com) is a family-owned restaurant and bar with something for everyone. Housed in a distinctive brick building, there is a 22-seat oyster bar, a restaurant with a New Orleans-inspired menu, and a spacious bar for ordering simple fare like hamburgers while sipping from among dozens of European-style ales and lagers brewed on the premises.

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