700 State Drive
Los Angeles, CA
(323) 724-3623
California Science Center Website
- Hours: Open daily except Thanksgiving, December 25 and January 1
- Reservations: Not required
- Cost: Free admission to permanent galleries but charges for IMAX films, special exhibits and attractions
- Location: Exposition Park south of downtown, driving directions below
- How Long: Allow 3 to 4 hours and longer if you want to see an IMAX film or a special exhibit
- Best Time to Visit: Weekends or weekday afternoons after 1:30 PM
California Science Center Review
If you ask me (or my husband the engineer), the California Science Center is one of the West's best science museums. It's roomy, offers a wide variety of exhibits on timely topics and provides some interesting insights into things scientific. Unlike similar institutions in other locations, this place has enough hands-on exhibits to go around, and even on a busy day you don't have to wait long to try any of them. They also rely more on interesting science than gee-whiz gadgets or computer-aided graphics, and have an exceptional life sciences section.If you visit the California Science Center with children under 7, stop by the Discovery Rooms in Creative World, the World of Life and the Air and Space Gallery for exhibits specially geared toward younger children.
The California Science Center also has one of the best science museum book- and giftshops around. Besides the normal science-based games, geeky t-shirts and souvenirs, they stock an excellent selection of science books for all ages.
Pay attention to this tip if you want to save a little time. If you're only visiting the normal exhibits and not seeing an IMAX film or a special exhibit, you don't need to stop at the ticket booths. Just walk on in. Admission is free, but you can make a donation to the California Science Center inside if you want.
The California Science Center will soon be constructing a new, 100,000-square-foot aquarium exhibit with a scientific focus. You can get a preview at the teaser exhibit on the second floor.
Getting to the California Science Center
Exit the Harbor Freeway (I-110) at Exposition Boulevard and follow the signs to Exposition Park. Given the scarcity of street parking in the area, it's best to pay to park at the California Science Center lot. Don't miss the chance to pick up a pickup truck at the exhibit on the way in.If You Liked California Science Center, You May Also Like:
- Arizona Science Center, Phoenix
- Pacific Science Center, Seattle
- Museum of Nature and Science, Denver
