Back to museums
Exterior of the California Science Center building in Exposition Park, Los Angeles

California Science Center

ChildrenScienceOpen until 5pmFreeMetro E Line - Expo Park/USC Station (adjacent, ~5 min walk)

California Science Center is a free, state-run science museum in Exposition Park, Los Angeles, with hands-on galleries covering ecosystems, human biology, and space exploration. Space Shuttle Endeavour, mated to its solid rocket boosters and external tank in full vertical launch configuration, is currently off public display while its permanent home, the new Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, is completed; the 200,000-square-foot building opens November 13, 2026, and will be the only place in the world to see a complete shuttle stack displayed as if ready for liftoff. General admission to the core galleries is free; IMAX films and some special exhibits require paid tickets.

More in Los Angeles

On nowAll of November 2026

What's On

Now
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sept
Aerial rendering of the GAME ON! gallery with a batting cage, soccer pitch, climbing wall and sports-science displays

GAME ON! Science, Sports & Play

17,000-sq-ft exhibition with 25+ interactive activities exploring the science of sports and movement, featuring LA-based mentor athletes; on view through the 2028 Olympics.

Now showing15 May 2025 – 31 Aug 2028Free

Permanent Collections

A man and a girl at an illuminated interactive table in the Life! gallery

Life!

Hands-on biology gallery exploring what living things have in common, featuring the BodyWorks Theater and its 50-foot animatronic human body, Tess.

Permanent collectionFree
A coiled metal Echo Tube and the Pipes of Pan display in front of a 'What are waves?' wall panel

Wave Physics

Interactive gallery exploring how energy moves through light and sound waves, with activities like the Echo Tube and Pipes of Pan.

Permanent collectionFree
Visitors in the walk-through kelp forest tunnel aquarium at California Science Center's Ecosystems gallery

Ecosystems

Two-story, 45,000-sq-ft gallery with 11 immersive habitat zones and 200+ species, anchored by a 188,000-gallon kelp forest tank with a walk-through viewing tunnel.

Permanent collectionFree
Space Shuttle Endeavour being enclosed within the under-construction Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, mated to its external tank and solid rocket boosters

Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center

New 200,000-sq-ft wing opening Nov 13, 2026, the permanent home of Space Shuttle Endeavour mated to its solid rocket boosters and external tank in full vertical launch position - currently closed to the public during final construction.

Permanent collection
A boy and a woman watch a simulated fire beside a red fire-safety sign in Spanish

Fire! Science & Safety

Immersive fire-safety exhibit set in a simulated LA apartment, teaching visitors fire prevention and escape planning through hands-on activities.

Permanent collectionFree
Lockheed A-12 Blackbird aircraft on outdoor display at California Science Center

Roy A. Anderson Blackbird Exhibit and Garden

Outdoor exhibit and garden displaying a Lockheed A-12 'Blackbird' reconnaissance aircraft, the precursor to the SR-71.

Permanent collectionFree

Plan Your Visit

Getting there

700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90037, USA

Nearest station: Metro E Line - Expo Park/USC Station (adjacent, ~5 min walk)

Show on map

Hours

Closed 26 November

Closed - Thanksgiving

MonToday10:00–17:00
Tue10:00–17:00
Wed10:00–17:00
Thu10:00–17:00
Fri10:00–17:00
Sat10:00–17:00
Sun10:00–17:00

Admission

Free

Last verified

Get Directions Visit Website

Nearby

Exterior of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County in Exposition Park

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

History3 min walk
Lucas Museum of Narrative Art building under construction in Exposition Park, Los Angeles, August 2023

Lucas Museum of Narrative Art

Children6 min walk

Visitor Information

Is California Science Center free to visit?
Yes, general admission to California Science Center is free. Some special exhibitions may charge a separate ticket, so check the museum's website before visiting.
What are the opening hours of California Science Center?
California Science Center is open Open daily 10am-5pm, closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. General admission and most permanent galleries are free; IMAX films and some special/ticketed exhibits (including the new Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center from Nov 2026) require paid timed tickets.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is California Science Center?
California Science Center is located at 700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90037, USA, in the Exposition Park area of Los Angeles. The nearest station is Metro E Line - Expo Park/USC Station (adjacent, ~5 min walk).
What can I see at California Science Center?
Free hands-on science museum in Exposition Park; Space Shuttle Endeavour's vertical launch display opens Nov 2026 Current highlights include Life!, Wave Physics and Ecosystems.
Do I need to book California Science Center in advance?
California Science Center is free to enter and most days you can walk in. For special exhibitions, weekends, and school holidays, booking a timed slot can help you skip queues. Check the museum's website for current requirements.
When is the best time to visit California Science Center?
Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.

Image credits

10

Your image? Ask us to correct or remove it.

Directions