Guide to Visiting The California Science Center in Los Angeles – A Free Family-Friendly Activity!
Science center visits as a child, at least for me, have become core memories I still hold onto today. Perhaps it is the way you first start learning through interaction, or the fact that the day is centered around a joyful experience aimed at pushing your curiosity. I’m not sure what it is exactly, but I remember visiting science centers as a child and remembering how much fun I had. That is why I highly recommend visiting California Science Center, especially if you have children. Dare I say they’ll remember this visit over a theme park visit? Hmm, maybe.
In any case, another major plus to the visit is the free general admission. It’s a nice break when you’ll only have to worry about paying for parking or any additional exhibits within the science center if you wish to participate in them. With so much to do and important details you should know, I thought it would be a good idea to put it all down as a guide for you to follow.
Getting to the California Science Center
The California Science Center is located in the city of Los Angeles, specifically in Exposition Park, near downtown LA, adjacent to the University of Southern California. Getting to the science center will have its obvious issues surrounding Los Angeles traffic. Something that can be difficult to deal with, which is something we encountered, was leaving early to avoid traffic, and finding parking, but then not being able to enter the science center because it doesn’t open until 10am. You can consider driving early to the area nearby, grabbing breakfast and then driving to the science center that is now in close proximity once it’s 10 am and open.
- California Science Center location: The address is 700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90037-
- Parking– There is a main parking lot, off of Figueroa Street & 39th street/Exposition Park Drive. Rates vary depending on time of day. Before 5pm it’s $20 per car. Past 5pm it’s $24 per car. Oversized vehicles like RV’s, limos, buses are $42 per vehicle.
- Weekend parking– will be challenging, mostly on weekends if the lot is full. Your visit days should be considered with caution if there is an event at the BMO center (formerly the Banc of California Stadium) or the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. There is a lot going on in that specific area so plan accordingly.
- Public Transportation-Yes, even in LA there are public transportation options. The Metro E Line (Expo) has a stop at Expo Park/USC station. Leaving just a short walk away from the science center, and no traffic hassles to worry about.
- Ridesharing– If you’re planning to Uber/Lyft to the science center, consider placing the address for drop off at Exposition Park Drive and Figueroa Street to make an accurate drop off zone and make it easier for you and the rideshare driver.
- Traffic times– Heaviest traffic times for the area will be between 7am and 10am. Evenings 4pm to 7pm weekdays. Weekends are the same, but heavier if there are events scheduled at BMO and the Coliseum.
Days and Times the California Science Center is Open
The science center is open 7 days a week from 10am to 5pm. It’s only closed for 3 days out of the entire year. The closed days are Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day. The only detail of note is the parking fee changes after 5pm from $20 per car to $24 per car. The discounted hours are when the science center is open, so you won’t have to worry about the price increase.
Costs and fees at the California Science Center
Although we previously mentioned the free general admission to the science center, there are some costs to consider for the special exhibits. The first cost you’ll encounter, as previously mentioned was the parking, which again is $20 per car before 5pm, or $24 after 5pm per car. You will also have to consider food if you didn’t pack a lunch for the day. There are also additional costs for some exhibits listed below.
IMAX Theater Exhibit
Tickets range from $7.59 per child or $9.79 for adults. Group discounts are available for parties of 15 or more. The shows offer an interesting range of interesting captivating films. The films are immersive and educational and always worth a watch. The science center management does a fine job of selecting films for a great watching experience. The films are from a range of topics, such as Blue Whales, The Human Body, Space Exploration, and The Blue Angels. The age range for this is around aged 5 to adults.
Endeavour Simulator
To experience the Endeavour simulator requires an additional payment of $6 per person. There is also a height requirement of 42 inches to ride alone. The simulator is open from 10am to 4:30pm, however the line closes at 4pm. The simulator helps give you the interactive experience of what it was like to launch and land a space shuttle. The simulator’s ideal age range would be between age 8 to adults.
Top Things to See and Do at the California Science Center
There are many exhibits to see that you might run out of time, depending on how much time you spend on each display or interactive attraction. We won’t be able to list out all the exhibits and attractions, but we can give you the main points of the exhibits to help as a guide to help keep it short and sweet. The age range is ideal for children over two and adults. Important note the Space Endeavor exhibit is closed as of February 2025. It will be moving to the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center. While its opening date isn’t confirmed yet, it is expected to open to the public in the coming years.
The Ecosystems Exhibit
Get lost in the immersive interconnectedness of life and environment in this exhibit. Extremely fun and interactive for children and adults. During our visit, we took up most of our day in this exhibit because there is so much to see and understand about ecological principles. Here is a list of some of the displays or features we enjoyed the most, which are found within the ecosystems exhibit.
Kelp Forest
The Kelp Forest is a lot of fun as you walk under a tunnel of so much marine life to see. Where algae grow as tall as trees, which helps support an ecosystem found right off the coast of California. This exhibit was my personal favorite, where I could have easily spent two plus hours exploring all the marine life swimming around. There are various fun and interactive touch tanks, where visitors can touch the various marine life on display.
Desert Zone
Discover and observe organisms in these arid extreme environments. Here you can find several ecological environments and see how life adapts to survive in them. See a lot of cool small creatures like lizards, snakes, scorpions all existing with little water, in extreme dry heat. You’ll also find a variety of dry resistant plants, from cacti to other succulents that have adapted to optimize water storage.
Numerous Interactive Exhibits
Hands on displays are the best features that help us better understand sand dunes, desert climates and how changing temperatures and environments can affect living breathing organisms. There are several hands-on interactive displays that help us engage our curiosity all while having fun.
Space Shuttle Endeavour
One of the most awe-inspiring highlights of the California Science Center is the chance to see the Space Shuttle Endeavour up close. As the last shuttle built by NASA, Endeavour completed 25 missions before retiring and finding its permanent home in Los Angeles. Displayed in the Samuel Oschin Pavilion, the massive spacecraft offers visitors a rare opportunity to stand beneath a real space shuttle and marvel at its engineering. Informational displays and artifacts provide insight into its missions, crew, and the history of space exploration. Soon, Endeavour will be part of the upcoming Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, where it will be displayed in a full launch-ready, vertical position—making this an even more exciting time to visit.
Creative World Exhibit
The Creative world exhibit is one of the most important stops along the California Science Center. It encourages curiosity and problem solving and also helps visitors of all ages understand how the world works through the lens of engineering, human innovation, and technology. It shows us how humans use creativity and scientific principles to solve real world problems. It’s a very hands-on experience for people of all ages, but specifically for those that love construction, design, engineering and transportation.
Structures and Engineering
This area of the exhibit helped visitors explore how architectural design plays into the creative mechanisms engineers use to build stable structures, capable of withstanding earthquakes. Some displays let you test out different materials and designs, letting the visitor explore different uses and solutions to solving structural problems.
Transportation Technology
Visitors to this exhibit get an in-depth experience into the science and technology for various modes of transportation. Here you will learn about how planes, cars, and spaceships work. To help satisfy your appetite even further with related technology, there are displays that help you see and understand how aerodynamics and motion work through the use of wind tunnels and other various tools.
Energy and Sustainability
Energy, another important subject within the technology spectrum has many interactive displays in the exhibit as well. This area will help visitors see how energy is generated and used efficiently, specifically when using wind, solar technology as well as other renewables.
Interactive activities
Fun interactive hands-on activities that help visitors explore how certain technologies, tools and mechanisms work will be in full display at this part of the exhibit. Here you can build, test, experiment- whether it’s building bridges, testing certain materials or playing with design, visitors can go into interactive overload, making it one of the most entertaining exhibits in the science center.
World of Life Exhibit
This part of the exhibit helps you focus more on the human biological and anatomical side of science. You’ll dive deep into the mysteries of human biology through visual and interactive displays that highlight scientific discoveries from the tiniest cells to complex ecosystems. This exhibit opens up the world for those that gravitate towards the biology, health and life sciences, perfect for those young future doctors of the world! Here are some of the highlights from this particular exhibit.
Mind and Senses
Although there is still so much to learn about the human brain, there have been significant advances in science that have helped us better understand how the brain functions. Some of that science is on display here at the Mind and Senses exhibit. Here you can discover how the brain functions and processes information. Visitors can learn how the brain controls movement, human emotions, and the decision making.
The Cell Experience
Visitors lean how cells function, grow and reproduce. There are many fun displays which show you visually how DNA, proteins and organelles all work together in complex manners to help sustain life. There are also fun microscope stations for visitors to get a closer and more detailed look at cellular organisms, comparing the different types of cells from plants and animals.
Body Systems and Functions
Here you can explore how different systems in the human body, such as the circulator, respiratory and nervous systems function and keep us alive. One very cool display is a large pumping heart that demonstrates in great detail how the blood flows through the human body. Understanding such complex life forms need exceptionally detailed visual and interactive aids that can help plant the next generation with the first seeds of curiosity and interest in the line of health and sciences.
The Exploration Grove
Before leaving you’ll have to visit the beautiful outdoor space that is full of flowers, plants and trees. The environment is very relaxed and peaceful and worth a sit down for a moment of peace before leaving the science center. The garden provides plenty of benches for comfortable seating and observing. Here you will find many native and drought tolerant plants. It is a magnificent display of sustainable gardening that can help people understand alternatives to plants and gardens that might consume too much water. Many of the plants found in the garden help attract butterflies, bees and other pollinators, highlighting their importance and the critical role they play in our ecosystem.
Dining options at the California Science Center
If you didn’t pack a lunch and would prefer to eat at the California Science Center, there are some options for your consideration.
Trimana Grill
Located on the first floor, here you’ll find hot and cold food options. From salads, burritos, sandwiches, burgers and kid friendly meals. This place is a great option if you’re not up for driving around for food locations after you leave the science center.
Market
Also on the first floor, works great for a quick bite, something that can satisfy the appetite to hold you over until dinner, or a later lunch. Market offers many pre-packaged items such as sandwiches, salads, snacks, fresh fruit, bottled drinks.
Coffee Bar
The science center also has a coffee bar for those that might be craving some fresh brewed coffee, or a variety of other drinks. They offer everything your favorite local coffee shop offers such as cappuccino, latte’s, espresso drinks, iced coffee, even ice cream and root beer floats. In addition to the drinks, they have a selection of cookies and pastries.
Things to Do Nearby
The California Science Center is in close proximity to other interesting centers and museums. Both the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (next-door) and the California African American Museum are very close by. With the Natural history Museum being next-door and the African American Museum being a 5-minute walk.
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Visitors are treated to dinosaur bones, gemstones, and exhibits of California’s natural history. The park is and won’t have to travel far if you want to consider visiting the museum on the same day as the California Science Center. Adult price is $15 per person and children between the ages of 3 and 12 pay $7 dollars each. Children under 3 go in free. Seniors and students between the ages of 13 and 17 pay $12 each. Address is 900 Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90007.
California African American Museum
Free admission museum that focuses on the history of African Americans in the United States. The museum covers their history, culture and art. It also covers their history of the Civil Rights, local history, and their contemporary art. The address is 600 State Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90037.
In Conclusion
A visit to the California Science Center in Los Angeles offers an unforgettable experience filled with exploration, education, and excitement. Whether you’re marveling at the Space Shuttle Endeavour, diving into interactive exhibits, or immersing yourself in the wonders of science, there’s something for visitors of all ages to enjoy. Best of all, with free general admission, it’s an accessible and budget-friendly attraction in the heart of LA. Whether you’re a science enthusiast, a family looking for an engaging outing, or simply curious about the world around you, the California Science Center is a must-visit destination that will leave you inspired and eager to learn more.
