The California African American Museum (CAAM) is a free museum of African American art, history, and culture in Exposition Park, Los Angeles, California.
This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport and parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips. It was last checked in June 2026, when CAAM’s bag check remained closed, meaning large bags can no longer be checked at the entrance, a detail not yet reflected in some older guides.
Quick facts
| Opening hours | Tue–Sat 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Sun 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Closed Monday, except Martin Luther King Jr. Day. |
| Ticket prices | Free admission. No reservation required for individual visitors. |
| Address | 600 State Drive, Exposition Park, Los Angeles, CA 90037. |
| Nearest transport / parking | Metro E (Expo) Line, Expo Park/USC Station. Parking lot entrance at 39th and Figueroa Streets, $20 per car. |
| Typical time needed | Around 45 minutes to 1 hour. |
California African American Museum opening hours
CAAM is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The museum is closed on Mondays, with one exception.
CAAM opens on Martin Luther King Jr. Day even though it falls on a Monday. These hours apply year-round, with no separate seasonal schedule.
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California African American Museum ticket prices
Admission to CAAM is free for all visitors, including its exhibitions, programmes, and events. No ticket or reservation is needed for individual visits.
Large bags cannot be brought inside, since the museum’s bag check service is closed. Opening hours and admission information were checked on the official website and last updated in June 2026. CAAM is not part of the Go City Los Angeles pass or similar multi-attraction schemes, since its free admission already covers everything inside the museum.
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How to get to the California African American Museum
CAAM stands at the corner of Figueroa Street and Exposition Boulevard, just west of the Harbor (110) Freeway, next to the California Science Center. The Metro E (Expo) Line stops directly across the street at Expo Park/USC Station, making rail a convenient option from downtown Los Angeles or Santa Monica.
Several local bus routes also serve Exposition Park. Visitors arriving by car should use Figueroa Street and Exposition Boulevard as the cross streets for GPS navigation, since the museum’s mailing address does not always map accurately.
Parking at the California African American Museum
The Exposition Park visitor parking lot entrance is at 39th and Figueroa Streets, shared with the California Science Center and other park venues. Parking costs $20 during the day and $24 after 5:00 p.m.
Parking attendants direct traffic during busy periods, including weekends and event days at neighbouring venues.
How long to spend at the California African American Museum
Most visitors spend around 45 minutes to an hour exploring CAAM’s galleries. A faster visit focused on one exhibition can take as little as 30 minutes.
Visitors combining CAAM with the California Science Center or the Natural History Museum next door should allow extra time for the full day.
Accessibility at the California African American Museum
All galleries and facilities at CAAM are wheelchair accessible. Wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Visitors needing other accommodations can contact the museum in advance by emailing [email protected] or calling (213) 744-2084.
Inside CAAM: what to see
CAAM’s permanent collection holds more than 5,000 works of art, artifacts, and historical documents, with an emphasis on California and the western United States. The museum was chartered by the State of California in 1977 and began formal operations in 1981, moving to its current Exposition Park building in 1984. It is a Smithsonian Affiliate and the first African American museum of its kind to be fully supported by a state government.
The museum also maintains a research library of more than 20,000 volumes, available for limited public use.
Five galleries host a changing programme of exhibitions. As of June 2026, these include Willie Birch: Stories to Tell and Free and Queer: Black Californian Roots of Gay Liberation, alongside other rotating shows drawn from the permanent collection and touring exhibitions.
An outdoor sculpture court adds further exhibition space alongside the main galleries. Visitors are asked not to touch or handle displayed objects unless a sign indicates otherwise.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Timing | Visit on a weekday morning for a quieter experience than weekends. |
| Crowds | Free evening events, such as KCRW Summer Nights, draw larger crowds than a normal daytime visit. |
| Layout | Galleries are arranged across one main building, with an outdoor sculpture court alongside. |
| Entry process | No large bags are allowed inside, since the bag check service is closed. |
| On-site logistics | There is no on-site café, but visitors may eat outside or in the nearby Rose Garden. |
Frequently asked questions about the California African American Museum
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the California African American Museum free? | Yes, admission is always free, including exhibitions and most public programmes. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance? | No, individual visitors do not need a reservation. Groups of 10 or more should book ahead. |
| Is CAAM open on Mondays? | No, except for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. |
| Are large bags allowed inside CAAM? | No, large bags cannot be checked, since the bag check is currently closed. |
| How long does a visit take? | Around 45 minutes to 1 hour for most visitors. |
Things to do near the California African American Museum
- California Science Center: a free science museum and IMAX theatre next door.
- Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County: a large natural history collection a short walk away.
- Exposition Park Rose Garden: a public garden with thousands of rose bushes, near CAAM.
- University of Southern California (USC) campus: a landscaped university campus bordering Exposition Park.
- Banc of California Stadium and LA Memorial Coliseum: Exposition Park’s sports venues, within walking distance.
What to visit tomorrow
- Japanese American National Museum: a museum of Japanese American history in Little Tokyo, around 15 minutes by car.
- Chinese American Museum: a heritage museum at El Pueblo de Los Angeles, around 15 minutes by car.
- Italian American Museum of Los Angeles: a heritage museum near Olvera Street, around 15 minutes by car.
- William Grant Still Arts Center: a city-run gallery honouring an African American composer, around 15 minutes by car.
- Watts Towers Arts Center: a community arts and cultural site in Watts, around 25 minutes by car.
More Los Angeles travel
Other Los Angeles travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Planning a visit to the Grammy Museum and Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles.
- Joining the runners at Runyon Canyon.
- What to expect at Griffith Observatory in the Hollywood Hills.
- The best way to visit the Autry Museum of the American West and the Travel Town Museum.
- Plan your visit to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Petersen Automotive Museum, La Brea Tar Pits, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and Museum of Tolerance.
