The California Science Center is a science museum and IMAX theatre 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 the Space Shuttle Endeavour was off display until the future Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center opens, a change many guides describing it as a current highlight have not yet caught up with.
Quick facts
| Opening hours | Daily, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. |
| Ticket prices | Permanent galleries free. IMAX: $11 adults, $9 children. Special exhibit “Mummies of the World”: $23.95 adults, $15.95 children. |
| Address | 700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90037. |
| Nearest transport / parking | Metro E (Expo) Line, Expo Park/USC Station. Visitor parking lot at Figueroa Street and 39th Street, $20 per car. |
| Typical time needed | 2 to 3 hours for the galleries, plus 90 minutes for the special exhibit if visiting. |
California Science Center opening hours
The California Science Center is open every day from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Box Office keeps shorter hours, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on weekdays and 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
The Science Center closes only on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. These hours apply throughout the year, with no separate summer or winter schedule.
5 Los Angeles experiences worth booking
- 🎬 See how the movie magic works on the Warner Bros Studio tour.
- 🎢 Take on the rides and enjoy the shows at Universal Studios Hollywood.
- 🚌 Ogle celebrity homes in Hollywood and Beverly Hills from an open air bus.
- 🥾 Hike up to the Hollywood Sign, guided by comedians and their dogs.
- 🚲 Pedal along the coast on a Santa Monica and Venice guided e-bike tour.
California Science Center ticket prices
The permanent exhibit galleries are free and need no reservation. Only the IMAX Theater and ticketed special exhibits charge admission.
IMAX tickets cost $11 for adults and $9 for children, plus a $4 service fee for online or phone purchases. Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in June 2026.
The IMAX movie ticket is included in the Go City Los Angeles All-Inclusive Pass, alongside the Autry Museum of the American West, the GRAMMY Museum, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, and La Brea Tar Pits and Museum.
Why book the Go City Los Angeles All-Inclusive Pass?
- 🎬 Universal Studios Hollywood: Get 1-day general admission to this world-famous theme park and working film studio (included with all 3, 5, or 7-day passes).
- 🎟️ 40+ Top Attractions: Gain entry to the best of LA, including Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood, Madame Tussauds, Knott’s Berry Farm, and the Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier.
- 💰 Substantial Savings: Save up to 50% on total admission prices compared to purchasing individual tickets at the gate for each site.
- 📱 Instant Digital Pass: No need for paper vouchers; simply download the pass to your smartphone and scan it for easy, contactless entry at every stop.
- ⏱️ Explore at Your Own Pace: Choose a pass duration (1, 2, 3, 5, or 7 days) and visit as many attractions as you like within that timeframe for ultimate flexibility.
How to get to the California Science Center
The Science Center sits in historic Exposition Park, south of downtown Los Angeles. The Metro E (Expo) Line stops directly across the street at Expo Park/USC Station.
By car, the Science Center is two blocks west of the Harbor (110) Freeway at the Exposition Boulevard exit. Traffic and park events can affect arrival time, so allow extra time, especially on weekends.
Parking at the California Science Center
The visitor parking lot is entered at Figueroa Street and 39th Street, also known as Exposition Park Drive. Standard parking costs $20 per car, rising to $24 for special events and after 5:00 p.m.
Oversized vehicles, such as charter buses, limousines, and RVs, pay $42, while school buses pay $20. Parking can reach capacity during busy periods, so arriving early is recommended.
How long to spend at the California Science Center
Most visitors spend 2 to 3 hours exploring the permanent galleries. Add around 90 minutes if visiting the current special exhibit, and 35 to 45 minutes for an IMAX film.
Families combining several activities, including a special exhibit and a film, should plan for most of a day.
Accessibility at the California Science Center
All spaces in the Science Center are wheelchair accessible by elevator or stairs. Free wheelchairs are available at the Information Desk on a first-come, first-served basis.
The IMAX Theater offers wheelchair accessible seating at the top of the theatre, reached by elevator. Sensory guides, sensory bags, and verbal description tours are available, with verbal description tours requiring 10 days’ notice. Service animals are welcome throughout the Science Center.
Inside the California Science Center: what to see
The Science Center is organised into permanent galleries including World of Life, Creative World, and Ecosystems, the last featuring live animals and a 188,000-gallon kelp forest tank. The Giant Lever Exhibit lets visitors lift a Toyota truck, the same vehicle once used to move Endeavour across a freeway.
The Space Shuttle Endeavour is currently off display and will not return until the future Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center opens, with no date yet announced. The High Wire Bicycle and BodyWorks Theater are also temporarily closed.
The seven-story IMAX Theater shows large-format films in 2D and 3D, including the current companion film to the special exhibit, Mummies 3D: Secrets of the Pharaohs, which runs 40 minutes.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Timing | Arrive at least 15 minutes before any timed IMAX or exhibit slot to allow for parking. |
| Crowds | Weekday mornings outside school holidays tend to be quieter than weekends. |
| Layout | The Science Center spans several floors, connected by stairs and elevators, with galleries grouped by theme. |
| Entry process | Buy IMAX and special exhibit tickets online in advance to guarantee a preferred time slot. |
| On-site logistics | Food and drink are only permitted in designated dining areas, not inside exhibit galleries. |
Frequently asked questions about the California Science Center
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the California Science Center suitable for children? | Yes, the permanent galleries are designed for hands-on, family-friendly learning. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance? | Not for the free galleries, but advance booking is recommended for IMAX and special exhibits. |
| Is the California Science Center open on Sundays? | Yes, it is open daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. |
| Can you see the Space Shuttle Endeavour right now? | No, Endeavour is off display until the future Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center opens. |
| How long does a visit take? | 2 to 3 hours for the galleries, longer with a special exhibit or IMAX film. |
Things to do near the California Science Center
- Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County: a large natural history collection a short walk away in Exposition Park.
- California African American Museum: a free museum of African American art and history, next door.
- Exposition Park Rose Garden: a public garden with thousands of rose bushes, across from the Science Center.
- Banc of California Stadium and LA Memorial Coliseum: Exposition Park’s sports venues, within walking distance.
- University of Southern California (USC) campus: a landscaped university campus bordering Exposition Park.
What to visit tomorrow
- Griffith Observatory: a public observatory with planetarium shows and city views, around 25 minutes by car.
- Aquarium of the Pacific: a large aquarium in Long Beach, around 30 minutes by car.
- Discovery Cube Los Angeles: a hands-on science centre in Santa Ana, around 45 minutes by car.
- Cabrillo Marine Aquarium: a fee-free aquarium in San Pedro, around 30 minutes by car.
- Kidspace Children’s Museum: a hands-on museum for younger children in Pasadena, around 25 minutes by car.
More Los Angeles travel
Other Los Angeles travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- How to visit the USS Battleship Iowa at the Port of Los Angeles.
- Planning a visit to the Grammy Museum and Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles.
- 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 and Museum of Tolerance.
