California Science Center
California Science Center
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Welcome to the California Science Center! Please note that advance timed-entry reservations are required for all guests and can be booked online. Upon arrival, all guests are required to verify that they have self-screened and are free of COVID symptoms. Space Shuttle Endeavour on display in the California Science Center's Samuel Oschin Pavilion. Explore over 100 permanent interactive science exhibits spanning several galleries. Admission to permanent exhibit galleries is free! (excludes IMAX and special paid exhibits) Visit Ecosystems -- a hands-on exhibit home to nearly 400 plant and animal species. Come discover amazing environments from the familiar to the fantastic, and find out how the physical and living worlds affect each other.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Exposition Park
How to get there
  • Expo Park/USC • 4 min walk
  • Expo/Vermont • 7 min walk
Reach out directly
See what travellers are saying
  • JMK
    Aberystwyth, United Kingdom11 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Wow...a real space shuttle!
    Fantastic to see one of the Space Shuttles close up, and see how they go to toilet in space. Spent must of our time in the space area but considering this was free, you could easily spend most of the day here. Some exhibits are just to look at, but there were also interactive exhibits which will entertain and educate all ages.
    Visited July 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 24 July 2023
  • Lena K
    Fullerton, California442 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Excellent venue for the whole family
    My granddaughter and I wanted to see the Endeavour space shuttle before it is moved into its currently-being-constructed building. Once moved, it will no longer be displayed horizontally, but in a vertical position, as it would have looked before its initial launch. We also watched a 3-D movie on Blue Whales in the Center’s IMAX theater. There is a large gift shop and a variety of places to get a meal, snack and beverages.
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 5 August 2023
  • Debbie P
    Glen Waverley, Australia272 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Truly amazing museum
    We went to look at the endeavour space shuttle and we were very surprised at the quality and quantity of space exhibits. We did the shuttle simulator which was $6 each and the imax movie about space travel which was $9 each. We spent a lot longer than we had intended in the museum as it was just so good. We have increased our knowledge and had a truly great time. Entry to the space museum area was free. Highly recommend if you like space.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 18 September 2023
  • Thefamilytraveller
    Whangarei, New Zealand157 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fantastic Museum
    This is a must see in LA. We went to see the space shuttle and there was so much more to look through and keep young minds engaged. There is a lot to do in Los Angeles and this is worth spending a morning or afternoon
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 30 September 2023
  • phvi2617
    Anaheim, California553 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Home of the Endeavour
    This is a great science museum in Exposition Park. Most of the exhibits are geared toward kids, but the real star is the Space Shuttle Endeavour. It's incredible to see it up close and in person, and there are a number of artifacts related to the shuttle's assembly in Southern California. Also on display are several aircraft and capsules from the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs. Unfortunately, the Endeavour will be off display for several years as the new shuttle pavilion is being constructed, but when it is finished it promises to be even more amazing. Aside from the IMAX films, all exhibits are completely free. There is a large food court and a really nice gift shop. Even though it was busy, it never felt crowded.
    Visited December 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 31 December 2023
  • ccarlson2022
    Niles, Michigan92 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Space shuttle Endeavor is a must see
    Was in the area with my 17 year old daughter and stopped to see the Endeavor. We visited on December 31 and learned the shuttle was going off display after that day for a few years while they move to a new facility. Our timing couldn’t have been better! This is the third shuttle I have seen out of the 4 on display in the US. Atlantis in Florida is by far the best but this one was cool. It was housed in a building by itself with plenty of room for many people and to take photos. It was elevated so you could walk around and under the entire shuttle. The walk to the shuttle was a bit far but I do get they want you to look at other things as well. We really didn’t stop at many other exhibits, with the exception of a few space exhibits like Mattingly’s Apollo 16 lunar space suit. Gift shop has plenty to purchase and there are a few diners on site as well. Entry was free but we did pay $20 to park next door in the parking garage. The Collosium football stadium that USC plays in is next door so you can take photos of the stadium during the trip if that interests you as well.
    Visited December 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 21 January 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles3,994 reviews
Excellent
2,746
Very good
969
Average
217
Poor
45
Terrible
17

TeamTallis
17 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Couples
This museum may be free but it's very tired now. Maybe worth popping in if you have gone to the Natural History Museum but I wouldn't make a special journey. There is a major new space and flight centre being built so maybe the refresh is coming in a year or so.... For now, many of the exhibits are old and attempts to make them interactive are broken. Signs are faded and illegible in places. The space stuff was interesting, the aquarium was good (maybe overstocked). The imax show on blue whales was okay. But much of the rest was showing its age. And whats the deal with the poor fennec fox on its own in an enclosure? ? Time for a major refit.
Written 6 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jure
Mozirje, Slovenia22 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Couples
Museum is a great experience. I recommend to see a movie deep space to.
I rated 3 stars because I can't hide my disappointment that they didn't mention anywhere that Endeavour is closed for public because of moving until the end of the year.

I still recommend visiting museum.
Written 6 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ccarlson2022
Niles, MI92 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Family
Was in the area with my 17 year old daughter and stopped to see the Endeavor. We visited on December 31 and learned the shuttle was going off display after that day for a few years while they move to a new facility. Our timing couldn’t have been better!

This is the third shuttle I have seen out of the 4 on display in the US. Atlantis in Florida is by far the best but this one was cool. It was housed in a building by itself with plenty of room for many people and to take photos. It was elevated so you could walk around and under the entire shuttle.

The walk to the shuttle was a bit far but I do get they want you to look at other things as well.

We really didn’t stop at many other exhibits, with the exception of a few space exhibits like Mattingly’s Apollo 16 lunar space suit.

Gift shop has plenty to purchase and there are a few diners on site as well.

Entry was free but we did pay $20 to park next door in the parking garage.

The Collosium football stadium that USC plays in is next door so you can take photos of the stadium during the trip if that interests you as well.
Written 21 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

phvi2617
Anaheim, CA553 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Solo
This is a great science museum in Exposition Park. Most of the exhibits are geared toward kids, but the real star is the Space Shuttle Endeavour. It's incredible to see it up close and in person, and there are a number of artifacts related to the shuttle's assembly in Southern California. Also on display are several aircraft and capsules from the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs.

Unfortunately, the Endeavour will be off display for several years as the new shuttle pavilion is being constructed, but when it is finished it promises to be even more amazing. Aside from the IMAX films, all exhibits are completely free. There is a large food court and a really nice gift shop. Even though it was busy, it never felt crowded.
Written 1 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Explorer798663
Tea Green, UK23 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Family
We visited for the endeavour spaceship which ends in 4 days time but there was so much more to the science museum… I honestly believe this science museum is one of the best in the world, better than the London science museum. It did get busy but I’d rather be here than spend $700 on Disney
Written 27 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Hung Hoang
Garden Grove, CA2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Family
We spent a half day visiting this place and our kids loved it. It’s worth to spend an hour on the road to get here and experience the shows.
Written 26 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Louise K
Wellington, New Zealand482 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Couples
We started our day with a trip to the California Science Centre to see the space shuttle Endeavor. It was a surprisingly moving experience for me, and i was completely awestruck. As a teenager in the 80s, I watched the launches on tv with my dad, and i remember vividly hearing the news of the destruction of the Challenger. Despite the cold war thst raged at the time, it did feel like anything was possible back then, and the shuttles were a great example of that. Amazing - 20/10

Written 20 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Brooke In The Air
Cleveland, OH51 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2023 • Couples
Fantastic center for scientific excellence and learning, I loved it, especially seeing the Space Shuttle and the smaller capsules such as Apollo
Written 7 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Thefamilytraveller
Whangarei, New Zealand157 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Family
This is a must see in LA. We went to see the space shuttle and there was so much more to look through and keep young minds engaged. There is a lot to do in Los Angeles and this is worth spending a morning or afternoon
Written 30 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Debbie P
Glen Waverley, Australia272 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Family
We went to look at the endeavour space shuttle and we were very surprised at the quality and quantity of space exhibits. We did the shuttle simulator which was $6 each and the imax movie about space travel which was $9 each. We spent a lot longer than we had intended in the museum as it was just so good. We have increased our knowledge and had a truly great time.
Entry to the space museum area was free.
Highly recommend if you like space.
Written 18 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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California Science Center - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Frequently Asked Questions about California Science Center