List of museums in Los Angeles County, California facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Welcome to a super cool guide to all the amazing museums you can find in Los Angeles County! This area in southern California is packed with places where you can explore history, art, science, and different cultures.

While the List of museums in Los Angeles, California focuses on museums just in the City of Los Angeles, this list covers all the other fantastic spots across the wider LA County.

These museums include everything from art galleries and historic homes to science centers and places that celebrate different cultures. They are run by groups like art organizations, non-profit groups, universities, and even private collectors. All of them have cool exhibits and artworks that you can visit and enjoy.

This list focuses on real places you can visit, even though some of them also have awesome online collections you can check out from home!

Awesome Museums to Explore
Former Museums
See also

Awesome Museums to Explore

Get ready to discover some incredible museums in Los Angeles County! Each one offers a unique adventure.

Art and History Homes

Adamson House in Malibu: This beautiful 1929 home is famous for its colorful tiles from Malibu Potteries. You can also visit the Malibu Lagoon Museum next door to learn about local history.
Adobe de Palomares in Pomona: Step back in time at this 1850s ranch house, showing what life was like long ago.
Casa Adobe de San Rafael in Glendale: This historic adobe home is owned by the City of Glendale and offers a peek into the past.
Doctors House Museum in Glendale: Explore a late 19th-century Victorian house, full of history from that era.
Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum in Rancho Dominguez: This historic adobe ranch home is also known as Rancho San Pedro.
Gamble House in Pasadena: A stunning 1908 Craftsman-style house that's a true work of art in itself.
Hargitt House Museum in Norwalk: Another beautiful late 19th-century Victorian house, open for visitors on specific Saturdays.
Heritage House, Covina in Covina: This early 20th-century Craftsman-style home shows how people lived a hundred years ago.
La Casa Primera de Rancho San Jose in Pomona: An 1837 adobe home that's one of the oldest in the area.
Lanterman House in La Cañada Flintridge: A lovely 1915 Arts & Crafts-style bungalow.
Leonis Adobe in Calabasas: Experience California ranch life from the late 1800s at this living history museum.
Lopez Adobe in San Fernando: A historic adobe house with a rich past.
Mission San Gabriel Arcángel in San Gabriel: This historic church also has a museum where you can learn about its long history.
Old Mill in San Marino: Built in 1816, this adobe grist mill was used by Mission San Gabriel.
Pio Pico State Historic Park in Whittier: Visit the adobe home of Pío Pico, who was the last Governor of Alta California when it was under Mexican Rule.
Rancho Los Alamitos in Long Beach: See an early 19th-century adobe ranch house, barns, and even animals!
Rancho Los Cerritos in Long Beach: A beautiful 1844 two-story adobe home in the Monterey style.
Rowland Home & Dibble Museum in Hacienda Heights: This historic house is currently closed, but it's an important part of local history.
Schindler House in West Hollywood: Designed by architect Rudolf Schindler, this house is an architectural marvel.
Taylor House in West Covina: A 1912 Craftsman-style farmhouse that tells the story of early farming in the area.
Virginia Robinson Gardens in Beverly Hills: Explore a stunning early 20th-century estate with a historic mansion and beautiful botanical gardens.
Whittier Museum in Whittier: Learn about the history of Whittier at this historic house.
William S. Hart Ranch and Museum in Santa Clarita: Visit the Spanish-revival home of famous actor William S. Hart, filled with his original furniture, Western art, and Native American artifacts.
Workman and Temple Family Homestead Museum in Industry: This museum features the 1870s Workman House, the 1920s La Casa Nueva mansion, and one of the oldest cemeteries in the region.

Art and Culture Centers

American Museum of Ceramic Art (AMOCA) in Pomona: Discover amazing ceramic art from all over the world, including ancient pots and modern sculptures.
Antelope Valley College Art Gallery in Lancaster: Check out art exhibits at this college gallery.
Armory Center for the Arts in Pasadena: A vibrant art center with changing exhibits.
Art Center College of Design Galleries in Pasadena: Explore various art galleries, including student works and special exhibits.
Bert Rodriguez Museum in West Hollywood: A unique art museum with interesting displays.
California Heritage Museum in Santa Monica: See American decorative and fine arts, including beautiful California tiles and pottery.
Carolyn Campanga Kleefeld Contemporary Art Museum at California State University, Long Beach: A modern art museum on a university campus.
Claremont Museum of Art in Claremont: Showcases art from the Claremont area.
Craft Contemporary in Mid-Wilshire, Los Angeles: This is the only art museum in Los Angeles dedicated to craft art.
dA Center for the Arts in Pomona: A community art center with various exhibitions.
Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art, California in Malibu: Part of Pepperdine University, this museum features works from the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation.
Gallery 825 in West Hollywood: Operated by the Los Angeles Art Association, this gallery features contemporary art.
Huntington Library in San Marino: More than just a library, it has an incredible art collection, a historic mansion, and beautiful botanical gardens.
Kidspace Children's Museum in Pasadena: A fantastic museum designed just for kids, with lots of hands-on activities.
Latino Art Museum in Pomona: Focuses on contemporary Latin American art.
Long Beach Museum of Art in Long Beach: Features American decorative arts, early 20th-century European art, and modern and contemporary California art.
MAK Center for Art and Architecture in West Hollywood: Located in the Schindler House, it presents exhibits that explore the connection between art and architecture.
Martial Arts History Museum in Glendale: A fascinating look at Asian art, history, music, and culture, and how it has influenced American society.
MOCA at The Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood: A branch of MOCA, showing new works by both new and famous artists.
Museum of Jurassic Technology in Culver City: This is a very unique and thought-provoking museum, sometimes called a "meta-museum," with a Russian Tea Room!
Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach: Dedicated to contemporary Latin American art.
Museum of Neon Art in Glendale: See amazing art made with neon lighting, including cool neon signs and moving art.
Nan Rae Gallery Woodbury University in Burbank: An art gallery located at Woodbury University.
Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena: Home to beautiful European Impressionist paintings, sculptures, tapestries, and South Asian sculptures.
Pacific Island Ethnic Art Museum in Long Beach: Displays artworks and artifacts from Pacific island nations.
Palos Verdes Art Center in Rancho Palos Verdes: A community art gallery and school.
Pasadena City College Art Gallery in Pasadena: Another college art gallery with interesting exhibits.
Pasadena Museum of California Art in Pasadena: Focuses on art and design created in California.
Pasadena Museum of History in Pasadena: Learn about local history, visit the Fenyes Mansion, and see the Finnish Folk Art Museum.
Benton Museum of Art in Claremont: Part of Pomona College, with collections ranging from Italian paintings to American Indian art.
Rubel Castle in Glendora: An amazing and unique place with rock buildings, recycled items, and a renovated citrus packing house.
Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery in Claremont: Part of Scripps College, this gallery focuses on contemporary ceramics, American paintings, and Asian art.
Santa Monica Museum of Art in Santa Monica: Features contemporary art.
Torrance Art Museum in Torrance: Showcases modern and contemporary art.
University Art Museum in Long Beach: Located on the campus of California State University, Long Beach.
USC Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena: Explores the arts and cultures of Asia and the Pacific Islands.
Vincent Price Art Museum in Monterey Park: Part of East Los Angeles College, with art from Africa, Peruvian and Mexican artifacts, and works from different periods.

Science, Technology, and Unique Collections

The American Military Museum in El Monte: See military vehicles and artillery.
Automobile Driving Museum in El Segundo: Features beautifully restored antique, classic, and special interest cars.
Battleship USS Iowa Museum in San Pedro: Explore the mighty USS Iowa (BB-61) battleship, which served in WWII, the Korean War, and the Cold War. It even hosted three U.S. Presidents!
Blackbird Airpark Museum in Palmdale: An annex of the Air Force Flight Test Museum, with outdoor displays of cool aircraft like the Lockheed SR-71A and U2 “D”.
Bunny Museum in Altadena: A truly unique museum with over 26,000 bunny collectibles!
Burbank Police and Fire Museum in Burbank: Learn about the history of local police and fire services.
Catalina Island Museum on Santa Catalina Island: Discover Native American artifacts, old photographs, Catalina-made pottery, and ship models.
George Westmore Research Library & Museum in Burbank: This museum, currently looking for a new home, has cosmetics and hair styling memorabilia.
International Printing Museum in Carson: See working demonstrations of antique printing machines and learn about the history of books and printing.
Joe Davies Heritage Airpark in Palmdale: An outdoor display of military and civilian aircraft that were flown, tested, or made at United States Air Force Plant 42.
Justice Brothers Private Automotive Collection in Duarte: Learn about the history of the Justice Brothers and auto racing.
Lomita Railroad Museum in Lomita: A fun place to see steam locomotives and learn about railroad history.
Long Beach Firefighter's Museum in Long Beach: Dedicated to the history of firefighting.
Museum of Flying in Santa Monica: Features 50 vintage aircraft and the office of Donald Wills Douglas, Sr., founder of Douglas Aircraft Company.
Oldest McDonald's Restaurant in Downey: Visit the third McDonald's restaurant ever built, with its original design and a museum.
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives in West Hollywood: Features exhibitions on LGBT art, photography, and history.
Pacific Railroad Society Museum in San Dimas: Operates from a former train depot and focuses on railroad history.
Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills: Learn about the history of television and radio.
Paul Gray PC Museum in Claremont: Part of Claremont Graduate University, this museum explores the history of personal computers.
Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology in Claremont: Part of The Webb Schools, it has amazing collections of vertebrate, invertebrate, and track fossils.
Queen Mary in Long Beach: Explore this famous ocean liner, which is now a museum ship.
RailGiants Train Museum in Pomona: Located at Fairplex, it showcases historic locomotives.
Southern California Medical Museum in Pomona: Located at Western University of Health Sciences, it covers the history of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and nursing.
Toyota USA Automobile Museum in Torrance: Learn about Toyota automobiles and their history (open by appointment).
Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum in Pomona: Full of memorabilia, cars, and motorcycles related to hot rodding.
Warner Bros. Museum in Burbank: Part of the Warner Brothers Studio VIP Tour, with movie and TV memorabilia.
Wende Museum in Culver City: Explores the history and culture of the Cold War, especially in East Germany, Eastern Europe, and the Soviet Union.
Western Museum of Flight in Torrance: Features a collection of notable jet and propeller-driven airplanes.

Local History and Open-Air Sites

Alhambra Historical Society Museum in Alhambra: Located in Burke Heritage Park, it tells the story of Alhambra.
Baldwin Park Museum in Baldwin Park: Operated by the Baldwin Park Historical Society, located inside the Arts and Recreation Center.
Centennial Heritage Park in Glendora: An open-air museum with historic buildings like Hamilton House, a carriage house, and a citrus grove.
Clarke Estate in Santa Fe Springs: A historic estate to explore.
Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge: Beautiful botanic gardens that also feature the Boddy House, a 22-room mansion.
Destination Crenshaw in Hyde Park: An outdoor museum along a 1.3-mile (2.1 km) stretch of Crenshaw Boulevard that celebrates the history and culture of African Americans.
Downey History Center in Downey: Operated by the Downey Historical Society, it shares the history of Downey.
Duarte Historical Museum in Duarte: Operated by the Duarte Historical Society.
Durrell House Museum in Azusa: Also known as Azusa Historical Museum, run by the Azusa Historical Society.
El Monte Historical Museum in El Monte: Learn about the history of El Monte.
Firehouse Jail Museum in Covina: A former jail operated by the Covina Valley Historical Society, with exhibits on the orange industry.
Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage in Arcadia: Explores the history of Arcadia.
Gilbert Sproul Museum in Norwalk: Operated by the City of Norwalk, open on the first Sunday of the month.
Glendora Historical Society Museum in Glendora: Shares the history of Glendora.
Gordon R. Howard Museum in Burbank: Operated by the Burbank Historical Society, it includes the 1887 Victorian Mentzer House, a Lockheed Aviation display, and vintage vehicles.
Hathaway Ranch Museum in Santa Fe Springs: Learn about early California ranch life and the oil boom of the 1920s and 30s.
Hayes House & Museum in San Gabriel: Operated by the San Gabriel Historical Association.
Heritage Junction Historic Park in Santa Clarita: An open-air park with historic houses, a railroad station, a schoolhouse, and a chapel.
Heritage Park in Santa Fe Springs: Features an authentic Tongva Native American village, a ranch home, and a train depot with a locomotive.
Hermosa Beach Historical Museum in Hermosa Beach: Located in a cottage at Polliwog Park, it tells the story of Hermosa Beach.
Historical Society of Long Beach Museum in Long Beach: Focuses on the history of Long Beach.
Hurst Ranch Historical Center in West Covina: An early 20th-century ranch and farm with old equipment and tools.
La Historia Historical Society Museum in El Monte: Explores the culture of the barrios (neighborhoods) of El Monte.
Lancaster Museum of Art and History (MOAH) in Lancaster: With three locations, it focuses on the art, history, and culture of the Antelope Valley, including the Western Hotel Museum.
Mayme A. Clayton Library & Museum in Culver City: Dedicated to the history and culture of African Americans in the United States, especially in Southern California and the American West.
Manhattan Beach Historical Society Museum in Manhattan Beach: Located in the cottage at Polliwog Park.
Monrovia Historical Museum in Monrovia: Shares the history of Monrovia.
Monterey Park Historical Museum in Monterey Park: Operated by the Monterey Park Historical Society.
Neff Park in La Mirada: Contains the Neff Home, a historic house museum, and the Neff Barn with local history exhibits.
Pico Rivera Historical Museum in Pico Rivera: Housed in an 1887 train depot, it's operated by the Pico Rivera History and Heritage Society.
Point Vicente Interpretive Center in Rancho Palos Verdes: Next to Point Vicente Light, it explores the natural and cultural history of the peninsula, with a special focus on the Pacific gray whale.
Point Vicente Light in Rancho Palos Verdes: You can take tours of this historic lighthouse.
Pomona Ebell Museum of History in Pomona: Operated by the Historical Society of Pomona Valley.
Ramona Museum of California History in San Gabriel: Focuses on California history, operated by the Native Sons of the Golden West.
Redondo Beach Historical Museum in Redondo Beach: Located in the 1904 Queen Anne House.
Richardson House and Lizzie's Trail Inn in Sierra Madre: Operated by the Sierra Madre Historical Preservation Society.
Salvation Army Museum of the West in Rancho Palos Verdes: Tells the story of the Salvation Army in the Western United States.
San Dimas Museum in San Dimas: Operated by the San Dimas Historical Society.
San Gabriel River Discovery Center in South El Monte: A planned museum that will focus on local watershed issues, complementing the existing Whittier Narrows Nature Center.
Santa Monica History Museum in Santa Monica: Operated by the Santa Monica Historical Society.
Saugus Train Station Museum in Santa Clarita: Operated by the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society at Heritage Junction Park.
South Pasadena Historical Museum in South Pasadena: Operated by the South Pasadena Preservation Foundation.
Temple City Historical Museum in Temple City: Operated by the Historical Society of Temple City.
The Museum of the San Fernando Valley in Northridge: Features exhibits on topics like The Art of Tarzan, Birmingham General Hospital, and African American History in the San Fernando Valley.
Torrance Historical Society & Museum in Torrance: Shares the local history of Torrance.

Former Museums

These museums are no longer open or have changed their focus:

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Galleries
Downey Museum of Art, Downey: Closed in 2009 and is looking for a new location.
Eames Office, Santa Monica
Angels Attic: Closed in 2017.