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

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Los Angeles County is a huge place, and it's packed with amazing museums! These special places are like treasure chests, holding incredible collections of art, history, science, and more. They help us learn about the past, understand different cultures, and explore new ideas.

This list focuses on museums found all across Los Angeles County, outside of just the main City of Los Angeles. You'll find everything from historic homes to cool art galleries and even places dedicated to cars or airplanes. Get ready to discover some awesome spots to visit!

Explore Amazing Museums in Los Angeles County
Former Museums
See also
Images for kids

Explore Amazing Museums in Los Angeles County

Los Angeles County is home to many different kinds of museums. They include places that show off history, culture, science, and art. Many are run by non-profit groups, universities, or even private collectors. They all have exhibits and items you can see and learn from.

Historic Homes and Ranch Life

Step back in time by visiting these historic houses and ranches:

Adamson House in Malibu: This beautiful 1929 home is famous for its colorful Malibu Potteries tiles. You can also explore the Malibu Lagoon Museum next door, which shares local history.
Adobe de Palomares in Pomona: See what life was like in an 1850s adobe ranch home.
Casa Adobe de San Rafael in Glendale: This historic house is owned by the City of Glendale.
Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum in Rancho Dominguez: Another adobe ranch home, also known as Rancho San Pedro.
Gamble House in Pasadena: A stunning 1908 Craftsman-style house.
Hargitt House Museum in Norwalk: A late 19th-century Victorian house, open on specific Saturdays.
Heritage House, Covina in Covina: An early 20th-century Craftsman-style home.
La Casa Primera de Rancho San Jose in Pomona: An 1837 adobe home.
Lanterman House in La Cañada Flintridge: A 1915 Arts & Crafts-style bungalow.
Leonis Adobe in Calabasas: Experience California ranch life from the late 1800s.
Lopez Adobe in San Fernando: Another historic adobe home.
Pio Pico State Historic Park in Whittier: Visit the adobe home of Pío Pico, who was the last governor of Alta California under Mexican rule.
Rancho Los Alamitos in Long Beach: An early 19th-century adobe ranch house with barns and animals.
Rancho Los Cerritos in Long Beach: A two-story adobe home built in 1844.
Schindler House in West Hollywood: A unique historic house designed by architect Rudolf Schindler.
Taylor House in West Covina: A 1912 Craftsman-style farmhouse.
Whittier Museum in Whittier: Operated by the Whittier Historical Society.
William S. Hart Ranch and Museum in Santa Clarita: The Spanish-revival home of actor William S. Hart. It has original furniture, Western art, and Native American artifacts.
Workman and Temple Family Homestead Museum in Industry: Features the 1870s Workman House and the 1920s La Casa Nueva mansion.

Art and Creativity Museums

Discover amazing art from different times and places:

American Museum of Ceramic Art (AMOCA) in Pomona: See beautiful ceramic art from around the world.
Antelope Valley College Art Gallery in Lancaster: Located in the Fine Arts Building.
Armory Center for the Arts in Pasadena: A place for art and creativity.
Art Center College of Design Galleries in Pasadena: Several galleries showing different types of art.
Bert Rodriguez Museum in West Hollywood: A unique art museum.
California Heritage Museum in Santa Monica: Features American decorative and fine arts, including California tile and pottery.
Claremont Museum of Art in Claremont: A great place to see art.
Craft Contemporary in Mid-Wilshire: Los Angeles's only museum dedicated to craft art.
dA Center for the Arts in Pomona: A community arts center with exhibitions.
Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale in Glendale: The Forest Lawn Museum has exhibits of Western bronzes, stained glass, and historical American pieces.
Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art, California in Malibu: Part of Pepperdine University, showing works from the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation.
Gallery 825 in West Hollywood: Operated by the Los Angeles Art Association.
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 California art.
MAK Center for Art and Architecture in West Hollywood: Has changing exhibits that explore the connection between art and architecture.
MOCA at The Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood: Shows new art by both new and famous artists.
Museum of Jurassic Technology in Culver City: A very unique and thought-provoking 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: Features art made with neon lighting, including cool neon signs.
Nan Rae Gallery Woodbury University in Burbank: An art gallery at Woodbury University.
Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena: Collections include European Impressionist paintings, sculptures, and South Asian sculptures.
Pacific Island Ethnic Art Museum in Long Beach: Displays art 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: An art gallery at Pasadena City College.
Pasadena Museum of California Art in Pasadena: Showcases art and design that comes from California.
Benton Museum of Art in Claremont: Part of Pomona College, with collections from different time periods and cultures.
Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery in Claremont: Part of Scripps College, focusing on contemporary ceramics and other art.
Santa Monica Museum of Art in Santa Monica: Features contemporary art.
Torrance Art Museum in Torrance: Displays 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, Peru, Mexico, and more.

Cool and Unique Museums

These museums offer something a little different:

American Military Museum in El Monte: See military vehicles and artillery.
Automobile Driving Museum in El Segundo: Check out restored antique, classic, and special interest cars.
Battleship USS Iowa Museum in San Pedro: Explore the famous USS Iowa (BB-61) battleship that served in World War II and other wars.
Blackbird Airpark Museum in Palmdale: An outdoor display of cool aircraft like the Lockheed SR-71A and U2 “D”.
Bunny Museum in Pasadena: This museum has over 26,000 bunny collectibles!
Burbank Police and Fire Museum in Burbank: Learn about local police and fire history.
Catalina Island Museum on Santa Catalina Island: Learn about the island's history, including Native American artifacts and Catalina pottery.
Centennial Heritage Park in Glendora: An open-air museum with a historic house, carriage house, and citrus grove.
Destination Crenshaw in Hyde Park: An outdoor museum that stretches for over a mile, celebrating the history and culture of African Americans.
International Printing Museum in Carson: See old printing machines in action and learn about the history of books.
Joe Davies Heritage Airpark in Palmdale: An outdoor display of military and civilian aircraft.
Justice Brothers Private Automotive Collection in Duarte: Learn about the Justice Brothers and the history of auto racing.
Kidspace Children's Museum in Pasadena: A fun museum especially for kids!
Lomita Railroad Museum in Lomita: See cool steam locomotives.
Long Beach Firefighter's Museum in Long Beach: Learn about firefighting history.
Martial Arts History Museum in Burbank: Explores Asian art, history, music, and culture, and its impact on American society.
Mission San Gabriel Arcángel in San Gabriel: A historic church that also has a museum about its history.
Museum of Flying in Santa Monica: Features over 50 vintage aircraft and displays about the Douglas Aircraft Company.
Oldest McDonald's Restaurant in Downey: The third McDonald's restaurant ever built, with its original design and a museum.
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, showing the history of personal computers.
Point Vicente Interpretive Center in Rancho Palos Verdes: Learn about the natural and cultural history of the peninsula, especially about gray whales.
Point Vicente Light in Rancho Palos Verdes: You can take tours of this lighthouse.
Queen Mary in Long Beach: Explore this famous ocean liner, which is now a museum ship.
RailGiants Train Museum in Pomona: See historic locomotives at Fairplex.
Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology in Claremont: Part of The Webb Schools, with fossils of ancient animals and their tracks.
Rubel Castle in Glendora: A unique castle built from rocks and discarded items.
Salvation Army Museum of the West in Rancho Palos Verdes: Learn about the history of the Salvation Army in the Western United States.
San Gabriel River Discovery Center in South El Monte: A planned museum focusing on local water issues.
Saugus Train Station Museum in Santa Clarita: Operated by the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society.
Southern California Medical Museum in Pomona: Located at Western University of Health Sciences, showing the history of medicine, dentistry, and nursing.
The Museum of the San Fernando Valley in Northridge: Exhibits on local history, art, and culture.
Toyota USA Automobile Museum in Torrance: Learn about Toyota cars 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 and the Soviet Union.
Western Museum of Flight in Torrance: A collection of cool jet and propeller-driven airplanes.

Local History Museums

These museums focus on the history of specific towns and areas:

Alhambra Historical Society Museum in Alhambra: Located in Burke Heritage Park.
Baldwin Park Museum in Baldwin Park: Operated by the Baldwin Park Historical Society.
Downey History Center in Downey: Operated by the Downey Historical Society.
Duarte Historical Museum in Duarte: Operated by the Duarte Historical Society.
Durrell House Museum in Azusa: Also known as Azusa Historical Museum.
El Monte Historical Museum in El Monte.
Firehouse Jail Museum in Covina: A former jail, with items from the orange industry.
George Westmore Research Library & Museum in Burbank: About cosmetics and hair styling (currently closed).
Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage in Arcadia.
Gilbert Sproul Museum in Norwalk: Operated by the City of Norwalk.
Glendora Historical Society Museum in Glendora.
Gordon R. Howard Museum in Burbank: Includes the 1887 Victorian Mentzer House and a Lockheed Aviation display.
Hathaway Ranch Museum in Santa Fe Springs: Shows early California ranch life and the oil boom.
Hayes House & Museum in San Gabriel: Operated by the San Gabriel Historical Association.
Hermosa Beach Historical Museum in Hermosa Beach: Operated by the Hermosa Beach Historical Society.
Historical Society of Long Beach Museum in Long Beach.
La Historia Historical Society Museum in El Monte: Focuses on the culture of the barrios of El Monte.
Lancaster Museum of Art and History (MOAH) in Lancaster: Three locations covering art, history, and culture in the Antelope Valley.
Mayme A. Clayton Library & Museum in Culver City: Focuses on the history and culture of African Americans in the United States.
Manhattan Beach Historical Society Museum in Manhattan Beach: Located in the cottage at Polliwog Park.
Monrovia Historical Museum in 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 local history exhibits.
Pico Rivera Historical Museum in Pico Rivera: Housed in an 1887 train depot.
Pomona Ebell Museum of History in Pomona: Operated by the Historical Society of Pomona Valley.
Ramona Museum of California History in San Gabriel: 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.
San Dimas Museum in San Dimas: Operated by the San Dimas Historical Society.
Santa Monica History Museum in Santa Monica: Operated by the Santa Monica Historical Society.
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.
Torrance Historical Society & Museum in Torrance.

Open-Air and Outdoor Museums

Enjoy history and nature outdoors:

Heritage Junction Historic Park in Santa Clarita: An open-air museum with several historic houses, a railroad station, and a schoolhouse.
Heritage Park in Santa Fe Springs: Includes an authentic Tongva Native American village, a ranch home, and a train depot with a locomotive.
Virginia Robinson Gardens in Beverly Hills: Beautiful historic gardens and a mansion from the early 20th century.

Former Museums

Some museums have closed or moved:

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

Images for kids

The Huntington Library
The Norton Simon Museum
The Benton Museum of Art
The RMS Queen Mary

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List of museums in Los Angeles County, California Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.