11 spots within 60 miles of 92692
Pretend City Children's Museum
Irvine · Children's museum
A child-sized interactive 'city' with role-play exhibits (grocery, fire station). Best for ages 0–8.
🗓️ Tue–Sun
💵 ~$22 general; $5 with EBT
Visit site →Discovery Cube Orange County
Santa Ana · Science museum
A large hands-on science center — Eco Challenge, dinosaurs, simulators. Ages 3–14+.
🗓️ Daily
💵 see site (~$23–26 + parking)
Visit site →The Children's Museum at La Habra
La Habra · Children's museum
Set in a historic 1923 train depot with a vintage train, carousel and dino/nature rooms. Toddlers to ~age 8.
🗓️ Tue–Sun
💵 ~$12 (ages 2+)
Visit site →Aquarium of the Pacific
Long Beach · Science museum
A major family aquarium with touch pools, a shark lagoon and a lorikeet aviary.
🗓️ Daily
💵 see site (~$45 adult / $30 child)
Visit site →Columbia Memorial Space Center
Downey · Science museum
A space/STEM museum on the former NASA/Rockwell site where Apollo modules were built; the national memorial to Shuttle Columbia.
🗓️ Tue–Sat
💵 ~$5 (3 & under free)
Visit site →Children's Museum of Discovery
Escondido · Children's museum
Bilingual hands-on exhibits plus an outdoor Discovery Garden for young children.
🗓️ Tue–Sun
💵 ~$14; $2 with EBT/WIC
Visit site →California Science Center
Los Angeles
FREE general admission, and home of the Space Shuttle Endeavour, in Exposition Park.
🗓️ Daily
Visit site →Natural History Museum of LA County
Los Angeles · Science museum
Dinosaur Hall, a gem and mineral vault, and the Nature Gardens, in Exposition Park.
🗓️ Daily (closed 1st Tue)
💵 From ~$18; LA County residents free Mon–Fri 3–5pm
Visit site →Kidspace Children's Museum
Pasadena · Children's museum
A 3.5-acre indoor/outdoor site with 40+ hands-on exhibits and nature play, near the Rose Bowl. Toddlers to ~age 10.
🗓️ Daily
💵 ~$15.50; under 1 free
Visit site →La Brea Tar Pits & Museum
Los Angeles · Science museum
An active Ice-Age excavation site, the Lake Pit and Hancock Park. Note: the indoor museum closes ~July 2026 for a ~2-year renovation; the outdoor areas stay open.
🗓️ Outdoor park daily
💵 see site (outdoor park free)
Visit site →Cayton Children's Museum
Santa Monica · Children's museum
A hands-on play museum on Level 3 of Santa Monica Place. Best for ages 1–8.
🗓️ Wed–Sun
💵 ~$16 (ages 1+)
Visit site →Get more rainy-day ideas near you
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best children's museums in Southern California?
Top hands-on children's museums include Pretend City (Irvine), Kidspace (Pasadena), the Cayton (Santa Monica), the New Children's Museum (San Diego) and the Children's Museum at La Habra. For older kids, the science centers — Discovery Cube (OC & LA), the California Science Center, the Fleet Science Center and MOXI — go deeper. Each listing notes the best age range.
Are any SoCal science museums free?
Yes — the California Science Center in Exposition Park (home of the Space Shuttle Endeavour) has free general admission. Several others have free resident days: the Natural History Museum (LA County residents weekday afternoons), and the Fleet Science Center and theNAT in Balboa Park (first Tuesday of the month for San Diego residents). Always confirm on each site.