Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Explore nature and culture from the inside out
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County near Barnes Solar invites you to explore our world through the eyes of animals. From the smallest insect to the largest whale, we invite you to experience life from the perspective of another species. Come see what it feels like to be a bat, a bee, a butterfly, a bird, a fish, a lizard, a mouse, a snail, a spider, a worm, a coyote, a deer, a dolphin, a frog, a hawk, a horse, a pig, a snake, a shark, a seal, a turkey, a turtle, a wolf, a rabbit, a cow, a lion, a bear, a giraffe, a rhino, a zebra, a hippo, a gorilla, a chimpanzee, a monkey, a panda, a polar bear, a walrus, a sea otter, a killer whale, a penguin, a bison, a camel, a llama, a donkey, a moose, a reindeer, a kangaroo, a goat, a sheep, a llama, an alpaca, a buffalo, a yak, a fox, a crow, a duck, a goose, a pigeon, a dove, a parrot, a peacock, a cat, a dog, a rat, a hamster, a guinea pig, a chipmunk, a squirrel, a pig, a chicken, a rooster, a piglet, a calf, a lamb, a steer, a goat kid, a piglet, and many others. Next article
Research and collections
The Museum of Comparative Zoology maintains research and collections in several areas including:
Annelida – includes earthworms, leeches, slugs, and snails
Ethnology – includes anthropology, archaeology, ethnography, folklore, linguistics, mythology, and philology
Crustacea – includes crabs, lobsters, shrimps, crayfish, barnacles, and sea cucumbers
Echinodermata – includes starfishes, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, sand dollars, brittle stars, sea lilies, and sea angels
L.A. Underwater
Explore the underwater realm of ancient LA when much of the LADOT was submerged beneath the waves. See how our city was formed over millions of years during the Pleistocene Epoch, a period of geological history lasting roughly five million years. Learn about the people who lived here and see what life was like nearly 10,000 years ago. This exhibit explores the human impact on the environment and features the largest collection of artifacts ever found in Southern California.
Dinosaur Hall
Make amazing discoveries as you journey back in time to more than 65 million years ago.
The discovery of fossils in Mongolia could change how we think about dinosaurs. These newly discovered specimens are unlike anything scientists have ever seen before. They belong to a species called Sinosauropteryx prima, meaning “first sinuous wing.” This dinosaur lived during the early part of the Jurassic period. At the time it existed, it was one of the largest predators on land. Its bones show that it had short legs, long arms, and a tail covered in feathers. Scientists believe that it used these traits to glide across water.
Top ways to experience Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
The Natural History Museum of Los Angles County is one of L.A.’s most popular tourist destinations, drawing millions of visitors each year. With over 5 million square feet of exhibition space, it boasts some of the world’s finest dinosaur fossils, rare animal specimens, and hands-on exhibits designed to engage kids ages 2–12. There are also plenty of family activities for all ages, such as live animal shows, puppet theater performances, and special events throughout the year.
The museum has two locations: the main campus at Exposition Park and the La Brea Tar Pits site in Hancock Park. Both sites offer free admission, but parking can cost up to $15 per day.
The Natural History Museum is located at:
100 State Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(213) 763-9200
Hours: Open daily from 9am – 5pm (closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day). Closed Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and major holidays.
La Brea Tar Pits location
The Natural History museum is in the heart of downtown L.A., just steps from major bus lines, Metro Rail stations, and freeways. The museum offers complimentary shuttles between its two campuses every 30 minutes. Visitors can take advantage of the museum’s extensive network of bike racks and lockers.