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Parks #6 in Downtown Los Angeles

Exposition Park

4.6 · 16,226 reviews
Active and educational
Exposition Park, 700 Exposition Park Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90037, United States
Interesting facts
1

The park's Rose Garden was originally created in 1928 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

2

The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is the only stadium to have hosted the Summer Olympics twice, in 1932 and 1984, and is scheduled to host again in 2028.

3

The California Science Center houses the Space Shuttle Endeavour, which flew 25 missions into space.

4

The park's Sunken Garden was once an agricultural fairground site before its conversion to a formal landscape in the 1920s.

5

The California African American Museum was the first museum of its kind to be directly integrated into a state-funded agency.

Overview

Exposition Park is a 160-acre urban park housing several major cultural institutions and the BMO Stadium. It serves as the home to the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, the California Science Center, and the California African American Museum. The park contains the Rose Garden, a historic site featuring over 15,000 rose bushes and 200 varieties. The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, a two-time Olympic host, occupies the park's western side. The Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center is currently under development as a major expansion of the California Science Center. The park grounds provide significant open green space for recreation adjacent to the University of Southern California campus. It is a frequent venue for large-scale sporting events and public festivals. The park facilities are owned by the state of California and managed by the Exposition Park Management Office.

Photo spot

The center fountain within the Exposition Park Rose Garden.

Insider tips

Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the park grounds are extensive and the museums involve significant walking.

Check the event calendar for the BMO Stadium and the Coliseum, as major matches or concerts can cause heavy pedestrian traffic and area closures.

What to avoid

Do not attempt to visit the entire park and all three museums in a single day, as the collections are vast and require separate time commitments.

Good to know

Museums within the park typically observe closure days on major holidays or specific Mondays, requiring pre-visit verification on official institutional websites.

Etiquette

Maintain respectful behavior in the Rose Garden; avoid stepping into the garden beds.

Plan your visit
Typical visit
4-6 hours
Best time to visit
Weekday mornings, to avoid crowds and maximize time inside the museums.
Address
Exposition Park, 700 Exposition Park Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90037, United States
34.015, -118.287
Get directions
Details
Key attractionsCalifornia Science Center, Natural History Museum, Rose Garden
Shade & rest areasLimited natural shade; benches available around the Rose Garden and museum perimeters

Frequently asked

Plan for about 4-6 hours to see the highlights.

The best time to visit is Weekday mornings, to avoid crowds and maximize time inside the museums..

The center fountain within the Exposition Park Rose Garden.

Close by you'll find California Science Center, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Space Shuttle Endeavour.