California Science Center Parking Guide
Finding California Science Center parking requires planning around one crucial factor: Exposition Park is a shared district. The museum shares its grounds, access roads, and parking infrastructure with the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, BMO Stadium, and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. On an ordinary weekday, pulling in is straightforward and affordable. However, if a USC Trojans football game, an LAFC or Angel City FC soccer match, or a stadium concert is taking place on the same day, traffic builds rapidly and parking rates can surge dramatically.
The best and most convenient parking choice for the California Science Center is the official multi-level Exposition Park Visitor Parking Structure, located at 39th Street and South Figueroa Street. On-site parking operates daily on a cashless basis. Standard visitor parking is typically a flat rate of $15.00 per car, but this rate jumps to $35.00 to $50.00 or more during major stadium matches or concerts. If Exposition Park facilities reach capacity or face severe event gridlock, the most practical alternatives are the nearby USC campus parking structures across Exposition Boulevard or taking the Metro E Line light rail directly to the Expo Park / USC Station. When district event schedules are unclear, check the official Coliseum and BMO Stadium calendars before leaving home.
Parking Snapshot: Quick Answer Before You Go
Official parking is available on-site inside Exposition Park, but pricing and availability depend heavily on whether adjacent stadiums have scheduled matches or concerts. Standard visitor parking is cashless and costs $15.00 on regular days.
Official Source Verification
Parking information can change by event, date, traffic control, construction, operator, or season. VenueGuideHQ checks the latest available official source before publishing each guide.
How We Check Parking Information
VenueGuideHQ relies on a strict verification hierarchy to ensure visitor accuracy. We source policies directly from the California Science Center visitor services desk, the Exposition Park Management Authority, and municipal agencies like the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro). Aggregator listings and booking platforms are cross-referenced against primary district operational bulletins.
We clearly separate confirmed facts from operational variables and editorial recommendations:
- Confirmed Facts: The primary multi-level parking deck is located at 39th Street and South Figueroa Street; standard non-event car parking is $15.00; payment is strictly cashless; general admission tickets do not provide parking validation.
- Unclear Details: Surcharges for major stadium events vary by promoter and match category (typically between $35.00 and $50.00 or higher), and specific surface lot gates open dynamically based on crowd sizes.
- Recommendations: Arriving before 9:45 a.m. avoids lines at the parking gate, and taking the Metro E Line is the most reliable way to avoid delays on stadium game days.
Parking rules and access points remain subject to immediate operational changes due to construction projects or unannounced district events.
Official Parking Overview
All parking operations inside Exposition Park are managed centrally by the Exposition Park authority rather than the Science Center staff. When you arrive, you enter a unified park district that accommodates museum visitors, sports fans, and park patrons alike.
The primary facility is the multi-level Exposition Park Visitor Parking Structure, often referred to locally as Structure 1 or the Blue Structure. Located at the intersection of 39th Street and South Figueroa Street, this covered facility provides direct access to the Science Center. Elevators and stair towers connect all levels to ground-level walkways that lead across the plaza past the Exposition Park Rose Garden directly to the museum box office and the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center site.
In addition to the primary structure, Exposition Park maintains several perimeter surface lots (such as Lot 2, Lot 3, and southern lots along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Menlo Avenue). These lots are activated during peak holiday weekends, large school field trip days, and major athletic competitions. Electronic message signs along Figueroa Street direct drivers to open parking areas if the main deck fills up.
School buses and oversized vehicles are accommodated in designated surface parking zones, typically along the southern perimeter. School buses must coordinate arrangements through museum group reservations in advance. Oversized vehicles and RVs are assessed a higher daily fee (typically $30.00 to $40.00 or more), and overnight parking is strictly prohibited throughout Exposition Park.
Best Parking Options for Most Visitors
Compare the most convenient arrival choices for your trip to the California Science Center.
Main Exposition Park Structure
Best for: General visitors, families with strollers, and IMAX viewers
- Closest parking facility, located directly adjacent to the Science Center entrance.
- Covered multi-deck parking keeps vehicles out of the direct sun.
- Corner elevators provide flat, step-free access straight onto the main plaza.
- Standard daily rate is $15.00 (cashless only) on regular museum days.
USC Campus Garages
Best for: Overflow parking when Exposition Park lots are full or congested
- Located just north of the park across Exposition Boulevard (5 to 10-minute walk).
- Options include the McCarthy Way, Figueroa Street, and Flower Street structures.
- Helps bypass the primary I-110 freeway exit bottlenecks into Exposition Park.
- Standard daily university rates apply (typically $14.00–$20.00 on non-USC game days).
Metro E Line (Light Rail)
Best for: Avoiding traffic, saving money, and traveling during stadium matches
- Station platform at Expo Park / USC sits right across Exposition Boulevard.
- Level 3-minute walk through the Rose Garden to the museum entrance.
- Eliminates parking search time and freeway congestion entirely.
- Affordable $1.75 standard one-way fare using a TAP card or mobile transit pass.
Rideshare & Passenger Drop-Off
Best for: Travelers without cars or visitors staying in Downtown Los Angeles
- Direct curbside drop-off along Exposition Park Drive via 39th & Figueroa.
- Eliminates garage entry queues and parking fees.
- Driver must drop off passengers and immediately exit the grounds.
- Subject to heavy traffic restrictions within two hours of stadium events.
Parking Prices and Payment
Exposition Park operates a cashless payment system at all vehicle entry booths. Drivers must present a valid credit card, debit card, or mobile payment method (such as Apple Pay or Google Pay). Cash is not accepted at the toll gates.
Standard non-event parking is paid upon arrival at the entrance toll booths. While prepaid parking passes are often sold in advance for major sports matches and stadium concerts through stadium event platforms, standard daytime museum parking cannot generally be reserved ahead of time.
| Option | Best for | Key note |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Vehicle (Non-Event) | General museum visitors | $15.00 flat rate; cashless payment only. |
| Stadium Event Surge | Visitors arriving during matches | $35.00–$50.00+; triggered by Coliseum or BMO Stadium events. |
| Buses & Oversize Vehicles | School field trips & RVs | $30.00–$40.00+; no overnight parking allowed. |
| Science Center Members | Eligible membership tiers | Free or discounted; must scan member barcode at toll booth. |
The California Science Center does not validate parking for general admission guests or IMAX theater ticket holders. Parking revenue is collected directly by the Exposition Park Management Authority to maintain grounds, lighting, roads, and park security. Members of the California Science Center at qualifying donor tiers receive complimentary or discounted parking vouchers, which must be scanned directly at the parking entrance booth upon arrival.
Parking structures generally open by 8:30 a.m. daily, well ahead of the museum's 10:00 a.m. public opening, and close after the park's evening operating hours conclude.
Accessible Parking
Exposition Park provides accessible parking spaces for visitors with disabilities throughout its facilities. In the primary multi-level visitor structure, designated ADA-accessible stalls are located on every parking level, placed immediately adjacent to the central elevator and stair banks.
To park in these stalls, vehicles must visibly display a valid, government-issued disability parking placard or specialized license plate. Standard parking fees still apply.
The path of travel from the parking structure elevators to the California Science Center is fully accessible:
- Elevators discharge passengers onto level, ground-floor concrete walkways.
- Paved paths lead across the central pedestrian plaza directly to the Science Center's automated entry doors, IMAX box office, and Samuel Oschin Pavilion.
- The walkways feature curb ramps and gentle grades suitable for wheelchairs, motorized mobility scooters, and strollers.
Visitors who require drop-off closer to the building entrance before parking can inform the attendant at the 39th & Figueroa entrance gate. The attendant can guide you to curbside passenger drop-off zones along Exposition Park Drive before the driver circles into the parking garage.
Rideshare and Drop-Off
Passenger drop-off and pickup are permitted inside Exposition Park along Exposition Park Drive, accessed via the main entry gate at 39th Street and South Figueroa Street.
When ordering an Uber, Lyft, or taxi, set your destination pin specifically to "California Science Center" or "39th St & S Figueroa St". Avoid using a generic pin for "Exposition Park," as GPS navigation may misdirect your driver to the opposite side of the park near Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard or the stadium gates, resulting in a lengthy walk around event barriers.
On days with scheduled matches at BMO Stadium or USC football games at the Coliseum, rideshare operations face significant congestion. Local law enforcement and traffic management personnel frequently close Exposition Park Drive to non-permitted vehicles starting roughly two hours before kickoff. On major game days, consider having your driver drop you off across Exposition Boulevard along Figueroa Street or near the USC Hotel, then complete the short walk into the park on foot.
Public Transit and Shuttle Options
Taking public transit is widely considered the most stress-free and cost-effective way to visit the California Science Center, especially when stadium events coincide with your trip.
The premier transit choice is the Metro E Line (Expo) light rail:
- Primary Station: Exit the train at the Expo Park / USC Station.
- Walking Route: The station platform sits in the median of Exposition Boulevard. After exiting the platform, use the signalized pedestrian crosswalk to head south across Exposition Boulevard into Exposition Park. Walk through the historic Exposition Park Rose Garden, and the Science Center entrance will be directly ahead-a flat, pleasant walk of roughly 3 to 5 minutes.
- Secondary Station: The Expo / Vermont Station is located at the western edge of the park. It is ideal if you are visiting the Natural History Museum first, but it is also an easy 7- to 8-minute walk to the Science Center.
Visitors traveling from the South Bay or Downtown Los Angeles can also utilize the Metro J Line (Silver) rapid bus transitway, exiting at the 37th Street / USC Station along the I-110 corridor. From that stop, it is approximately a 10-minute walk west along 39th Street to the museum entrance.
Drivers coming from the Westside or outer suburbs can use Metro Park & Ride lots along the E Line (such as the La Cienega/Jefferson or Culver City stations), leave their car for a modest daily fee, and ride the train directly to the museum gates.
What to Do if Parking Is Full
Exposition Park lots can fill completely on summer weekends, during major temporary exhibitions, or when stadium events overlap with regular museum hours. If the main entrance at 39th and Figueroa is closed or displaying "Lot Full" signs, follow these contingency steps:
- Follow Ground Staff to Southern Surface Lots: Parking attendants will typically redirect vehicles south along Figueroa Street toward Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to fill Lot 2, Lot 3, or peripheral stadium lots.
- Use USC Campus Parking Garages: Head north across Exposition Boulevard into the University of Southern California campus. The McCarthy Way Structure (accessed off Figueroa St at McCarthy Way) and the Figueroa Street Structure (behind the USC Hotel) welcome visitor parking for a flat daily rate on non-game days. From these decks, it is a straightforward 5- to 10-minute walk south across the Exposition Boulevard pedestrian crosswalks.
- Divert to an Outer Metro Park & Ride: If district traffic is in complete gridlock due to a stadium event, turn away from Exposition Park, park at a nearby Metro E Line station like La Cienega/Jefferson, and ride the light rail two to four stops directly into the Expo Park / USC station.
Avoid searching for unmetered street parking in the residential neighborhoods south and west of Exposition Park. Most nearby side streets require strict residential parking permits, and parking enforcement heavily tickets and tows unauthorized vehicles during museum operating hours and stadium event windows.
Day-of Parking Tips From VenueGuideHQ
Practical steps to streamline your arrival and avoid unexpected costs at Exposition Park.
- Check stadium event schedules the night before. Verifying game times for LAFC, Angel City FC, or USC football tells you in advance whether the $15.00 museum rate or a $35.00–$50.00+ event surge applies.
- Arrive between 9:15 a.m. and 9:45 a.m. Parking gates open before the museum's 10:00 a.m. opening time, allowing you to bypass gate queues and secure prime spaces near the elevators.
- Have a contactless payment card ready. Exposition Park toll booths are entirely cashless, so keeping a credit card or mobile wallet active avoids transaction delays at the gate.
- Screenshot your exhibit passes and tickets before pulling into the garage. Cellular reception often drops inside the concrete parking structure, and digital barcodes load faster offline.
- Park near the north elevators on upper decks. The north elevator banks deposit visitors directly onto the ground-level walkway leading straight through the Rose Garden to the entrance.
- Program the intersection of 39th and Figueroa into navigation apps. Setting your GPS to this exact corner avoids incorrect routing toward restricted service roads or distant stadium gates.
Category-Specific Arrival Tips (Attraction & Museum Parking)
Visiting an attraction located inside a multi-use sports and entertainment park requires a different strategy than visiting standalone museums.
If you hold timed-entry tickets for special exhibitions or scheduled screenings at the IMAX Theater, plan to pull into the Exposition Park parking queue at least 45 to 60 minutes before your ticket time. Security bag inspections and line management at the museum atrium can take 15 to 20 minutes during peak midday windows, particularly when school field trips arrive between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
If you are planning a broader cultural trip across Southern California, traffic and parking dynamics differ noticeably across venues. For example, our Getty Museum parking guide details reservation-based hill parking and tram transit, while our Griffith Observatory parking guide covers steep hourly rates and hillside shuttle planning. Similarly, families coordinating visits to major entertainment destinations can consult our Universal Studios Hollywood parking guide for guidance on preferred parking decks and security screening hubs.
Before You Go Checklist
- Check both the LA Memorial Coliseum and BMO Stadium websites for game or concert conflicts.
- Confirm the museum's operating hours (exhibits open daily at 10:00 a.m.; parking gates open earlier by 8:30 a.m.).
- Pack a physical credit card, debit card, or ensure your phone's mobile wallet is active for cashless toll payment.
- Enter the exact destination address: 39th Street & South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90037.
- Save your timed IMAX tickets or special exhibit passes directly to your phone's digital wallet.
- Bring a lightweight, foldable stroller if visiting with toddlers; the walking paths from the deck are paved and level.
- Check live traffic conditions along the I-110 (Harbor Freeway) corridor before departing.
- Consider boarding the Metro E Line at an outer park-and-ride station if major stadium events are taking place.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best place to park for the California Science Center?
The most convenient option is the primary Exposition Park Visitor Parking Structure, entered at 39th Street and South Figueroa Street. It sits right beside the museum and connects directly to the entrance plaza via elevators and paved walkways.
How much does parking cost at the California Science Center?
Standard passenger vehicle parking is $15.00 on regular museum days. However, parking rates increase to $35.00–$50.00 or higher whenever major events take place at adjacent BMO Stadium or the LA Memorial Coliseum.
Can I pay for parking with cash?
No. All Exposition Park parking booths operate on a strictly cashless basis. Visitors must pay using a credit card, debit card, or a mobile payment system such as Apple Pay or Google Pay.
Does the California Science Center validate parking?
No. The California Science Center does not provide parking validation for general admission guests or IMAX ticket holders. Parking fees are collected directly by the Exposition Park Management Authority.
Can I reserve a parking space in advance?
Standard daytime visitor parking cannot be reserved in advance through the museum; it is paid upon arrival at the toll booths. Advance parking reservations are generally available only for major stadium sporting events and concerts.
Where is accessible ADA parking located?
Designated accessible parking spaces are available on all levels of the main Exposition Park Visitor Parking Structure, situated next to the elevator banks. A valid state-issued disability placard or license plate is required.
What public transit line stops at the Science Center?
The Metro E Line (Expo) light rail stops at the Expo Park / USC Station. The station is located directly across Exposition Boulevard, roughly a 3-minute walk through the Rose Garden to the museum's front entrance.
What should I do if the main parking garage is full?
If the 39th and Figueroa structure is full, follow parking staff instructions to secondary surface lots along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, or park across Exposition Boulevard in USC campus visitor decks like the McCarthy Way Structure.
Is overnight parking allowed at the California Science Center?
No. Overnight parking is strictly prohibited in all Exposition Park parking structures and surface lots. Vehicles left after closing hours are subject to ticketing and towing.
What time do the parking lots open?
Exposition Park parking gates typically open by 8:30 a.m. daily. The Science Center opens its doors at 10:00 a.m., meaning early arrivals can park easily and walk the grounds before exhibits open.
Conclusion
Parking for the California Science Center is simple and cost-effective on standard days, provided you enter the Exposition Park Visitor Parking Structure at 39th Street and Figueroa Street and carry a cashless payment method.
The most important step in planning your trip is checking the district schedule for BMO Stadium and the LA Memorial Coliseum before leaving home. When a major sporting event or concert coincides with your museum visit, choosing to arrive before 9:45 a.m., utilizing USC campus garages, or boarding the Metro E Line will help you avoid surge prices and gridlock.
Parking information can change by event, date, season, traffic control, construction, and parking operator. Always confirm the latest parking details on the official venue, airport, park, attraction, city, transportation, parking operator, organizer, or event website before you leave. Information is checked for 2026 where available, but official sources should always be treated as the final authority.
