From baby chicks to a real human digestive tract, this interactive museum makes science fun and accessible to all.

by Mar Yvette

In Short
Unlike many other museums, the Science Center encourages guests to touch just about everything--which means lots of bells and whistles going off. Busloads of kids scamper about the galleries throughout the morning and early afternoon, guided along to the massive space's various exhibits on topics ranging from cells to cars. Later in the day, families, curious students from nearby USC and adventurous tourists press their faces against the glass of the "World of Life" exhibit or explore real aerospace artifacts at the "Air and Space" exhibits.The on-site Imax theater always draws crowds, with its seven-story screen (the largest in Los Angeles) that shows cutting-edge 3D nature flicks.

08/06/03

Wind machine

by poptartsgurl

This is a great place to bring curious kids. We enjoyed the wind machine and the echo chairs. The kids loved being able to touch and play.

05/21/02

Cute chicks

by JSchwartz_Citysearch

It's free, it's fun and it seems that every kid on the SoCal area visits the Cal Science Center on the weekends. By mid-day the exhibits and interactive displays are virtually mobbed. So go early and enjoy. And don't miss the baby chicks, no kid--or parent--can resist those fuzzy little wobblers.

• Pros: free, discovery center
• Cons: crowded on weekends