Things to do in the San Fernando Valley, LA area, May 30-June 05

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County: “Butterfly Pavilion,” the seasonal exhibit, is open now and runs through Aug. 24; reservations required by timed ticket (30-minute time slots; $10; must also purchase museum admission; details tinyurl.com/4asy4c62). Hours: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Sunday (but closed on the first Tuesday of the month and some holidays). Admission $18; $14 ages 62 and older and ages 13-17; $7 ages 3-12; free for ages 2 and younger, but a ticket is required. Location, 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles. nhmlac.org

California Science Center: Special exhibits: “Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center Work-in-Progress Gallery,” includes a SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft, a Rocket Lab Electron rocket and a “sneak peek” of other artifacts to be shown in the now under-construction Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center (the exhibit is on the second floor; https://californiasciencecenter.org/exhibits/work-in-progress). “Goose Bumps! The Science of Fear,” (californiasciencecenter.org/exhibits/goose-bumps-the-science-of-fear). Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Admission is free to the center’s permanent galleries, but there is a charge for special exhibits. Location, 700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles. californiasciencecenter.org/visit). californiasciencecenter.org

Descanso Gardens: Cherry trees blossoming and tulips in bloom. Find out more “What’s in Bloom” (depending on the weather): https://www.descansogardens.org/gardens-and-collections/whats-in-bloom/. Hours: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. Admission $15; $11 ages 65 and older and students with ID; $5 ages 5-12. Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge. 818-949-4200. descansogardens.org. www.facebook.com/DescansoGardensLA

African American Firefighter Museum: Artifacts, fire apparatus, pictures and stories about African American Los Angeles firefighters. Hours: timed entry admission at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. on Sundays (make a reservation on Eventbrite here: tinyurl.com/4dx5xxhk). Donations. Location, 1401 S. Central Ave., Los Angeles. 213-744-1730. https://www.aaffmuseum.org/

Autry Museum of the American West: Ongoing special exhibit: “Student Visual Arts Exhibition: Visions of the Future,” a juried exhibition of more than 100 middle and high school students’ artwork exploring a topic of relevance in the American West, through June 1 (details: https://shorturl.at/5VACg). Museum hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Admission $18; $14 ages 62 and older, and ages 13-18 and also students older than 18 with ID; $8 ages 3-12 (theautry.org/visit). Location, 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles. theautry.org

ONGOING EXHIBITS

Academy Museum of Motion Pictures: Ongoing special exhibits: “Color in Motion: Chromatic Explorations of Cinema,” through July 13 (www.academymuseum.org/en/exhibitions/color-in-motion). “Cyberpunk: Envisioning Possible Futures Through Cinema,” through April 12, 2026 (www.academymuseum.org/en/exhibitions/cyberpunk). Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday-Monday. Closed on Tuesday. Admission $25; $19 ages 62 and older; $15 students, age 18 and older with ID; free for ages 17 and younger. Location, 6067 Wilshire Blvd. (corner of Fairfax Avenue), Los Angeles. 323-930-3000. academymuseum.org

Bolton Hall Museum: Ongoing special exhibit: “Back to School,” the history of public schools in Sunland and Tujunga, through Spring 2025. Hours: 1-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Free admission; $5 donation is appreciated. Bolton Hall Museum, 10110 Commerce Ave., Tujunga. 818-352-3420. Email: llhs@boltonhall.org. www.facebook.com/boltonhallmuseum and www.boltonhall.org

California African American Museum: Ongoing special exhibits: “Repossessions,” through Aug. 3 (caamuseum.org/exhibitions/2025/repossessions). “Really Free: The Radical Art of Nellie Mae Rowe,” through Aug. 17 (caamuseum.org/exhibitions/2025/really-free-the-radical-art-of-nellie-mae-rowe). Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday; closed on Monday (caamuseum.org/visit/hours-directions). Free admission. Parking $20 before 5 p.m.; $24 after 5 p.m. (parking lot entrance at West 39th and South Figueroa streets. Museum location, corner of Exposition Boulevard and South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles (in Exposition Park). 213-744-7432. www.facebook.com/CAAMinLA/. www.caamuseum.org

Craft Contemporary: Hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. Admission $9; $7 ages 65 and older and students; free for ages 12 and younger. Location, 5814 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. 323-937-4230. www.craftcontemporary.org

Discovery Cube Los Angeles – Sylmar: Ongoing special exhibit: “Eco Challenge: Planetary Research Station,” (Eco Challenge: Planetary Research Station – Discovery Cube). The museum has ongoing exhibits that aim to make science fun for children. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Admission $20 ages 15-61; $18 ages 62 and older; $17 ages 3-14. Location, 11800 Foothill Blvd., Sylmar. www.facebook.com/TheDiscoveryCube and www.discoverycube.org

Forest Lawn Museum – Glendale: Permanent exhibits: forestlawn.com/museum/. Free admission. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. Location, 1712 S. Glendale Ave. forestlawn.com

The Getty Center: Ongoing special exhibits: “Gustave Caillebotte: Painting Men,” through May 25 (www.getty.edu/exhibitions/caillebotte).”A Brush with Nature: Romantic Landscape Drawings” though May 25 (www.getty.edu/exhibitions/romantic-landscapes/). Also “Charles Ross: Spectrum 14” through Sept. 13, 2026 (www.getty.edu/exhibitions/charles-ross-sprectrum-14/). More current exhibits: www.getty.edu/exhibitions/. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and Sunday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday. Free admission but a timed-ticket admission is required (tinyurl.com/yu6fsv3s). Parking $25 (www.getty.edu/visit/center/parking-and-transportation). Location, 1200 Getty Center Drive (at North Sepulveda Boulevard), Los Angeles. 310-440-7300. www.getty.edu

Grammy Museum: Ongoing special exhibits: “Luther Vandross: Artistry and Elegance,” through June 15 (grammymuseum.org/exhibit/luther-vandross-artistry-and-elegance); and also “RetroBlakesberg: The Music Never Stopped,” through June 15 (grammymuseum.org/exhibit/retroblakesberg-the-music-never-stopped). Hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday-Friday and Sunday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday. Admission $18; $15 ages 65 and older; $12 ages 5-17 and college students with ID. Location, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles. 213-725-5700. grammymuseum.org

Holocaust Museum LA: Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Admission $15 ages 18-64; $10 ages 65 and older; free for ages 17 and younger (www.holocaustmuseumla.org/tickets). Free admission on Sundays. Entrance to the museum is through Pan Pacific Park from Beverly Boulevard of Third Street. Location, 100 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles. 323-651-3704. Email: info@hmla.org. www.holocaustmuseumla.org

Italian American Museum Los Angeles: Ongoing special exhibit: “Creative Minds – Italian American Inventors and Innovators,” through Oct. 2025. Hours: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. Admission free. Donations requested. Location, 644 N. Main St., Los Angeles. 213-485-8432. www.facebook.com/iamofla. www.iamla.org

Japan House Los Angeles: Ongoing special exhibit: “Neo-Japonism: Samurai and Beyond – Exploring Tradition Through Technology,” through Sept. 1 (details: tinyurl.com/38v5rk8k). Hours: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday (www.japanhousela.com/visit). Free admission. The museum is at Ovation Hollywood, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. 800-516-0565. www.japanhouse.jp/losangeles

Japanese American National Museum: Closed for renovation through late 2026. Programs will continue during the renovation on the museum’s campus in Little Tokyo (100 N. Central Ave., Los Angeles), other locations and virtually. 213-625-0414. www.janm.org/special/janm-on-the-go

LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes: Permanent exhibits: “LA Starts Here!” and “Calle Principal: Mi México en Los Ángeles.” Hours: noon-5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. Free admission. Location, 501 N. Main St., Los Angeles. www.lapca.org

La Brea Tar Pits and Museum: Museum hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, except closed on the first Tuesday of the month and national holidays. Admission $18; $14 ages 62 and older and students ages 13-17; $7 ages 3-12; free for ages 2 and younger, but a ticket is required (tarpits.org/plan-your-visit/la-brea-tar-pits-buy-tickets). Parking $18. Location, 5801 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. 213-763-3499. tarpits.org/

Los Angeles County Museum of Art: Hours: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Tuesday and Thursday; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Plan your visit information here: tinyurl.com/mr3uwzs3. Admission $23; $19 ages 65 and older and students ages 18 and older with a valid ID; free for ages 17 and younger (reserving/purchasing an advance, timed-entry online is recommended; these prices are for residents of Los Angeles County with an ID). Location, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. 323-857-6010. www.lacma.org

Martial Arts History Museum: Hours: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. Admission $12; $5 ages 6-17. Location, 201 N. Brand Blvd. (corner of North Brand and Wilson Street; use entrance at 111 Wilson St.), Glendale. 818-245-6051. www.facebook.com/martialartshistorymuseum. martialartsmuseum.com/

Museum of Contemporary Art: Hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday and Friday; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Admission is free but an advance online timed-entry ticket is required. Special exhibits are $18; $10 seniors and students; free for ages 11 and younger. Locations: the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA, 152 N. Central Ave., Los Angeles; MOCA Grand Avenue, 250 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. 213-633-5351. www.moca.org/visit

Museum of the San Fernando Valley: Hours: 1-5 p.m. Tuesday; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Free admission; donations appreciated. Rancho Cordillera del Norte, 18904 Nordhoff St. (southwest corner of Nordhoff and Wilbur Avenue), Northridge. 818-347-9665. themuseumsfvnow.org/

Petersen Automotive Museum: Ongoing special exhibits: “People’s Champ – The Impact of Ken Block” (www.petersen.org/ken-block-exhibit) through Oct. 2025. “Super/Hyper: The Ultimate Automobiles” and “Alternating Currents: The Fall and Rise of Electric Vehicles” and “Modern Concepts: Future Visions from the Recent Past” (all three through July 2025). Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Admission $21; $19 ages 62 and older; $13 ages 12-17; $12 ages 4-11 (a valid ID is required for ages 12 and older; www.petersen.org/tickets). Location, 6060 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. 323-930-2277. www.petersen.org

Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum: Ongoing special exhibit: “Dead Sea Scrolls,” through Sept. 2, 2025 (www.reaganfoundation.org/library-museum/special-exhibits/dead-sea-scrolls). Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Museum admission is available online (https://www.reaganfoundation.org/library-museum/online-ticket-sales/). Admission: $29.95; $26.95 ages 62 and older; $22.95 ages 11-17; $19.95 ages 3-10. Location, 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley. www.reaganfoundation.org

Skirball Cultural Center: Ongoing special exhibit: “Diane von Furstenberg: Woman Before Fashion,” through Aug. 31, 2025 (www.skirball.org/museum/diane-von-furstenberg-woman-fashion). Hours: noon-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Closed for Jewish and national holidays (www.skirball.org/visit). Admission $18; $13 seniors, full time students with ID and ages 2-17 www.skirball.org/visit). Admission for the “Noah’s Ark at the Skirball” is an extra charge and by a timed-entry (purchase online). Location, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. 310-440-4500. skirball.org

Valley Relics Museum: Take a trip down San Fernando Valley memory lane, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday (check the website for hours; subject to change). Admission $15; free for ages 10 and younger. The museum is located at 7900 Balboa Blvd., Hangar C3 and C4, entrance is on Stagg Street, Van Nuys. 818-616-4083. www.facebook.com/valleyrelics. valleyrelicsmuseum.org

Wende Museum of the Cold War: Ongoing special exhibit: “Counter/Surveillance: Control, Privacy, Agency,” through Oct. 19. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Sunday (wendemuseum.org/about-us/visit). Free admission. Location, 10808 Culver Blvd., Culver City. 310-216-1600. 310-216-1600. Email: visit@wendemuseum.org. wendemuseum.org

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