Service Animals
In compliance with the ADA, service dogs trained to do work or perform specific tasks for a guest with a disability are welcome in all Science Center spaces. Emotional support animals and pets are NOT permitted.
Sensory Considerations
Light, noise and crowds vary widely throughout the building. Please feel free to bring your own noise-cancelling headphones, fidgets, or other calming items.
Crowds
Weekdays after 2:00 PM are typically quieter times to visit. September, October, January, and February are often less busy times of the year.
IMAX Shows
IMAX shows are presented at high volume, and often require guests to wear 3D eyeglasses. All seats are unassigned.
Sensory Planning Guide
Sensory descriptions of the museum spaces. This guide can help shape your visit.
Mobility Considerations
All spaces in the California Science Center are wheelchair accessible. All levels are accessible by elevator or stairs.
Parking and Public Transportation
Accessible parking spaces are available on levels 1, 2 and 3 of the Science Center parking lot, entered from 39th Street and Figueroa. Accessible parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking is $20 per vehicle.
The Science Center is about 0.2 miles across the beautiful Rose Garden from the Expo Park/USC Station Metro Line.
Wheelchairs
Standard manual wheelchairs are available for free at the Information Desk on a first-come, first-served basis for use inside the California Science Center.
Restrooms
All California Science Center restrooms are wheelchair accessible. Private family style restrooms are available upon request—please see any Guest Services Host.
IMAX Shows
The IMAX Theater offers wheelchair accessible seating at the top of the theater. The theater has an elevator for your convenience. Seats are unassigned. Please speak to an IMAX Usher prior to your designated showtime to inform them of your accessibility needs.
Language & Communication Considerations
The California Science Center is a self-guided experience; we do not offer tours. Please take advantage of the following helpful aids to make your visit more enjoyable.
For Language Assistance
Our bilingual Guest Services and Education staff members wear badges indicating languages in which they are fluent. In addition, the Information Desk offers maps in:
- Braille–English
- Chinese
- French
- Japanese
- Korean
- Spanish
Visual Description Assistance
In order to maintain compliance with physical distance mandates, we are temporarily suspending our in-person visual descriptive explorations. We hope to resume this added feature in the future.
Large Type Exhibit Text
For some special exhibits, large-print copies of the exhibit labels are available at the exhibit entrance.
Closed Captioning and Assistive Listening Devices
Free closed captioning and assistive listening devices in English are available for all current IMAX films. Please alert a member of our Box Office or IMAX Theater team and they will assist you. Assistive listening devices are also available for our meeting and conference rooms.
Audio Guides
Audio guides in both English and Spanish are often available for special exhibits. Please check with the Box Office or Information Desk for more information. For special exhibits with audio guides, transcripts are available at the entrance to the exhibit upon request.
Accessible Experiences by Special Arrangement
If you are attending a special lecture, class or meeting, we can arrange ASL interpreters, real-time captioning, and other assistance. Please provide 10 days advance notice. These services are not available for general Science Center visits, as the institution is a self-guided experience.
Other Considerations
Personal Care Assistants
Admission to IMAX Theater shows and ticketed special exhibits is free for a working Personal Care Assistant (PCA) that is accompanying a client with severe disability who relies on the care provided by the PCA. General admission to the Science Center is always free to all. Please request your complimentary ticket at the Box Office.
Social Narratives
Each of the following PDF stories provide a brief introduction to the experience you may have in each of our primary exhibits. Each features large pictures and easy-to-read text at a 3rd grade level.
