Photo: Wikimedia Commons — see author and license on the file page.

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, California

Museum
In Los Angeles, California
4.0 mi from Route 66
National Register of Historic Places

Los Angeles County's Natural History Museum stands in Exposition Park, Los Angeles, CA, about 4.8 miles off the old road. It is the largest museum of its kind in the western United States, holding close to 35 million specimens and objects that cover some 4.5 billion years. Its building dates from 1913 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. For Route 66 families, it is a big, rewarding stop at the end of the road.

What it is

The museum's collection is huge: close to 35 million specimens and objects, telling a story that stretches over 4.5 billion years of natural and human history. Only part of it is on public display. Much of the rest is research material, kept both in the building and at other sites.

Among its treasures is Kyawthuite, described as the rarest gemstone on Earth. The museum also has a sister institution elsewhere in the city, the Page Museum in Hancock Park, home of the La Brea Tar Pits, and the two work toward a shared mission.

A bit of history

The museum dates from 1913. Its building is in the Mediterranean Revival style and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, so the architecture is part of the visit along with the exhibits.

Visiting tips

Expect a detour of about 4.8 miles from the old road. The museum is wheelchair accessible, and admission is not free. It is a large place, so allow at least two to three hours.

Exposition Park holds several museums side by side. The USC Fisher Museum of Art is about 0.1 miles away, and the California Science Center and the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art are each about 0.2 miles off. Pairing two of them makes a full day. FRO, about 0.1 miles away, is the closest food stop. The University of Southern California Hotel is about half a mile away for an overnight stay.

Practical info

Address: 900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90007
Phone: +1 213-763-3466
Website: nhm.org
Hours: Daily 9:30–5
On site & nearby

Sources: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Wikidata · official site — may be outdated. Suggest a fix

Where to eat nearby

All diners →

Diner & restaurant
Philippe's
Los Angeles, CA · 4.2 mi from here
A downtown Los Angeles restaurant running since 1908 that claims to have invented the French dip sandwich.
Diner & restaurant
Pink's Hot Dogs
Los Angeles, CA · 5.6 mi from here
A Los Angeles hot dog stand on North La Brea Avenue, serving since 1939 at the edge of Hollywood.
Diner & restaurant
Formosa Cafe
West Hollywood, CA · 6.0 mi from here
A West Hollywood restaurant and bar from 1925, long a hangout for film stars from the studio lot nearby.