What to See

Hands-on museums offer children many kinds of learning opportunities. For information about hours, fees and special events, call the museums.

Many of the museums have gift shops that sell educational materials, exhibit-related toys and games, books and art supplies, and inexpensive items for young shoppers.

Children must be accompanied by an adult at all the museums.

Children’s Museum of Santa Barbara * Address: La Cumbre Plaza, 121 S. Hope Ave., Santa Barbara, (805) 682-0845. * Don’t miss: the Painted Cave, Spiral Wishing Well.

Gull Wings * Address: 418 W. Fourth St., Oxnard, (805) 483-3005. * Don’t miss: the stream table, the tepee and the dinosaur pit.

Kidspace Museum * Address: 390 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena, (818) 449-9143 (recording) or (818) 449-9144. * Don’t miss: the Human Habitrail and Ant Wall.

Los Angeles Children’s Museum * Address: 310 N. Main St., on the top level of the Los Angeles Mall, Los Angeles, (213) 687-8800 (recording) or (213) 687-8801. * Don’t miss: City Streets (see what’s under them).

California Museum of Science and Industry * Address: 700 State Drive, Los Angeles, (213) 744-7400. * Don’t miss: hands-on science in the Technology Hall.

Ralph M. Parsons Discovery Center, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County * Address: 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, (213) 744-3466 (recording) or (213) 744-3414. * Don’t miss: specimens and natural history artifacts.

A Special Place Children’s Hands-on Museum * Address: 2296 N. Arrowhead Ave., San Bernardino, (714) 881-1201. * Don’t miss: the Special Needs Room.

Children’s Museum at La Habra * Address: 301 S. Euclid St., La Habra, (213) 905-9793. * Don’t miss: Nature Walk.

Discovery Museum of Orange County * Address: 3101 W. Harvard St., Santa Ana, (714) 540-0404. * Don’t miss: the old-fashioned wringer.

Long Beach Children’s Museum * Address: 445 Long Beach Blvd., at Downtown Long Beach Plaza, Long Beach, (213) 495-1163. * Don’t miss: Goin’ Fishing.

Youth Science Center, Fullerton * Address: Ladera Vista Jr. High School, 1700 E. Wilshire Ave., Room 26, Fullerton, (714) 526-1690 or (714) 653-2665. * Don’t miss: hands-on exhibits of live animals, including snakes.

Youth Science Center, Hacienda Heights * Address: Wedgeworth Elementary School, 16949 Wedgeworth Drive, Room 8, Hacienda Heights, (818) 965-1494. * Don’t miss: the weather station, the liquid crystal display.

Children’s Museum of San Diego * Address: 8657 Villa La Jolla Drive, at La Jolla Village Square, La Jolla, (619) 450- 0768. * Don’t miss: the health clinic, backstage theater.

Reuben H. Fleet Space Theater and Science Center * Address: 1875 El Prado, Balboa Park, San Diego, (619) 238-1168 (recording) or (619) 238-1233. * Don’t miss: A-Symmetry.