You’ve spent more money than you can count on visits to zoos and museums, but did you know that many Los Angeles attractions offer family memberships? These yearly memberships not only grant your family unlimited visits, but they often come with extra perks like private invitations, special events, and merchandise discounts. These 11 memberships in the LA area have the best perks for the cost—and make perfect gifts for birthdays, holidays and other special occasions!
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Courtesy of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Where: 900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is the largest natural and historical museum in the western United States, and its collections include nearly 35 million specimens and artifacts that cover 4.5 billion years of history. The Dinosaur Hall will thrill tiny paleontologists, allowing visitors to walk amongst complete dinosaurs. For a family of four the total cost of single day tickets is approximately $36—the membership pays for itself in three visits.
Membership cost: $119 for Family membership (two adults and up to four children 17 and under)
Single day ticket: Adults $13, teens (ages 13-17) $10, children (ages 3-12) $5
Perks: Unlimited admission to the Natural History Museum, La Brea Tar Pits and Page Museum, and the William S. Hart Museum, free admission to traveling exhibits, free timed-tickets to Butterfly Pavilion, Spider Pavilion and Bug Fair; free tickets to First Fridays; discounts at the Museum stores and on day camps, overnight adventures, field trips, workshops, and birthday parties; access to the Members Lounge.
Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Garden
Jamie Pham/LA Zoo
Where: 5333 Zoo Dr, Los Angeles, CA
The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Garden is tucked away in scenic Griffith Park, and guaranteed to entertain kids of all ages. The 133-acre zoo is home to more than 1,100 mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles representing more than 250 different species. For a family of four the total cost of single day tickets is $74—the membership pays for itself in two visits.
Membership cost: $146 for two adults (and children or grandchildren), or $186 for three adults (plus children and grandchildren)
Single day ticket: Adults $21, children (ages 2-12) $16
Perks: Free admission, discounted admission to more than 170 zoos and aquariums throughout the US and Canada, a special members entrance with no lines, discounts at zoo restaurants and gift shops, discounts on camps, classes, and birthday parties, free or discounted admission to special events like Boo at the Zoo and LA Zoo Lights.
Soupy Bouasaysy/Aquarium of the Pacific
Where: 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA
The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach is a multi-sensory educational bonanza. There are so many creatures to see, touch, feed, and learn about—in fact, the aquarium is home to more than 11,000 animals in more than 50 exhibits! For a family of four the total cost of single day tickets is $96—the membership pays for itself in less than two visits.
Membership cost: $139 for Family (membership for two adults and all household children), $199 for Plus (membership for two adults and all household children, two guest passes, a voucher to feed the lorikeets, plus a transferrable membership)
Single day ticket: Adults $29.95, children (ages 3-11) $17.95
Perks: Unlimited free admission, previews of new exhibits, invitations to members-only events, VIP entry through a Member Express Entrance, 50% off on parking with pre-paid parking vouchers (additional purchase), 10% discount in gift stores (20% during December), early notice and discounts on educational programs and special events, discounts on guest tickets, gift memberships, and more.
Kidspace Children’s Museum
Where: 480 North Arroyo Boulevard, Pasadena, CA
Just a stone’s throw from the Rose Bowl in Pasadena’s Arroyo Seco is Kidspace Children’s Museum, a great space with more than 40 interactive exhibits that encourage kids to have fun while they learn. In fact, the museum’s mission is nurturing the potential of all children through kid-driven experiences, inspiring them to become joyful, active learners. For a family of four the total cost of single day tickets is $56—the membership pays for itself in two to four visits.
Membership cost: $95-$199 for four family members, depending on the length of membership. Additional family members are $25 each.
Single day ticket: $14 per person
Perks: Unlimited free admission for up to four members, designate one nanny or caregiver for free, discounts at the Busy Bee Learning Store, discounts at the Kidspace Cafe, discounts on Early Learning Classes and Kidspace Camps, discounts on admission price for additional guests, invitations to Members-Only events.
Skirball Cultural Center
Where: 2701 North Sepulveda Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA
The Skirball Cultural Center is an educational institution in Los Angeles devoted to sustaining Jewish heritage and American democratic ideals. Kids will especially like the enormous Noah’s Ark area, an interactive play and learning space that includes climbing structures, live performances, and crafts. For a family of four the total cost of single day tickets is $38—the membership pays for itself in less than three visits.
Membership cost: $110 Family membership, $175 for Family Plus (includes reciprocal benefits)
Single day ticket: Adults $12, children (ages 2-12) $7
Perks: Free admission to permanent and changing museum exhibitions and Noah’s Ark, two one-day complimentary passes for general Museum admission, free admission to Member Preview Days, annual family festivals, including the Hanukkah Family Festival and Skirball Puppet Festival, and Family Amphitheater Performances, free tickets to Members-only tours and select film screenings and events, discounted tickets to many public programs, discounts on adult education classes for Members, and discounts at Audrey’s Museum Store.
Courtesy of R&A Architecture & Design
Where: 6505 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA
Transitioning this year from what was formerly known as Zimmer Children’s Museum, the Cayton Children’s Museum in Santa Monica will encourage kids to explore diversity and cultural awareness through hands-on activities. The ever-changing calendar of activities at the museum means there’s always something new to experience with your kids. Every exhibit brings kids hands-on, unique activities like staging their own play, flying a “real” plane or trying out instruments from around the world. Because the museum is going through some changes, the memberships are too. Stay tuned for details as they work it out—the memberships at Zimmer were great!
Membership cost: Stay tuned
Single day ticket: Stay tuned
Perks: Stay tuned
Discovery Cube
Where: 2500 North Main Street, Santa Ana, CA
Where: 11800 Foothill Boulevard, Sylmar, CA
The two Discovery Cube locations (in Los Angeles and Orange County) provide curious kids the opportunities for scientific exploration with ample space for outdoor play. The Cubes have hands-on permanent and rotating exhibits that appeal to kids ages toddler to tween. For a family of four the total cost of single day tickets is $70—the membership pays for itself in less than two visits.
Membership cost: $124 for Family membership; $203 for Family & Friends
Single day ticket: Adults $19.95, children (ages 3-14) $14.95
Perks: Unlimited admission to the Discovery Cube two locations plus Balboa Fun Zone in Newport Beach, invitations to members-only events and previews, priority registration and discounts on Camp Discovery and other fun activities, free or discounted admission to more than 300 other ASTC Science Centers around the world, discounts at Launch Pad Science Store & Bean Sprouts purchases, discounted admission tickets for your guests, and discounts on 3D movie tickets.
Huntington Library
Where: 1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino, CA
The beautiful Huntington Library has a garden that was made just for kids! This interactive garden introduces children to the four elements as they play in the Rainbow Room, splash in the vortex pool, make music with pebbles and enjoy the fragrance garden. For a family of four the total cost of single day tickets is approximately $80—the membership pays for itself in two visits.
Membership cost: $159
Single day ticket: Adults $25-$29, children (ages 4-11) $13
Perks: One year of free admission for up to two named adult cardholders, free admission for children (or grandchildren) 18 and under, accompanied by a cardholder, free admission to special exhibitions, invitations to Members’ Events: exhibition previews, annual plant sale preview, free admission to festivals, discounts on select lectures and classes, 10% discount on Gift Memberships, and 10% discount at the Huntington Store.
Descanso Gardens
Where: 1418 Descanso Dr, La Cañada Flintridge, CA
Descanso Gardens in La Cañada is a 160-acre botanical garden that features a five-acre rose garden, a Japanese garden, an oak forest, and a nature’s table with fruits and vegetables. For a family of four the total cost of single day tickets is $26—the membership pays for itself in less than four visits.
Membership cost: $80 for Family; $150 for Family Plus
Single day ticket: Adults $9, children (ages 5-12) $4
Perks: Free admission for children ages five to 17 plus free admission for two adults to Descanso all year, admission privileges to more than 300 reciprocal gardens in the United States and Canada, members-only early admission beginning at 8am, access to members-only classes, express entry, 10% discount at the Descanso Gift Shop, 10% discount at Descanso Café, 10% discount at participating nurseries.
Leroy Hamilton
Where: 700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles, CA
Located in Exposition Park, the California Science Center is a hands-on museum of science and technology that provides an innovative model for learning. The enormous hands-on learning center appeals to kids of all ages. With more than 100 interactive exhibits in four major areas, visitors young and old will learn something new. Admission to the Science Center is free, but your membership will support special programs and museum growth.
Membership cost: Family members cost starts at $85
Single day ticket: Permanent exhibition galleries are free; special exhibits, IMAX, Space Shuttle Endeavour, and other special attractions are extra (prices vary).
Perks: Free admission for two adults and four children, four free IMAX vouchers, two free parking vouchers, one High-Wire Bicycle and Ecology Cliff Climb voucher (good for four bike rides or cliff climbs), one personalized Membercard for you and your family, discount on special exhibit tickets and priority entry during busy times, discount at Science Center gift shops and restaurants, discount on Hands-On Science Camp and educational programs, discount on IMAX ticket purchases, free admission to more than 350 other science centers and museums nationwide, invitations to Members-only exhibit and IMAX viewings for two adults and four children (age 17 and under).
Pretend City
Where: 29 Hubble, Irvine, CA
Pretend City Children’s Museum stimulates and nurtures the intellectual and creative curiosity of children in an innovative community setting. Designed as a small city, Pretend City will be a familiar environment in which children from newborn to eight years will have joyful opportunities to build problem solving and critical thinking skills, develop creativity, and begin a lifelong love of learning. For a family of four the total cost of single day tickets is $55—the membership pays for itself in less than five visits.
Membership cost: $245 for a family of four
Single day ticket: $13.75 per person
Perks: Unlimited admission all year with no black-out dates, daily Members Only Hour with engaging activities before general public hours, invitations to exclusive after-hours Members Only Events, 10% off discount on Birthday Parties, Mini Mall purchases, and Facility Rentals, benefits and promotions available for class or workshop enrollment, child’s therapist added at no additional cost, and Personal Pretender Assistance.
