Overview
NFT Map: 11
Exposition Park is bounded by Figueroa Street to the east, Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to the south, Menlo Avenue to the west, and Exposition Boulevard to the north. The grounds face the University of Southern California’s (USC) campus, tying the two into a blend of extensive education and learning. Originally called Agricultural Park, the area was developed in 1876 as a showground for agricultural and horticultural fairs. In June 1923, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, named in honor of those who died in World War I, was completed. The stadium was enlarged for the 1932 Olympics and also hosted the 1984 Olympics. Today Exposition Park houses the Natural History Museum, IMAX Theater, Rose Garden, California Science Center, California African American Museum, LA Memorial Coliseum, and the indoor Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena.
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum & Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
The history of the Coliseum/Sports Arena complex spans eight decades. It is the only arena in the world to play host to two Olympiads (10th and 23rd), two Super Bowls (1st and 7th), and one World Series (1959). In the past, the complex has played host to the Rams, the Dodgers, and the Lakers, and was the expansion home of the San Diego Chargers and the Kings. Today, the Coliseum is home to USC’s juggernaut Trojan football team (call 213-740-GOSC for tickets) and various other special events. Autumn is particularly vibrant during home games–if you’re trying to visit the park then, traffic and parking will be double nightmares. Check the website (www.lacoliseum.com) for event details. The main box office switchboard is open from 10 am to 6 pm and can be reached at 213-747-7111.
Rose Garden
The 7.5-acre Rose Garden was completed in 1928, and there were 15,793 roses in full bloom for the opening. Today the sunken garden contains more than 20,000 rose bushes representing 190-plus varieties. It’s the perfect place for an afternoon stroll and a nearby retreat when the screaming at the Coliseum during USC football season starts to become a headache. In Southern California, roses bloom from March to November. The garden is open daily, free to the public, and located within Exposition Park at 701 State Drive (213-765-0114). While beautiful during the day, it’s awfully sketchy at night—like much of its neighborhood.
Natural History Museum of LA County
The Natural History Museum houses many California-specific exhibits not found at other natural museums. Its Marine Hall highlights Californian ocean life, and its California history section shows a chronological progression since the 1500s. The museum is located at 900 Exposition Boulevard in Exposition Park, across from USC between Vermont Avenue and Figueroa Street. Parking is available off Menlo Avenue. The fee for parking will run between $8 and $10, depending on events in the Exposition Park area. The museum is open 9:30 am to 5 pm daily. Adults can expect to pay $12 for entry, seniors, students, and youth (13-17) are $9, kids 3–12 are $5, and ages 2 and under are free. If you schedule your visit on the first Tuesday of the month, it won’t cost you a cent! Although the museum is open during USC football games, we highly recommend that you avoid the Exposition Park area at all costs on those days unless you’re attending the game. 213-763-DINO; www.nhm.org.
California Science Center & IMAX
You can’t miss the giant jet airplane sitting out front. The Science Center is open daily from 10 am until 5 pm, and admission to Science Center exhibition halls is free. The IMAX is open daily; admission is $8.25 for adults, $6 for seniors, and $5 for children (without the member discount). Check the website (www.californiasciencecenter.org) or call 213-744-7400 for show information. Parking is $10 for cars and “yellow” school buses and $25 for charter buses and oversized vehicles (cash only). The entrance to the visitor parking lot is on Figueroa
at 39th Street.
California African American Museum
The California African American Museum researches, collects, preserves, and interprets the art, history, and culture of African Americans, with emphasis on California and the western United States. The museum is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, from 10 am until 5 pm. Admission is free. 213-744-7432; www.caamuseum.org.
How to Get There—Driving
From the north, take 101 S to 110 S, exit at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard W, and enter on Hoover Street. From the south, take 405 N to 110 N, exit at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard W, and enter on Hoover Street. From the west, take 10 E to the 110 S and follow the above directions. From the east, take 10 W to 110 S and follow the above directions.
Parking
There are parking spaces located at various places within the park. Parking rates and availability will vary for special events. Four-hour and two-hour metered parking is available on Figueroa Street and Jefferson Boulevard. There are a number of lots on the streets surrounding the park, and the usual weekday rate is $3. Rates vary when special events are in progress, and the average cost of parking in a lot is $10. You can also park at any of the USC lots for $7 a day, except on game days and special events where parking may not be available to non-Trojans, in which case the price of a parking spot escalates and locals rent out their driveways and yards for a considerable bargain.
How to Get There—Mass Transit
If you’re taking public transport, take the Metro Rail Expo Line to Expo Park/USC.