Exposition Park

Exposition Park is a 160-acre urban park and cultural campus in Los Angeles, California, located at 701 State Drive near the University of Southern California. It is home to several of the city’s leading museums, sports venues, and gardens, attracting nearly eight million visitors annually.

Key facts

• Address: 701 State Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90037

• Established: 1910 (as Exposition Park; founded 1872 as Agricultural Park)

• Size: 160 acres

• Visitors: ~8 million annually

• Managed by: California Natural Resources Agency / Office of Exposition Park Management

History and development

Originally established as Agricultural Park in 1872, the site hosted fairs and racetracks before being redeveloped into Exposition Park in 1910 as part of a civic beautification movement. Over the 20th century, it evolved into a center for science, culture, and athletics, anchored by major public institutions like the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Attractions and institutions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exposition Park hosts nine major facilities, including the California Science Center, California African American Museum, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, and Lucas Museum of Narrative Art (opening September 2026). Sports and recreation landmarks include the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, BMO Stadium, and the EXPO Center, as well as the seven-acre Exposition Park Rose Garden with over 20,000 rose bushes.

Cultural and community role

Serving both tourists and South Los Angeles residents, Exposition Park functions as a community hub for education, sports, and leisure. Programs at the EXPO Center, youth sports fields, and the Urban Mini Farm foster engagement and wellness. Seasonal events and exhibitions—such as Getty’s PST ART collaboration—highlight its cultural importance across art, science, and history.

Access and amenities

The park is easily reached via the Metro E Line (Expo Park/USC station) and multiple bus routes. It features several paid parking lots and pedestrian-friendly pathways linking its institutions and gardens. Facilities are typically open daily from morning to dusk, with individual museum hours varying.