It’s almost time for the Southern California Museums “Free-For-All” day, when people can visit a host of museums for free.
This year, in 2025, it’s on Sunday, March 16 (with a few exceptions). You should really make a reservation to be sure to get into the more popular places. And be aware that some of these museums are always free, so you might want to focus on the ones that aren’t. And note that parking and specially ticketed exhibition fees are not included.
Here’s the list, as found on the organization’s website, along with the regular adult admission
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures: If you’re a movie lover, this is the place for you, with exhibits on every aspect of filmmaking. Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (Reservations recommended at academymuseum.org) Regularly $25. 6067 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. 323-930-3000.
American Museum of Ceramic Art: Features many types of ceramic arts and crafts, relating to clay. Open 11 a.m.-4 p.m. (Make a reservation at amoca.org.) Regularly $14. 399 N. Garey Ave., Pomona. 909-865-3146.
Autry Museum of the American West: This large museum features Western lore, movie lore, props, paintings and Native American artifacts. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Required reservation at theautry.org.) Regularly $18. 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles. 323-667-2000.
Benton Museum of Art at Pomona College: This teaching art museum in Claremont features contemporary and historic works of art. Open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Always free. pomona.edu/museum/visit. 120 W. Bonita Ave., Claremont. 909-621-8283.
Bowers Museum: The museum features folk art exhibits from around the world (walk-ups only). Open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Regularly $18. bowers.org. 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana. 714-567-3600.
The Broad: Contemporary art museum featuring the collection of the late real estate developer Eli Broad. Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (Recommended reservation at thebroad.org) Always free. Walk-up line available. 221 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. 213-232-6200.
California African American Museum: Chronicles the history, art and culture of African Americans, especially in California and the West. Open 11 a.m.-5 p.m.. Always free. Paid parking. At the corner of Figueroa Street and Exposition Boulevard in Exposition Park, near USC. 213-744-7432.
California Botanic Garden: Note: Free admission on Saturday, March 15 only. This 86-acre California Botanic Garden is the largest garden dedicated exclusively to the state’s native plants and works to conserve native and rare species.Open 8 a.m.-6 p.m. (Recommended reservation at calbg.org) Regularly $15. 1500 N College Ave., Claremont 909-625-8767.
Catalina Museum for Art & History: Has 18,000 square feet of exhibition galleries covering Catalina Island’s island’s history and special exhibits.Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Regularly $18. 217 Metropole Ave., Avalon. 310-510-2414.
Columbia Memorial Space Center: Celebrates Downey’s place in aerospace history and is the nation’s official memorial to the Space Shuttle Columbia, which broke apart on its return to earth in 2003, killing all seven crew members. Special Sunday opening 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Regularly $5. 12400 Columbia Way, Downey. 562-231-1200.
Craft Contemporary: This craft and folk art museum features changing exhibitions. Open 11 a.m.-5 p.m.. Regularly $9. craftcontemporary.org 5814 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, 323-937-4230.
Forest Lawn Museum Glendale: This art museum inside the Forest Lawn cemetery boasts reproductions of famous artworks and changing exhibits.Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Always free. 1712 S. Glendale Ave., Glendale. 888-204-3131.
Fowler Museum at UCLA: An art and culture museum, the Fowler is currently hosting the exhibitions “Fire Kinship: Southern California Native Ecology and Art” and “Atmosphere of Sound: Sonic Art in Times of Climate Disruption.” Open noon-5 p.m. Always free. Paid parking. 308 Charles E. Young Drive North, Los Angeles. 310-825-4361.
Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art: Located at Pepperdine University, this museum spotlights modern and contemporary art, particularly that made in Calfornia. Open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Always free. 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu. 310-506-4522.
The Getty Center: The world’s richest art museum, with copious collections, research center and a garden, sits atop a hill in Brentwood. Open 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. (Required reservation at getty.edu/visit/center). Always free; paid parking. 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles. 310-440-7300.
Grammy Museum: The museum’s exhbits showcase the music and recording industry. Open 11 a.m.-5 p.m.. Regularly $22.50. Paid parking. 800 W. Olympic Blvd. (part of L.A. Live), Los Angeles. 213-725-5700.
Hammer Museum: This museum on the UCLA campus “believes in the promise of art and ideas to illuminate our lives and build a more just world,” according to its mission statement. Open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Always free. Paid parking. 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. 310-443-7000.
Holocaust Museum: Founded by Holocaust survivors in 1961, the museum delves into the history of Nazi genocide during World War II. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Required reservation at holocaustmuseumla.org) Regularly $15; free on Sundays. Paid parking. 100 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles. 323-651-3704.
Institute of Contemporary Art: This downtown art museum is currently exhibiting the work of artist Demian DinéYazhi. Open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Always free.1717 E. 7th St., Los Angeles. 213-928-0822.
The International Printing Museum: Note: Free admission on Saturday, March 15 only. Collection of antique printing and graphics machinery, to teach the history of books and printing. Also offers classes. Open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Regular cost varies. 315 W. Torrance Blvd., Carson. 310-515-7166.
La Brea Tar Pits & Museum: Interesting fossil collection of Ice Age animals found on site, including mammoths, saber-toothed cats, dire wolves, giant sloths and more. Open 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. (Required reservation at tarpits.org) Regularly $18; paid parking. 5801 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. 213-763-3499.
L.A. Plaza de Cultura y Artes: Located near the site where Los Angeles was founded in 1781, the museum is devoted to the history, culture and stories of Mexican and Mexican-Americans in the city. Includes historic buildings. Open Noon-5 p.m. Always free. Paid or street parking. 501 N. Main St., Los Angeles.
Lincoln Memorial Shrine and Civil War Museum: Exhibits on the history and impact of Pres. Abraham Lincoln, along with the Civil War. Open 1 p.m.-5 p.m.. Always free. 125 West Vine St., Redlands. 909-798-7636.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art: ) Impressive collections from paintings to Egyptian antiquities to Greek ceramics to Mexican silver. Some areas are under construction. Open 10 a.m.-7 p.m.. (Required reservation at lacma.org.) Regularly $28. Paid parking. 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. 323-857-6010.
The Museum of Contemporary Art: This sandstone structure in downtown L.A. with the distinctive pyramids was designed by noted Japanese architect Arata Isozaki in 1987. Open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Always free. (Required reservation at moca.org.) Street or paid parking. 250 South Grand Ave., Los Angeles. 213-626-6222.
Museum of Latin American Art: Museum founders say it is the only museum dedicated to modern and contemporary Latin American and Latino art in the U.S. Open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Regularly $15 (free every Sunday). 628 Alamitos Ave,, Long Beach 562-437-1689.
Museum of Tolerance: The museum describes itself as “a human rights laboratory and educational center dedicated to challenging visitors to understand the Holocaust in both historic and contemporary contexts and confront all forms of prejudice and discrimination in our world today.” Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Regularly $16. Free underground parking. In the Simon Weisenthal Plaza. 9786 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles 310-553-8403.
Santa Barbara Museum of Art: Collections include 25,000 artworks, encompassing classical antiquities, Impressionist paintings, four by Claude Monet and more. Open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Regularly $15. Paid parking. 1130 State St., Santa Barbara. 805-963-4364.
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History:Stuffed mammal and bird dioramas, planetarium, Chumash history and culture, blue whale skeleton and more. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Make a reservation at sbnature.org) Regularly $19. 2559 Puesta del Sol, Santa Barbara. 805-682-4711.
Santa Monica History Museum: The museum’s collection boasts more than 1 million items, among them 600,000 photographs, including the personal historical collection of Sen. John P. Jones, the co-founder of Santa Monica, and the archives of the Santa Monica Outlook Newspaper (1875-1998). Open 11 a.m.-5 p.m.. Free on first Sunday of the month. Regularly $5. Paid parking. 1350 7th St., Santa Monica. 310-395-2290.
Skirball Cultural Center: Museum of Jewish and American life, including social movements, fine arts, pop culture and historic figures. The museum says it has one of the world’s largest collections of international Jewish art, ritual objects, and culture, including 30,000 objects both ancient and new. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Reserve at skirball.org/programs/museums-free-all) Regularly $18. 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. 310-440-4500, press 2.
Sunnylands Center and Gardens: The former estate of Walter and Leonore Annenberg is open for the public to visit the 15-acre grounds, including nine acres of desert gardens and center. Access to the home is by reserved paid tour only. Open 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Always free. (Make a required tour reservation at sunnylands.org ) 37977 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage. 760-202-2222.
Wende Museum: The museum houses 100,000 artifacts, archives and personal histories illuminating the legacy of the Cold War in the Eastern Bloc and how it relates to today’s world. It also actively seeks to find and preserve threatened documents and artifacts. Portions of the collection are on display. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Always free. 10808 Culver Blvd., Culver City. 310-216-1600.
Learn more: socalmuseums.org/annual-free-for-all-2025/
And here’s a link to a story showing fun things to do that are always free