The Best Memberships for Families in Los Angeles
There’s no lack of fun things to do with kids in Los Angeles and the South Bay, but they can get pricey. Family memberships are a great way to make memories without stretching your budget. From museum memberships to zoos and gardens, there are so many fun and interactive experiences to enjoy with your family. If you find a place you love, consider looking into memberships for families to save money at your favorite locations.
Check out our list of the best memberships for families in Los Angeles and find the right fit for your needs.
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Best Memberships for Families in the South Bay
Annual memberships not only grant you and your family unlimited visits, but many of them come with extra perks like private invitations, special events, and merch discounts.
South Coast Botanic Garden
This gorgeous green space in Palos Verdes is the perfect spot to explore and enjoy an afternoon outdoors. With a collection of over 200,000 plants, there’s always something new to see, making it the ideal place to visit again and again.
- Membership cost: Family membership packages start at $95/ year for the Basic+ tier, which covers admission for two adults and up to four children.
- Membership perks: Benefits include discounts on special exhibits and programs, reciprocal privileges at other gardens outside of SoCal, and deals at some local nurseries.
- Location: 26300 Crenshaw Boulevard, Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA 90274
- Website: southcoastbotanicgarden.org
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium has been inviting visitors to explore Southern California’s incredible local marine diversity and adaptations since 1935. The aquarium features several exhibits ranging from the Southern California’s Marine Habitats Hall, an Aquatic Nursery, to their interactive Exploration Center.
- Membership cost: A family membership is $75 and covers a family of four.
- Membership perks: In addition to free admission and free parking, members also receive invitations to members-only events, a 15% discount at the CMA Gift Shop, free entrance to Meet the Grunion events, and free or discounted admission to over 150 participating zoos, aquariums, and museums.
- Location: 3720 Stephen M. White Drive, San Pedro
- Website: friendsofcabrilloaquarium.org
Dig It
This 8,000 square foot interactive construction-themed play space is the perfect place for kids to let loose and have some fun. With a variety of activities to keep them entertained, Dig It is sure to be a place the kid beg to return to again and again.
- Membership cost: Dig It offers monthly and annual memberships. A 3-month membership is $120 for a single child and an additional $60 per sibling. The annual membership is $360/year for one child and an additional $180 per sibling.
- Membership perks: In addition to unlimited weekday visits, a Dig It membership includes 10% off classes, special events, and Club Dig It (drop off program). Annual members also enjoy 2-hour dig time on weekends and 10% off party packages.
- Location: 3525 W. Carson Street, #173, Del Amo Fashion Center, Torrance
- Website: digittorrance.com
Aquarium of the Pacific Membership
The Aquarium of the Pacific is a multi-sensory educational extravaganza with lots of marine creatures to see, touch, feed, and learn about. With over 11,000 animals and more than 50 exhibits, you and your family can find something fun to explore each time you visit.
- Membership cost: Family memberships are $249 for 2 adults and all children living in the same household (age 17 and under). You can also get the plus membership for $299, which includes one added transferable guest pass.
- Membership perks: Members get unlimited free general admission, previews to new exhibits, members-only events, VIP entry, 50% off parking, 10% gift store discounts, and discounts on guest tickets, day camps, and gift memberships.
- Location: 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA
- Website: aquariumofpacific.org
Best Memberships for Families in Los Angeles
LA Zoo Membership
On 133-acres, the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Garden is tucked away in scenic Griffith Park. With more than 1,100 mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles, there’s enough to entertain the whole family for more than 1-day. After just two visits, the membership pays for itself.
- Membership cost: The family membership is $150 and includes unlimited admission for two adults named on the card plus your own children or grandchildren (ages 2-17), the family deluxe membership is $190 and includes admission for up to three adults plus two free one-day guest passes.
- Membership perks: Members get discounted tickets to more than 170 zoos and aquariums throughout the U.S. and Canada, special entrance with no lines, merchandise discounts, and deals on camps, classes, and birthday parties.
- Location: 5333 Zoo Dr, Los Angeles, CA
- Website: lazoo.org
Discovery Cube
This interactive children’s museum encourages a hands-on approach to STEM with creative exhibitions, such as the Science of Hockey, Helicopter Tours, and the Planetary Research Station. Rotating special exhibits offer something exciting to explore with each new visit.
- Membership cost: $99 for a Dual Membership, which covers one child and one adult. $180 for a Family Membership which covers four kids and two adults. $280 for a Friends and Family Membership which covers four kids and two adults and includes two guest passes per visit.
- Membership perks: Membership includes access to both museum locations. Benefits includes discounts to popular special events, like Bubblefest, and birthday parties and camps. Membership at all levels also includes discounted companion tickets.
- Location: Los Angeles Location: 11800 Foothill Blvd, Sylmar/ Orange County Location: 2500 N Main Street, Santa Ana
- Website: discoverycube.org
Cayton Children’s Museum Family Membership
Previously known as Zimmer Children’s Museum, Cayton Children’s Museum is a hands-on museum that encourages kids to explore diversity and culture through pretend play and educational activities. Every exhibit is an engaging experience with unique invitations to explore, from flying a plane to playing instruments.
- Membership cost: Membership starts at $240 per year for one adult and one child. Family membership for 4 is $360 per year, whereas membership for 6 is $500 per year.
- Membership perks: Members can visit the museum whenever they want without reserving a time slot. Additionally, you can take advantage of the members-only hours, special access to events, advance registration to classes and camps, discounts in the store, passes for out-of-town guests, and 50% off general admission (up to 6) at member museums nationwide.
- Location: 395 Santa Monica Pl Suite 374 Level 3, Santa Monica, CA
- Website: caytonmuseum.org
Descanso Gardens Family Membership
Descanso Gardens is a 160-acre botanical garden featuring a massive rose garden, a Japanese garden, an oak forest, a lakeside hiking trail, an art museum, a miniature train, and more. You could spend hours exploring here and still not see it all in one visit.
- Membership cost: You can purchase a 1-year Descanso Gardens Family membership for $99 which covers two adults and four children or the Family and Friends membership, which covers three adults and six children for $195/ year.
- Membership perks: Members get early admission, discounts on special events like the ever-popular Enchanted and Carved, 10% off cafe and gift shop purchases, and member-only classes and events. Additionally, you can get admission privileges to more than 300 reciprocal gardens in the U.S. and Canada.
- Location: 1418 Descanso Dr, La Cañada Flintridge, CA
- Website: descansogardens.org
Natural History Museum Membership
With nearly 35 million specimens and artifacts covering 4.5 billion years of history, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles is the largest natural and historical museum in the Western United States. A single-day trip won’t cut it with so much to see and do, making a family membership well worth the cost.
- Membership cost: The family membership is $169 and includes membership for two named adults and up to four named children (ages 3 to 17), plus one unnamed guest.
- Membership perks: Members get unlimited admission to the Natural History Museum, La Brea Tar Pits, Page Museum, and the William S. Hart Museum. Additionally, you’ll get free tickets to the special museum experiences like the Butterfly Pavilion, Spider Pavilion, Bug Fair, and discounts on day camps, workshops, and parties. You’ll also enjoy a 10% discount at the museum gift shop and cafe.
- Location: 900 W Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
- Website: nhm.org
Kidspace Children’s Museum Membership
With more than 40 interactive exhibits that encourage kids to have fun while they learn, Kidspace nurtures the potential of all children, inspiring them to become joyful, active learners. This museum is definitely a kid-driven experience for families that will leave you wanting to come back again and again.
- Membership cost: There are several membership options depending on the size of your family. It’s $135 for a family of 2 and up to $285 for 5 or more.
- Membership perks: You’ll get unlimited free admission for all covered members, receive discounts at the store, museum cafe, and early learning classes and camps. Additionally, you can get deals for guests and invitations to members-only events.
- Location: 480 N Arroyo Blvd, Pasadena, CA
- Website: kidspacemuseum.org
Petersen Automotive Museum
Calling all motorheads! If your kids have a Hot Wheels collection, they will love seeing the real deal up close and personal. With over 250 vehicles on display and interactive exhibits, your young racers will want to come again and again.
- Membership cost: The family membership is $175/ year and covers admission for two adults and two children, plus one guest per visit.
- Membership perks: Perks include guest admission, 10% off at the museum store, early access to some programming, and free entry to additional auto museums in California and the US.
- Location: 6060 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90036
- Website: petersen.org
Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
The 83,000 species of plants filling the 130-acre Botanical Gardens alone is enough for several visits to the Huntington. The Children’s Garden will have your kids pleading to come back. Add to that the art museum and library, and membership is the best option for visiting all year long.
- Membership cost: A one-year Sustaining membership is $175 and covers admission for two named adults from the same household plus their children, 18 and under.
- Membership perks: Besides admission, membership includes 10% store discounts, invitations to events, and savings on some lectures and classes.
- Location: 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, CA 91108
- Website: huntington.org
Grammy Museum
With four floors full of music-inspired interactive exhibits, the museum offers plenty to explore with each visit.
- Membership cost: An annual dual membership is $135 and covers admission for two adults, kids admission is always free.
- Membership perks: Extra member perks include special access to educational programming and family events, 10% off at the museum store, and deals at LA Live restaurants and shops.
- Location: 800 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015
- Website: grammymuseum.org
Autry Museum of the American West
In addition to the unique exhibitions and exciting events, the newest addition to the Autry will keep kids wanting to visit again and again. The newly opened Family Play Space features rotating family-friendly activities ideal for kids 2-10.
- Membership cost: The Family membership is $140 and includes admission for two adults in the same household and their children and one free guest each visit.
- Membership perks: Membership includes two one-time uses guest passes, a 10% discount in the museum shop and cafe, and discounts on ticketed events and performances.
- Location: 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, CA 90027
- Website: theautry.org
BONUS: LACMA
Did you know that the Los Angeles County Museum of Art offers free youth programs to all Los Angeles county residents under 18? Register your kids for free membership in the NexGenLA program, and they will receive free admission anytime; plus, they can bring along one adult for free. All you have to do is fill out a form online, and they’ll have membership until they turn 18.
- Location: 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036
- Website: lacma.org
Best Memberships for Families in Orange County
Pretend City
Pretend City Children’s Museum is made for kids to explore how the world works while engaging their curiosities and imaginations. The Museum is designed as a child-size interconnected city that features educational learning experiences and engaging activities all made with fun in mind.
- Membership cost: Memberships start at $250 for one parent and one child and range up to $550 for a family of 5+.
- Membership perks: Unlimited admission all year with no black-out dates, daily Members Only Hour with engaging activities before general public hours, invitation to exclusive Members Only Events, 10% off discount on Birthday Parties and Facility Rentals, and discounts available for class or workshop enrollment.
- Location: 29 Hubble, Irvine, CA 92618
- Website: pretendcity.org
Children’s Museum at La Habra
Designed with young visitors in mind the museum features seven galleries with dozens of hands-on exhibits. There is also an outdoor dinosaur garden, a historic 1942 caboose, and a rotating featured exhibit that changes twice a year.
- Membership cost: Membership starts at $95 for one cardholder plus a guest and goes up to $350 for one cardholder plus 9 guests.
- Membership perks: Membership includes 11 months of daily free admission with no block out date, member only mornings every Friday, member only previews of new exhibits, discounted ticket prices for programing, events and special classes, early member only access to tickets for select events before the public, and discounted admission tickets for friends and extra guests.
- Location: 301 S. Euclid Street, La Habra, CA 90631
- Website: lhcm.org
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