Museums in Culver City: A Guide to Local Visits

For museums in Culver City, two venues publish public visitor information: the Wende Museum and the Museum of Jurassic Technology. They differ in focus and practical details, so compare their hours and admission before deciding which to visit.

The Wende Museum describes itself as an art museum, historical archive, and community center. Its work focuses on preserving and activating historical collections, especially those connected to dissident movements, civil society, and human rights advocacy. Founded in 2002, it is based in Culver City.

The Museum of Jurassic Technology is another local option. It recommends reserving tickets online in advance because of limited capacity; check its schedule against your available time before setting out.

The Wende Museum of the Cold War is at 10808 Culver Boulevard, Culver City, CA 90230. Its galleries are open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The museum is closed to the public Monday and Tuesday, while Wednesday and Thursday are reserved for school tours.

Admission to exhibitions and public programs is free. The museum normally offers free public tours at 11:30 a.m. on Fridays and 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Tour times can change, or a tour may be cancelled if it conflicts with a program. You can RSVP, though it is not required.

School tours take place on Wednesdays and Thursdays, cover current exhibitions, and last about 60 minutes. They are free, and school groups are asked to submit a tour request.

The museum’s front entrance and rear public and emergency exits are wheelchair- and stroller-accessible. Its galleries, offices, workspaces, and outdoor facilities are wheelchair-accessible. Accessible parking spaces are available in the adjacent public lot, and the museum has wheelchair-accessible restrooms and seating in its public galleries and gardens.

If you’re visiting with children, those younger than 11 must be accompanied by an adult. Breastfeeding and bottle-feeding are permitted throughout the museum. Service dogs are welcome when leashed, housebroken, and under the handler’s control; contact the museum with accessibility questions or if you need assistance.

Non-flash photography and video are permitted for personal use in galleries and public areas, subject to exceptions posted on site. Flash photography is not permitted in galleries. Bikes are not allowed on campus; public bike racks are on the sidewalk near the Community Center.

Choose between the Wende Museum and the Museum of Jurassic Technology by starting with the kind of visit you want to plan, then checking the schedule and entry details. The Wende offers free admission and public tours on selected days. The Museum of Jurassic Technology recommends reserving tickets online in advance because capacity is limited.

The Museum of Jurassic Technology is at 9341 Venice Boulevard, Culver City, CA 90232. Its suggested admission is $15 for adults; $12 for children aged 13–21, full-time students, people aged 62 or older, and unemployed people; and $3 for disabled people and active service personnel in uniform. Admission is free for children aged 12 and under.

During museum hours, the Museum of Jurassic Technology’s Tula Tea Room and Borzoi Kabinet Theater are open to the public on the second floor. Keep its visitor rules in mind: cell-phone use, including text messaging, and photography are prohibited inside. Large bulky items, including backpacks, luggage, and non-collapsible strollers, should be checked at the entrance.

The Wende Museum is a straightforward choice if you’re planning around free admission, but its public gallery days are limited to Friday through Sunday. For a public tour, aim for its usual Friday or weekend time and consider RSVPing. The Museum of Jurassic Technology opens Thursday through Sunday, with different hours across those days, and recommends advance online reservations.

The Museum of Jurassic Technology is open Thursday and Friday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. It is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Before you go, check the official site before you go for current hours, tour availability, and booking details.

Culver City bus lines 3 and 7 serve the area near the Wende Museum, around the intersection of Culver Boulevard and Overland Avenue. Free parking is available in city lots beside the museum. Nearby EV charging stations are at the Veterans Memorial Building, 4117 Overland Avenue, and the Senior Center, 4095 Overland Avenue.

Street parking and four nearby parking structures serve the Museum of Jurassic Technology. Metro Expo Line Culver City and Palms stations are each approximately a 10–15-minute walk away. MTA bus lines 33, 733, and 436, along with Santa Monica Municipal Bus Line 12, stop at its main entrance.

Group and school visits to the Museum of Jurassic Technology should be coordinated at least two weeks in advance. Visits are self-guided; the museum does not customarily offer tours.

The Wende Museum is about an 18-minute walk from Galaxy Inn, which can make it a convenient first stop if you’re staying at Galaxy Inn. For an evening or another day, you could also consider the Kirk Douglas Theatre or a visit to the Venice Canal Historic District.

Check the museums’ schedules before arranging your day: the Wende’s public galleries are open on weekends as well as Friday, while the Museum of Jurassic Technology also opens on Thursday. If you’re planning a school or group visit, allow time to coordinate in advance where required.