San Luis Obispo Children's Museum
San Luis Obispo Children's Museum
San Luis Obispo Children's Museum
4.5
Monday
10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
About
Three floors of interactive exhibits and engaging spaces designed for kiddos 2-10 years of age and their families.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
89 reviews
Excellent
45
Very good
32
Average
10
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Aditya
San Jose, CA11 contributions
Dec 2019
This was a surprise find for us when we visited San Luis Obispo during the December holidays in 2019. It was a rainy day so we couldn't go to the beaches we planned to, hence I searched for alternate places to visit and found this. Our 2 yr old son had an absolutely great time here. There are 3 floors and several activities for the kids, so you can easily expect to spend anywhere between 2 to 4 hours here. Best part is, you can actually go out and come back again on the same day on the same ticket.
Metered public parking is available close to the museum, but may be full on most days. However, there are several paid parking garages within a 1-mile range so finding a parking shouldn't be a problem.
If you have children between the age range of 3-8 years, be sure to visit this place and I'm sure you will have a great time!
Metered public parking is available close to the museum, but may be full on most days. However, there are several paid parking garages within a 1-mile range so finding a parking shouldn't be a problem.
If you have children between the age range of 3-8 years, be sure to visit this place and I'm sure you will have a great time!
Written January 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bobbie G
1 contribution
Jan 2020 • Family
Took my grandkids ages 7, 9 & 11. They still enjoy it but are getting a little too old for this. The place is doing some remodeling so that will be something new for them. They loved using the big blue blocks & made a fort. They were pretty much done in an hour. Highly recommend for 7 & under
Written February 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julie G
West Sacramento, CA8 contributions
Jan 2020
We visit here every time we are in town, so this is our 8th visit. I thought my 10 year old would be too old, but both my 10 and 5 year old loved it. It would be nice to see some new exhibits too, but the old ones are still so fun and engaging.
Written February 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tricia H
Atascadero, CA63 contributions
Dec 2016 • Family
I know it seems ridiculous to say theres not much to do at a children's museum, but we went in and did everything and left after about 30 mins. It seems like a lot of the stuff needs upgrading and some of it didn't even work. I don't think things should remain on display if they don't work, or there is no clear explanation as to what it is or what it does. I also think they have everything scattered too much. There isn't really a small kids area or a big kids area, its all mixed in which makes you pass up a lot of it if its for smaller kids. The main room with the spinning table and sand mountains was so awesome. But they were really the only fun things in the room. It would be so much better if they could get some newer more interactive things into the rooms. Also the outside area is very boring, theres one rectangle water table that has random toys and broken tubes in it. The rest of the outside is basically a bland playground. I wish it was better since its really the only kid related thing to do in the area. They could do some research into what makes other children's museums good across the country and implement some of those things.
Written March 7, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda H
San Diego, CA67 contributions
Aug 2019
We were in SLO with our 7 year old grandson. He had a great time. It wasn't very busy, but it is a very spacious. He especially enjoyed the fire department area.
Written September 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leslie M
San Luis Obispo, CA44 contributions
Sep 2017 • Family
The Children's Museum is a wonderful, interactive place where you can play with your young ones, or watch them play - whatever your preference. I wish they had more seating for adults, as seating is limited and sometimes kids do not want us in the middle of things and that is okay. But other than that, this place is just cool! Kids love it, and so do adults. The floors are divided basically by age groups. One issue I have had is with the low ceiling on the very top floor, I have seen many people bonk their head on the low ceiling, so be cautioned. But the top floor is also my favorite! This isn't particularly the favorite place of teenagers, parents should take note of that.
Written December 6, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pamleonard
Murrieta, CA51 contributions
Jun 2015 • Family
My 5 year old grandson was just a bit too young. But starting them young at museums is good in my opinion. I look forward to the day when he understands what it's all about! This museum has military discount too with ID.
Written June 24, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
marmac_10
SF bay area115 contributions
Apr 2015 • Family
We'd been on the road for a few hours and remembered this place from a few years back. We arrived on a Sunday about an hour and a half before closing, but the kids (3 and 6y/o) were restless from being in the car.
On the first floor - They have a craft area right up in front. There's a very cool table that sort of senses and creates a topographical projection in response to how you form the kinetic sand below it. There's a dinosaur excavation pit. Some other displays about structures and earthquakes and a spinning table thing, but we didn't really play with that.
The second floor has a lot of imaginative play. Fire station, police station, trolley, veterinarian office, kitchen with assorted costumes and props. There's a very cool tower the kids can climb into. Warning to parents you can fit kind of and it's WAY hotter at the top if it's a sunny day. In the back there's a neat shadow wall. It flashes light and the wall "saves" your shadow. There's also a theater fully stocked with costumes and a camera that projects the "show" so the kids can see it on the TV.
There's a third floor for children 4 and younger, but we didn't get a chance to see it. There's also an outer play area we didn't get a chance to see.
Tips: We had no trouble getting street parking, but perhaps because we went late.
There are plenty of bathrooms throughout.
I'd imagine this would be semi-stroller friendly. There is an elevator, but between the displays and a crowd of kids, I imagine it would be challenging.
Most places have a policy of not allowing unattended children, but the museum has a policy of NOT allowing child-free adults.
On the first floor - They have a craft area right up in front. There's a very cool table that sort of senses and creates a topographical projection in response to how you form the kinetic sand below it. There's a dinosaur excavation pit. Some other displays about structures and earthquakes and a spinning table thing, but we didn't really play with that.
The second floor has a lot of imaginative play. Fire station, police station, trolley, veterinarian office, kitchen with assorted costumes and props. There's a very cool tower the kids can climb into. Warning to parents you can fit kind of and it's WAY hotter at the top if it's a sunny day. In the back there's a neat shadow wall. It flashes light and the wall "saves" your shadow. There's also a theater fully stocked with costumes and a camera that projects the "show" so the kids can see it on the TV.
There's a third floor for children 4 and younger, but we didn't get a chance to see it. There's also an outer play area we didn't get a chance to see.
Tips: We had no trouble getting street parking, but perhaps because we went late.
There are plenty of bathrooms throughout.
I'd imagine this would be semi-stroller friendly. There is an elevator, but between the displays and a crowd of kids, I imagine it would be challenging.
Most places have a policy of not allowing unattended children, but the museum has a policy of NOT allowing child-free adults.
Written April 12, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AJ41
Santa Rosa, CA143 contributions
Jan 2015 • Family
I brought my two year old here and she had a blast. Her favorite area was the play kitchen and play doctors office. There were a few things a bit too old for her, like the science section at the bottom and the dress up and theater, which she doesn't really get yet, but seemed great for slightly older kids. I will say that while this is a tall building, three or four levels, it's very narrow and can seem crowded without many people. We were there in January, but the outdoor area also seemed a bit sparse. I think one of the water features may not have been working or on, but I'll attribute that to the season and/or the drought. All in all it was fun. I've also been to the San Jose Children's museum, which is a little more expensive, but also a bigger place and I think the better of the two.
Written January 14, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Muzzalou
London, UK14 contributions
Jul 2014 • Family
We stumbled across this museum which was really fantastic. We have 5 year and 2 year olds and they didnt want to leave. There is something for every young child from a pretend cafe and shop to a fire engine which you can drive, dressing up and stage area and brio train set. Definitely worth a visit if you have children.
Written August 29, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sono-ancora-io
London, United Kingdom182 contributions
Is this museum good for toddlers?
Spencer H
Atascadero, CA16 contributions
Definitely, lots of hands on activities.
Vacationer287278
San Luis Obispo, CA
Is museum participating in free museum day this Sunday, jan 29th?
Tommy O
San Luis Obispo, CA140 contributions
I don't know about that day, but it does offer: FREE Moonlight Hours: Every Third Thursday from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Janohanson
Lake Isabella, CA
What is admission price?
sloswimmer
San Luis Obispo, CA23 contributions
Daily admission cost is $8.00 for adults and children, except children 2 and under whose admission is FREE. Admission is for all day, and guests are free to leave and come back throughout the remainder of the business day.
San Luis Obispo Children's Museum - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about San Luis Obispo Children's Museum
- San Luis Obispo Children's Museum is open:
- Thu - Mon 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
- Thu - Thu 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
- Fri - Fri 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
- Sat - Mon 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
- We recommend booking San Luis Obispo Children's Museum tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 San Luis Obispo Children's Museum tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near San Luis Obispo Children's Museum:
- (0.13 mi) SLO Brew Lofts
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- Restaurants near San Luis Obispo Children's Museum:
- (0.10 mi) Novo Restaurant & Lounge
- (0.05 mi) Goshi
- (0.11 mi) Big Sky Cafe
- (0.06 mi) Mama's Meatball
- (0.07 mi) Flour House