Chinese American Museum Museum

Address: 425 North Los Angeles Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Website: https://camla.org

Hours: Tue-Sun 11:00am-5:00pm, closed Mondays

Admission: Suggested donation or modest admission; check museum site for current fees

The Chinese American Museum is a cultural museum in downtown Los Angeles dedicated to the history and contributions of Chinese Americans in Southern California. It is located within the El Pueblo de Los Angeles historical precinct.

Exhibitions cover immigration history, community life, family stories and the development of Chinese American neighborhoods, often combining object displays with photographs and oral histories. The museum runs rotating exhibits and public programs that highlight historical and contemporary themes.

Founded by local community organizations to preserve and interpret Chinese American history in the region, the museum occupies a historic building in the El Pueblo area and works with local archives and community groups to curate its collections.

The museum sits in downtown Los Angeles within the El Pueblo de Los Angeles historic district, close to Olvera Street and Union Station.

• Nearby sites to combine: Often visited together with El Pueblo de Los Angeles, Olvera Street and Union Station for a broader view of early Los Angeles history.

What to See#

• Garnier Building: Located in the Garnier Building within the El Pueblo historic district, occupying a historic commercial structure in downtown Los Angeles.

Located in downtown Los Angeles’ Chinatown at 425 N. Los Angeles Street. From Union Station it is a 10-15 minute walk; several Metro buses and the Gold Line serve the area. Street parking and paid lots are available nearby.

• Visit on a weekday morning to avoid school groups that arrive mid-morning.
• Look for rotating community-curated exhibits that focus on Los Angeles' local histories rather than general China history.
• Combine with a walk through Old Chinatown and the nearby El Pueblo de Los Ángeles Historical Monument.