Photo: Star Eco Station
Photo: Denis Canuel
Photo: Paul Mittermiller
Star Eco Station
★4.7(273 reviews)$Museum
🕑 1.5-2 hours👶 Best for ages 4-12. Preschoolers and elementary-aged kids are at the perfect age to safely handle animals with guidance and absorb the conservation message, while younger toddlers may be overwhelmed by some of the larger reptiles. Older tweens who love animals will still find the rescue stories and interactive experiences engaging.🧡 Saved by 70+ families
About
Star Eco Station is a hidden gem that combines wildlife rescue with hands-on environmental education, giving kids the chance to meet and interact with rescued exotic animals like snakes, parrots, tortoises, and chinchillas. Unlike traditional museums, this intimate facility lets children get up close with animals while learning about conservation, sustainability, and how humans impact wildlife,making it both educational and memorable for animal-loving families.
Highlights
- ✓Hands-on interactions with rescued animals including holding snakes, petting tortoises, and feeding parrots
- ✓Meeting exotic wildlife like sugar gliders, hedgehogs, and monitor lizards up close
- ✓Learning real rescue stories about how each animal came to the facility
- ✓Interactive environmental science exhibits teaching kids about sustainability and recycling
- ✓Small, intimate setting where staff has time to answer kids' questions and share animal facts
Pro Tips
- 1.Visit during opening time (10 AM) on weekends for smaller crowds and more one-on-one animal interaction time with staff
- 2.Don't skip the gift shop,proceeds support the rescue efforts and they have unique educational toys and animal-themed items kids actually want
- 3.Wear closed-toe shoes as it's required for safety when interacting with some animals
- 4.Bring hand sanitizer though they provide handwashing stations after animal encounters
- 5.Ask staff about the individual rescue stories,kids are fascinated learning how each animal came to live there
Best Time to Visit
Saturday or Sunday mornings right at 10 AM opening time offer the most intimate experience with fewer visitors and more energetic animals. Since they're only open weekends, avoid the 2-3 PM window when it can feel crowded in the smaller exhibit spaces.
What to Know
Admission is budget-friendly at around $10 for adults and $7 for children. Parking is free in the lot. There's no café on-site, but visits are short enough that snacks aren't usually necessary,though the nearby Culver City area has plenty of lunch options afterward.
Seasonal Notes
Open year-round on weekends only (Saturday and Sunday, 10 AM-4 PM). The indoor facility makes it a perfect rainy day activity. Call ahead during major holidays as hours may vary. Summer weekends can be busier with families, so morning visits are especially recommended during June-August.
Nearby Eats
Sweetfin Poké (5 minutes away) offers fresh, healthy bowls with kid options in a casual setting. Tender Greens on nearby Washington Boulevard is another family-friendly spot with a varied menu including kid meals, salads, and mains that please picky eaters.
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