The Museum of Flying is not just a display of old planes. It is a reminder of Santa Monica’s role in the early days of aviation, and it gives visitors a chance to see that history up close.
The museum is located next to the historic Santa Monica Airport property, an appropriate spot since much of that aviation history took place there. Santa Monica was once a major center for aircraft production, and the Douglas company helped shape that identity for decades.
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MUSEUM OF FLYING Phone: 310-398-2500 |
What is now the Museum of Flying began in 1974 as the Douglas Museum and Library. It was founded by Donald Douglas Jr. to honor the legacy of the Douglas Aircraft Company and its founder, Donald Wills Douglas Sr. The museum first opened in 1979, later grew into a larger facility, then closed for a period before reopening in its current form in 2012.
Inside, visitors will find about 23,000 square feet of exhibits, aircraft, photographs, aviation art, and interactive displays. The museum features planes from different eras, including World War II aircraft and jet-age machines, along with open-cockpit exhibits, a theater, and a flight simulator. One of the most memorable displays is the authentic FedEx Boeing 727 cockpit, where visitors can step inside and get a feel for what flight was like from the pilot’s seat.
The museum also highlights the Douglas World Cruisers, the Douglas DC-3, and other aircraft tied to Southern California’s aviation history. Outside, the DC-3 monument stands as a nod to the aircraft that helped define commercial air travel. The museum has also long supported education, including free school tours and community programming.
For families, students, and aviation fans, the Museum of Flying offers more than a look at airplanes. It preserves a piece of Santa Monica’s identity and keeps that story alive for the next generation.
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