China Lake Museum, Ridgecrest

About China Lake Museum

China Lake Museum displays the largest collection of tactical air-launched weapons, including rockets, missiles, and aircraft developed or tested at the Naval Ordnance Test Station since 1943. Visitors explore exhibits featuring the Sidewinder missile, Tiny Tim rocket, and aircraft such as the F/A-18 Hornet and AV-8B Harrier, alongside photographs and personal accounts from scientists, engineers, and military personnel who worked there. The STEAM Discovery Center offers hands-on classes in science, technology, engineering, art, and math throughout the year, with families able to register in advance. The museum occupies an Exhibit Hall in Ridgecrest and requires no military base access. A visit typically takes one and a half to two hours. Children ages 0–9 enter free, and the museum publishes regular admission prices online. The location is open Tuesday through Saturday, with free on-site parking and wheelchair accessibility available.