Our new hours are Thursday- Sunday, 10am to 4pm!

Book Your Corporate or Private Events at the Museum of Flying

The Santa Monica Museum of Flying is the venue to make your special event memorable. Receptions, elegant dinners, corporate parties, cocktail events, fundraisers, charity galas and holiday parties are all first class at the Museum.

  • Our history


  • Originally established in 1974 as the Douglas Museum and Library, the Museum first opened in 1979 at 2800 Airport Avenue. The Museum was founded by Donald Douglas Jr, the second President of the Douglas Aircraft Company. The collection consisted primarily of artifacts and the ephemera of Donald Wills Douglas Sr., the Founder and President of the Douglas Aircraft Company, however the collection did not include any aircraft.

    In the late 1980’s a discussion began between Donald Douglas Jr. and a local entrepreneur, David G. Price. It was agreed that a new building would be constructed on the north side of the Santa Monica Airport as the future location of the renamed Museum of Flying. The new Museum opened in 1989 with the original collection and the compliment of many vintage aircraft with an emphasis on World War II fighter aircraft.

    Over the years the Museum was host to a number of special events that included annual gala events honoring the aviation and aerospace leaders, famous test pilots, and the original Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo astronauts. Other memorable events held at the Museum included a tribute to the Tuskegee Airman, a Mustang Wing’s and Wheels event, and a 60th anniversary celebration of the Battle of Britain.

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Events & Closures

Here’s our next few events. Or, check out the whole calendar

The Log Book

Happenings, News, Articles, and lots more. Check our full log book.

DON ADAMS PHOTO EXHIBIT AT MUSEUM OF FLYING

The Museum of Flying in Santa Monica, California is pleased to announce the opening of a significant new exhibit serving as the introductory element to the Museum’s Commercial Aviation Gallery […]

From the Director – Steve Benesch

Dear Museum of Flying Members and friends of the Museum I wanted to personally reach out to our members and friends of the Museum of Flying and address the current […]

Taking Flight Newsletter – 2019 2nd Quarter

Take a look at the most recent printable newsletter, “Taking Flight“, with updates about new exhibits and events that we are planning. Hope you enjoy!

Museum of Flying | MuseumOfFlying.org