Western Science Center — Attraction in Hemet

I recently had the pleasure of visiting the Western Science Center in Hemet, CA, and I must say it was a truly captivating experience. The museum itself is beautifully designed and modern, with spacious galleries that showcase a remarkable collection of fossils, artifacts, and exhibits. The layout is well thought out, allowing visitors to explore at their own pace and delve into the rich history of the region. One of the highlights of my visit was the massive "Max", a perfectly preserved mastodon skeleton that dominates the main hall. It's truly awe-inspiring to stand next to such a majestic creature from the past. The level of detail and care put into the display is commendable, providing a fascinating glimpse into the world of paleontology. The Western Science Center also offers a range of interactive displays and hands-on activities for all ages. From digging for fossils in the simulated excavation site to the engaging educational programs, there's something to engage and educate everyone. It's an excellent opportunity for children and adults alike to learn about the natural history of the area in an entertaining and accessible way. The staff at the museum are knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about their work. They are always ready to answer questions, share interesting facts, and make your visit a memorable one. Their enthusiasm for the subject matter is infectious and adds an extra layer of enjoyment to the overall experience. Lastly, I must mention the museum's commitment to community engagement. They regularly host special events, lectures, and workshops, fostering a sense of curiosity and discovery among visitors of all backgrounds. It's wonderful to see an institution so dedicated to spreading knowledge and promoting scientific literacy. In conclusion, the Western Science Center is a hidden gem in Hemet, CA. Whether you're a science enthusiast, a history buff, or simply looking for an educational and entertaining outing, this museum won't disappoint. It's a captivating journey through time, filled with wonders that will leave you in awe. I highly recommend a visit, and I can't wait to...

This is a lovely museum in Hemet Ca, not far from Temecula. We took our 6 year grandson and 2 year old grand daughter there who were visiting from Washington State.

This is a small museum compared to La Brea, however, there are a lot of displays that will exceed your expectation.

The cost is nominal and parking is free. There is also a circular theater room that provides a movie on the prehistoric animals that existed here. It is focused on prehistoric mammals - though they also display some dinosaur era horned dinos.

They have a few hands-on displays. They used to have a hands-on paleontology type display for kids, and that seems to longer exist there when we visited. However, they have other hands-on displays and fun projects for kids.

The discoveries have come from when they had originally excavated the Diamond Valley Lake water reservoir. This museum is a gem to be discovered and definitely worth the visit. My grandson who is really into prehistoric animals just loved it.

Researchers from the Western Science Center recently discovered a new species of mastodon. It is the Pacific mastodon (Mammut pacificus) - a 10,000 year old fossil, named "Max.” It is the largest mastodon species found in California, researchers said. This was publicly announced in 2019.

A new species of mastodon in North America has not been named in over 50 years. So this museum is still a very active in paleontology research.

The are also on facebook and you can see what special programs and displays are also being offered.

I...

I'm not trying to be a downer on this place or anything because I really do appreciate the fact that we at least have something like this close to the Hemet San Jacinto area, but I feel like it's also somewhat of a disservice. I know I paid only $15 to get in, which is a somewhat cheaper Museum, but there was literally about 15 minutes worth of exhibits that you can take a 5 year old to and at the front desk I was told that there was multiple interactive exhibits for children and adults and even the exhibits they did have were extraordinarily cheap. One was literally a stencil exhibit where you just stencil an animal that they had and all the pencils were Nubs. There was a puzzle exhibit that was missing a lot of pieces. The saddest one however was the simulation dig site. It had trash and it had a cinder block there was Weeds growing in it. It's like how do you justify and say that that's a simulation big site. Dig sites are not junk. They need to innovate this place a little bit more and make it more interactive and create some Simple Solutions to draw people in and it could be a successful and viable place that doesn't work only on state funding most likely. If you're an adult I'm not going to say I recommend it because it's still a little bit too expensive for what it is, but definitely don't bring your kids here if they can't read and comprehend that great. Not a place for 5 and...