At and Around ISDC

ISDC is packed with ways to explore the future of space. Between sessions, you can meet astronauts, explore the exhibit hall, see student space settlement designs, and connect with fellow attendees at receptions and social events. Browse below to plan your time at the conference.

Just outside the conference, Los Angeles is home to some of the most important places in space history. The Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel sits near LAX, a short drive from Griffith Observatory, the California Science Center and Space Shuttle Endeavour, and the Columbia Memorial Space Center, where Apollo spacecraft were built. Arrive early or stay an extra day to see them for yourself.

Nearby Space and Aviation Attractions

Griffith Observatory

The Griffith Observatory sits on the slopes of Mount Hollywood, serving as Southern California’s premier gateway to the cosmos. Located at 2800 East Observatory Road in Los Angeles, it offers public space exploration alongside sweeping views of the city and the Hollywood Sign.

• Public Telescopes & Exhibits: The Observatory provides free public telescope viewing every clear night it is open (including its historic 12-inch Zeiss refracting telescope and lawn telescopes) and houses multiple indoor exhibit galleries featuring interactive science displays.
• Planetarium Shows: The Samuel Oschin Planetarium features live astronomy presentations led by a storyteller for every show. 

California Science Center

The California Science Center is a bit farther inland at Exposition Park but stands as the area's premier destination for space exploration. Its air and space galleries trace aviation history from early flight to cosmic journeys.

• Space Shuttle Endeavour: Serves as the permanent home of the famous NASA orbiter.
• Historic Craft: Features a supersonic Lockheed A-12 Blackbird spy plane and various historic space capsules.

Columbia Memorial Space Center

The Columbia Memorial Space Center is located east of LAX in Downey on the historic site where the Apollo Command Modules were built. It functions as an official NASA partner organization focused on space science education.

• Space History: Commemorates the location where the Space Shuttle was conceived and Apollo components were manufactured.
• Interactive Labs: Offers family-friendly, hands-on space science exhibits and simulated mission control experiences.