Museum of Illusions Santa Monica Makes Grand Entrance on Third Street Promenade

Published on February 26, 2026

Museum of Illusions Santa Monica opens its doors tomorrow, unveiling a jaw-dropping, brain-twisting adventure in the heart of the iconic Third Street Promenade.

Located at 1232 3rd Street, this all-new immersive attraction is more than just a museum – it’s a vibrant world where illusions spark imagination, emotion and immersive learning. Tickets are now available online, with advance booking encouraged.

Spanning 12,000 square feet and featuring more than 80 dazzling exhibits, Museum of Illusions Santa Monica invites visitors to step into a world of optical illusions, interactive rooms and mind-bending installations that challenge everything you think you know. Exclusive to this location are exhibits that pay tribute to the City of Angels, like the rockabilly-inspired following eyes mural, the climbable California Art Deco hotel façade building illusion and the reversed room reminiscent of the vintage Hollywood bowling alley, Star Lanes. Other must-see attractions include the Vortex Tunnel, the Cloning Table and the Ames Room, which visually manipulates your perception of size.

“It’s an honor to continue our California and West Coast expansion in Santa Monica,” said Kim Schaefer, CEO of Museum of Illusions. “The city’s rich entertainment history and dynamic tourism scene are the perfect complement to our immersive attraction, and we look forward to building our place in the community.”

Museum of Illusions Santa Monica is the brand’s 64th museum across 28 countries and four continents. Now the world’s largest and fastest-growing brand of privately owned museums, Museum of Illusions educates visitors on vision, perception and the workings of the human brain through science, shedding light on why our eyes perceive things that our brains cannot fully understand. Ranked in the top 5% as a “Best in STEM,” the museum has also earned the STEM.org Accredited Educational Experience Trustmark.

The museum operates daily, with hours from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and extended hours from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The last admission is one hour before closing. Ticket prices are:

$118 for family 4-pack (2 adults, 2 children), $24 per additional child
$43 for flexible walk-in entry
$35 for over 13 with a scheduled time
$30 for children aged 5-12
$32 for military personnel and seniors

Teachers and educators receive free admission, and group bookings enjoy a 15% discount on regular prices. The museum is also a perfect location for group events, special occasions, corporate team-building or educational trips, with options to pre-book all activities via the website. To purchase tickets and for more details, visit www.moisantamonica.com.

About Museum of Illusions

Museum of Illusions Santa Monica is part of the global Museum of Illusions Group, the largest and fastest-growing chain of private museums in the world. The unique concept offers all age groups an interactive experience where mind-blowing exhibits play tricks on the minds of visitors and show them the exciting science behind illusions. With over 60 locations across 28 countries, Museum of Illusions continues to grow and share the fascinating world of illusions with curious minds all over the world.