If you dream about rovers rolling across Mars, antennas listening for whispers from distant probes, and the control room where engineers cheer when spacecraft phone home—then a tour of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) belongs on your must-do list. If you’ve ever wondered about the JPL Tour: How to Visit NASA’s Robotic Space HQ, don’t miss out. Managed by Caltech for NASA, JPL is the lead center for robotic exploration of our solar system. It’s where missions like Voyager, Cassini, and the Mars rovers were built, tested, and guided across deep space.
Below you’ll find exactly where JPL is, how much tours cost, what you’ll see, how to book, security requirements, what to do if tickets are sold out, and how to get a similar experience if you can’t make it to California.
Where is JPL?
JPL sits in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains at 4800 Oak Grove Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011 (street address for mapping), with a Pasadena, CA 91109 mailing address. The campus is physically in La Cañada Flintridge but commonly associated with Pasadena.
Those mountain views aren’t just scenic—they’re part of why testing facilities here can be tucked into canyons and labs, including the massive Spacecraft Assembly Facility.
Are JPL tours available right now?
Yes—weekday, onsite public tours are offered free of charge in limited numbers, by advance reservation only. Booking is handled directly by JPL via its official tours page; spots are released in batches and go fast.
JPL also runs a separate, large public open-house style event called “Explore JPL.” It’s free but ticketed and historically held on a spring weekend. As of now, JPL notes Explore JPL will return in 2026 (so not in 2025). In the meantime, you can still book a weekday tour or take a virtual tour.
How much does it cost?
JPL’s official weekday tours are free. You’ll need a reservation and valid ID.
You may see paid third-party day trips that bundle bus transport and logistics for convenience; these charge a per-person fee but are not required to access JPL itself.
Why tour JPL?
Because it’s the working heart of NASA’s robotic exploration:
- Mission Control (Space Flight Operations Facility): Where interplanetary spacecraft are monitored and commanded.
- Spacecraft Assembly Facility: A clean-room complex where famous missions have been built and tested.
- Mars Yard & Labs: Outdoor/indoor areas where rover mobility and instruments are tested before launch.
The exact stops vary by day and operations schedule, but the tour consistently offers a close look at how real missions are planned, built, and flown.
What you’ll typically see on a JPL tour (subject to operations)
- Introductory briefing: An orientation to JPL’s history and missions, often with an overview film.
- Space Flight Operations Facility (possible stop): Gallery views into the control room that manages communications with JPL-operated missions.
- Assembly & Test spaces (possible stop): Windows into high bays where components or test setups may be visible.
- Exhibit areas: Scale models, instrument mockups, and mission artifacts that tell the story of exploration—from Explorer and Voyager to Mars rovers and beyond.
Because this is a working lab, stops can change, and some areas can be unavailable at short notice.
How to book a JPL tour (step-by-step)
- Check availability on JPL’s official Tours page. If the calendar shows no openings, check again later—new dates are released periodically and sell out quickly.
- Choose your tour type. JPL offers options such as Visitor Day Tour (for small groups or families). Each listing states who can attend and how many people can be on the reservation.
- Reserve with accurate names. Every adult’s name must match their government ID exactly. Substitutions or name corrections may be prohibited close to the tour date.
- Watch for confirmation and instructions. You’ll receive details on arrival time, parking, what you can bring, and security rules.
- Bring the required ID (see below). No proper ID = no entry. Plan accordingly.
- Arrive early. Security check-in can take time. Expect airport-style screening of people and bags.
- Have a backup plan. If you can’t land a weekday tour, explore virtual tours or watch for Explore JPL in 2026.
Security & ID requirements
- U.S. citizens (18+): Must present official, government-issued photo ID—a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or passport.
- Non-U.S. citizens (18+): Must present a passport or resident visa (green card).
- Minors: Typically must be accompanied by an adult guardian; check your specific tour’s details for age limits.
- Exact name match: The reservation name must exactly match the ID. Tour rosters are finalized in advance; day-of changes are usually not allowed.
These requirements are strict—no valid ID means you will be turned away at the gate.
When do tours run?
Tours are generally weekday, daytime experiences and not offered every day. Time slots vary, and availability is limited. Always defer to what is posted on the official booking page at the time you reserve.
Parking & directions
Use the street address for navigation: 4800 Oak Grove Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011. Follow tour-specific instructions for parking once you receive your confirmation.
What to bring (and not bring)
- Bring: Required photo ID, comfortable shoes, and your confirmation details.
- Expect screening: Security checks are standard. Small bags are typically allowed; large backpacks may be restricted.
- Photography: Permitted in many areas, but not all. Always follow your guide’s instructions and respect any no-photo zones.
- Prohibited items: As a federal facility, JPL restricts weapons and other controlled items.
Accessibility
JPL tours generally accommodate a wide range of visitors, but the campus has hills, multiple buildings, and walking between stops. If anyone in your party needs assistance or has accessibility questions, contact JPL in advance when you secure your reservation.
What if tours are sold out?
- Try again later: JPL releases new dates periodically, and cancellations happen.
- Virtual tour: Explore JPL’s interactive 360° tour to see Mission Control, assembly areas, and exhibits from anywhere.
- Explore JPL (2026): Keep an eye on JPL’s announcements for this big free, ticketed event when it returns.
- Third-party trips: Some operators sell transport-inclusive trips that include the JPL tour experience; these cost money but can simplify logistics if you’re organizing a group.
Is JPL worth visiting?
Absolutely. JPL is where robotic exploration becomes real—where engineers solved the seven minutes of terror for a rover landing, where DSN contacts are scheduled, where mission planners figure out how to thread a spacecraft through the rings of Saturn or aerobrake into Mars orbit. Seeing the spaces where these decisions are made connects you to decades of exploration history and the missions flying today.
Practical tips for a smooth visit
- Book early: Spots are scarce and in demand.
- Match your ID exactly: The most common day-of disappointment is a name mismatch. Double-check spellings.
- Arrive ahead of time: Security and check-in can take 15–30 minutes.
- Wear comfortable shoes: There’s walking and some elevation.
- Check for schedule changes: This is an active research facility—operational needs can close certain stops without notice.
- Mind photography rules: Ask before you snap, especially near labs and test areas.
- Have a backup plan: If you can’t book a tour, the virtual tour is excellent—and you can plan ahead for Explore JPL 2026.
Sample half-day JPL itinerary (with nearby ideas)
- Morning: Coffee in Old Pasadena, then drive 15–25 minutes to JPL.
- Tour (90–120 minutes): Orientation plus facility stops (as assigned).
- Afternoon: Science fix not satisfied? Head to the Griffith Observatory or Caltech’s campus in Pasadena for a stroll past the labs that partner with JPL.
FAQs
Is the tour really free?
Yes, JPL’s official weekday tours are free, but you must reserve in advance and bring valid ID.
What about the huge open-house weekends?
That’s Explore JPL—a special free, ticketed event. JPL says it will return in 2026.
Do I need a REAL ID?
For U.S. citizens 18+, a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or passport is required. Non-U.S. citizens 18+ need a passport or resident visa. Names on reservations must match IDs exactly.
Where exactly is JPL—Pasadena or La Cañada Flintridge?
The campus is primarily in La Cañada Flintridge (street address) though the mailing address is Pasadena; many people refer to it as “Pasadena” out of habit.
Can kids go?
Minors can usually attend with an adult, but check your specific tour’s details for any age restrictions or ID requirements.
How long is the tour?
Expect 1.5 to 2 hours, but always confirm in your reservation details.
What if I see companies selling JPL tours for a fee?
Those are third-party trips that package transportation and logistics; JPL’s own tours are free.
Can I visit without a reservation?
No. You must have a confirmed reservation and proper ID to enter.
Is there a virtual option?
Yes—JPL provides an interactive virtual tour with 360° views of key facilities.
How to get the most from your JPL tour
- Prep with a mission list: Check JPL’s homepage for active missions so you recognize acronyms and spacecraft names during the tour.
- Skim a rover timeline: If you know the order of Mars missions (Sojourner → Spirit/Opportunity → Curiosity → Perseverance), the exhibits “click” more quickly.
- Bring questions: Guides are often engineers or docents who love good questions.
- Think like a mission planner: The tour isn’t just “look at the shiny thing”; it’s a peek into the systems engineering that keeps spacecraft alive for years.
Booking checklist
- Visit the JPL Tours page and check the calendar.
- Choose a Visitor Day Tour slot that fits your group size.
- Enter names exactly as they appear on IDs.
- Watch your email for confirmation and instructions.
- Bring REAL ID or passport (U.S. citizens 18+), or passport/green card for non-U.S. citizens 18+.
- Arrive early for security; expect a walking tour.
- Follow photo rules and guide instructions inside the lab.
- If sold out, try again later, take the virtual tour, or plan for Explore JPL 2026.
Key points
- Cost: Free (official weekday tours), but you must book ahead.
- When: Limited weekday slots; Explore JPL returns 2026.
- Security: Strict ID rules; names must match exactly.
- If sold out: Try again later, use the virtual tour, or plan for Explore JPL 2026.
With a little planning, you’ll step inside the lab that has steered humanity’s most daring robotic explorers.