Located at the John Wayne Airport area in Santa Ana, Lyon Air Museum is a museum dedicated to historic aircraft and military vehicles. The museum draws visitors with an interest in aviation history, World War II-era equipment, and vintage military artifacts, making it a destination for history enthusiasts, aviation fans, families, and school groups from across Southern California.
For La Mirada residents, the museum is situated roughly 20 miles southwest via the 5 and 55 freeways, offering a manageable day trip for those looking to explore regional cultural attractions beyond the immediate area. The facility falls within the broader network of Orange County arts and cultural venues that La Mirada community members frequently visit.
As a museum, Lyon Air Museum provides an educational and experiential setting where visitors can view restored aircraft and ground vehicles up close. This type of hands-on access to preserved historical equipment distinguishes it from conventional exhibit-only institutions and gives it particular appeal for younger visitors as well as adults with a deeper interest in military and aviation history.
I came to the Lyon Air Museum for the warbirds and somehow ended up marshalling vintage Porsches alongside an active runway like it was completely normal behavior. 😂✈️ Michael, one of the volunteers, totally took me under his wing and made the entire experience unforgettable. Honestly… what an aviation geek dream day. But more than anything, every single person there was just unbelievably kind. You can feel how much they love aviation, history, and sharing it with people. I showed up solo and somehow left feeling like family. That place is really special.
I was completely amazed . You’ve got to be kidding me. It was so much fun and the people that work here are amazing . The place isn’t really big but it packed with amazing planes and cars . The movie 🎥 was awesome and you can ask anyone anything it’s great. Super friendly and knowledgeable I’m so impressed. Plenty of parking 🅿️ and clean restrooms. The gift shop was great. 👍
Excellent museum. Great collection of aircraft and cars. The Docents I met, Craig and Tim, were very friendly and knowledgable, and Craig gave me a great tour of the museum. Don’t miss out on the second floor as there is huge display case with some very unique aircraft models!
ALL 5 Stars and all bolded. I have been to many a museum both for cars and for planes. This has been one of, if not the best. I really really enjoyed my time here. It’s not overwhelming, but the collection of vehicles is just fantastic. Lots of good reading and learning as well. Highly recommend.
We visited the Lyon Air Museum with the Porsche Club of America and it was an incredible experience. The venue is packed with beautifully restored aircraft, rare cars, and fascinating history. The staff were welcoming, knowledgeable, and genuinely excited to share the stories behind the exhibits. Amazing day. Highly recommend visiting.