Lucas Museum of Narrative Art: IMAGE COURTESY OF LUCAS MUSEUM OF NARRATIVE ART


George Lucas' New L.A. Museum Is Opening Soon—And Some Neighbors Get In Free

After years of anticipation, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is finally ready to welcome visitors. The $1 billion museum, founded by Star Wars creator George Lucas and business leader Mellody Hobson, officially opens to the public on September 22 - and thousands of local residents will get a special perk.

People living in Los Angeles' 90037 ZIP code, the neighborhood surrounding the museum in Exposition Park, will receive free renewable annual passes along with an exclusive early preview before the museum officially opens.

Museum CEO Tracey Bates says the program is a way to thank the community that has watched the massive project take shape over the last eight years.

"We wanted to make sure the neighbors that have been seeing the museum built from the ground up for the past eight years are the first ones inside."

The free pass program allows eligible residents to reserve two tickets for each visit, making it easier for families and friends to experience the museum together.

A New Cultural Landmark for Los Angeles

The 300,000-square-foot museum features a striking futuristic design that feels right at home with George Lucas' legacy. Sitting on 11 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds in Exposition Park, the campus was designed to be more than just a museum—it was created as a public gathering space for the community.

The outdoor areas were designed by renowned landscape architect Mia Lehrer, whose work also includes SoFi Stadium. According to museum leaders, the gardens are meant to serve as an extension of the neighborhood, giving locals another reason to spend time on the campus.

What's Inside?

Visitors can explore more than 1,300 works of art and storytelling artifacts, including pieces from George Lucas' personal Lucasfilm archives that he retained after selling the company to Disney in 2012.

The collection spans a wide variety of artists and storytellers, featuring works from Norman Rockwell, Jack Kirby, Robert Crumb, Frida Kahlo, and Los Angeles muralist Judith Baca, among many others. The museum celebrates visual storytelling across comics, illustration, film, painting, and popular culture.

A Big Year for L.A. Museums

The Lucas Museum arrives during a busy year for Los Angeles' museum scene. It follows the recent opening of LACMA's new David Geffen Galleries while the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum remains closed for major renovations.

Whether you're a fan of Star Wars, comic books, classic art, or simply looking for a new destination to explore in Los Angeles, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is shaping up to be one of Southern California's biggest cultural attractions of the year.

Looking to Rent? These Are America's Best Cities for Renters in 2026

If you're planning a move and renting instead of buying, a new report suggests you might want to look toward Arizona.

A new study from WalletHub ranked 182 U.S. rental markets and found that three Arizona cities claimed the top spots as the best places for renters in 2026. The rankings looked beyond just monthly rent, factoring in affordability, job opportunities, quality of life, weather, recreation, traffic, renter protections, and more.

Arizona Takes the Top Three

Scottsdale earned the No. 1 spot thanks to its strong job market, excellent driving conditions, pleasant weather, and plenty of recreational opportunities. While it isn't one of the cheapest rental markets in the country, the average renter spends less than 22% of their annual income on housing. Renters also enjoy larger-than-average homes, with the typical residence measuring more than 2,100 square feet.

Gilbert came in second, offering a combination of affordable rental costs, spacious homes, and family-friendly neighborhoods.

Chandler rounded out the top three, where renters spend about 21% of their annual income on housing while benefiting from a healthy local economy and strong quality of life.

The Top 10 Cities for Renters

1. Scottsdale, Arizona
2. Gilbert, Arizona
3. Chandler, Arizona
4. Overland Park, Kansas
5. Columbia, Maryland
6. Peoria, Arizona
7. Bismarck, North Dakota
8. Huntsville, Alabama
9. Sioux Falls, South Dakota
10. Amarillo, Texas

What Makes a Great Rental City?

According to WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo, the best rental cities aren't just about finding the lowest monthly payment.

In some of the highest-ranked cities, renters spend as little as 15% of their income on rent while also benefiting from strong renter protections, healthy job markets, manageable traffic, and plenty of entertainment and recreation options. The study also considered factors like cost of living and local laws designed to protect renters from excessive security deposits and other fees.

Rent Prices Are Finally Cooling

There's also some encouraging news for renters nationwide.

According to Zillow, the typical U.S. asking rent reached $1,910 in March, up just 1.8% compared to a year ago. That's the slowest annual increase since 2020, suggesting rent prices may finally be stabilizing after years of rapid growth.

Single-family rental homes averaged $2,225 per month, up 2.5% year-over-year, while multifamily apartments averaged $1,757, increasing 1.3%.

While housing costs remain high in many areas, slowing rent increases and strong rental markets could give renters more options—and a little more breathing room—in 2026.

The Pasadena home that stood in for Wayne Manor in 'Batman' Credit: MLS

If you've ever dreamed of living like Bruce Wayne, now's your chance—provided you have a spare $32 million lying around.

The iconic Pasadena estate used as the exterior of Wayne Manor in the classic 1960s Batman television series has officially hit the market. While the Caped Crusader won't be included, the property comes with plenty of luxury worthy of Gotham's billionaire playboy.

The sprawling estate offers approximately 18,600 square feet of living space with seven bedrooms, three full bathrooms, four half-baths, and four three-quarter baths. That's a whole lot of bathrooms for one superhero.

Although fans may recognize the mansion from the Adam West TV series, only the exterior was featured on the show. All of the interior Wayne Manor scenes were filmed on Hollywood soundstages.

Built in 1928, the three-story mansion showcases Jacobean Tudor Revival architecture and sits on nearly five acresoverlooking the scenic Arroyo Seco in Pasadena. While there's no hidden Batcave (at least none that's been disclosed), the estate comes loaded with luxury amenities, including:

• A resort-style swimming pool
• Private movie theater
• Pickleball court
• Expansive gardens and rolling lawns
• Mature oak trees
• Hardwood and marble flooring throughout

Wayne Manor has looked quite different over the years on screen. For example, the mansion featured in The Dark Knight Rises was actually filmed at Wollaton Hall in Nottingham, England, a historic estate dating back to the 1580s.

The home's recent price history is almost as surprising as Batman's gadgets. It sold for $4.4 million in 1999, then changed hands again for $20.5 million in 2025. Now it's back on the market asking $32 million. Part of that increase may come from the home's updated listed size, which has grown from roughly 16,500 square feet to 18,600 square feet.

Did someone finally add the Batcave?

Whether you're a die-hard Batman fan or simply enjoy browsing over-the-top celebrity-worthy real estate, this legendary mansion proves that even superheroes need an incredible place to call home.

You can check out the home on Zillow here.