Petersen Automotive Museum
4.8(14K)google
4.2(1.1K)yelp
MotorsportFamily
Overview
Located on the Miracle Mile, the Petersen Automotive Museum is a paradise for car enthusiasts, recognizable by its striking stainless-steel ribbon facade designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox. Inside, the museum features multiple floors of meticulously curated galleries exploring the history, artistry, and engineering of the automobile. From historic Hollywood film cars and rare vintage European classics to cutting-edge hypercars and concepts, the museum offers an immersive look at car culture and its profound impact on global society.
Practical Info
Mon10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tue10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wed10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thu10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Fri10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sat10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sun10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Suggested Duration2-3 hours
Best TimeVisiting at 10:00 AM opening on weekdays is ideal. If budget permits, booking the premium 'The Vault Tour' online in advance is highly recommended to explore the restricted basement containing over a hundred rare, historic, and Hollywood film cars.
Getting ThereLocated in the Miracle Mile district, diagonally across from LACMA. Drivers can navigate directly to the museum's multi-level paid parking garage. For transit, take Metro Bus Route 20, 720, or 217 to Wilshire / Fairfax and walk one block.
Travel Tips
- General admission tickets grant access exclusively to Floors 1-3; viewing the subterranean collection of state limousines and cinema props inside 'The Vault' mandatorily requires booking a specialized Vault Tour add-on ticket online weeks prior, as walk-up vault slots are non-existent.
- • 【Transit, Parking & Cost Optimization】The museum's red-and-silver architectural complex charges an expensive compounding hourly rate in its internal parking deck; intercept this expense by routing to the open-air public parking lots at the La Brea Tar Pits two blocks east to clip operational costs.
Photo Tips
Photo Spots
- Photographing the undulating stainless-steel exterior ribbon ribbons under direct overhead sun yields blind lens flare; cross to the northeast corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue from 04:30 PM to 05:30 PM when the setting sun hits the steel trim.
Reviews
Positive
- The ultimate shrine for car enthusiasts; the building's exterior steel ribbon design radiates sleek futuristic style.
- Exhibits span a century, packaging rare antiques, iconic movie props (like the Batmobile), and cutting-edge hypercars.
- The interior is ultra-modern and spotless; gallery lighting is flawless, rendering each automobile like a pristine fine art piece.
- Upgrading to 'The Vault' tour features expert guides leading you through deep, restricted underground reserves of secret cars.
Heads up
- General admission excludes access to the core Vault; buying full access pushes the overall ticket cost quite high.
- The official parking structure charges steep hourly rates, and street meters nearby are scarce with rigid time limits.
- The digital multi-language guides occasionally lag or lose connection, and some interactive touch screens need repair.
- For casual tourists who lack passion for car engineering or prop history, viewing rows of steel can eventually feel repetitive.