Petersen Museum

I was blown away by Petersen. The collection of cars is amazing, the staff is excellent, and the overall curation/quality of the museum is also fantastic. Definitely worth the price, and if you have the chance, also pay a visit to the Vault! A few extra tips: 1) If you arrive close to opening time, you might be able to do street parking in the street behind the museum for $1.5/hour. 2) DO NOT miss out on the chance of getting a tour. The website doesn’t explain the tours available very well, but you can call/email the museum in advance to see the days/times when public tours happen and join one. This will take your experience to a whole new level. Having someone with deep knowledge to tell you the history of different cars makes you enjoy the museum even more. 3) If you can’t take a tour, do not shy away from asking questions to the volunteers. They are very willing to share their knowledge and guide you along parts of the exhibit. Will definitely visit again when I come to LA in the future!

The Peterson Automotive Museum is one of the most definitive car collections every assembled. Whether you are a lifelong enthusiast or casual visitor, the Peterson is a must -see. Located along Wilshire Boulevard's Museum Row, the Peterson is features a red facade wrapped in sweeping stainless steel ribbons. Inside the museum houses more than 300 iconic cars across three floor ranging from early automotive icons to cutting edge supercars, concept vehicles and movie props. Each portion of the gallery tells a distinct story and highlights the evolution of racing, engineering and design. The experience is thoughtfully curated, balancing historical insight with modern flair. Interactive exhibits and immersive displays make the museum accessible for all ages, while serious enthusiasts can explore “The Vault,” a guided underground collection showcasing some of the rarest and most historically significant cars in the world. Highlights include presidential/state vehicles, cars from the roaring 20s, F1, restored classics, and ultra rare variants. Note that The Vault is an additional fee on top of the regular museum admission, but well worth it for the automotive enthusiast. The Peterson delivers an all ages experience that is both educational and unforgettable!

This place is definitely my favorite car museum in the world. I had the pleasure of having Jeff as one of my guides. He is absolutely amazing. The knowledge that that man contains about the vehicles that are in that facility are unmatched. He completely made my day with the stories he knew in the history of the vehicles. Do yourself a favor if you’re gonna come out to this museum, do not skip out on the vault you will regret it. Going to this place for me was like going down memory lane and bringing back all the best memories of my childhood if you love vehicles you’re in the right place.