Petersen Automotive Museum is a Los Angeles automotive museum at 6060 Wilshire Boulevard, on the Miracle Mile in the Mid-Wilshire district. Founded in 1994 by publishing magnate Robert E. Petersen and his wife Margie, it occupies the former Seibu department store building, now wrapped in a dramatic stainless-steel ribbon facade added in a 2015 redesign by Kohn Pedersen Fox. Visitors come for hundreds of vehicles spanning automotive history: film and television cars, Hollywood-owned classics, hypercars, race cars, and rotating exhibitions that treat the automobile as design, engineering, and Southern California culture.
What to Expect at Petersen Automotive Museum
The museum is organized across three floors, and the traditional route begins on the third floor and works downward. The upper level tells the story of the automobile through history, from early horseless carriages to the industrial design movements of the twentieth century. The second floor focuses on industry and design, while the first floor is where rotating exhibits and the museum’s most headline-grabbing Hollywood cars tend to appear. Visual storytelling is a strength: vehicles are staged in recreated street scenes and dioramas rather than lined up in rows.
Rotating exhibitions are a major draw, and the full current lineup is posted on the official exhibits page. The museum is also home to the Bruce Meyer Family Gallery, devoted to hot rods and custom cars, and to a collection that draws on private lenders, including celebrity collectors and manufacturers. Because exhibits change several times a year, the gallery mix on any given day will differ from earlier visits, which makes the museum a good repeat stop for locals as well as first-time visitors.
- Hollywood Gallery: Screen-used and iconic movie and television vehicles, a long-running favorite for families and film fans.
- Hot Rods and Customs: The Bruce Meyer Family Gallery celebrates Southern California’s hot rod and custom culture, including pre-war dry-lakes racers and radically modified street machines.
- Supercars and Hypercars: Exotic marques and performance machines are staged alongside the engineering stories that shaped them.
- Rotating Exhibitions: Temporary shows range from motorsport retrospectives to design-focused showcases of individual manufacturers.
- The Ribbon Facade: The steel-and-paint exterior wrapping the building is itself an architectural attraction and a popular photo backdrop on Wilshire Boulevard.
Petersen Automotive Museum at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 6060 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036 |
| Neighborhood / Area | Miracle Mile, Mid-Wilshire, adjacent to the Museum Row cluster |
| Operating Hours | Daily, 10 AM to 5 PM |
| Admission / Price Range | Paid admission ($$); ticket tiers and any special exhibit surcharges are listed on the official tickets page |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 2 to 3 hours |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Metro bus lines along Wilshire Boulevard; on-site parking structure accessed from the museum campus |
| Official Website & Phone | petersen.org | +1 323-930-2277 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Buy tickets in advance through the official tickets page to skip the box-office line, especially on weekends and during school holidays. Arriving at the 10 AM opening gives you quieter galleries and better light on the facade for photographs. Wilshire Boulevard is a heavily served Metro bus corridor, and the D Line subway extension is expanding service along this stretch, so check current Metro route maps before traveling. Driving is the most common choice, and the museum’s own parking structure is the simplest option; confirm current rates and entrance details on the visit page. The museum is a modern, multi-level building with elevators between floors, and wheelchair and stroller navigation is generally straightforward.
The museum sits on Museum Row, so it pairs naturally with other nearby institutions. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and the La Brea Tar Pits are both within a short walk or quick rideshare, making it easy to build a full cultural day. The Original Farmers Market and The Grove are roughly a ten-to-fifteen-minute walk or short drive to the north and offer abundant lunch and snack options, from food stalls to sit-down restaurants.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Petersen Automotive Museum’s hours, and when is the best time to visit?
The museum is open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM. Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, while weekends and school holidays draw larger crowds, particularly around the Hollywood gallery and major temporary exhibits.
How much do tickets cost, and do I need to book ahead?
Admission is paid, and the price tier is $$. Current general, senior, youth, and member rates, along with any special exhibit add-ons, are published on the official tickets page. Booking online in advance is recommended for peak days.
How long should I plan to spend at the museum?
Most visitors spend two to three hours working through the three floors. Car enthusiasts and photographers who want to read every placard and explore the temporary exhibitions can easily extend that to half a day.
Is the Petersen Automotive Museum accessible and family friendly?
Yes. The building is a modern multi-level museum with elevator access between floors, and the Hollywood and supercar galleries tend to hold the attention of children and teenagers. Check the FAQ and policies page for current guidance on strollers, bags, and photography.
When planning your Los Angeles travel guide or comparing verified attractions and museums in Los Angeles, pair this stop with standout local spots including La Brea Tar Pits and Museum, Bottega Louie, SLS Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Beverly Hills, and Academy Museum of Motion Pictures (0.2 km away).
