Petersen Automotive Museum

Petersen Automotive Museum

 Our mission is to explore and present the history of the automobile and its impact on global life and culture using Los Angeles as the prime example.

Any car or LA culture enthusiast, in general, will need to be sure to make plenty of time to visit the Petersen Automotive Museum, one of the world’s largest automotive museums specializing in auto history and related educational programs. This museum sits along Museum Row in the Miracle Mile neighborhood of Los Angeles and was first founded in 1994 by Mr. Robert E. Peterson himself.

Inside you will find a ‘vast collection of automobiles including restored antiques, race cars, and vehicles from famous movies’. The collection celebrates the entirety of auto history, industry, culture, and artistry in Los Angeles, the ‘most car-centric city the world has yet known’.

There are over 300 vehicles on display within, not to mention the 120 or so more down below in the Vault. See iconic and rare makes and models such as the 1911 Babcole Model H, 1934 Ford “Pierson Brothers Coupe”, the 1962 Greer-Black Prudhomme Top Fuel Dragster, the 1989 Batmobile, and the 2011 Dallara Indycar. There are several exhibits to explore as well, such as the Art Center Design Studio, Cars Mechanical Institute, and Carspad Experience, Forza Motorsport Racing Experience, and temporary exhibits such as Hollywood Dream Machines, Reclaimed Rust: The James Hetfield Collection, Building an Electric Future, and more.

There are options for group tours with gallery interpreters as well as more formal docent-guided tours like the popular Highlights Tour, which lasts 60 minutes and takes you to the Hollywood Gallery, Hot Rods and Customs, and more. Those interested in the Vault Tour will have the chance to explore the climate-controlled subterranean area in which rare vehicles from the past 120 years can be found.

If you work up an appetite during your visit, fuel up at the onsite Italian eatery, Drago Ristorante, serving up fresh pastas, pizzas, pastries, and more.