Petersen Automotive Museum, Los Angeles

Petersen Car Museum in LA

The Petersen Automotive Museum is a fascinating destination for anyone interested in cars, history, or design. Located in the Miracle Mile district of Los Angeles, the museum is one of the largest car museums in the world, with over 100 vehicles on display.

Things to do in Petersen Automotive Museum

What makes the Petersen Automotive Museum so special is its unique collection of cars, which are divided into 25 halls, each with its own theme. Visitors can explore the development of cars over time, from their earliest beginnings to the modern-day vehicles we see on our roads.

The museum’s lower level houses a vault collection of rare and exotic cars that are not available for public viewing. However, if you are over 10 years old and pay an additional fee, you can arrange a visit to see these exclusive vehicles.

Visitors to the museum’s first level can experience automotive artistry with a variety of lavish and ornate automobiles on display. On the second level, the museum is dedicated to industrial engineering, and visitors can learn about the design, performance, and evolution of cars. This level features a range of interactive instructional exhibits that are both fun and informative.

For those interested in racing, motorbikes, hot rods, and customs, the industrial floor provides special displays that showcase these unique vehicles. The third level of the museum is dedicated to the history of automobiles, with a focus on Southern California’s car culture. Here, visitors can learn about the history of cars and their impact on society, as well as the development of the automobile industry in Southern California.

Despite the Petersen Automotive Museum’s focus on cars, it has something for everyone. Visitors can appreciate the beauty and artistry of each vehicle, from exquisite Rolls-Royces to classic muscle cars. The museum’s collection of vehicles showcases the ingenuity and innovation of the automotive industry throughout history.

Peterseon Automotive Museum
Cars in petersen museum
Famous cars of petersen museum los angeles

In addition to its extensive collection of vehicles, the Petersen Automotive Museum also offers a range of educational programs and events. Visitors can take part in workshops, lectures, and guided tours to learn more about the history and engineering of the automobile. The museum regularly hosts special events and exhibitions throughout the year, showcasing rare and exotic vehicles from around the world.

Overall, the Petersen Automotive Museum is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in the history and development of cars. Whether you’re a car enthusiast, a design buff, or just looking for a fun and educational day out, the Petersen Automotive Museum is the perfect destination. It is an excellent representation of American car culture and how it has developed over the years, and it is a testament to the ingenuity and innovation of the automotive industry and its impact on society.

The Petersen Vault has 5 celebrity-owned vehicles

  • In 1971 Pantera, DeTomaso DeTomaso Pantera, 1971 Gillogly, Brandan
  • Hudson Wasp, 1952 Hudson Wasp, 1952 Gillogly, Brandan
  • Rolls-Royce Phantom from 1927. Phantom Rolls-Royce, 1927 Gillogly, Brandan
  • Cadillac Series 62 Coupe, 1941
  • Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III, 1963

The museum maintains a reserve of more than 300 cars to fit into shows as needed, with 150 cars in exhibit at any given moment. Exploring the museum’s three floors and staring at the 50 or more vehicles on daily show will take 3 to 4 hours.

Many of the cars on exhibit have fascinating backstories that a docent can explain. There are also a variety of automobiles with Hollywood roots for movie enthusiasts. I was impressed to see cars from our favorite movies like The Batman, Star Wars, Back To The Future, Blade Runner, James Bond, Tron: Legacy and many more.

This is a fun trip for people who love cars. The collection of vehicles and exhibits is great, and they are in good condition. The exhibition starts with displays in the parking lot.

The museum has antique cars, customized cars, supercars, and other interesting autos, as well as motorcycles. It’s worth paying the small entrance fee.

The Petersen museum’s upper floors have fantastic cars and exhibits that take you on a journey through time. The information on the display boards is amazing.

For a little extra, take a one-hour guided Vault tour of the hundreds of automobiles stored in the old parking structure. You’ll see 125 years of remarkable vehicles from the United States and the rest of the world, including almost every car used in movies. We enjoyed looking at all the cars, old and new. This place has something for every car style and time period.