My Favorite Museums in LA, as Someone Who Lives Here

Welcome, fellow museophiles! LA’s museums are among the finest in the world. Come indulge in cultural cravings at places like the hilltop Getty Center and the enormous Los Angeles County Museum of Art. 

As a local, discovering the many treasures of our area’s museums is one of my favorite activities in LA. With more than 100 museums to choose from, the options are almost overwhelming.

But not to worry. I’ve compiled the very best museums in this guide to make planning your visit easy!

22 Best Museums in Los Angeles

Getty Center

A tranquil hilltop art institution that will dazzle you with spectacular views inside and out.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: Free | Hours: 10 am – 6:30 pm Tues-Fri & Sun, 10 am – 9 pm Sat, Closed Mon

The Getty Center is my go-to spot anytime I need a little creative inspiration. It’s built with pale, fossil-laced travertine stone, and the striking structures here don’t merely house world-class artworks. They embody the spirit of masterpiece. 

The expansive collection at the J. Paul Getty Museum spans over a millennium of artistic achievement. Getty Center exhibits invite the mind to journey through the world of art rather than just bearing witness to it. It displays modern works alongside European paintings by masters such as Pissaro, Gaugin, and van Gogh.

Outdoor seating in two cafes overlooks the Getty Center museum gardens, curated as superbly as the collection within. A full-service restaurant on the plaza level offers views of the Santa Monica Mountains.   

💰 Pro Budget Tip: Admission to the Getty Center is free, but there is a $25 parking fee. To get the most for your money, get a same-day pass from the Museum Information Desk and pair your Getty Center visit with a trip to the Getty Villa, located on the border of Pacific Palisades and Malibu. 

Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)

Imaginative exhibitions that honor artistic expression and cultural diversity.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: $23-28 adults; $19-24 Students & Seniors; $13 Ages 3 – 17; free under 2 | Hours: 11 am-6 pm Mon, Tues & Thurs, 11 am-8 pm Fri, 10 am-7 pm Sat & Sun, Closed Wed

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is the largest art museum in the Western United States, home to nearly 150,000 objects. 

The curators are committed to exploring fresh points of view on works both new and old. You’ll find LACMA’s exhibition space as innovative as any of the contemporary LA art museums, representing 6,000 years of artistic endeavor.

LACMA is one of the best things to do in West Hollywood and a centerpiece of Museum Row. It’s within walking distance of the La Brea Tar Pits, the Academy Museum, and the Petersen Automotive Museum. The museum has three eateries, including a full-service bar.   

California Science Center

Multi-sensory experiences offer insight into humans’ understanding of our planet and beyond.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: Free | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm daily

California Science Center appeals to minds of all ages, making it one of the best museums for families. Interactive exhibits include a discovery center area and a touch tank where kids can have a gentle hands-on experience with sea life.

No matter one’s age or stature, staring up at the hulking Space Shuttle Endeavour adds a measure of perspective to the enormity of outer space.

California Science Center is one of four museums in Exposition Park. It’s adjacent to the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, the California African American Museum, and the Los Angeles Coliseum. 

🍨 Make time for a treat! Head over to The Coffee Bar and pour a shot of espresso over one of their hand-scooped ice cream flavors for a yummy DIY affogato. Come meal time you’ll find frill-free fare in the cafe and market. 

Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA Grand)

The flagship location of a lauded modern art museum with wide-ranging exhibits.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: Free | Hours: 11 am – 5 pm Tues, Wed & Fri; 11 am – 8 pm Thurs; 11 am – 6 pm Sat & Sun; Closed Mon

Every time I visit, the Museum of Contemporary Art takes my mind somewhere it’s never been. It’s become my favorite of the world-class museum assemblage along Grand Ave in downtown Los Angeles. 

Founded by artists, the museum opens an introspective window into the industry’s leading creative minds. Rotating exhibits mean you’re guaranteed to see something you’ve never seen before. General admission is free, but special exhibitions range from $10-18.

The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA (MOCA Geffen) 

Up-to-the-minute exhibitions focused largely on the work of young and emerging artists.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: Free | Hours: 11 am – 5 pm Thurs & Fri; 11 am – 6 pm Sat & Sun; Closed Mon-Wed

MOCA’s second campus, the Geffen Contemporary, enhances the museum’s for-artists-by-artists vibe by focusing on emerging artists. 

The Geffen Contemporary is located in the Little Tokyo neighborhood of downtown Los Angeles. This avant-garde collection is housed in a former police car warehouse renovated by renowned California architect Frank Gehry. Like the MOCA Grand, entrance is free, while special exhibitions range from $10-18.

🕗 Extended Hours: MOCA Geffen and MOCA Grand are open until 8 pm most Thursdays — just be sure to check the website for the most up-to-date listing. 

La Brea Tar Pits and Museum 

An iconic Los Angeles attraction showcasing natural history with a touch of Hollywood flair.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: $18 adults; $14 seniors & students; $7 child; free under 2 | Hours: 9:30 am – 5 pm daily

The La Brea Tar Pits is a natural history museum serving drama, mama! That mammoth family has been out here fighting for its life for decades. 

Now, papa mammoth is technically mired in a pond, so you’ll want to wander trails through the surrounding park to look at some actual tar pits. Interactive exhibits in the adjoining museum go a step further by allowing you the opportunity to feel what it was like to be stuck in the Ice Age muck. 

This spot doesn’t offer any on-site dining options, but there are plenty nearby. This attraction is on Museum Row and is conveniently located just south of Hancock Park in Beverly Grove, a great Los Angeles area for shopping and dining.  

The Broad

A famous fixture in the world of contemporary art, featuring dynamic exhibitions drawn from one of the world’s greatest collections.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: Free | Hours: 11 am – 5 pm Tues, Wed & Fri; 11 am – 8 pm Thurs; 10 am – 6 pm Sat & Sun; Closed Mon

The Broad is a Grand Avenue contemporary art palace dedicated exclusively to works created from 1950 through the present.

Pronounced “Brōhd,” like “road”, this downtown Los Angeles art museum showcases selections from the $2.2 billion collection of world-renowned philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad. Significant pieces from the permanent collection include Two Marilyns by Andy Warhol and Tulips by Jeff Koons. 

The Broad’s rotation of special exhibits is often worth checking out, but you’ll need separate tickets for those. Be sure to reserve on the website when planning your trip. 

🚇 How to Get There: Downtown Los Angeles can be tricky to navigate and parking gets pricey. The Metro rail is a good way to get around this area. The closest stop to the Broad Museum is the Civic Center / Grand Park Station.  

GRAMMY Museum

Illuminative explorations behind the scenes of American music history.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: $22.50 adults; $18 seniors & military; $15 students; free under 18 | Hours: 11 am – 5 pm Sun-Mon & Wed-Fri; 10 am – 6 pm Sat; Closed Tues 

As an avid music lover and festival-goer, I was the teeniest bit skeptical about how this sonorous art form could resonate in the quiet confines of a museum. Then I walked into the GRAMMY Museum and spent two hours at a single exhibit. 

The Recording Academy has done a brilliant job of illustrating the whys and hows of the music industry, from the influences of technological advancement within the art to the cultural impact of music upon the world at large. 

One popular area features a ​huge collection of red carpet looks worn by the industry’s brightest stars on music’s biggest night. Special exhibitions often feature live performances by well-known celebrities who tend to bring their A-game to Academy events. 

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

Deep dive into dinos in Dinosaur Hall and other exhibitions dedicated to the past, present, and future of our natural world.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: $18 adults; $7 child; $14 seniors & students; free under 2 | Hours: 9:30 am – 5 pm daily

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is one of the area’s oldest cultural institutions and one of the top museums in California. It dates back to the opening of Exposition Park in 1913.

But the museum’s history pales in comparison to that of the inhabitants of Dinosaur Hall, which include a trio of T-Rex and a plesiosaur called Polly, the only pregnant plesiosaur fossil ever discovered.  

The Natural History Museum keeps the kiddos engaged with creative educational activities in the Discovery Center. Grown folks gravitate to the sparkle and shimmer of the 2,000+ specimens on view in the Gem and Mineral Hall.   

Food and drink options are limited in this museum, but you’ll find grab-n-go items in the NHM Grill. There are plenty of picnic tables, and if you’re up for a mealtime stroll there’s no better place for it than the Exposition Park Rose Garden.  

💰 Local Loophole: L.A. County residents can get free Museum Admission at onsite ticket windows from 3–5 pm Monday through Friday.

Griffith Observatory

An iconic Griffith Park attraction with incredible views in every direction.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Cost: Free | Hours: Noon-10 pm Tues-Fri; 10 am-10 pm Sat & Sun; Closed Mon

Griffith Observatory is a can’t-miss LA icon. It’s the most-visited public observatory anywhere in the world.

Perched high on a hill in Griffith Park, the observatory has a phenomenal view over the city (especially at sunset) and is a fantastic place to see the famous Hollywood sign.

There are a couple of obvious big-ticket items here — more eyes have peered through the lenses of Griffith’s enormous refracting telescope than any other on Earth! Even so, the most popular attraction is the Samuel Oschin Planetarium. Narrated by live storytellers, presentations in the state-of-the-art dome surround you with wonder. 

While you’ll need to purchase tickets to the planetarium, the telescope and permanent exhibits — such as the museum’s collection of celestial jewelry — are free to visit anytime the building is open. The Café at the End of the Universe offers casual dining options from Wolfgang Puck Catering. 

👉 Pro tip: Check out Barnsdall Art Park to get a look at Griffith Observatory from the valley below. In addition to being a nice viewpoint for the observatory, the park features a house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and gorgeous views of the sunset over the city.  

Getty Villa

Antiquities and architecture create an ambiance of opulence that carries the mind to Ancient Greece.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: Free | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Wed-Mon; closed Tues

While the Getty Center focuses on recent times, the Getty Villa looks to the past. This fastidious recreation of an Italian country home whisks guests back some 2,000 years and half a world away.  Find it nestled in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains where the posh suburb of Pacific Palisades meets the Malibu coastline.

The Villa is one of the best things to do in Malibu. Its permanent collections focus exclusively on Greek, Etruscan, and Roman decorative arts. Rotating exhibitions complement distinctly European surroundings by showcasing works of a similar age crafted by cultures around the globe.   

The Mediterranean-inspired menu at the Villa Cafe highlights local, seasonal ingredients. There’s also a lovely afternoon tea service in the garden on Thursdays and Saturdays (reservations required.) Those options are pricey, so hit up the Coffee Kiosk for more reasonably priced provisions. 

🏖️ Pro tip: Visiting in spring and summer? Make the most of your time and money by visiting the Getty Center in the morning and the Villa in the early afternoon. Then spend a few hours lounging on a beautiful LA beach.

Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens

A seamless blend of art and nature in 130 acres of exquisitely curated gardens.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: $29 adult; $24 senior & student 12-18; $13 youth 4-11; free under 4 | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Wed-Mon, Closed Tues

Plenty of museums complement their collections with a lovely outdoor area, but the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens turns that concept on its head.

The 83,000 living specimens planted here are the stars, complemented by a lovely art museum and top-notch library showcasing rare illuminated manuscripts.  

It’s located in San Marino, and the Huntington offers ample enchantment for a full-day visit. Guests can enjoy refreshments in the gardens’ two cafés, coffee shop, or milk tea pavilion. 

🏛 Weekend Warrior Bonus: While the gardens aren’t a place you’ll want to rush away from, Saturday visitors can make the most of their trek eastward by coupling this attraction with a visit to nearby Norton Simon Museum, open until 7 pm. 

Norton Simon Museum

Thought-provoking galleries brimming with masterworks from a star-studded roster of painters and sculptors.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Cost: $20 adults; $15 seniors (62+); free under 18 | Hours: 12-5 pm Thurs, Sun & Mon, 12-7 pm Fri & Sat, Closed Tues & Wed

So ok, minor confession time: I hadn’t been to the Norton Simon Museum until recently. Which is much to my chagrin, because the collection here is phenomenal.

Van Gogh? Check. Picasso? Check. Gaugin, Degas, Monet, Kandinsky, Modigliani? Check x 5. I could go on, but won’t because it’s all the better if y’all just come see for yourselves!  

This museum may not boast the square footage of some contemporaries (or, technically speaking, an address within the city limits). But the curators have made the most of each space.

Each gallery seems to pose a question you’ve never considered, teasing new understanding and perception into being at every turn. Outside the galleries, you’ll find two sculpture gardens and a pleasant Garden Café.    

Hammer Museum

Insightful exhibitions highlight artists that challenge the status quo and stimulate expanded perspectives.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Cost: Free | Hours: 11 am – 6 pm Tues-Thurs & Sat-Sun, 11 am – 8 pm Fri, Closed Mon

Now, I love museums, but I have plenty of friends that feel differently. It might surprise you that some of those folks are, in fact, artists (or if you know a bit about, say, Banksy, it might not). Which I get — the “traditional” museum experience doesn’t necessarily make room for avant-garde thinking. 

Enter Hammer Museum. Here, they’re passionate about uplifting artists who compel the audience to look at things from a new angle and to get creative. The spaces are lively and welcoming, almost more like an art gallery opening than a museum.

Be it the work of an established master or a brand-new emerging artist, you’re going to see something you didn’t expect here. The Hammer is a non-profit organization run by the University of California, Los Angeles. It’s committed to accessibility, offering free art classes, screenings, lectures, and more.

🍽️ Don’t miss Lulu’s! The Hammer’s onsite restaurant is a real treat. The seasonal, sustainability-driven menu features a daily changing menu for lunch and supper as well as a selection of à la carte items.

Petersen Automotive Museum

An extensive collection of things that go ‘vroom’ housed in a stylishly futuristic structure.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Cost: $21 adult; $13 youth (12-17); $12 child (4-11); $19 senior (62+) | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm daily

The Petersen Automotive Museum is a mecca for motorheads. It has vintage vehicles, like 1930s hot rods, and entertainment industry icons, like Doc Brown’s Delorean.

The sleek, modern interiors, reminiscent of a high-end showroom, are complemented by an iconic red and silver exterior. You’ll find ample parking in the onsite garage — for a price. $17 with validation is steep, but Petersen is conveniently located for visits to other popular destinations where parking may be in short supply.

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art and Academy Museum of Motion Pictures are right across the street, and the famous Tar Pits are just about a 5-minute walk east. 

Alternatively, you could always skip the parking price tag and choose a place to stay in Los Angeles that’s nearby.

🏁 🍽️ Fuel Up at Meyers Manx Cafe. The Petersen’s onsite restaurant serves coffee and casual fare for breakfast and lunch.

California African American Museum 

Poignant exhibits that illustrate the art, history, and culture of African Americans.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Cost: Free | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Tues-Sat, 11 am – 5 pm Sun, Closed Mon

The California African American Museum is the first African American museum of its kind to be fully supported by a state. It’s emblematic of the cultural treasures within.

The museum has over 6,000 objects including paintings, historical objects, and mixed media works. The permanent collection illustrates the importance and excellence of African American culture. 

The museum has been an anchor of Exposition Park since 1984, though it’s currently undergoing renovations. While the main galleries are all receiving upgrades, limited exhibitions are on display in the atrium.  

Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

View illustrative explorations of cinema that will reinvigorate your appreciation for the art form.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Cost: $25 adults; $15 students; $19 seniors (62+); free under 17 | Hours: 10 am – 6 pm Wed-Mon, closed Tues

As a kid, the Academy Awards were basically my Superbowl, so I am admittedly among the target market for this one. Rest assured, it does not disappoint!

This museum transports guests into the world of cinema as easily as a click of the heels took Dorothy to Oz… in the same ruby slippers you’ll find displayed here.

The Academy knows that at the heart of every great film is a great story. The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Museum doubles down on this understanding, using the stories of great filmmakers worldwide to weave a larger tale, the life story of film itself.  

Film fans and foodies alike love on-site restaurant Fanny’s, where a chef-driven menu and finely curated cocktails are served with a flair of decadence that harkens back to the Golden Age of Hollywood. 

Hollywood Museum 

Carefully preserved movie memorabilia from some of the biggest names in Hollywood history.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Cost: $15 adults; $12 students & seniors; $5 children 5 & under | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Wed – Sun, Closed Mon & Tues

Do your favorite flicks feature bombshell blondes and blockbuster special effects? Then check out one of the best things to do in Hollywood – the Hollywood Museum. 

With permanent exhibitions dedicated to Marilyn Monroe, Ghostbusters, and Back to the Future, the museum offers a vast collection of showbiz memorabilia.   

Autry Museum of the American West

A vast collection of multicultural artifacts relating stories of the Old West.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Cost: $19 adults; $8 children (3-12); $14 students & seniors; Free military | Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Tues-Fri, 10 am – 5 pm Sat & Sun, Closed Mon

The Autry Museum tackles an interesting and sometimes complicated challenge — it tells stories collected by people throughout the history of the Western United States.

The museum’s collection contains more than 600,000 artifacts from a wide array of cultures and periods, displayed in exhibits that illustrate the history of the West. 

The organization oversees three institutions: the Southwest Museum of the American Indian, the Museum of the American West, and the Institute for the Study of the American West. 

The museum is located in Griffith Park and hosts several popular events, including food truck gatherings and outdoor movie screenings.  The Autry offers free admission to all U.S. veterans and active duty service members. 

Skirball Cultural Center

A cultural touchstone that is rooted in Jewish heritage and devoted to celebrating discovery and hope.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Cost: $18 adult; $13 Senior, Student, Children 2-17; free under 2 | Hours: 12 pm – 5 pm Tues – Fri, 10 am – 5 pm Sat & Sun, Closed Mon

The Skirball, located in the Westwood neighborhood, is a spiritually restorative place for sharing, forming connections, and finding a common purpose.

Guests love the award-winning Noah’s Ark experience, an 8,000-square-foot wooden ark filled with animals lovingly crafted from recycled or repurposed materials. Other exhibitions have included an archeological Discovery Center for kids and changing selections from Skirball’s permanent collection, one of the world’s largest collections of Judaica. 

Menus at Zeidler’s Café or casual grab-and-go Judy’s Counter offers options for all dietary restrictions. Head to the Skirball on Thursdays for free entry!

Museum of Flying

A local gem presenting antique aircraft and the California Aviation Hall of Fame.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Cost: $10 adults; $8 seniors & students; $6 children 3-12; free under 2 | Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Thurs – Sun

Stepping into the hangar at the Museum of Flying feels akin to stepping back in time to the LA heyday of Howard Hughes.

This unique museum is located in Santa Monica and has a very relaxed environment. It’s a great choice for those with an interest in aviation or anyone who loves exploring destinations off the beaten path. 

Highlights of the collection include a Douglas A-4 “Skyhawk” and a North American Navion, a civil aircraft marketed to pilots returning from World War II. 

Museum of Jurassic Technology

A quirky assortment of curiosities displayed in a spooky Victorian-style home.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Cost: $15 adult; $12 students & seniors; free under 12 | Hours: 2 pm – 8 pm Thurs & Fri; 12 pm – 6 pm Sat & Sun

Don’t be fooled by the word ‘Jurassic,’ there are no dinos on display at the intriguing Museum of Jurassic Technology.

There are hand-carved peach pits and long-winded explanations of metaphysical theories that somehow make less sense the more attention you pay them. Plus a handful of uncomfy-yet-accurate tidbits that exist in the shadowy cobwebbed corners of history.

As a bonus treat, complimentary tea and cookies are served in the second-floor courtyard. 

As of the writing of this article, the Museum of Jurassic Technology is open only for scheduled visits. Be sure to book a time slot on the website in order to see this museum.

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There you have it! While you’re here, be sure to check out our epic list of the best things to do in California!

Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoy all your LA adventures!