First time visiting the Petersen Automotive Museum? This guide, updated in October 2026 to reflect recent entry fee changes, covers opening hours, ticket prices, parking, accessibility, and how to get there.
History and overview of the Petersen Automotive Museum
The Petersen Automotive Museum is at 6060 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, California. Founded in 1994, it showcases the story of the automobile through design, culture and technology.
The museum’s striking exterior redesign—which opened in 2015—features a chrome ribbon-style façade. Inside, over 500 vehicles trace car history from early models to movie cars and future concepts.
One of the standout experiences is the “Vault” collection, a hidden storage area with hundreds of rare and historic cars. Access is optional, via a special ticket upgrade.
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How to get to the Petersen Automotive Museum
The address is 6060 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90036. It’s in the Miracle Mile district, near Fairfax Avenue.
Transport options:
- Driving: From downtown LA, take Wilshire Boulevard west or use I-10 to Fairfax then north/west to Wilshire.
- Public transport: Bus routes and Metro services serve the area; check local schedules for stops near Wilshire & Fairfax.
- Rideshare or taxi: Drop-off at the museum entrance simplifies access and avoids parking stress in busy areas.
Advance ticket booking is advised. Book tickets online here to secure your slot and avoid possible lines.
Opening hours and ticket prices for the Petersen Automotive Museum
Opening hours: The museum is open every day from 10am to 6pm. Last general admission check-in is at 5:30pm; if you’ve bought the Vault access ticket, last-call for the Vault is around 5pm.
Ticket prices: General adult admission is US$18. The adult ticket including Vault access is US$40. For children aged 4 to 11, it’s $10 and $20 respectively. These prices are correct as of January 2026, but may change in future.
Booking ahead helps guarantee entry and allows you to plan around preferred time slots or special exhibitions.
Parking and accessibility at the Petersen Automotive Museum
Parking: On-site parking is available at the museum’s garage. Parking for visitors ticketed at the museum starts at US$18 for the first two hours, with higher rates for longer stays up to $24 for the day. The first 15 minutes are free.
Accessibility: The museum is wheelchair accessible. Accessible parking spaces are located on Level P1 of the garage, near the main entrance. Manual wheelchairs are available at the front desk on a first-come basis.
Best times to visit the Petersen Automotive Museum
If you prefer smaller crowds, aim for weekday mornings soon after opening. Later afternoons, especially on weekends or during special events, tend to attract more visitors.
Allow around 2 to 3 hours to explore both the main galleries and optional Vault area. Visitors with less time can focus on the main level for highlights and leave the Vault for another visit.
FAQ: Practical visitor information for the Petersen Automotive Museum
Are the paths wheelchair-friendly?
Yes. The galleries are accessible and lifts serve all public exhibition areas.
Is there accessible parking close to the entrance?
Yes. Accessible parking bays are located on Level P1 of the museum garage, closest to the entrance.
How do I book tickets?
You can buy tickets online to secure your visit time. On-site ticket purchase is also possible in most cases.
When are the quietest hours to visit?
Weekday mornings offer smaller crowds. Evenings, weekend afternoons and days with special exhibitions draw more visitors.
Are there cafés or restaurants on-site?
Yes. The museum café is open daily and there are many dining options in the surrounding area for full meals.
Are strollers or baby carriers recommended?
Strollers are allowed; some areas can get narrow, so a baby carrier may be more convenient for very young children.
How long do most people stay?
Most visitors spend 2 to 3 hours. With extra time for the Vault or special exhibits plan for up to 4 hours.
Things to do near the Petersen Automotive Museum
- Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) – Directly across Wilshire Boulevard, LACMA has collections spanning ancient art to contemporary works, alongside outdoor installations on its Museum Row campus.
- La Brea Tar Pits and Museum – This active Ice Age fossil site in Hancock Park features bubbling asphalt pits, fossil excavations and exhibits about mammoths, dire wolves and other prehistoric animals.
- Academy Museum of Motion Pictures – Next door to LACMA, this museum explores the history and craft of filmmaking through movie artefacts, costumes, props and interactive exhibitions.
- Craft Contemporary – A short walk along Wilshire Boulevard, this small museum focuses on contemporary craft, including ceramics, textiles, wood, metal and other materials.
- The Grove – This nearby outdoor shopping and dining complex has shops, restaurants, a cinema and a trolley, making it an option for a meal or a break between museum visits.
Alternative attractions
- California Science Center – In Exposition Park, this science museum has hands-on exhibits covering ecosystems, technology and space exploration, with a separate IMAX theatre.
- Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County – Also in Exposition Park, this museum covers dinosaurs, wildlife, minerals and the natural history of California, with indoor galleries and outdoor gardens.
- Griffith Observatory – In Griffith Park, this observatory combines astronomy exhibits and public telescopes with panoramic views across Los Angeles towards the Hollywood Sign.
- USS Iowa Battleship Museum – At the San Pedro waterfront, this preserved battleship offers access to parts of the ship, including its bridge, crew areas and gun turrets.
- Museum of Western Film History – In Lone Pine, north of Los Angeles, this museum explores the western films and television productions shot in the surrounding desert landscapes, with memorabilia, photographs and film history exhibits.
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More Los Angeles travel
Other Los Angeles travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Is there a direct flight from Los Angeles to Rarotonga?
- How West Hollywood became the gay capital of Los Angeles.
- Complete guide to the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum in Yorba Linda.
- How to visit the USS Battleship Iowa at the Port of Los Angeles.
- Exposition Park attractions: How best to tackle the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, California Science Center and California African American Museum.
