The Hammer Museum is a free contemporary art museum on the UCLA campus in Westwood, Los Angeles, California. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport and parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
It was last checked in June 2026, when current exhibitions included Several Eternities in a Day and Arthur Jafa: The White Album, while the Grunwald Center’s 70th-anniversary show had already closed in May, a change some guides have not yet caught up with.
Quick facts
| Opening hours | Tue–Thu 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Fri 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Sat–Sun 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Closed Monday. |
| Ticket prices | Free for everyone. No reservation required for individual visits. |
| Address | 10899 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90024. |
| Nearest transport / parking | Metro bus and rail to Westwood Village. Self-parking under the museum, $8 for the first 3 hours with validation. |
| Typical time needed | 1.5 to 2 hours. |
Hammer Museum opening hours
The Hammer Museum is open Tuesday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is closed every Monday.
The museum also closes on 4 July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. These hours apply year-round, though they are subject to change for occasional evening events.
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Hammer Museum ticket prices
Admission to the Hammer Museum is free for all visitors, and advance reservations are not necessary for individuals. Free admission is supported by named foundation donors, as stated on the official website.
Opening hours and admission information were checked on the official website and last updated in June 2026. Groups of 10 or more must register in advance as a self-guided tour rather than simply arriving. There is no city pass, such as Go City or a Los Angeles CityPass, covering the Hammer, since admission is already free for every visitor.
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How to get to the Hammer Museum
The Hammer stands at the corner of Westwood and Wilshire Boulevards in Westwood Village, three blocks east of the 405 freeway’s Wilshire exit. Construction on the Metro Purple Line extension can affect traffic on Wilshire Boulevard, so allow extra time.
Metro buses and rail serve the museum, including late-night Friday and Saturday service. The Metro E (Expo) Line stop at Westwood/Rancho Park connects to a bus up to the museum; Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus and Culver City Bus also serve the area.
Parking at the Hammer Museum
Self-parking is available directly under the museum, with entrances on Westwood Boulevard (northbound) or Glendon Boulevard (southbound). Rates are $8 for the first three hours with museum validation, then $3 for each additional 20 minutes, up to a $22 daily maximum.
A flat $8 rate applies after 5 p.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends. Visitors can also be dropped off at the entrance on Lindbrook Drive, though drop-offs inside the parking garage are discouraged, since there is no grace period before standard rates apply.
How long to spend at the Hammer Museum
Most visitors spend 1.5 to 2 hours exploring the galleries and the current exhibitions. Add extra time if attending a film screening at the Billy Wilder Theater or eating at the museum’s restaurant.
Visitors combining the Hammer with a wider look at the nearby UCLA campus should allow most of an afternoon.
Accessibility at the Hammer Museum
All galleries at the Hammer are accessible to wheelchair users and other visitors who cannot use stairs. Street-facing entries on Wilshire Boulevard and Lindbrook Drive both include accessible ramps, and accessible parking is available on Level P1.
Wheelchairs and rollators are available first-come, first-served at the welcome desk, or can be reserved in advance by phone or email. The Billy Wilder Theater has six wheelchair spaces with companion seating, and assistive listening devices can be collected at the box office. Sign language interpretation and other services can be arranged with 10 working days’ notice.
Inside the Hammer Museum: what to see
Current exhibitions, as of June 2026, include Several Eternities in a Day: Form in the Age of Living Materials, running through 23 August 2026, and SPACE IS THE PLACE: Selections from the Hammer Contemporary Collection, running through 6 September 2026. Arthur Jafa: The White Album, a 30-minute experimental film exploring Black music in American culture, runs through 30 August 2026.
Hammer Projects: Mike Cloud, featuring mixed-media assemblages, continues through 7 January 2027. The museum’s founding collection, the Armand Hammer Collection of European and American paintings and drawings, is on permanent display.
The Billy Wilder Theater hosts UCLA Film & Television Archive screenings and public programmes. Lulu, the museum’s restaurant in the courtyard, was conceived by chef David Tanis with food activist Alice Waters and serves a daily-changing seasonal menu.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Timing | Visit on Friday evening for the latest opening hours, until 8 p.m. |
| Crowds | Weekday mornings tend to be quieter than weekend afternoons. |
| Layout | Galleries spread across several levels, connected by elevators and the courtyard. |
| Entry process | No reservation is needed; just walk in, though groups of 10 or more must register ahead. |
| On-site logistics | Bags larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches must be checked at the welcome desk. |
Frequently asked questions about the Hammer Museum
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Hammer Museum free? | Yes, admission is always free for all visitors. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance? | No, individual visitors do not need a reservation. Groups of 10 or more do. |
| Is the Hammer Museum open on Mondays? | No, the museum is closed every Monday. |
| Are large bags allowed inside the Hammer Museum? | No, bags larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches must be checked at the welcome desk. |
| How long does a visit take? | 1.5 to 2 hours for most visitors. |
Things to do near the Hammer Museum
- UCLA campus and Royce Hall: the university’s landscaped main campus, adjoining the museum.
- Fowler Museum at UCLA: a museum of global art and material culture, a short walk away.
- Westwood Village: a shopping and dining district surrounding the museum.
- Geffen Playhouse: a theatre venue in Westwood, a short walk from the Hammer.
- Los Angeles National Cemetery: a historic military cemetery bordering the UCLA campus.
What to visit tomorrow
- LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art): a major encyclopaedic art museum, around 20 minutes by car.
- The Getty Center: a hilltop art museum with gardens and city views, around 20 minutes by car.
- The Broad: a contemporary art museum in downtown Los Angeles, around 25 minutes by car.
- MOCA Grand Avenue: the Museum of Contemporary Art’s main downtown building, around 25 minutes by car.
- Skirball Cultural Center: a museum exploring Jewish and American culture, around 15 minutes by car.
More Los Angeles travel
Other Los Angeles travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Planning a visit to the Grammy Museum and Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles.
- What to expect at Griffith Observatory in the Hollywood Hills.
- The best way to visit the Autry Museum of the American West and the Travel Town Museum.
- Plan your visit to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Petersen Automotive Museum, La Brea Tar Pits and Museum of Tolerance.
- How best to tackle the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, California Science Center and California African American Museum.
