Best Museums in Los Angeles

Pacific Coast Highway Travel picks the best museums in Los Angeles including the top art museums and museums for families.

As people who've road-tripped down the Pacific Coast Highway and spent many amazing days exploring the vibrant city of Los Angeles, let us share with you our top picks for the best museums in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Certainly, the city of angels has an exciting mix of world-class installations that cater to art connoisseurs, science buffs, and history enthusiasts alike. Oh, and let's not forget our younger explorers; there are fantastic museums for families as well.

The Best Museums in Los Angeles

The Getty Centre

Display at the Getty Centre in Los Angeles

Our museum journey begins with The Getty Center, located at 1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90049. This stunning hilltop museum offers a rich collection of European paintings, sculptures, photographs, and so much more. Pair that with panoramic views of the city, and you can see why it's one of our favorites. Their phone number is 310-440-7300, and you can find more information on getty.edu.

Our Pick of the LA Guides

Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)

Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Up next, we've got the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), located at 5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036. As one of the leading art museums in the country, LACMA holds more than 150,000 works spanning the history of art from ancient times to the present. Contact them on 323-857-6000 or visit lacma.org.

California Science Center

California Science Center in Los Angeles

Now, let's delve into some science at the California Science Center. It's an ideal spot for families, which sits at 700 Exposition Park Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90037. The interactive exhibits here make learning fun for both kids and adults. Reach them at 323-724-3623 or californiasciencecenter.org.

The Hollywood Museum

The Hollywood Museum

More inclined towards Hollywood glam? You'll love The Hollywood Museum at 1660 N Highland Ave, Hollywood, CA 90028. This place is a treasure trove of iconic Hollywood memorabilia. Ring them up at 323-464-7776 or check out thehollywoodmuseum.com.

The Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum in Los Angeles

Pay a visit to The Natural History Museum, 900 W Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90007. It provides an enchanting journey through 65 million years of history, from dinosaurs to gemstones, and is another one suited to families. Their number is 213-763-3466 and their website is nhm.org.

The Broad

The Broad Museum

Step into the world of contemporary art at The Broad, located at 221 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012. It's home to an amazing collection of contemporary art. Contact them at 213-232-6200 or visit thebroad.org.

Museum of Flying

Museum of Flying in Los Angeles

Eager to explore the history of flight? Visit the Museum of Flying at 3100 Airport Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90405. It's a fantastic destination for aviation enthusiasts. Reach them on 310-398-2500 or museumofflying.org.

Petersen Automotive Museum

The Batmobile at the Petersen Automotive Museum

The Petersen Automotive Museum at 6060 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036 is a must for car enthusiasts, housing over 300 vehicles spanning the history of the automobile. Call them at 323-930-2277 or go to petersen.org.

La Brea Tar Pits & Museum

La Brea Tar Pits and Museum in Los Angeles

La Brea Tar Pits & Museum, at 5801 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036, gives a unique insight into the city’s prehistoric past. Their phone number is 323-857-6300, and you can check out more on tarpits.org.

Japanese American National Museum

Painting on Display at the Japanese American National Museum

For a trace of the exotic, visit the Japanese American National Museum located at 100 N Central Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012. The museum shares the story of Japanese Americans with exhibits from World War II internment camps. Contact 213-625-0414 or janm.org for details.

Check out this Fodor's guide to Los Angeles, which also covers Santa Monica, Malibu, and Disneyland

Right, so that's our whistle-stop tour of the "best museums in Los Angeles." Each is unique and well worth a visit. In this city, there is always something 'enquiring' and 'seeking information' about every corner. I hope this guide will help you decide which museums to see. Happy museum hopping!

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