Car museum on Wilshire Boulevard
The best Petersen Automotive Museum tickets
General admission, the Vault of rare cars, a private highlights tour, parking and opening hours: here is how to visit the Petersen, with honest advice on what the ticket is worth, whether the Vault adds enough, and the extra cost of parking.
See our 3 picks
Short answer Petersen Automotive Museum tickets cost $23 for adults on the museum's own site, or $52 with the Vault of rare cars. On GetYourGuide, entry starts from €20, sold by the museum itself. The museum is at 6060 Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles.
Plan 2 to 3 hours, plus extra time if you add the Vault. The museum is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm. Parking is not free: the garage charges $18 for the first 2 hours.
Our 3 picks for the Petersen
All three are sold by the Petersen Automotive Museum itself through GetYourGuide. They differ in what you see: the main floors, the Vault, or a private guide.
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from €20 per person Our top pick 4.8 (848) reviews on GetYourGuide
Petersen general admission ticket
Entry to three floors of cars and motorcycles from the 1880s to today, with hot rods, race cars and hands-on exhibits for kids. Come any time during opening hours on your date.
Best for Most visitors, families and anyone on a budget
Check availability: Petersen general admission ticket on GetYourGuide -
from €45 per person 1 day 4.8 (451) reviews on GetYourGuide
Petersen entry plus the Vault
General admission plus self-guided access to the Vault, the basement store of rare cars, with an audio tour you open by QR code. There is no live guide.
Best for Car fans who want the rarest models
Check availability: Petersen entry plus the Vault on GetYourGuide -
from €171 per group up to 1 1 day 4.4 (11) reviews on GetYourGuide
Private 1-hour highlights tour
A 1-hour private tour of the three floors with a museum guide, plus your entry ticket so you can stay longer after.
Best for Groups or fans who want questions answered
Check availability: Private 1-hour highlights tour on GetYourGuide
Petersen tickets compared
| Tour | From | Duration | Group size | Pickup | Free cancellation | Who it suits | Why we picked it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petersen general admission ticket | €20 per person | Not stated | Not stated | Meet on site | Yes, up to 24 hours in advance | Most visitors, families and anyone on a budget | The best value of the three, rated 4.8 from 848 reviews, and the most booked. |
| Petersen entry plus the Vault | €45 per person | 1 day | Not stated | Meet on site | Yes, up to 24 hours in advance | Car fans who want the rarest models | The Vault is where the Petersen keeps its most special cars, and this ticket is rated 4.8 from 451 reviews. |
| Private 1-hour highlights tour | €171 per group up to 1 | 1 day | Private group | Meet on site | Yes, up to 24 hours in advance | Groups or fans who want questions answered | The only guided option, priced per group; rated 4.4 from 11 reviews. |
Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide on 22 October 2026. Prices are "from" prices in euros and can change; the booking page shows the live price.
Petersen Automotive Museum price: what tickets cost
An adult general admission ticket costs $23 on the Petersen's own website. Adults are ages 18 to 61. The museum's online tickets cannot be refunded and stay valid for one year.
With the Vault included, prices on the museum site are $52 for adults, $45 for seniors 62+, $42 for youth 12 to 17 and $25 for children 4 to 11.
On GetYourGuide the same museum sells entry from €20. Most picks there show free cancellation on the booking page; check the exact cut-off before you pay.
Petersen Automotive Museum discount and discount code
We found no public Petersen discount code on the museum's ticket pages. The museum does not list free days either.
The museum offers free parking to members at its CF200 level and with a $75 museum store receipt. Otherwise the cheapest way in is general admission without the Vault.
Petersen Automotive Museum vault tour
The Vault is a separate area that the museum says holds "over 300 of the rarest vehicles ever assembled." The GetYourGuide Vault ticket gives you self-guided access with an audio tour by QR code.
The museum says kids under 4 are not allowed in the Vault. The GetYourGuide page goes further and says the Vault ticket is not suitable for children under 10. Last call for the Vault is 5:00 pm.
Petersen Automotive Museum, Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA
The Petersen stands at 6060 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036, on Museum Row. Its neighbors are LACMA, the Academy Museum and the La Brea Tar Pits.
Many visitors pair it with LACMA. Our Museum Row guide covers LACMA tickets, free days and the tar pits next door.
Without a car, take the Metro D Line to Wilshire/Fairfax station, which LACMA names as its stop.
Parking at the Petersen Automotive Museum
Parking at the Petersen costs $18 for the first 2 hours. Each extra hour adds $3, up to $24 a day with admission. The first 15 minutes are free.
The garage entrance is on Fairfax Avenue, and it is open from 9 am to 11 pm. Accessible parking is on level P1. Overnight parking is not allowed.
Petersen Automotive Museum photos: what you will see
The building itself is the first photo. Its facade was redesigned in 2015 by the firm Kohn Pedersen Fox. Inside is a former 1962 department store.
The museum says it has 25 rotating exhibits with more than 150 vehicles on view. GetYourGuide's listing highlights hot rods, custom cars, race cars and family-friendly interactive exhibits.
Who owns the Petersen, and is it worth it?
The Petersen Automotive Museum Foundation owns and runs the museum. It is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Magazine publisher Robert E. Petersen and his wife Margie founded the museum on June 11, 1994.
For car fans, yes, it is worth a visit. If you only like cars a little, general admission is enough. Add the Vault only if you want the rare cars, since it more than doubles the price.
Tips for visiting the Petersen
Arrive before 5:30 pm
Check-in closes at 5:30 pm and the last call for the Vault is at 5:00 pm.
Leave 2 to 3 hours
The museum says most visitors spend 2 to 3 hours, plus extra time for the Vault.
Budget for parking
Two hours in the garage cost $18. Taking the Metro D Line saves that.
Check holiday hours
The museum is closed on Thanksgiving (November 26) and Christmas Day, and closes at 3 pm on December 24.
Think twice about the Vault with kids
Kids under 4 cannot enter the Vault, and the GetYourGuide Vault ticket says it does not suit children under 10.
Petersen Automotive Museum FAQ
Where is petersen automotive museum?
At 6060 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036, on Museum Row next to LACMA. The garage entrance is on Fairfax Avenue.
How much are petersen automotive museum tickets?
An adult general admission ticket is $23 on the museum's site. With the Vault, adults pay $52 and children 4 to 11 pay $25. On GetYourGuide, entry starts from €20.
Is the petersen automotive museum free?
No. The museum lists no free days. You need a ticket, and parking is extra.
Who owns the petersen automotive museum?
The Petersen Automotive Museum Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Robert E. and Margie Petersen founded the museum in 1994.
How long to spend at petersen automotive museum?
Most visitors spend 2 to 3 hours, the museum says. Add more time if you book the Vault.
How much is the petersen automotive museum worth?
We found no public figure for the museum's total value. The museum's own history page says it spent $90 million on its interior renovation. If you mean the ticket: for car fans, general admission is good value.
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Facts checked on 22 October 2026 against: Petersen Automotive Museum: visit, hours and parking · Petersen Automotive Museum: tickets · Petersen Automotive Museum: general admission adult · Petersen Automotive Museum: history · LACMA: plan your visit (Metro D Line).
Written by the Things to Do in Los Angeles editorial team.