The Petersen Automotive Museum is a 🏷️#nonprofit institution located on Wilshire Boulevard in 📝Los Angeles, CA. Founded in 1994 by Robert E. Petersen and his wife Margie, it is situated within a historic building originally designed by Welton Becket. Following a $125 million renovation in 2015, it features a distinctive stainless-steel ribbon façade. The museum houses over 100 vehicles across 25 galleries, focusing on automotive artistry, industrial engineering, and the specific car culture of Southern California. Its collection includes historically significant pieces such as the DeLorean time machine and Steve McQueen's 1956 Jaguar XKSS.
Visiting The Petersen is a truly superb experience, offering a deep dive into automotive history that is both comprehensive and awe-inspiring. While the main galleries showcase a rotating selection of 100 cars, the real treasure is the vault in the basement with an additional 200 vehicles. I highly recommend paying the admission premium for the vault tour; it is best to schedule this early in the morning to avoid the crowds. Starting your day in the quiet of the basement allows for a more intimate connection with these machines before exploring the artistry upstairs.