This post may contain affiliate links. I only recommend excursions, products and tours that I have personally used and purchased myself. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a very small commission at no extra cost to you. All proceeds go to running this blog and your support is truly appreciated! All opinions are my own. Okay, let’s be honest. It’s your first time in Los Angeles. You likely aren’t going to be visiting 10 – 12 museums. Or… are you? If so, you’re definitely my kinda person. However, I have a hunch that you might have the time, budget and bandwidth for maybe two or three museums. Because, it’s Los Angeles and… there’s lots to do. And, it’s your first visit, so you really have some ground to cover. This all being said, here is the intel for the best museums in Los Angeles, from someone who not only lived in Los Angeles most of their life, but also as someone who has visited from out of state as a traveler. These museums are valuable to your experience because they have significance to the city itself. Anyone who grew up in Los Angeles can likely share with you the distant (and exciting) memory of visiting La Brea Tar Pits on a field trip as a kid. However, La Brea Tar Pits can be enjoyed by anyone and all ages. Great family outing. Fun friends excursion. An interesting date. Relaxing and educational solo date with yourself. “La Brea” means “Tar Pits” or “The Tar” in Spanish. It’s kind of remarkable to let your imagination envision how thousands of years ago, in the thick of the concrete jungle of Los Angeles was an actual jungle where mammoths roamed freely. Your experience at La Brea Tar Pits will be comprised of meandering the lush grounds to checking out the different numbered Tar Pit exhibits. Perusing the museum itself – and – for an extra $8 USD, watching the Titans of the Ice Age film in their 3D Theater (3D glasses must be returned at the end of the film, sorry fellas). A really cool part about visiting the Tar Pits, is the Fossil Lab – which has been affectionately nick named the “fish bowl.” Bill Nye the Science Guy? Rick and Morty? Erhm, Walter White? Well, here, you can see real live scientists in the wild, in the flesh, doing fossil restoration in the lab. Pretty cool right? La Brea Tar Pits is definitely worth your time due to its geographical, cultural and historical significance to Los Angeles. However, here are the things you should be aware of: 2. There is no restaurant, cafe or refreshment stand inside the museum or on the La Brea Tar Pits grounds. Inside the gift shoppe, very light snacks are sold, but I wouldn’t depend on those. The nearest source of food isn’t far, though. There is a full café restaurant right next door at the LACMA. However, I recommend lunching at Mendocino Farms, which is just a smidge over a couple miles away from the museum. It’s a sandwich spot that started right here in (downtown) Los Angeles and it is delicious and the energy is spectacular. If you go, I apologize in advance that you are going to crave their sandwiches for a long time to come. 3. The museum has an official -on site parking lot located on Curson and 6th Street, right at the rear of the grounds. It’s $20 to park for the day. Alternatively, if it’s full, you can park at the parking structure I’ve parked in before on Curson (that is shared with the SAG/AFTRA building, Starbucks and more) that is a daily maximum of $24 for the day. You can also park on the street, which is metered parking. Don’t do this. Tip: Make sure you visit soon! As of July 2026, La Brea Tar Pits is closing for renovation. For two years! So who knows what awaits us when they reopen. Lab made genetic clones of woolley mammoths? One could only hope… Now, head to a different part of town for a truly scenic, peaceful and relaxing day. This is your chance to have a truly quintessential southern California experience. Cruise down Pacific Coast Highway and relish the seaside views and then get ready to have a delightful day at the museum. The caveat is, having your own transportation is highly recommended to visit the Getty Villa, as it is located up the coast, in the hills of the palisades. The Getty Center is an enormous museum right off the 405 freeway. Getty Villa is its hidden gem (but, with the advent of social media, not such a hidden gem anymore) sister museum. Visit on a day with nice weather (which is almost everyday in Los Angeles) and get ready to have a day filled with fresh air, art, culture, gorgeous views and a delicious lunch (if you choose). Mr. Getty, who grew up in California from the age of 12, was a tremendously wealthy oil behemoth. Since 1974, he’s opened his art collections to the public, so, we too, can share in the beauty and joy. The Getty Villa is worth a visit because it gives you a chance to explore the desirable Malibu area, enjoy the beautiful grounds and exhibits and have a relaxing lunch with picturesque ocean panoramas. The café is priced as one would expect for the area (and it is a museum café, after all). But, as we often joke, you’re paying for those spectacular views while you dine, too. If you’re not interested in the Getty Villa Cafe, you are a literal two minute drive from a scrumptious Malibu favorite – Gladstone’s. Since 1972, Gladstone’s has been serving up fresh, delicious seafood on PCH. I’ve been there several times and they never disappoint. They have a signature thing they do with your leftovers that you take home – so save some for the road, just for fun. Best of all? Admission to this gorgeous museum is free. So you can take your admission budget and spend it on a nice lunch for yourself. However, it does cost $25 to park. Because, let’s face it, nothing in life is truly free. Tip: Admission is free, however, reservations are required. Tickets are timed entry. You can reserve your Villa admission: here. Many moons ago, I used to visit Griffith Park weekly for an Angelẽno’s version of a “hike.” You could drive right to the top of the hill and park in the parking lot directly in view of the Griffith Observatory and then head out on foot to the entrance of the trails. Effortless. Free. Apparently, shortly after I moved to San Francisco, Griffith Park started charging $10 big ones to park there. Sacrilege! But, I understand. Here’s why visiting the Griffith Park Observatory is worth some of your valuable time during your visit: 2. The Griffith observatory is genuinely very cool. We are talking cosmic connecting, futuristic exhibits exploring sun, moon, stars and the earth. Complete with telescopes. Educational. Compelling… and admission is free. Tip: There is a $10 charge for parking, however, keep in mind that if the parking deities are kind to you and you see an available spot while driving up the Griffith park hills, you can and should parallel park on the side of the road. There are no penalties or possibilities of a parking ticket. However, keep in mind, wherever you find parking, you’ll have to walk the remaining way to the top of the hill. It’s fairly easy, provided you are able. 3. This is your chance to also have somewhat of ‘a day as an Angelẽno’ moment. After your visit to Griffith Park and Observatory, you can enjoy a nice lunch. While the Observatory does have a café, I recommend driving down the hill and driving a couple miles to Il Cappriccio. It’s an old favorite – a casual, family owned, neighborhood Italian spot. Tip: Vermont Street in Los Feliz is another area in town where you can try your luck at finding metered street parking (recommended if you find it, but a bit like playing roulette). Or, you can cough up the cash to park in a neighboring structure. PS – try Il Cappriccio’s squid ink pasta. Happy to see it’s still on the menu after all these years – it’s lasted for a reason! Have you been to any of these museums yet? Which one interests you the most? If you have any questions about visiting any of these places or the best museums to visit in Los Angeles, please, drop them in the comments below! Check these out! Want to know how I travel so frequently? By booking jaw-dropping flight deals that are often so low you’d have to see ’em to believe it. The best part? They’re sent right to my inbox. You can try it out for free: here. I exclusively use this site to book all my stays. I get 20% off on all my stays plus additional perks from their loyalty program. Check it out! Get reliable travel medical insurance for your trip, for just $2 a day – here Looking for a flight on a specific date? Use this search engine and start earning rewards! Need to book your excursions and tours? This company is my favorite. This is another marketplace for tours, that is especially great for Europe. Renting a car for your adventure? Discover the right car for your journey: here. Do you love train travel as much as I do? Get your train tickets here! Want to travel in comfort and have lounge access around the world? Get that right here. You know what I love to do when I visit a new city? This!Best Museums in Los Angeles for a First Time Visitor – Tips from a Native Angeleno
La Brea Tar Pits
Go back to a time where dinosaurs roamed Wilshire Blvd
See Scientists Restoring Fossils in the Fossil Lab
Now, for some tough love
Food Situation
Parking Situation
La Brea Tar Pits & Museum
5801 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036
Open Daily 9:30am – 5:00pm
Admission: $18 for adults, $14.00 for seniors & students, $7.00 for kids (3-12)
Parking: $20 – $24 for a full day (on site parking lot and Curson parking structure)
213.763.3466
The Getty Villa
A tranquil haven with beautiful art, botanicals and fresh ocean breezes
History, Scenery and Lunch with a View
Getty Villa
17985 Pacific Coast Highway Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
Open Daily: 10am – 5pm, Closed Tuesdays
Admission: free, parking is $25 per vehicle or motorcycle, $15 after 3pm
Griffith Observatory
See the stars and maybe see a star (or two?)
Hollywood Sign, Griffith Park Walk, Observatory and Lunch Date
Griffith Observatory
2800 East Observatory Road Los Angeles, CA 90027
Tuesday – Friday Open 12:00pm – 10:00pm
Sat & Sun Open 10:00am – 10pm, Closed Mondays
Admission: Free, Select Parking $10 fee
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The Getta Villa looks beautiful! I would love to go there
I know you would love the Getty Villa, Gabby!
Great practical tips. After the famous Griffith Observatory, The Getty Villa is my kind of place.
I think you’d definitely enjoy both. And, you can easily see both in one trip!
You include so many specific details. It makes planning and deciding on things to do and see so much easier.
My daughter would LOVE visiting La Brea Tar Pits! We can’t wait to visit LA next month and enjoy all these places you suggest here.
I definitely think your daughter will love La Brea Tar Pits! I remember having the best time there on a field trip as a kid.
I haven’t been to Los Angeles since 2019, and that trip was super brief. Cleary I need to get back out there to check some of these places out!! Also, love the honesty about the parking situations at each spot. Parking is always one of my biggest stressors when traveling.
And to be perfectly transparent, the parking situation(s) are one of my least favorite things about my home city. But, it’s worth it, though! I think you’ll love exploring the museum scene in the city of angels.
Thank you for the restaurant recommendations for each site. Going to Mendocino Farms after a visit to the tar pits sounds like fun.
I hard about the famous Griffith Observatory, but not the other two. And too bad La Brea will be closed for two years.
All of these are definitely worth you checking out! It is unfortunate that La Brea Tar Pits will be closed for two years, however, I am excited to check it out once it reopens!
omgosh the Tar Pits museum sounds AWESOME!! I thought TAR was slang or short for something else, so imagine how shook i was when i discovered it’s LITERALLY about tar! We dont have anything like this where I’m from, what an intriguing spot, I’d love to visit!
Awesome museums to visit in La, though I expected also a Movie Museum to be included.
But that pool looks stunning.