The Santa Monica Art Museum is located on the Third Street Promenade…read more I was surprised to discover this museum existed and while on a stroll along the walkway. Current exhibition on window display is the Elephant Parade art where various celebrities/personalities design an Elephant and express a statement. The museum website hasn't been updated to provide more insight on this exhibit, but I am speculating it is a fund raising effort as well, which makes Art appreciation more meaningful. Worth a visit!

This place was cool as they hosted the Pop up Fan museum for Star Wars. The layout was great and it…read morewas pretty decent size to see a lot of amazing figurines and statues from the movie. The staff were super nice and courteous during our visit. Plus the location is great - right down the promenade which offers stores and great little views too.

I had did some research before I stepped into this creative expression of fun collections. This…read moremuseum is definitely an art experience worth visiting with iconic figures and street art that paints Mr. Brainwash's (Thierry Guetta) main mantra for the museum, "Life Is Beautiful" which is dedicated to honoring imagination, joy, creativity and inspiration. It's his own work that is displayed but he also references artists work such as the famous Banksy and other artists. A friend told me that the documentary, Exit through the Gift Shop, is connected to this museum. I have yet to watch but will do so to gain more understanding. Apparently, it was free museum day because there were hosts at the door greeting and letting visitors in. That was nice. It wasn't too busy but a good crowd to where I had to wait for my turn to take photos. It's three levels including the rooftop where more artwork is held and a view overlooking Beverly Hills. They also have a gift shop with unique items for purchase. I bought a cutesy pen with an engraved quote on it. To add, I was instantly moved by the creativity and effort they put into this museum. It brought a lot of inspiration. The art work gave me ideas of how I would want a part of my home to look like. It was a fun visit and would recommend for anyone wanting to dig into their imagination and enjoys art. I am also a sucker for anything that brings out the inner child in me and this place fed it well. Thank you, Mr. Brainwash and staff. Ps. The museum might be closed now. Unsure if it's temporary or permanently but still wanted to share my experience. I visited it in January of this year.

My friends and I had fun here. It's free and you get two hours free parking across the street…read morewhere Crate and Barrel is... Great place to visit. There are 3 floors and it's kind of like a maze inside. Unfortunately, this museum is closing January 6, 2026. Visit if you can! There is a lot to see and take pictures of... The art is like an Impressionist and pop culture fusion!

Definitely one of LA's more unique museums (in a good way). Such an interesting display of work and…read moreart that simultaneously blends well and makes no sense together. It's hard to describe what it really is, which is why y'all should check it out. Great art evokes thought, which is what this museum did!

The Museum of Jurassic Technology is an interesting way to spend an hour in Culver City! I wish I…read morecould show you but respect their wishes of no photos/videos inside. It's one of those weird niche museums you just gotta walk through and experience. It's a little bit of history, a little bit of histrionics, some gorgeous displays to walk thru, interesting bits to read, and an interesting collection for sure. My favorite part was their little garden with a few special birds. Such a peaceful and cute area, with tea offered at special times! What a nice touch. It's only open Thursday to Sunday with a $15 entrance fee and reserving a time in advance is best, so plan accordingly. For me, it was an interesting place to pop into once but I don't see myself coming back again~ nor would I bring out of town guests. I like quirky and weird - i AM quirky and weird - but just felt confused when I left.

What a magical place. Walking through the Getty and seeing art from all these different times and…read moreparts of the world was just amazing. One room you're in the 1700s, the next you're looking at Van Gogh, then Monet, then something that feels completely different again. It's like watching time change right in front of you. The collection here is unreal. We saw Lagrenée's Mars and Venus, Géricault's Three Lovers, Alma-Tadema's Spring, Friedrich's A Walk at Dusk, Manet's street with all the flags, Van Gogh's Irises, a couple of Monets, and even that little still life of the hen and the onion. I didn't expect to care about a hen and an onion, but I stood there longer than I thought I would. People always talk about the views and the gardens too, and they're not wrong. The art is the reason you go, but the whole place just feels special. If you get the chance, go.

The Getty is one of the top attractions in LA that is complimentary to visit. Last time I visited…read morethem was back in 2010. The parking is $25 before 3PM and $15 after 3. $10 after 6PM but the museum would be closed on the day we were here. We came by around 3:30PM on a Friday. It was still pretty busy. Taking the tram was easy to get up to the Getty and there were restrooms at the parking and at the top where you get off the tram. When we went the north exhibition was closed but there were still plenty to see. Love the irises from Van Gogh... and enjoyed a cup of tea after the museum visit. All in all was a great photo spot with LA and ocean in the back drop. Very pretty gardens and museum collections. Highly recommend checking them out if you're in town.

California Heritage Museum was built in 1894, the building that houses different museum exhibits…read more It is a multicultural facility that promote the history and cultures of the people that comprise the California community. This museum is located on Main street in Ocean Park, Santa Monica. I accidentally strolled by Main street and saw this museum. It's a very small museum whereby you can see the entire museum in 5 minutes! And I'm not being facetious. You'll find some interesting artifacts. Today, the admission was free. They have a permanent collection and rotating exhibit. Overall, this museum is a bonafide golden gem of the community. I recommend you visit if you have 5 minutes to spare.

The house itself is interesting, and the rotating exhibits offer a reason to come back…read more Sadly the atmosphere isn't always welcoming. I've been a couple times now, the first time I don't recall any issues, but recently I found the docents oddly unfriendly. As I waited for a friend to use the restroom, they kept peering out of their office to check on me as though I was looking for trouble. Their problem was that you're not supposed to explore the bottom level without guidance. It's a stupid rule. The museum is small enough to explore in less than 30 minutes, so being forced to have someone guide you makes it feel very stuffy. It'd be much nicer to simply offer a guide, that's the point of a docent, I thought. Maybe just go in and ignore them, it'll be more entertaining that way.

Amazing experience! I'm not a fan of art, but just walking…read morearound sculptures was a great experience. Gardens are instagramable!

If this is your first time visiting, it's a must to visit! They have beautiful architecture and…read morehistorical statues, objects, etc. The admission is free, but parking is $25 on the weekend. You must reserve a ticket on their website. It took me around 3 hours to complete everything, but the villa is quite small, but with so many artifacts to look and read through. Overall, great museum to visit! Tip(s): - Parking is $25 on weekend - Admission is free, but must pay parking - Reserve tickets online

Cute little museum located next to the Library…read more I never heard of the Santa Monica History Museum till late last year and I figured it might be interested to visit it and learn more about the area. And we did, SM was part of Tongva land, and Tujunga, Cahuenga, etc major streets have their names originated form their tribal language. The museum is small, but the permanent collection is very interesting. It focuses on Santa Monica's history, its development, there are many fascinating stories on display along with great photos and older objects. There's a chapter dedicated to the Muscle Beach, history and highlights, another one to Pacific Park with great memorabilia on view and another one dedicated to the Entertainment Industry and some local members like Sherley Temple, and they have some of her costumes on display. I wasn't that taken with their exhibits, a tad on the depressing side. Also, there was noise coming from the library, lots of banging, so it was hard to concentrate in one room in particular. Otherwise, nice staff and clean restrooms. $5 regular admission, Free 1st Sunday of the month! Free for kids and seniors. Opened Thu. 2pm-5pm. Friday - Sunday 11am-5pm. Worth a visit for sure, it could be a nice way to spend an hour or so. Great activity if you visit Santa Monica or if you are like me, sometimes a tourist in your own town!

I was able to visit this museum and it was fun and informative. It has something for everyone for…read moreany age. The unhoused exhibit was very informative and it was interesting to see how much Santa Monica has changed over time. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone. Parked in the parking structure.

Consistently one of the most impressive museums in the city, with engaging exhibitions coming…read moreseemingly every 3 months. This one's a favorite of mine, so it's tough not to be biased. My most recent visit was in early June, and I loved the several eternities in a day exhibit. How tactile and fascinating! This place has a killer permanent exhibition and even the exhibitions I haven't been as in love with have something interesting to say, so I will keep coming back. The service is always helpful, and there are some nice spots to sit and enjoy the vibe (including the fun top-shaped chairs). I miss the ping pong tables they used to have...but no complaints found here! Go visit asap.

Honestly, I wasn't sure what to expect when I walked into the Hammer Museum, but I ended up…read moreabsolutely loving it. The museum is beautiful, peaceful, and incredibly well organized. I also loved that there are a few dining options inside, making it easy to spend a couple of hours exploring without feeling rushed. One of the best things about the Hammer Museum is that admission is free, and they offer generous hours, which makes it a great activity whether you're a local or just visiting Los Angeles. The exhibitions were stunning. I loved the mix of contemporary and modern art, along with works from iconic artists such as Van Gogh and Monet. Every gallery felt thoughtfully curated, and there was always something interesting to discover around the next corner. And the museum store? Absolutely beautiful. I honestly wanted to buy everything. From art books to unique gifts and home items, it's worth visiting on its own. If you're in Los Angeles and looking for a relaxing and inspiring way to spend an afternoon, I highly recommend the Hammer Museum. I'll definitely be back! Note: While the museum has featured works by artists such as Van Gogh and Monet in certain exhibitions or collections, the exhibits rotate, so what's on display may vary during your visit.

The kids loved it, we recommend it to parents looking for a place for your kids to imagine, create…read moreand have fun. Lots of fun exhibits and things for the kids to do.

I rarely leave reviews, but this experience left our family extremely disappointed…read more We were visiting the children's museum, when my husband, who is a Santa Monica police officer and assigned to the area, stopped by to say hello while actively on duty and in full uniform. He entered the museum without issue, and staff allowed him inside. At no point was any "no weapons" policy explained to him. While there, the interaction between my husband and the children was honestly so heartwarming. Kids flocked to him, excited to meet a real police officer. He handed out stickers, took photos with children who asked, and created such a positive, sweet moment for families and kids. It was one of those genuinely special interactions that helps children feel safe and build positive relationships with law enforcement. Unfortunately, that moment was completely ruined when a manager approached and told him he had to leave because he was carrying his service weapon, despite being an on-duty officer in full uniform. Had this policy been clearly communicated at entry, that would have been one thing. Instead, he was allowed in, warmly engaging with families and children, only to be asked to leave afterward in a way that felt unnecessary and upsetting. I respect that businesses can have policies, but the inconsistency and lack of communication were disappointing. More than anything, it was sad to see such a positive interaction for children abruptly cut short. Experiences like these matter because children benefit from positive relationships with the people who serve their communities, whether that's police officers, firefighters, mail carriers, or other public servants. Those everyday interactions help kids feel connected, safe, and familiar with the people they see in their neighborhoods. What should have been a lovely memory and a meaningful community moment for my kids turned into an uncomfortable and disappointing experience for our family.

Museum of Flying (est 1974) is a 22,000 sq ft aerospace museum in Santa Monica, CA. This museum…read moreexhibits aviation history, a dozen aircrafts including a replica of the Wright bros and a Max FS 3000 simulator. MOF is basically a large hanger with a mezzanine. I have been to every aerospace museums in LA/OC except this one. It's very organized and well maintained; you can go through the entire exhibits within 90 minutes. Staff were cordial. Admission ticket is affordable. Souvenir shop is very small with very limited merch and stuff. Overall, it's a nice lil museum good for family and kids to visit.

If you love aircraft this the place for you. It's kind of small but they have so many exhibits to…read moresee. My favorite was the motto of the Wright brothers aircraft. They also have a flight simulator that is awesome and amazing, the price is a little steep for eight dollars you get one trip, but you can buy a pack for $24. All in all a great excursion for airplane lovers.