I enjoyed my visit to The Broad! It's a cool museum with an interesting collection of contemporary…read moreart, and the building itself is worth seeing. The exterior architecture is really something. The museum isn't huge, which I actually appreciated. About 45 minutes was just right for me to wander through the galleries and take it all in. Modern art is always interesting. Some of it I really enjoy, and some of it makes absolutely no sense to me, lol. Jeff Koons' Michael Jackson and Bubbles is a perfect example. What a strange piece! Fascinating, but also a little creepy. That's part of the fun, though. You don't have to understand or appreciate every piece to enjoy the experience. There's plenty to look at, think about, and occasionally scratch your head over. All in all, a fun stop during our weekend in downtown LA. I'd encourage just about anyone to visit, even if contemporary art isn't normally their thing.

I am very picky when it comes to the merits of museums - science, history, natural history, art,…read moreetc - as I have been blessed to visit museums in many major cities such as Seattle, Chicago, Pittsburgh and Cleveland to name a few. Los Angeles is great in many ways but museums is not the city's strong suit, in my opinion, with a few strong exceptions (Getty, Huntington, LACMA). When The Broad opened its doors next to the Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles; the entire city was upside down with excitement and it was the talk of the town. Lines circled around the building for admission and everyone wanted to check it out. I tend to wait out crowds so it took me this long to visit The Broad but I finally went to celebrate my 42nd birthday alongside fellow Yelper Michael B. Everyone is familiar with the story behind The Broad with its existence made through the art contributions of Eli Broad and his wife sharing their private art acquisitions with the City of Angels. Not to be outdone by the world-famous architecture of the Disney Concert Hall; The Broad went full-force to make its own building a work of art resembling a structural masterpiece versus simply a piece of real estate and in that respect, it succeeded; as The Broad is unique, artistic and satisfying for the eyes. Admission is free which is also an inviting plus-side to The Broad. But to me, that is where I stopped being impressed. The Broad has sooo much potential and so much unused space (but it is expanding in 2027 so perhaps it will level up) but it honestly comes off as a glorified art gallery that is simply a tourist trap. The building is so large and in charge but there the ratio of art to the space is minimal and not truly that mind-boggling. The MOCA across the street is a much better choice, honestly. There was only one piece I was in-love with (the melting street lamp) and have already seen everyone's photos for years of the large table, ballon sculptures, Michael Jackson and Bubbles, mirror room, etc; that they don't even require a second glance at this point. Yelper Michael B. is a long time Basquiat respectee and enjoyed the Basquiat room (and he said there was a rare piece included in the exhibit) plus Murakami; but I stick by the lamp post (the silver train is cool, too). My other area of excitement at The Broad? Entrance and exit to the bathrooms include waving your hand over motion sensors which is not only futuristic but hygienically sound and I found this super amazing. But if there is only one piece of art and the BATHROOMS that I find notable; then The Broad is a bust. Honestly, I would have been upset if I had paid for admission. The Broad just seems like another overly-hyped spot that has potential but doesn't live up to its popularity. Or, again, perhaps I am a museum snob and too picky. The Broad is worth a single visit (even though free, make reservations ahead of time); but don't expect some world-class art museum with extensive viewing. We were in and out in about an hour, maximum. Thanks Eli Broad and family; but the actual building is more impressive than your museum.

The Getty is always a wonderful museum. This place has quite a few famous artworks; including…read morepaintings by Van Gogh and Monet. There is a wide variety of artwork here: manuscripts, paintings (from the 1300s to the 2000s), sculptures, furniture, pottery, etc. There's always something more to observe and to learn when coming here. The Getty also has a beautiful outdoor garden area that adds to the grandeur of the environment/atmosphere. Admission is FREE. Which is absolutely wonderful, a reservation is required for entry prior though. They are closed on Mondays and certain holidays.

I think I enjoyed the gardens and the views the most! The gardens were beautiful, and I loved just…read morewalking around and taking in the scenery. Great place to read or study or meditate. I also thought it was really cool that you have to take a tram to get up to the center. Be prepared for A LOT of walking, though. There are so many different buildings and exhibits to explore, so you could easily spend hours here if you wanted to see everything. I'm really glad admission was free!

An absolute must-visit in LA! Fully enjoyed Urban Light, Monet, and Do Ho Suh's masterpieces…read more I had an increy time fully immersing myself in the art here! Starting with an essential photo at the signature Urban Light installation, I was blown away by the beautiful Claude Monet painting and the breathtaking, large-scale Hanok installation by Do Ho Suh. The level of detail in Suh's work was absolutely mesmerizing, and I found myself staring at it for a long time. Beyond the artwork, the panoramic views of the LA cityscape looking out through the massive floor-to-ceiling glass windows were a visual treat in themselves-it felt like looking at a living painting! 입구의 시그니처 포토존인 어반 라이트 조명 샷으로 시작해, 고전 명화인 모네의 작품과 특별 전시된 서도호 작가님의 대형 한옥 설치 작픔까지 정말 알차게 감상했습니다. 특히 서도호 작가님의 작품은 경이로울 정도로 섬세해서 한참을 머물었네요. 전시장 곳곳에 있는 커다란 통창 유리 너머로 내려다 보이는 LA 시내 전경도 하나의 예술 작품처럼 아름다워 보는 내낸 힐링 되었습니다

There's a LOT of walking involved, and you could definitely spend quite a bit of time exploring…read moreeverything. There are so many different pieces and exhibits to look at, so I can see why people who love art would enjoy spending time here. I'm really glad we went during the free admission hours for LA County residents Overall, I'm glad we visited and got to experience it for ourselves, but I probably wouldn't go out of my way to come back.

I went to MOCA a couple weeks ago for the first time in almost twenty years. I'd only been once or…read moretwice before, in my student days, when the museum would host free events with live music and late entry into the galleries. I remember going with my cool friend June K. and seeing a Rauschenberg, thinking, "What is that?" This only came back to me on my more recent visit, to catch the end of an exhibit with my (cool for a 41-year-old) friend Sergio P. before lunch at Grand Central Market. It was called "The Expanding Field: MOCA's Collection from the 1940s to 1970s," and I randomly read about it in a newsletter the night before we went. I always hear about stuff at the Broad and LACMA, but I almost missed this MOCA exhibit completely. I guess it's a smaller museum, with a lower marketing budget. I'm really glad we caught it, because the exhibit was fantastic, an impressive showcase of collection highlights from the mid-20th century. First of all, there were eight Rothkos, all on view in one room alongside a couple of Giacomettis. There were works by Miró and Mondrian, Jackson Pollock and Jasper Johns, a fantastic Warhol painting of a telephone. Multiple Rauschenbergs, which I appreciated more this time around. I also loved pieces by Joan Brown, Anne Truitt, and Nicolas de Staël, among many others. MOCA isn't big, and outside of this exhibit, the other gallery space seemed to be closed, possibly in preparation for another show. It took us less than half an hour, at a leisurely pace, to take in the exhibit. We stopped by the store after, which was great, full of art books and fun contemporary museum shop goodies. This was a wonderful way to spend an hour on a random Wednesday, and it cost nothing except for parking (the museum doesn't have its own lot, and I paid over $20 to park across the street at the Music Center; next time, transit). MOCA offers free admission, a bountiful gift to art enthusiasts in L.A. Reservations are recommended, but easy to get without much planning. Now that MOCA is back on my radar, I expect to go again soon, or at least in the next few years. It's a stellar museum with an interesting collection, worthy of regular visits.

What a gem. I can't believe this museum is free…read more Located in Downtown Los Angeles, it's easy to pair with other nearby attractions, making it a great stop if you're spending the day exploring the area. The exhibits were fantastic. MOCA focuses on contemporary art, so you'll find everything from bold abstract paintings and large-scale installations to sculptures, video art, and thought-provoking mixed-media pieces. I love that contemporary art invites you to interpret it for yourself. Some works made me stop and think, while others were simply fun to experience. It was a nice balance of playful, emotional, and thought-provoking. The museum itself is quiet and easy to explore. It never felt crowded, so I could actually spend time with the artwork instead of feeling rushed from room to room. I also really enjoyed the gift shop. They had a fantastic selection of art books and exhibition catalogs that were honestly hard to resist. They also carried plenty of fun collectibles, including lots of reasonably priced Smiskis, which made me smile. Overall, this is an amazing free museum and an easy recommendation if you're in Downtown LA. Whether you're already into contemporary art or just curious to try something different, it's well worth stopping by.

It's a free museum. How people gonna complain about free, especially in a prime area like Little…read moreTokyo. You got spare time to spend a lazy day? Go spend it regulating your blood sugar levels from that hearty ramen/sushi lunch by walking around the Geffen Contemporary. They definitely get some interesting work coming through here; from highly technical paintings to puzzling installations 'n shit that is so ugly, you can only call it a modern art masterpiece. Though among my favorites has always been Haruki Murakami and all the sculptures and prints around the concept of Super Flat and the marriage of pop art to a fine art setting.

I recently visited The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA and was genuinely moved by the current…read moreexhibition. The show reflects on the histories and legacies of post-Civil War America and how they still shape conversations today. It brings together decommissioned monuments -- many of them Confederate -- alongside contemporary works that were both borrowed and newly created for this exhibition. Seeing these monuments removed from their original outdoor settings and placed inside a gallery changes everything. Some are unmarred. Others are heavily vandalized. Each state of transformation tells its own story. It forces you to look at them not as background fixtures, but as objects with weight, history, and consequence. The contrast between the historical monuments and the contemporary responses is powerful. It's not an easy exhibition, and that's the point. It invites reflection, discomfort, and dialogue. If you're looking for something visually impressive and intellectually challenging, this is absolutely worth your time.

The Huntington Gardens have always been an amazing place to visit in the Pasadena area. I remember…read moregoing on a high school trip in the 1980s, and being amazed by all the foliage. You purchase your ticket ahead of time - though maybe you can get one when you show up. They do have free parking and it was easy enough to find a space. We walked around the Chinese and Japanese gardens mostly, and they were really lovely. It's kind of amazing just how much space there is, how much it is kept up. There are lovely paths everywhere. It was a little hot when I visited, so I probably would have wandered longer if I wasn't as hot. It does look like they have a shuttle now to get people around, and and also more accessible access for people with mobility issues.

This is my second time back here, last time was over 7 years ago! Definitely worth the trip, I…read moreabsolutely love it here. Tickets are on the pricier end, but its an all-in-one spot, with the vast botanical gardens grounds, art museums, however note that the library is currently closed for reconstruction. It was still beautiful and I had an amazing time exploring this place with my friend, and its his first time here. I love their attention to details, which you can tell with the beautiful gift shop bags. All of the gardens were beautiful, but as pictured - the Japanese and Chinese Gardens were my obvious favorites. Would highly recommend checking this place out, and I may come back again someday.

The Hilbert Museum was such a pleasure. The museum has two small wings filled with CA art. The…read moreentry was free and you can make a donation if you want. There is a free small parking lot so you may get a nice spot if you get there early. This is a great place for kids. They can complete a scavenger hunt and get a small surprise at the end. This allows kids to be engaged while they look at the art to find clues.

The Hilbert Museum of California Art is the best museum in Orange County that you've never heard…read moreof. Even me, walking around recommending the place now, can barely remember its name. But still, since coming here for the first time only a couple of weeks ago I've recommended it multiple times. And now? Multiple + 1. Though you'll be asked, at entry, if you've made reservations, don't be daunted. Reservations are unnecessary and museum admittance is free of charge. Though the Hilbert had been on my radar earlier, I'd forgotten about it until noticing, at the Laguna Beach Festival of the Arts, that several artists had pieces acquired by the Hilbert, spurring me to visit. Housed in two separate buildings connected by a central plaza framed with an astounding Millard Sheets mosaic, the building you enter for check-in has a frequently changing (3 times annually) display. On this visit they featured the California Art Club's 115th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition. Outstanding in every respect, I couldn't help but notice how many artists were there touring the show and how many of the pieces were already sold. Yes, the works in this particular exhibit were for sale, much of it quite reasonably priced considering the astounding talent on display. The second building features exhibits from the Hilbert's permanent collection and there was nary a dud in this space either. In that this is a museum of California art, the collection includes a lot of Disney-adjacent artists but also, so much more. I particularly enjoyed the way they kept each of these exhibits relatively bite-sized, to enable a broad showing of their remarkable collection. Knowing that the Hilbert is free, excellent, and always mixing things up pretty much guarantees a return visit on every future trip to Southern California. If you like museums and are anywhere nearby this is a museum definitely worth making time for.

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!

Hauser & Wirth is a modern communal art gallery space that features a lot of different rotating art…read morepieces. This spot is located right in the heart of the Arts District and is free admission. There are multiple galleries to peruse along with a garden, restaurant, and bookstore in the vicinity as well. I stopped by to see the one Yoshitomo Nara piece they had on display before it would be taken down!

We were going to the Obscure Bar in the Arts District for the 6 cocktail we had no clue what at 8pm…read moreand while I had walked past this beautiful restaurant a few times roaming around the DTLA arts district, I had never actually eaten at Manuela's. This restaurant is set in the Hauser and Wirth art Gallery complex and since we got there early we toured the front gallery with an incredible assist from a docent named Michael who pointed out the most incredible pieces and steered us to the gallery at the back of the complex behind Manuela's. Both galleries are worth exploring. THE GENERATIVE UNIVERSE In the main gallery, there was an exhibition of one artist work: Keith Tyson. His work begins from the belief that the universe operates as a single generative system--a continuously shifting causal network in which forms arise, transform and dissolve. Originally trained as an engineer, Tyson was an early practitioner of generative art, often approaching artmaking through the logic of systems and natural processes, allowing a blend of chance, material behavior, mathematics and intuition to shape the outcome. The work was thought provoking and with the help of Michael the docent/guard, we learned the importance of the work moving from the natural world to the blend with technology to the technological.

One of the most beautiful museums in the Los Angeles area. It makes a great outing as it's on the…read moreway to Malibu up the coast and just off the PCH. It is outstanding what JP Getty was able to collect, the care with which the museum is curated, and the perfection of the museum's reconstruction of a villa from ancient Pompeii. It's absolutely gorgeous. Wonderful place to take friends visiting town for the afternoon. Don't forget to wander the exquisite gardens and patios. Having visited several times, here are some of the best tips that I've learned over the years: Don't confuse this museum with the Getty Center perched high on the hill in Brentwood. Visiting both museums on the same day can be rushed but has its perks. The parking at one Getty museum location is valid for same day free parking at the other if you want to visit both in one day. Admission is free, but advance timed entry tickets are required. When driving to the Getty Villa, slow down a bit and watch the signs carefully from the north on the PCH as missing the special turn lane for the museum can be a headache; missing it requires more driving on the highway before you can exit and turn around. Try going in the late afternoon around 3:00 PM. The crowds are smaller and you can catch a beautiful sunset over the gardens. If you can arrive before 1pm, try "The Garden Tea at the Getty Villa" (also known as 'Tea by the Sea'). Make a reservation in advance as it's popular. The tea service is only offered twice a week, on Thursdays and Saturdays at 1:00 PM. It's held on the second floor of the Villa's cafe in a private dining space overlooking the museum grounds. If you manage to secure a tea reservation, you do not need a separate timed-entry museum ticket because your tea booking automatically includes free entry to the Getty Villa starting at 10:00 AM.

Such a beautiful place. It's just sometimes hard to get a timed reservation so you have to book in…read moreadvance, and it can get crowded. But it's one of the gems in LA. Perfect for a date, for families, pretty much anyone. What I love about the villa is you don't even need to be an art enthusiast to appreciate it and enjoy it, its really for everyone.