A free museum! You can get timed entry to Yayoi Kusama's infinity mirrored room if you book an…read moreentry ticket online that includes the infinity room. The infinity room is a room of mirrors and lights that changes colors so it looks like an endless...infinity. If you're not able to get into the infinity room you can still see Kusama's mirrored box, Longing for Eternity. The Broad is a great way to spend a few hours enjoying art.

Loads of art to see, and general admission is free. Reserve tickets online and also make purchases…read morefor any rotating exhibitions. Lots of local venders and other businesses as well, so make a day of it

Always a beautiful space. I love coming here! So many different community events to enjoy on the…read moreweekend and the exhibits are always pristine. I love how you lounge on the lawn or one of their many seating areas to make a day out of it!

Went on a rainy day so we didn't get to see the gardens and some exhibits were closed. Without the…read moregardens to disperse people it felt very packed.. the few exhibits that were opened felt so cramped with people, not my favorite. The exhibits were lovely though, great art and design. Parking is also TIGHT good luck to any big cars! Grateful it's free minus $25 for parking, you do need a reservation though! Food though was crazy, $25 for a tiny salad. We did not stay for lunch and since the gardens and some exhibits were closed we stayed just for about 1.5 hours

Jazz at LACMA is a weekly summer must!…read more There's nothing like enjoying the cool evening air with smooth jazz at LACMA. Every Friday from May through September, live jazz fills the Smidt Welcome Plaza, with a new performer each week (check the website for upcoming acts and food truck/vendor lineups). We felt lucky to visit when Betty "Cool Miss B" Brown received the L.A. Jazz Treasure Award from the Los Angeles Jazz Society. Performances start at 6pm, but I highly recommend arriving at least an hour early, Bring your own food and drinks for a perfect picnic. The earlier you get there, the better chance of snagging a seat in the plaza; otherwise, there's plenty of lawn space and additional tables nearby. Food trucks and vendors are set up just behind the plaza. It was so much fun to see everyone relaxing, dancing, and simply enjoying the music. My son and I were vibing the whole time. Seeing him feel the music was a special memory that took me back to when I first discovered jazz. Definitely core memories unlocked. We can't wait for next week's event! (Just be aware parking is $24, but otherwise, we loved every moment of Jazz at LACMA.)

From the very beginning of the first impression, it was horrible…read moreImagine exiting the parking lot elevators to enter the museum only to be surrounded by colossal bronze sculptures of animal heads, and one demonic head! Yikes! Yeah, that was our first impression which was bad Overall, This was such a waste of time. We were very unimpressed by the exhibits. All this post, modern art is quite rubbish. People making random scribbles and throwing paint on it is art? My three-year-old niece can give me that for free. The figurines and statues are grotesque. They have way too many rules about what to wear and how you carry your backpack. And the payment you make only permits you to go to certain areas. Very unimpressed by their collection Totally regret coming here and will never go 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.

Elegance, Beauty & Pure Serenity…read more The Huntington is truly an exquisite experience. The breathtaking gardens, tranquil pathways, cascading waterfalls, beautiful blooms, and lush landscapes create an atmosphere of timeless elegance and serenity. The Tea Room was equally delightful, with beautifully presented sandwiches, champagne, and impeccable ambiance, perfect for a special celebration or an elegant afternoon with friends and family. The staff was gracious, professional, and attentive throughout our visit. A wonderful destination for nature lovers, visitors, and anyone who appreciates beauty and sophistication. Absolutely worth experiencing!

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.

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.

This was hands down one of the best out of nowhere experiences I had in a long time and it…read morecompletely blew my mind. Not just was it one of the coolest free things to do with a lot of content to be seen. I so glad I stopped in.

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.

We were there last night for a private performance of Antigone. The performance was amazing. I…read morehadn't been to Malibu since before the fires of January 2025, so we were due a visit. The Cafe had a special event menu for the show. The Hearts of Palm Ceviche with Yuca was delicious. We also had a Citrus Grilled Flank Steak wrap, and the Chorizo Molotes with Tomatillo Avocado Sauce (vegan). I enjoyed a special cocktail for the event, El Cosmico, which was Agave Wine, Pineapple Juice, Fresh Orange Juice, Mint, Cucumber, Tajin Rim (also Available without alcohol), and a nice cold beer. My hunny had some Rose'. We finished off with some fresh Mexican Wedding cookies! Again, this was a special event menu for the performance, however, you can't go wrong with the Villa Salad with chicken and the lemon yogurt dressing which is on the regular daily menu and is my go to meal at the Villa. You can't go wrong with Art, performance, and good eats! We love the Getty Villa and parking was free for the event, which was a nice surprise. We had a great evening!

The Getty Villa is one of the two Getty Museums in Los Angeles County and this location is the…read moreoriginal Getty Museum. The museum started as a small museum gallery in 1954. Later the museum went through new construction with an architectural design inspired by the Villa of the Papyri at Herculaneum and opened to the public in 1974. The Getty Villa moved a portion of its collection to the Getty Center when the center opened in 1997 and the villa focused only on Greek, Roman, and Etruscan art thereafter. The villa underwent a major renovation from 1997 to 2006 and eventually reopened to the public in 2006 as what you see now. The villa was shut down for 6 months to clean up the aftermath of the Palisades Fire in January 2025. [Admission]: Free admission, but visitors are required to purchase tickets online, pick time slots on the website, and show their online tickets upon driving into the villa. [Parking]: Parking is $25 per car or motorcycle and $15 after 3 PM. For evening events, parking is $10 after 6 PM. [What to see - outdoor]: The Outer Peristyle is the main attraction that everyone comes to see with a 220-foot-long reflecting pool. There is also the Herb Garden, the East Garden, and the Inner Peristyle with a small reflecting pool and laurel trees. [What to see - indoor]: The art collection is only two floors and it is all in one building. Greek Art / Etruscan Art are located on the 1st floor and Roman Art is located on the 2nd floor. Some of the highlights include The Lansdowne Hercules (Gallery 108), Victorious Athlete / Youth (Gallery 111), Caeretan Hydria (not currently on display), Mummy Portrait of Isidora (Gallery 210), Sarcophagus with Scenes from the Life of Achilles (Gallery 213), etc. [Guided tour]: The villa offers various free guided tours and the staff recommended that visitors arrive 15 minutes before the tour time. All tours start right across from the gift shop and they are first come first served (capped at 20 people for our tours). The staff gave us one portable Bluetooth audio device per person so everyone was able to hear the guide clearly even from a distance. Our party did the "Exploring the Villa's Architecture & Gardens Tour" at 11:15 AM and the "Art & Site Tour" at 1:30 PM. Unfortunately, I didn't realize there was some overlap between the two tours and our party ended up seeing the Herb Garden twice during our visit. [Cafe]: Can't exactly say I was impressed with the selection. Our party got chickpea hummus & pita for $11.60 and it tasted alright. [Garden Tea Service]: Reservations required - Thursday and Saturday only. Inquire at the information desk. Visitors can book a reservation on OpenTable and the price is $66.95 per person (not including sales tax and an 18% service charge). [Conclusion]: In the end, our party stayed for approximately 5 hours. Overall the Getty Villa is not as good as the Getty Center due to (1) its smaller footprint, (2) its focus only on Greek, Roman, and Etruscan art which I am not as interested in, and (3) too much redundancy in the guided tours. This is a great museum to visit for any first time visitors, but it is hard to see myself revisiting the villa unless there are new exhibits in the future that fit my interests. P.S. - There is a small pamphlet with a self-guided tour highlighting scenes from the Odyssey through various artworks.