Top Automotive Museums
Explore the rich history and exciting future of automotive innovation right here in the Greater Los Angeles area. From vintage classics to modern marvels, our comprehensive guide to local automotive museums is your ticket to discovering the area’s best car-related collections.
Whether you’re a die-hard enthusiast or just looking for a family-friendly adventure, here’s the information you need to fuel a passion for cars – past, present, and into the future!Â
Justice
Private Collection
This private museum in Ontario, features a curated collection of classic cars meticulously maintained and presented. It is known for its personalized tours that delve deep into the details of automotive history and restoration.
Marconi
Automotive Museum
Based in Tustin, the Marconi Automotive Museum is dedicated to high-performance and historical vehicles. The collection includes a variety of race cars, classic cars, and exotic vehicles, all part of the personal collection of founder Dick Marconi. Proceeds from the museum support local children’s charities.
Motte
Historical Museum
Located in Menifee, the Motte Historical Museum is housed in a restored barn and showcases a collection of classic and antique cars alongside local family history and artifacts from the region.
Petersen
Automotive Museum
Located in Los Angeles, the world-renown Petersen Automotive Museum showcases an extensive collection of cars, motorcycles, and automotive memorabilia. The museum features more than 100 vehicles, with rotating exhibits that explore the history, industry, and artistry of automotive design.
Sergerstrom Shelby
Event Center
Based in Irvine, the Segerstrom Shelby Event Center displays an impressive collection dedicated to Shelby vehicles, celebrating the legacy of Carroll Shelby and the high-performance motorsport industry. The center also hosts various events and educational programs.
The Nethercutt
Museum & Collection
Located in Sylmar, The Nethercutt Museum offers a public viewing of its extensive collection of antique cars, while The Nethercutt Collection provides guided tours of more privately held items, including rare automobiles and mechanical musical instruments.
Wally Parks NHRA
Motorsports Museum
The museum, located in Pomona, is dedicated to preserving the history of motorsports, focusing on the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) founded by Wally Parks. It features an extensive collection of racing vehicles and memorabilia.
Honda Collection Hall
The American Honda Collection Hall, located in the lobby of Honda’s U.S. headquarters in Torrance, California, showcases iconic vehicles and products that highlight Honda’s legacy. It’s open to the public on weekdays and during special Cars, Bikes & Coffee events.
Lions Automobilia Foundation and Museum
Founded in December 2019, the Lions Automobilia Foundation and Museum, located in Long Beach, begins in a 1960s Southern California speed shop, with genuine parts decorating the walls. From there, visitors are taken to a Main Street Gallery and 1950s diner with classic cars parked out front, many of the cars restored by the Lions Team.
California Route 66 Museum
Route 66 was inducted as a U.S Highway in 1926, and has since become a staple of American cultural identity, commerce, and community development. The California Route 66 Museum in Victorville connects those traveling the “Mother Road” today to its many travelers of the past.