Travel Guide

LAX Airport Parking and the Petersen Automotive Museum

Nothing says "Hollywood" quite like the flash of a fancy car. That's why the Petersen Automotive Museum can be found smack dab in the middle of Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles. But this museum is much more than a throwback to Hollywood glamour. As the newest satellite branch of the Natural History Museum, the Petersen Automotive Museum follows the long standing relationship that Los Angeles has with cars. Opened in 1994, the Petersen Automotive Museum houses some of the world's most easily recognizable vehicles, including icons from the silver screen and Hollywood. Located inside a three-level, 300,000 square foot facility, the Petersen Automotive Museum is a mechanics dream, showcasing a world of shiny steel and supercharged engines. Cars from every era and social strata are located inside this institution, providing customers of Johnny Parks LAX Airport Parking with plenty of reasons to visit. But that's not all. The Petersen Automotive Museum also features nostalgic dioramas, street scenes and art galleries all dedicated to the delightful automobile. If you love cars, you're going to love this museum, so why wait? Plan to visit the Petersen Automotive Museum during your upcoming Johnny Parks LAX Airport Parking vacation.

Hitch a Ride in One of Hollywood's Finest Automobiles

Although the Petersen features a handful of exciting exhibits, the Hollywood Gallery remains it's most popular attraction. Located on the second floor of the museum, the Hollywood Gallery features a changing collection of cars owned by Tinseltown celebrities. Vehicles featured in prominent major motion films can also be found on this floor, providing customers of Johnny Parks LAX Airport Parking with an exciting look into Hollywood's hotrod obsession. The walls in this gallery are plastered with movie posters of films featuring cars, including Hot Rods to Hell, The Solid Gold Cadillac, Christine, Days of Thunder and Gone in 60 Seconds. And who could forget about the Flintmobile! Displayed in a blaze of colorful neon lighting lies the comical caveman car famously used by Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble in the 1994 movie version of The Flintstones. Other celebrity owned cars that have been displayed in this area include Clark Gable's 1956 Mercedes Benz 300sc, Joan Crawford's 1933 Cadillac Fleetwood Town Car and Jean Harlow's 1932 Packard Phaeton convertible. If you're lucky, you may even see the 1942 Indian Scout motorcycle that belonged to Steve McQueen.

Cars that Stole the Show

Besides cars owned by celebrities, you'll also find a number of vehicles made famous by their appearances in the movies and on television. These include the "General Lee" from the hit television series The Dukes of Hazard, the original "Batmobile" from the '60s television series Batman and the 1950 Mercury from Cobra. Customers of Johnny Parks LAX Airport Parking can also get an exclusive look at a 1920 Moon Luxury Touring Car, of which only two were ever made. Recent additions to the Petersen collection include "Herbie" from popular films like Herbie Rides Again, Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo and Herbie Goes Bananas. A familiar yellow cab is also on display within the museum thanks to the people at Seinfeld. This cab made an appearance in more than 30 episodes on the show before it was given as a gift to the museum in the late '90s. Other Hollywood-related exhibits in the museum include a number of special vehicles used exclusively for Hollywood movie making. These include camera cars and mock-up cut away cars that are used to film interior scenes.

Can't see to get enough of cars lately? Then now's definitely the time to visit the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. Customers of Johnny Parks LAX Airport Parking are encouraged to visit the museum Tuesday through Sunday from 10am until 6pm. Admission to the Petersen is just $10 for adults, $5 for seniors 62+ and $3 for kids. Indoor parking is available at a garage behind the museum. The Petersen Museum is located at 6060 Wilshire Boulevard. For more information please call 1-323-930-CARS.