Greystone Mansion Gardens - Beverly Hills

Daily 10:00am-5:00pm (except when rented out for private events)
Location: 905 Loma Visa Drive
Why Go There? Luxurious, formerly privately owned 55 room 1928 Tudor Revival mansion's grounds, formal English gardens open to the public; special events, mansion tours (see website for schedule)
More Information: Greystone Mansion

Virginia Robinson Estate - Beverly Hills

Location: 1008 Elden Way
Why Go There? 1911 luxurious estate, gardens open to visitors on docent-led scheduled tours; senior discount
More Information: Robinson Gardens

California State University Dominguez Hills Art Gallery - Carson

Monday-Thursday 10:00am-4:00pm and by appointment
Location: 1000 East Victoria Street first floor of LaCorte Hall A-107
Why Go There? Showcases contemporary art, design through changing exhibits, variety of media; annual senior student show; free admission
More Information: University Art Gallery

Claremont Museum of Art - Claremont

Friday-Sunday 12:00pm-4:00pm, (first Saturday 6:00pm-9:00pm)
Location: 200 West First Street (in Claremont Depot)
Why Go There? Community supported museum showcases permanent collection of local artist works; changing exhibits; hosts special events including annual Padua Hills Art Fiesta (November); fundraiser gala
More Information: Claremont Museum of Art

MOAH Museum of Art & History - Lancaster

Tuesday- Sunday 11:00am-6:00pm Thursday until 8:00pm
Location: 665 West Lancaster Boulevard
Why Go There? Fosters appreciation of art, history and culture in the Antelope Valley with curated, changing exhibits, ranging from dinosaur and native artifacts, collectible toys to major California artists works; hosts annual juried all-media art and high school student exhibitions; collection of 10,000+ artworks and artifacts; maintains three other locations
More Information: MOAH

Long Beach City College Art Gallery - Long Beach

Location: 901 East Carson Street Building K Room K100
Why Go There? Hosts multiple exhibitions; annual Spring student exhibition; bi-annual faculty exhibition
More Information: LBCC Art Gallery

California State University Long Beach Carolyn Campagna Kleefeld Contemporary Art Museum - Long Beach

2021: closed for building expansion; virtual exhibits 2020-2021
Location: 1250 Bellflower Boulevard (Horn Center) see website for driving directions/public transportation options
Why Go There? 2,000+ permanent artworks collection includes outdoor sculptures, murals; changing exhibits reflect contemporary culture; annual juried School of Art student show; guided tours and resources for self-guided exploration (when campus opens again post pandemic); free admission
More Information: Collection

Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden California State University Long Beach - Long Beach

Tuesday-Friday 9:00am-4:00pm Sunday opens 12:00pm
Location: Earl Warren Drive (in between Beach Drive/Atherton, just east of Bellflower Boulevard (on California State University Long Beach campus); lot fee parking; entrance fee
Why Go There? 1.3 acre highly rated garden offers koi pond, meandering walks, Zen Garden,Tea House, changing exhibits (popular venue for private event rentals, check for closures)
More Information: Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden

Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) - Long Beach

Wednesday-Sunday 11:00am-5:00pm (Thursday open until 9:00pm)
Location: 28 Alamitos Avenue
Why Go There? Dedicated to modern and contemporary Latin American and Latino art offers changing exhibits, lectures, films, other events; gift shop; notable sculpture garden; senior, student discounts; free: every Sunday/fourth monthly Friday evening (5:00pm-9:00pm)
More Information: Museum of Latin America

The Autry Museum in Griffith Park - Los Angeles

Tuesday-Sunday 11:00am-4:00pm (reservation required)
Location: 4700 Western Heritage Way
Why Go There? Changing exhibits reflect diverse stories of the American West, including Native American content; outdoor ethnobotanical garden; full calendar of lectures, workshops, music, films, special events
More Information: Exhibitions

The Broad Museum - Los Angeles

Tuesday-Friday 11:00am-5:00pm; Saturday-Sunday 10:00am; (varying closing hours, fees for special exhibits)
Location: 221 South Grand Avenue
Why Go There? Stunning architecturally designed building features three floors of temporary and permanent exhibits from 2000+ collection of post war, contemporary art (donated by the Broad family); free admittance general collections, on-line reservations required, usually filled in advance (or walk-up, expect a line); on-site contemporary Otium restaurant; gift shop (can visit without waiting in the line)
More Information: The Broad

CalEdison Building, Lobby - Los Angeles

Location: 601 West Fifth Street
Why Go There? Classic art deco exterior, renovated lobby, murals, marble tiled floor; (Portland's Nossa Familia coffee bar in lobby with quality coffee, espresso drinks, local sweet, savory pastries weekdays 7:30am-3:30pm)
More Information: CalEdison Gallery

Cal State LA Ronald L. Silverman Fine Arts Gallery - Los Angeles

Monday-Friday 12:00pm-5:00pm
Location: 5151 State University Drive
Why Go There? Features curated exhibits, student and faculty artworks; opening receptions, events
More Information: Ronald H. Silverman Fine Arts Gallery

Getty Center Museum - Los Angeles (west side)

Tuesday-Sunday 10:00am-5:30pm, Saturday until 9:00pm (closed Monday)
Location: North Sepulveda/Getty Center Drive
Why Go There? Eye-catching stunning architecture: multiple buildings, gardens, sculptures; changing exhibits; permanent collections include world famous paintings; special events; cafe, gift shop
More Information: Getty Center Museum

Great Wall of Los Angeles - Los Angeles

Location: Along the inside of Tujunga Flood Control Channel, starts chronologically from south end: corner of Burbank Boulevard/Coldwater Canyon Avenue, ends Coldwater Canyon Avenue/Oxnard Street
Why Go There? Half-mile-long painted mural illustrates the history of Los Angeles/ California; took five+ years to complete, 600+ gallons of paint, 400 youth volunteers, collaboration of ethnology, history, anthropology specialists; best seen on foot
More Information: Great Wall of Los Angeles

Hammer Museum & Franklin D Murphy Sculpture Garden University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) - Los Angeles (Westwood Village)

Tuesday-Friday 11:00am-8:00pm Saturday-Sunday closes 5:00pm
Location: 10899 Wilshire Boulevard
Why Go There? Cutting edge contemporary art exhibits; Armand Hammer's 16th-20th century American and European art collection; art talks, events; cafe; free admittance. The impressive Franklin D Murphy Sculpture Garden includes 70+ modern and contemporary sculptures from renowned artists displayed across the five acre UCLA campus.
More Information: Hammer Museum + Franklin D Murphy Sculpture Garden

Japanese American Cultural & Community Center - Los Angeles

Location: 244 South San Pedro Street
Why Go There? Hub for Japanese and Japanese American arts features an art gallery, Japanese Garden (free, open to the public; closed Mondays); schedules theater performances, culinary programs
More Information: JACCC

Los Angeles City College VAMA Gallery - Los Angeles

Virtual 2020-2021
Location: 855 North Vermont Avenue (Da Vinci Hall First Floor) parking in lot four
Why Go There? Changing exhibits include annual student, faculty shows; lectures, art films
More Information: VAMA Gallery

Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) - Los Angeles

Tuesday, Thursday 11:00am-5:00pm, Friday until 8:00pm, Saturday-Sunday 10:00am-7:00pm; Closed Wednesday, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day
Location: 5905 Wilshire Boulevard
Why Go There? Largest Western US art museum contains significant holdings of Asian, Latin American, Islamic art; tours, talks; film screenings, special movie events; music concerts coordinated with art exhibits, other musical performances; senior, student discounts, free: children, active military, Los Angeles county residents weekdays after 3:00pm
More Information: LACMA + Music Programs

Los Angeles Public Library (Central Downtown Branch) - Los Angeles

Location: 630 West 5th Street
Why Go There? Multi-floor renovated historic building features detailed tiles, paintings, sculptures, historic building design; daily no-cost hour long docent-led interior tours (12:30pm); Saturday outdoor sculpture garden tour
More Information: Art & Architecture of the Central Library

Loyola Marymount University (LMU) Lab, Art Gallery & Thomas P. Kelly (TPK) Jr. Art Gallery (student art) - Los Angeles

Tuesday-Saturday 11:00am-4:00pm (Thursday until 7:00pm)
Monday-Friday 12:00pm-4:00pm (TPK student art gallery)
Location: One LMU Drive (see website for driving or walking directions)
Why Go There? Changing exhibits showcase multiple media artworks; annual juried student exhibition; artist lecture series; free admission (virtual 2020-2021). TPK Student Art Gallery hosts senior group exhibitions in drawing, painting, photography, intermedia, digital art, graphic design, ceramics, sculpture, and printmaking.
More Information: Laband Art Gallery

Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)- Los Angeles

Location: Geffen (MOCA):152 North Central Avenue; Grand (MOCA): 250 South Grand Avenue; MOCA PDC: 8687 Melrose Avenue (Pacific Design Center), West Hollywood
Why Go There? Artist founded museum contains 7000 object collection of contemporary art featured in temporary and permanent exhibits; gift shops
More Information: MOCA

Otis College of Art & Design Ben Maltz Gallery - Los Angeles

Tuesday-Saturday 10:00am-5pm (Saturday opens at 11:00am)
Location: 9045 Lincoln Boulevard
Why Go There? Showcases regional, national, and international established and emerging artists; annual student exhibit; free
More Information: Exhibitions

Skirball Cultural Center - Los Angeles

Tuesday-Friday 12:00pm-5:00pm, Saturday-Sunday 10:00am-5:00pm (closed Monday)
Location: 2701 North Sepulveda Boulevard
Why Go There? Features permanent collections (one of world's largest Judaica collections), changing cultural exhibits, afternoon films (free with admission), music concerts, food classes/events, cafe, gift shop; senior, student discounts
More Information: Skirball Cultural Center

Southwest Museum Mt Washington Campus (part of The Autry Museum system) - Los Angeles

Saturday 10:00am-4:00pm
Location: 234 Museum Drive
Why Go There? Considered to have second largest US collection of Native American objects; artifacts range from prehistoric to the present, document Native history and culture in the Americas. 1912-1914 built California and Los Angeles historic landmark building designed to reflect Spanish culture and the Alhambra in Spain showcases changing exhibits; free admission
More Information: Southwest Museum Mt Washington Campus

Spring Arcade Building - Los Angeles

Location: 541 South Spring Street
Why Go There? Los Angeles: 1929 architectural gem Spring Arcade building has upscale eateries on the street level floor (see Uli Gelataria listing); participates second monthly Thursday 5:00pm art walk
More Information: Spring Arcade Building

Union Station - Los Angeles

Location: 800 North Alameda Street
Why Go There? Built in 1939 Mission Moderne style, houses a variety of art works; offers docent-led tours second Sundays (alternate Saturdays in Spanish) and besides serving as an active transportation hub, hosts music events, various eateries
More Information: Union Station

Walt Disney Concert Hall - Los Angeles
(see listing Entertainment & Performing Arts)

Watts Towers - Los Angeles

Location: 1765 East 107th Street Simon Rodia State Historic Park (adjacent to the Watts Towers Arts Center)
Why Go There? 17 eye-catching fanciful steel, wire, mortar towers with mosaic art details; multi-year project hand built by Italian-American immigrant Saboto (known as Simon) Rodin starting in 1921; tours temporarily suspended during renovations
More Information: Public Art in Public Places + Watts Tower of Simon Rodia State Historic Park + Watts Tower Arts Center

Adamson House - Malibu

Thursday-Saturday 11:00am-3:00pm; garden tour 10:00am (Fridays)
Location: 23200 Pacific Coast Highway
Why Go There? Spanish Colonial Revival historic landmark 1930's house/museum overlooking Malibu's Surf Beach contains the best surviving examples of decorative ceramic tile produced by Malibu Potteries. Free public access to the visitor center, museum, grounds (part of Malibu Lagoon State Park); hourly volunteer docent-led house or garden tours included in admission price (nominal, helps supports upkeep of the house, grounds).
More Information: Adamson House

Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art Pepperdine University - Malibu

Tuesday-Sunday 11:00am-5:00pm (evenings during events)
Location: 24255 Pacific Coast Highway
Why Go There? Founded 1992, showcases historical, contemporary art from nationally recognized artists; focus on California art; free admittance
More Information: Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art

Manhattan Beach Art Center - Manhattan Beach

Friday-Sunday 10:00am-5:00pm
Location: 1560 Manhattan Beach Boulevard
Why Go There? City run center presents four annual exhibitions, including annual community art exhibit; opening receptions
More Information: Upcoming Exhibitions

Vincent Price Art Museum East Los Angeles College - Monterey Park

Tuesday-Saturday 12:00pm-4:00pm (Thursday until 7:00pm)
Location: 1301 Avenida Cesar Chavez
Why Go There? Seven art galleries display rotating exhibitions, student shows, permanent collection (9000+ pieces) shows from noted actor Vincent Price's donated artworks focused on African, Mesoamerican, Native American and European artworks; free admission
More Information: Vincent Price Art Museum

William S Hart Museum - Newhall

Location: 24151 Newhall Avenue
Why Go There? Showcases successful silent movie star cowboy's early Spanish revival home, contents including Native American rugs, beadwork, Western artworks; grounds have a bison herd, walking trails
More Information: Hart Museum

California State University Northridge (CSUN)
Art Galleries - Northridge

Location: 18111 Nordhoff Street
Why Go There? Changing exhibits; annual juried student art show (on-line 2021) store/gift shop (main gallery) features art books, cards, unique gift items and is a fund-raising project of The Arts Council for CSUN (on-line during pandemic).
More Information: Art Galleries

Norton Simon Museum of Art - Pasadena

Monday,Wednesday 12:00pm-5:00pm, Friday-Sunday 11:00am-5:00pm (Friday-Saturday until 8:00pm); first Friday 5:00pm-8:00pm (free)
Location: 411 West Colorado Boulevard/corner of Orange Grove
Why Go There? Houses impressive art collections; sculpture garden; cafe; gift shop; offers tours, lectures, films; senior discounts
More Information: Norton Simon Museum

Additional Resources

Art in Public Places - Agoura Hills
Map

Public Art and Galleries - Beverly Hills
Interactive map

Self-Guided Street Art Tour - Burbank
”Street art shows up throughout Burbank and makes for an engaging stroll through the city”

Annual Fine Arts Festival - Calabasas
(cancelled 2021) 150 artist works; Calabasas Park Centre 23975 Park Sorrento (May)

Public Art Map - Cerritos
Art in public places map includes Cerritos Sculpture Garden, Civic Center, Center for the Performing Arts

Chatsworth Fine Arts Council - Chatsworth
Schedules summer and fall art events, walk; Jordan mural at metrolink depot

California Botanic Garden - Claremont
Art/nature exhibits (see full listing under hikes/walks)

Petterson Museum of Intercultural Arts - Claremont
Friday-Sunday 2:00pm-4:00pm; 730 Plymouth Road (in Pilgrim Place, senior community)

Compton Art Walk - Compton
Monthly first Saturday Art Walk includes street music;1051 Rosecrans Avenue

Permanent Public Art Pieces - Culver City
Self-guided walking art tours

Art in Public Places - Downey
Map

Glendale Community College - Glendale
Art gallery exhibits, lectures (virtual 2020-2021) free; 1500 North Verdugo Road

Public Art Pieces - Inglewood
Permanent, Community Based, Temporary and Time Based Works

University of La Verne Harris Art Gallery - La Verne
Other campus exhibits, public art; 1950 Third Street

Art Walks - Los Angeles area
A guide

Free Museum Days - Los Angeles area
Two dozen LA museums with free admission on select days of the week

Art Guide - Los Angeles
Metro transportation lines/stops

Public Art Sculptures -Los Angeles
Sculptural, landscape, and other public art works

Public Art in Public Places - Los Angeles
Curated website popular public art pieces, locations

Los Angeles County Department of Arts & Culture - Los Angeles
County public art images/addresses

Social and Public Art Resource Center (SPARC) - Los Angeles
Contains comprehensive archive of Los Angeles murals, public art

Second Thursday Art Walk - Los Angeles, downtown
Monthly (scheduled guided tours, fees)

Utility Box Art - Los Angeles
Story behind the project + where to find them

Public Art - Malibu
”Public art was in Malibu before the official incorporation of the City in 1991. Public art pieces in Malibu are made with a variety of materials and are placed all over the community”

Artwork in Manhattan Beach - Manhattan Beach
Public art

Monrovia Fine Arts Association - Monrovia
Art walks (old town), shows, gallery: Monrovia Community Center lobby, hall; 19 West Palm Avenue

Public Art - Monrovia
Monrovia old town public art guide

North Hollywood Arts District (NoHo) - North Hollywood
Second Saturdays art walks

Cerritos College Art Gallery - Norwalk
11110 Alondra Boulevard

Los Angeles Mural Mile Map - Pacoima
Numerous colorful murals three mile radius surrounding Pacoima City Hall/San Fernando Valley

Walking Tour - Pasadena
Self-guided architectural tour of the Pasadena Playhouse arts district

Annual Jackalope Art Fair - Pasadena
Independent arts event

Pasadena City College - Pasadena
Art galleries changing contemporary art exhibits; 1570 East Colorado Boulevard

Annual ChalkArt Festival - Pomona
(date TBD)

Pomona Arts Colony - Pomona
Murals (photos)

California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) - Santa Clarita
Art events

San Pedro Waterfront Arts District - San Pedro
Events

First Thursday - San Pedro
Monthly first Thursday art walk, activities

Gaffey Street DOT Boxes - San Pedro
Waterfront district public art utility boxes

Public Art - Torrance
”Although Torrance does not have a formal Percent for Art policy, the City has commissioned artists for site specific work and accepted donations of artwork”

Annual Old Town Art Walk - Tustin
El Camino Real/Main Street (October)