Going to the Petersen!

[ttyymmnn]

My wife was looking for something to do in LA before we drive up to Santa Barbara. I mentioned the Petersen, and rather surprisingly, she said it looked pretty cool and thought our boys would enjoy it. So, we're going to the Petersen.

But here's the question. We have limited time, probably no more than three to four hours. Should we bother with The Vault? From what I've seen it's a garage with a ton of cars, but if you don't really know what you're looking at (remember, I'm much more at home in a plane museum), is it worth the extra $25/head to see it? Or would we, as not the biggest gear heads, be better off with just the main museum?

[Chariotoflove]

@ttyymmnn

Nifty. I'd love to see the Vault, but not at the expense of seeing everything in the main museum. I think you should stay an extra day. That's the only answer.

[ttyymmnn]

@Chariotoflove said in Going to the Petersen!:

I think you should stay an extra day. That's the only answer.

Unfortunately, that's not an option on this trip. We have to get to SB that day for a family dinner.

[Snakesm13]

@ttyymmnn I can’t remember how long the Vault takes but it comes with a tour guide which the 2 times I’ve done it has been worth it. They are extremely knowledgeable in the cars they know. Usually ones with history, presidential vehicles, important automotive history and whatnot. The other stuff that a true car nerd would geek out over, not so much, like personal collections in there.

The museum is awesome but being able to ask someone questions is invaluable sometimes.

[Rusty Vandura]

@Snakesm13 said in Going to the Petersen!:

@ttyymmnn I can’t remember how long the Vault takes but it comes with a tour guide which the 2 times I’ve done it has been worth it. They are extremely knowledgeable in the cars they know. Usually ones with history, presidential vehicles, important automotive history and whatnot. The other stuff that a true car nerd would geek out over, not so much, like personal collections in there.

The museum is awesome but being able to ask someone questions is invaluable sometimes.

That's a good take.

[Wrong Wheel Drive]

@ttyymmnn theres plenty to see in the main museum to eat up a couple hours. I didnt feel like I missed out by skipping the vault, because there was plenty to see outside of it.

[Spasoje]

@Snakesm13 seconding this. I plan to visit the Petersen soon, and even if there was a no-guide option for the vault, I'd go with the guide every time. Too many relatively obscure facts about these cars to miss by touring it on your own.

[just-a-scratch]

@ttyymmnn My wife and I went there in '19 and saw nearly everything in the main museum in about three hours.

I haven't done the vault, but I would probably want more time if I did it.

[john norris]

@ttyymmnn said in Going to the Petersen!:

@Chariotoflove said in Going to the Petersen!:

I think you should stay an extra day. That's the only answer.

Unfortunately, that's not an option on this trip. We have to get to SB that day for a family dinner.

Skip the vault. Santa Barbara isn't that far but getting out of Santa Monica, through the 405 pass, San Fernando Valley, Thousand Oaks, Camarillo, Ventura, can be problematic. You can go for a scenic ride up through Malibu instead of the 405, 101 route. But you need to add even more schedule margin for that.

While at the Peterson get a good look at Elvis's Pantera and read about him shooting the hole in the floor.

[drVanTraveler]

@ttyymmnn Have a nice tour, guided or not.

[sampsonite24]

Skip the vault unless you have more than 4 hours. The first time I went I spend about 4 hours walking around the main museum without going in the vault, the vault adds about another hour or so