1. Soap Plant and WACKO
8.7
4633 Hollywood Blvd (at Rodney Dr), Los Angeles, CA
Gift Store · Los Feliz · 42 tips and reviews
Jennifer Bolen: Go here and check out the La Luz de Jesus gallery and buy some off the wall tchotchkes.
CraveOnline: Wacko has everything from action figures, cool books, Tiki glasses and tons of bobble heads. If it is strange and cool, you can find it at Wacko. Don't forget to check out the art gallery in the back. Read more.
Julissa Loza-Josephson: Great place with huge selection of odd books, toys, candies...and an art gallery too.
2. Hauser & Wirth
9.4
901 E 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA
Art Gallery · Arts District · 16 tips and reviews
Doug de Wet: Not to be missed, gorgeous space, world-class, museum quality galleries, an exciting and striking addition to the rapidly evolving Arts District neighborhood.
Connie Chiu: Cool new hipster gallery spot of mish mosh things and people. Kinda bougie tho tbh.
Paul T.: Love this place as a public meeting space with art galleries, restaurant and even a working garden with chickens.
The Standard: CA (See) Secretly nestled in Santa Monica, Bergamot Station is an amazing collection of art galleries. Don't miss the gift shop, the gallery of functional art, & make sure to have lunch at the cafe!
Meg L.: Hidden/tucked away on Michigan Ave. just off the 10 in SaMo, there's a charming little cafe (decent food, not stellar), but just the tons of galleries & cute scenery are fantastic.
Otis College of Art and Design: Bergamot Station is a converted car storage area for the steam–powered railroad that ran to the beach. It houses 26 art galleries that show everything from photography to functional jewelry.
Amy Yen: Check out their art classes! Professional artists teach & there's usually a part where you go into the gallery to study art before going into the studio.
stephanie: don't miss the netsuke gallery in the pavilion for Japanese art!
Joe Murphy Librarian: Hidden treasure of impressionist art on 3rd floor of Ahmanson bldg gallery 309 - Degas, Monet, Cezanne, and more.
5. Barnsdall Art Park
9.1
4804 Hollywood Blvd (N. Vermont Avenue), Los Angeles, CA
Park · Little Armenia · 49 tips and reviews
Sal Lloren: Art gallery shows are among the best this side of LA. Check out the annual juried show and the Beyond Eden show.
Meg L.: It's not spectacular by any means, but there's something so charming about this park. Space to relax, architecture, a sculpture garden, an art gallery, theatre, etc. Perfect to relax.
LAist: You’ll find massive sculptures, neat lawns, and local Angelenos lounging, playing guitar, and painting. There's also one of the city’s best local art galleries and ideal vistas of the Hollywood sign. Read more.
6. The Last Bookstore
9.1
453 S Spring St (at 5th St), Los Angeles, CA
Bookstore · Downtown Los Angeles · 169 tips and reviews
Beth Martinez: Check out the art gallery upstairs, Liz Huston's work is inspired!
IrmaZandl ZandlSlant: OMG AMAZING. The way they use books to create environments is phenomenal Upstairs galleries worth checking out also.
K J: Fun place to check out. So many options, interesting space and fun galleries at top.
Lizzy Rodriguez: You must put this on your to do list when in L.A. Don't forget to check out the actual gallery in the back! This is a great place for unique gift shopping.
Idea Monkey, Inc.: Billy Shire opened this gallery in 1986. Its first location was above the Soap Plant/Wacko on Melrose. He has described their philosophy by saying, "Art should be by the people and for the people.”
Qeetra Caldwell: Just explore. It's all so ridiculously amazing with the taxidermy gallery!
Assurance Advertising: A great way to spend the day. Have a cozy picnic on the lawn, take amazing photos of surrounding city and/or architecture, and walk through the galleries to explore the many pieces on display.
Nina J: beautiful landscape & architecture, visit all the galleries to see art & learn about the history of it
g oconnor: Sunday Cafe and nice galleries to stroll.
viv wang: Check out group shows at the Hive Gallery & Studios (Spring St). Treat yourself to some Absinthe or beers at the bar while you enjoy the viewing. There's even a couch in very back if you need a rest. Read more.
HowAboutWe: Free galleries, people watching and street entertainment. What more could you want on a date? Swing by one of the food truck lots for dessert and then end the evening with a nightcap at Seven Grand.
Jhanai Cruz: I love the crack gallery
PacificStandardTime: 1960s–70s—Watts Towers Art Center was an important gathering place for artists who were not represented by the city's art galleries, especially when the center was run by artist Noah Purifoy in 1964. Read more.
ExperienceLA: "Civic Virtue: The Impact of the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery and the Watts Towers Art Center" chronicles the evolution of the space into a community arts center. Read more.
Pacific Standard Time: Civic Virtue: The Impact of the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery and the Watts Towers Arts Center explores the role of civic government in the development of the arts in LA. Open through 2.12.12.