Containing one of the best classic car collections anywhere in the world, including more than 250 pristine automotive masterpieces, the Nethercutt is a car enthusiast's dream destination. Most cars are fully restored and lovingly preserved in mint condition, and the on-site Nethercutt Automotive Research Library and Archive is a valuable resource for car lovers that restore vehicles themselves. Beyond cars, the collection's instrument collection is a standout, featuring everything from player pianos and nickelodeons to a Wurlitzer pipe organ.
Since museum entry is free, you can easily add this museum to your LA itinerary, or pair a visit to the Mission San Fernando Rey de España. If you want to see the Nethercutt's antique holdings, be sure to reserve a guided tour of the Nethercutt Collection.
Located in Sylmar, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) from Los Angeles, the museum is easily reachable by car. You can take the I-5 to exit 159A. Follow Roxford Street to Bradley Avenue, and the museum's entrance is on your right. Parking is free.
The Nethercutt Museum is open Thursday through Saturday, and closed on major holidays. Just note that the Nethercutt Collection is only accessible by guided tours. Tours of the trains are not offered on rainy days, so if the weather looks foreboding, you should reschedule your visit. Since the museum periodically holds organ concerts, music fans should check the calendar.
The Spanish missions in California typically date to the 18th century, when European missionaries started evangelical forays into North America. The Mission San Fernando Rey de España serves as an excellent example of this Spanish history in California, and it's just a short drive from the Nethercutt. You can visit the church and monastery, walk the quadrangle, and pay your respects at the historic cemetery where many American Indians are interred.
