Hammer Museum

UCLA's Hammer Museum plays host to works of art from all across the cultural spectrum. A first class establishment, you can take in edgy contemporary art alongside more established fare. The Hammer also hosts year-long series of (mostly) free readings, theatrical, and musical events that have featured (just to name a few) Jonathan Lethem, Chris Ware, Dave Eggers, Danger Mouse, Nels Cline, and Karen Finley. Although parking downstairs might be a drag, it's a small price to pay for the Museum equivalent of a public library.