The Getty Center

6/7/2014

This is a crown jewel for Los Angeles.  Always on my top 3 or 4 things for visitors to visit (which is ironically the only times I ever get to go).

I love this place.  A limestone modern castle overlooking the city.

If you ever get a reservation at the main restaurant, the food is amazing.  Even the normal food fare is decent.

You can stroll around one of the most beautiful gardens in the west coast.

This is seriously a tremendous gift to the city from the Getty Family.  You kind of wish more billionaires / foundations built more spaces like this to create community in Los Angeles.

Oh yeah. There's also some art inside.

7/22/2014

o7.2o.14

Finally visiting Getty after living in LA for the past 15 years. Yea, you can give me a "Booo" on this one. Haha.

My friend and I arrived exactly at 10 am. And there were already lot of people.

The garden w/ the maze was probably my favorite spot of the museum so that became our first stop. Beside, it's good for picture taking when it's not as crowded yet.

There are interesting exhibits. I love art in general but I liked the paintings the most.

Tip: Try not to wear heels because there will be a lot of walking.

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  The maze~~

  The maze~~

11/23/2014

I believe this should be your #1 place to visit in LA. It's beautiful fun and amazing. Going there you first park your car $15. Then you go to the tram that takes you to the museum. The tram ride you see beautiful LA views. When you get there the facade is absolutely gorgeous. As you enter there is there is the information both. There are free tours all day. The museum has many wings to visit and lots to see. There are cafes restaurants there to. I personally like to picnic on the grass in the garden.  The garden is my favorite part. It's absolutely beautiful. Through out the museum their are terraces where you can take in the views of LA.

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  Garden

  Garden
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  Tram

  Tram

4/8/2014

You pay to park here and that's it. When I lived closer I took the bus and it was free. The garden tour and the architectural tour are both educational and interesting.
We saw the Jackson Pollock Mural that is visiting and part of the paintings. There is too much here to fully appreciate in one day. Pick and choose and enjoy this little piece of culture off the madness of the 405.

10/14/2014

This place is beautiful, every part and every angle of it. You enjoy a panoramic view of the city while riding the train up to the museum. Once at the museum you can check out an iPod and headphones to use during your tour around the place. There's lots of paintings, sculptures and artifacts to explore inside the museum. Then outside there are beautiful gardens, and water fountains that you can enjoy, there's also a lot of seatings outside and inside the museum. This museum is honestly gorgeous and the best part is that it's free! :)

11/4/2014

Fan! I'm an art history minor but probably the only one of its kind that doesn't actually like art....Went to school in NYU and had various museums at my fingertips but never truly got into it. With that said, I love the Getty! I love that there's so much traveling required throughout the museum and I love how interactive the architecture is with the visitor.

If you visit, be sure to get an iPod touch from the welcome center and bring your own headphones. You can type numbers in that are on different works of art and get your own mini commentary session on. Next time I'm here, I'm bringing blankets and a picnic basket with some individual serving of red wine.

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit.

6/12/2014

Five huge stars for the Getty Center.

I'm subtracting one star for a couple snarky volunteers I encountered. I was chaperoning a group and asked a couple simple questions. I was treated as if I were a total idiot. They epitomized the "art snob." Not cool at all. If you're going to volunteer,  then be nice to people, please. Sure, you're a great person because you volunteer, but if you assume everyone you encounter is an moron, then you shouldn't volunteer, because you taint the experience, and make the rest of the volunteers look bad, who by the way, are GREAT!

The Getty is the best! The docents, let me tell ya', they love what they do. I highly recommend taking one of the tours. It'll really help you get a feel for the place...which is incredible! Indescribably wonderful!!

I hadn't been there for over ten years. It's a lot less crowded during the week than it used to be. By all means this a "must do" if you live in LA, or have anyone visiting!

4/27/2014

Gorgeous venue, gorgeous artwork which is well-arranged.  Getty curators and docents, you rock!  

Get a great view of the LA area and take photos in the awesome gardens.   And, tell your friends that you visited the place that appeared in Star Trek: Into Darkness as Starfleet Academy!

9/7/2014

This is my first time coming on Saturday and it is amazing.

$10 for parking after 5, the weather is nice, the view is beautiful with the sunset, and it's not as crowded as I expected.

Many people are just relaxing on the lawn by the garden and the smell of coffee lingers in the air.

10/10 would come back on a Saturday after 5.

11/29/2014

What an incredible, stunning museum.  I'm not one who visits all the museums, but The Getty Center is an amazing place.  First off is the spectacular  views of LA and the gardens. If you don't even enter the Museum, the views are worth going for.  Inside are many works of arts and the masterpieces that are incredible along with many works that are just not my thing.  It's free to get in and well worth taking a day trip to expand your horizons.

2/7/2015

I've been here twice. Once in winter and once in summer. Both times have been spectacular. The show was absolutely superb and worth the money.

11/13/2014

Very beautiful place! I will definitely come back to do some more exploring.

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6/26/2014

A lovely place to spend an afternoon alone or with someone. In March, it was our last weekend together, so we decided to visit the Getty. We both had not been in awhile so it was time to come. On a Saturday afternoon getting here is still a b*tch because the 405 loves to make you drive slow.

Finally exiting the freeway, we arrived at the Getty and we found parking relatively easy. I always loved the tram going to the Getty and that is always a treat to me. It is free to get in so we started exploring. We visited each of the buildings and I finally saw the Irises by Vincent Van Gogh. There are some paintings that touch you and this one is it for me. It's simply beautiful.

Overall, the Getty is a beautiful place. Plenty of picture opportunities so definitely take them. You'll see the LA skyline and the ocean! It's a place that should be visited! Don't miss out!

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  Fedora kind of day

  Fedora kind of day
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  View of the ocean!

  View of the ocean!
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  DTLA!

  DTLA!
• See all photos from Christie C. for The Getty Center

11/23/2014

Breathtaking views. What a wonderful place to take people from out of town or just to go for fun. Lots to see and lots of walking. There are dozens of different galleries. The team that takes you up the hill is awesome. I love taking photos in the garden. This place is huge compared to the villa in Malibu.

7/25/2014

Second time I went and it was even better than the first. The volunteers are so sweet and there are so many fun things to do with the family. Instead of going and spending a ton at the restaurant we brought a picnic and enjoyed an afternoon in the sun after the adventures of the museum.
There are great views and beautiful architecture all over the property.

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• See all photos from Jessica T. for The Getty Center

4/1/2014

I may be terrible at art, but I'm great at looking at it.  :D

I love coming here... I make it a point to come every year.  I still like Norton's collection more, but the overall feel you get when you visit the Getty is.... still a sense of awe.

My favorite wing is the East Pavilion with the 17th century art.  There are a lot of paintings with old frigates (which I like).  

The coffee cart was surprisingly good, the mocha coffee was on point (sweet, but not overwhelmingly so) and the cookies were very soft.

Great art, great coffee....  that's all you need!

8/7/2014

So so glad there are places like the Getty Museum where kids and adults alike can have good, clean fun while learning about the arts.

Cons:
1. They have a family center but the line ups are huge and they don't rush the kids. We went on a Wednesday afternoon and couldn't get in. Can't imagine how much worse the lines get on weekends. They need to expand the area and put some kind of time limits so everyone can get a turn. My kids were very disappointed.

Pros:
1. If the arts don't interest you, go for the views.

2. The tram ride up the steep hill is scary and fun at the same time

3. The galleries are very well appointed

4. Ushers are very polite

5. Nice little souvenir shops

6. No fee for entry but parking is $15. Still cheap for a family of four, compared to other places

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  View from tram ride up to the museum

  View from tram ride up to the museum
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  An art work at the museum

  An art work at the museum
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  View from the museum courtyard

  View from the museum courtyard

2/6/2015

Based in The Getty Center  not a park like in Los Angeles, CA , much more hilly and suited towards desset plants. It has fantastic views of Los Angeles, CA and the Hollywood sign. Within the observatory is a nice, inexpensive cafe, some interesting exhibits and we paid for the planetarium which is an inexpensive treat for children.

4/18/2014

This place is beautiful! You get amazing views of LA, art, flowers, and just a nice time. They have awesome exhibits here especially the ones that are only there for a certain amount of time. Recently they had Jackson Pollock's mural. I was a bit disappointed that they only had that one mural and nothing else but that's okay.  They also had a Queen Elizabeth exhibit which was great.

Definitely worth it to spend the day here. Take your time, enjoy the view and the amazing art.

Last time I went which was April 2014, the garden with the maze in the middle was under construction.

Parking is $15, admission is free, parking is $10 or free after 5pm (I forgot which one just call and double check if it's super important to you)

8/25/2013

THE COMPLEX:  Upon entrance you'll park in a garage.  Tip:  The garage looks crowded but go down to level 6 or 7 and there's plenty of parking available.  You'll then take the train up the hill to the complex.  You'll first arrive at the Entrance Hall, where you can get information, headsets, etc.  The Museum Store and restrooms are also located there.  As you exit the other end, you'll enter the Museum Courtyard where you'll find coffee/snack stands and plenty of seating.  This is also the area where the Saturdays off the 405 is held.  Exhibits are displayed in 4 main pavilions -- West, South, East, and North in an anticlockwise direction.

From the lowest level of the West Pavilion you can access the Garden Terrace Café and the Central Garden.  The garden has many good photo spots with the architecture of the Getty in the background.  It is also a nice place to take a break from the exhibits or to enjoy a picnic.

THE EXHIBITS:  There is a good variety of exhibits on display, but the vast majority are European paintings.  Some of those paintings are indeed masterpieces and a few of them took my breath away.  Among the many paintings is the World famous Louis XIV.  However, there is a lack of contemporary paintings and modern sculptures, which would certainly add an extra dimension to the displays.

One particularly enlightening exhibit is the "Hearsay of the Soul".  The music was powerful and it blended with the art display to create an intimate sensation that made you feel that you are completely absorbed and engaged into the art.  It's a powerful yet serene feeling that's different from anything of its kind that I've experienced.

SECURITY:  When we were there yesterday there was an excessive presence of security at all the exhibits, almost to the extent that it became intrusive.  It almost felt like there is always a security guard looking over your shoulder.  Moreover, the demeanor of a few of them were less than professional.  In contrast, when we were at the de Young Museum in San Francisco, security was visible but not intrusive.  They interacted with the guests and greeted us warmly.  They moved around and not stare at you like those at the Getty.

FOOD:  As one would probably expect, it's more like amusement park food at amusement park prices.  A mediocre hot dog and a bottled iced tea at the Garden Terrance Café cost about $10.  An iced mocha from the coffee stand is about $4 and it's not even good.  If you need a mocha, get one from Starbucks on your way here.

Overall, it was a very enjoyable Saturday afternoon, and we will certainly do this again in the future.

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• See all photos from Rob L. for The Getty Center

10/28/2014

We went here and was impressed with the entire museum.  We couldn't believe that 1. it was free admission and only $15.00 parking, and 2. that you can get so close to the original paintings.  

They have a impressive collection of art here from some of the greatest artists of all time.  

Make a point to check in and get a ipod that you can use to listen to more detail about each painting or sculpture, that also is free one just has to check their license.  

We didn't see everything in one day so we will definitely be going back.  

Great place to spend a Saturday with your loved one.

3/2/2014

I don't know what I can say that everyone else hasn't already said, but this is an amazing museum & garden.  It is very beautiful here and they go out of their way to cater to their patrons, which is amazing for a place that costs only the $15 parking charge.

I really love everything about the Getty, but especially that you can truly explore everywhere.  There is so little that is "off limits", you can wander up and down stairs, inside and outside and the buildings and the grounds and the gardens are just gorgeous, as are the views of LA and Santa Monica.  It's just a place you can go to sort of unwind and enjoy.

Inside, they have tours of the museum with different themes and they also have self guided tours using an iPod Touch that is provided for your use while in the museum.  We did not do that tour on this occasion, but I plan to do that next time.  The exhibits are varied and give a nice overview of art through the history.

We were there in the rain and they have a zillion umbrellas all over that you can use to get from place to place since there are so many places that are outdoor spaces.  I loved that!

They also have a very nice auditorium where they present different performances.  I was there for a concert type show and the sound and lighting was great.  The seats were very comfortable and everything went smoothly getting the tickets and selecting seats on the day of the show.

When you arrive, be careful using your GPS as it will try to take you to the actual location and you need to get to the parking structure.  Check the website for directions!  You park near the freeway and take a tram up to the site.  Everything runs so smoothly and you no longer need reservations to park as you did the last time I was there, 10 years ago.

Overall, this is a place in LA you should not miss.  It's really lovely.

4/26/2014

I came in search of Christian art on Holy Thursday and found some high above the 405 parking lot.

I'll say it now: I'm hopelessly biased toward the Huntington, but it cannot be denied that the Getty has the more extensive and wide-reaching collection and the better views.  This sidetrip was, without a doubt, far superior to class.  But it's just so freaking busy!  There's no such thing as quietly pondering the interplay of light, shadow, and subject when you're stepping on busloads of kids and listening to 30 foreign languages a minute.  

The museum is famous for its labyrinth, but in reality the whole place is just one big labyrinth, designed to allow the visitor to completely lose himself in a raptured state of mind.  It's an island of white travertine rising above a sea of scrub brush on an LA mountaintop, and indeed stepping off of the tram and into its massive courtyard does elevate the spirit a bit.  And there are more than a few steps to climb.  And yet for all the effort everywhere you turn you find something beautiful, something thought-provoking, or something just plain strange (for this last point that's usually the architecture of the place itself.)

For the benefit of the uninitiated, there are several galleries each covering a swath of history, ranging from before 1700 to the present day, as well as a selection of photographic works and furniture.  Hand illuminated Byzantine Bibles, stained glass, and holy ornaments are to be found in one, while furniture, romantic portraiture, and landscapes are to be found in another.  A "terrace" containing a deceptively large selection of photographic art (including a lovely Ansel Adams exhibit) is also to be found hidden off of the main cafe deck.  And everywhere you look there seems to be a view - whether it's a gorgeous vista or a precious work of art.

They have a wide array of food and drink to offer, including wines and beers.  But because of the impossible lines that proliferated at all hours of the day (and the fact that I prefer to enjoy my artwork while sober) I did not partake and therefore cannot comment on their quality.

The scope of the complex is positively massive, befitting the extensive collection of art that resides within.  An intriguing blend of modern architectural sensibilities and eons old stone, for what it lacks in comforting welcoming quality it more than makes up for in distinction and energy.  Like any great gallery, the Getty invites a spirit of adventure and exploration.  It may at times feel a little sterile, and the surroundings a bit spartan for some of the more opulent and religious artwork contained within the collection, but its breadth and the promise of more discoveries around the corner make that shortcoming an easy one to overlook.

The crowds, however, are insane.  Even on a Thursday.  You have been warned.

12/28/2014

Overall 5 stars due to the content and the wide variety of art. Only wish there were more signs and more places to sit outside with the views.

10/19/2014

What a wonderful experience walking through their gardens!!!never been here before but can't wait to comeback and possibly picnic!!!!

4/21/2014

This was one of the highlights of my visit to LA

I'm a museum lover and one of those annoying people who stop to read every single sign, so I barely got to see two buildings before we had to leave.

To start, the architecture here is fantastic; an art in itself. The buildings made of limestone are amazing and beautiful against the sunset. The entire complex is set atop a large hill with a jaw-dropping view all around. There's a hovertrain funicular that goes up and down from the entrance to the parking lot at the base. The ride its a great opportunity to see some of the cool views from around the complex.

There's a small garden on a lower level where people sit on benches and the lawn. It was an extremely relaxed atmosphere against a beautiful lush background.

There was also a small cactus garden out back, where I managed to catch some great silhouette photos.

I watched the sun set here and it was probable one of the prettiest I'd ever seen. There were tourists, couples, trees, water, and building all reflecting and silhouetted as the sun slowly crept down behind. It was quite magnificent.

I'd love to be able to go back some day and take an entire afternoon to explore the other wings. I'd also live to visit the Getty Villa, which I've heard is equally as beautiful.

6/11/2014

Hands down my favorite museum!! I love the variety of art that they display and the beautiful gardens! Great views all around! I love walking around and taking in all of the beauty while feeling zen. It's a big museum and it is great for families. I always bring my relatives when they visit from outside the states.

Free to get in but you just have to pay for parking, not bad at all! So worth it, I try to come here as much as I can. It is very organized, clean and has friendly staff.

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  Gardens outside museum.

  Gardens outside museum.

2/19/2014

I love free museums! It doesn't make me feel obligated to stay there all day and it takes the pressure off of trying to get your money's worth. However, parking is still $15, but that's okay- it's actually pretty worth it. This museum is filled with beautiful artwork in the form of sculptures, paintings, and photography. It's pretty huge so you could easily spend all day here. If you're not that into art, the architecture of the buildings is amazing, there are epic views of LA from the higher levels, and the garden outside is beautiful! There's even a lawn where you can hang out and have a picnic at if you want. It's an awesome place and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a daytime activity in LA.

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• See all photos from Stephanie G. for The Getty Center

5/3/2014

This is my favorite museum. Great architecture and exhibition. New and clean. More importantly it's the amazing view on top of the mountain overlooking Los Angeles city. You get a fun experience riding the tram up the hill as well.

10/7/2014

The Getty center is a wonderful place to visit and tour all the wonderful art exhibits they have. The central garden is beautiful and tranquil. The staff and volunteers are great and informative. Also beautiful views of the city from up there. Gift shop had great souvenirs and helps out the Center.

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  Mercury 1570-80 Bronze

  Mercury 1570-80 Bronze
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  Madonna and Child about 1490-1500

  Madonna and Child about 1490-1500
• See all photos from Wendy P. for The Getty Center

1/31/2015

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE!  One of the hidden gems of LA.  Go spend the day there - you will not be disappointed.  There is something for everyone, even if you are not artsy.  The garden is amazing and the views are breathtaking.  Entrance is free - you only have to pay for parking.  GO!  You can thank me later. :)

11/29/2014

The BeSt , The RiChes,Museum in the WorlD and wE havE it in our OwN bAcK yaRd. AwsOmE . ThiS location has MostlY all BeaUtiFuL PaiNtinGs, AnD somE smalleR  artifacts . ThE GETTY is LARge with sO mucH to Do here. ThE sUrRouNdInG ViEw is AmaZinG , I CanT sAy EnougH GrEaT ThInGs abOut tHis GREAT MUSEUM, you have to SEE it for YouRselF. AdmiSSion at the JPG is FREE. UnLikE so many other Museums in the U.S.A. and EurOpE that charGE yOu  a outrageous AdmiSSion and they dOnt havE a FractiOn of ARTIFACTS  that the JPG has . Must SEE.

4/20/2014

What's not to love??. The only thing I can think of is certain galleries where taking a picture is prohibited and you cant bring your own wine.. grrr..  Understandable, but who likes to be told "no'??
Other than that, it's a perfect afternoon. Great view, beautiful garden, nice exhibits and pleasant picnics.

A must visit!

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  Welcome!!!

  Welcome!!!
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• See all photos from Vivian M. for The Getty Center

6/4/2014

The Getty is a great place to spend the day! It's located on a hill in Brentwood, so the view is of green hills and the city from a distance. It's very picture-esque. I love the outdoor garden and architecture here. They have a cactus garden, a maze art made out of shrubs, a small fountain, as well as pretty colored flowers and trees! The inside is made up of paintings, sculptures and photographs. I especially loved the photography collection they have here. Most of the photographs are sepia and black and white toned, so they are truly perfect for an art lover like myself. My only comment is that I wish they would expand their art collection. Their art collection is a lot smaller than LACMA's. I would rather go to LACMA over the Getty for this reason since I love looking at art.

Parking: The actual museum is free, however, there is a parking fee of $15. Definitely carpool with a friend and split the parking fee, it's only $7.50 and you get to enjoy all of the beauty the Getty has to offer. This is also a great date spot! There is a small cafe inside you can enjoy some cappuccino and sandwiches with your date after you explore the center! This place is also great for people of all ages. Everyone living in LA should definitely explore the Getty at some point or another!

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• See all photos from Robin S. for The Getty Center

1/19/2014

We came here to help celebrate my wife's birthday.  When we scheduled this three weeks ago, I was figuring this was the empty football Sunday before Super Bowl.  Oops.  Now I was screwed.  Thank you smart phones.  At least I could get real time scores.  There were actually a lot of men walking around the place, but they were all either wearing berets, speaking a strange language or holding their wife's purse.

$1.3 Billion to build this place?  What a truly amazing investment.  An unvelievable chunk of Brentwood real estate with views of Downtown L.A. as well as the ocean off Santa Monica and down to the South Bay.  The buildings, the gardens and the art displays are all world class.  Every bit as impressive as places we visited in London, Rome and Paris.  I have no art knowlege of any kind but I was breathless just taking in the sights of this mountaintop oasis.  Truly worth a vsit.  No more parking issues, or reservations needed.  $15 to park and FREE admission.

7/18/2013

* * * * * MAGNIFICENT * * * * *

Typical museums are not everyone's "cup of tea," unless there is something one really desires, target specific groups, or been forced to by a teacher to write a research paper about it.  Getty Center is one of the few museums where it doesn't take a lot to make people come here, and they love it !

The museum is more famous for their garden and the magnificent view of L.A. Downtown than its actual artwork collection. The artwork is not on par with LACMA, but is still the second most extensive museum collection in Los Angeles.

The art collection was mostly from Europe in the renaissance. I prefer the diversity of LACMA because I can see Mayan, Ancient Egyptian, and other ancient civilization's artwork.

Tips:

*         Parking is $15, but $10 after 5p.m.   Parking valid on both Getty Centers on the same day!

*         Get something to eat first or bring your food here unless you don't mind overpaying for the museum cafeteria.    

*         Best time to view is usually around sunset, but most of the time will be a bit cloudy due to L.A. Pollution.

*         Cameras are allowed in all areas except the Special Exhibit area.  Flash and tripods are forbidden.

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• See all photos from Richard L. for The Getty Center

7/23/2013

Everything about this museum is classy and beautiful. The Getty itself is a beautiful piece of architecture. The gardens were nice for a walk after we ate at the Terrace Cafe. I didn't have high expectations for the food but the salads and sandwiches seemed fresh enough although they were prepackaged. For 2 of us with drinks, sandwiches, and a cookie it cost $25. People were picnicking on the grass next to the garden. I'm sure you have figured out by now but the parking for the museum is $15 and entrance is free. There are nice fountains to lounge by as well and they provide an extra boost of serenity. The museum offers a few 45 minute tours throughout the day including an architecture tour and a garden tour.

The permanent exhibits feature art from the masters of every era and you can see countless beautiful paintings by artists that you have read about many times. There are 4 or 5 buildings filled with art, each at least 2 stories tall. The nonpermanent exhibits at the time that I went were SO WONDERFUL. There was an architectural drawings exhibit as well as Ed Ruscha photography and photographs from 2 Japanese artists. You could easily spend all day here and I am looking forward to coming back when they switch to new exhibits. Plus, the sweeping views of LA don't hurt!

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  Impressionist Era

  Impressionist Era
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  Impressionist Era

  Impressionist Era
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  The view.

  The view.

8/27/2013

The Getty is one of those places that you MUST visit if you are in LA no matter how short your visit may be.  While on vacation in San Diego, Hubs and I made a trip up to LA to visit some friends and do some sight-seeing (disclaimer:  this was not our first time in LA, either).  Well, there is no better place than the Getty.  Just be sure you bring your camera.  There is no flash photography allowed in the buildings, but that's simple to get around.  You'll want your camera for the incredible views!

It's simple:  world-renown works of arts, impeccable gardens, extraordinary and knowledgable staff all yours for the taking for free.  That's right, admission is absolutely free.  Bring snacks and a drink, and you won't be bothered at all.  The only thing you pay for is parking, which is $15 per car.  So if you're with two other friends, that's $5/person and I dare you to find me another place like the Getty with cheaper prices.  You can't.  

Parking is organized and well monitored by staff, so if the garage is full (just keep going down), they will direct you somewhere else.  Furthermore, there is a tram that takes you to the Getty Center from the parking lot so you don't have to hoof it up the hills.  

The building is beautiful.  The architecture is inspiring and it will take you out of your daily element.  If you're looking for paintings, sculptures, furnitures, artifacts, photographs, music, textiles, and so much more... the Getty has them.  The views of the Los Angeles area are incredible (Sidenote:  if you can get up there after it rains, your views will be much better since the rain brings the pollution out of the sky).  See Brentwood, Westwood, downtown LA, and the ocean all from the Getty.

ALL the tours are free.  ALL the staff want to help you make the most of your experience.  

Sure, you may not be an "artsy" kind of person, and that's okay.  However, there will surely be something at the Getty that sparks your interest or at least makes you smile.  Pony up the $15 for parking, get out of traffic for the day, and simply take in the experience.

I guarantee you'll be glad you did!

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  City views from The Getty

  City views from The Getty
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  The Getty and the gardens

  The Getty and the gardens

12/31/2014

Beautiful place for art and culture lovers, tourists and locals alike! Upon my lovely holiday vacation visiting my Aunt in LA, she set aside one of the days for us to visit The Getty. Even on a late December day, we were graced with beautiful Cali weather, thankfully. Seems like a very popular place for visitors, and there is plenty of parking to accommodate. Parking is $15, but admission is free. We asked around and discovered that the free admission is due to the fact that it is funded by the  J. Paul Getty Trust! How nice. The line for the tram to the main grounds was quite long, but moved rather quickly and smoothly. The outdoor entrance and atmosphere of the museum is overall beautiful. I encourage you to indulge in all angles of the overlooking views, you will find plenty of breathtaking angles to peer from. In the main hall there are various help desks and tour options. We chose to just grab a map and find our own way. The gallery is separated primarily by era. I believe you can easily spend an entire day on the campus if you'd like to partake in every display. I was pleased with many of the stunning pieces, complete with a few famous Monets, a piece by Edward Munch, a van Gogh and a Picasso! Of course this was the most crowded room by the time we got there. I was a little perturbed when I wasn't allowed to take a photo of the Picasso, but discovered that this was because the museum doesn't own this particular piece. We were looking forward to seeing the gardens, as some acquaintances expressed how much they enjoyed it. Although it was very pretty, I am sure the wow factor increases with the appropriate spring and summer seasons. As far as food, the garden side cafe is closed during the winter months. However there is an outdoor snack and coffee cart that serves chips, sandwiches, etc. You also have the choice of indoor dining, as a bit of a pricier option. We were both overall pleased with our experience at The Getty!

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  Panoramic View of the city from The Getty

  Panoramic View of the city from The Getty
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1/29/2015

Yes. Stop asking questions. Just do it.