The Getty Center

1/27/2015

So pretty! Way bigger and more fascinating than the Getty Villa. Many exhibits to look at plus the beautiful garden. Needless to say one needs at least two + hours to explore this place.

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  Umm a view of Arizona?

  Umm a view of Arizona?
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  A flower from the garden

  A flower from the garden
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  A view of la through this cute window.

  A view of la through this cute window.

1/22/2015

As embarrassing as this may be, I've been in LA for 3.5 years and didn't know what this place was until I went last week. What. A. Surprise.

The Getty Center boasts some of the finest Western European art on the West Coast, and I was extremely surprised to see Monets, A Picasso, De Gas and other great works from famous artists. From oil paintings to marble inlays, the variety and volume of beautiful art is just amazing, and rather than housing these treasures in a drab and dark warehouse, they reside in architecture on par with the art's own beauty. Words are inadequate to describe the experience, from the moment you take the tram from the parking lot to the moment you leave the last pavilion.

A must see for tourists and locals alike.

1/11/2015

I enjoy coming here a few times a year. The Getty is a very nice place. There is several different museums and lots to see. Lots of different types of artwork, drawing and sculptures from different centuries. You could easily spend a day there. There is also a great Garden. Beautiful. A lot of people rave about the view from this location. Honestly, unless your a tourist, its nothing. You see the city and mountains from one side and the 405 FWY and houses on the other. You take a tram up top the top, lines can get long but the tram in only about a 5 minute ride.

I suggest coming early. I actually gets a lot more busy in the afternoon. And on a rainy day it can get pretty busy too! They provide umbrellas for you as well.

Food. There is a small cafe, a little pricey. A food cart ( hot cocoa is not that great, they close when its raining) There is a restaurant to the right of the entrance of the Getty. Very pricey. Three $$$ signs. Consist of some Salads and seafood. I cannot remember the exact pricing but its approx. $14-30/person.

Parking is $15 and $10 after 5pm. Just check the sight for more information. They have tours there as well. Never been on one, but if your visiting, its probably a good idea. I think most people know this but most of the rooms you can't take photo's or you can't use flash. If your unsure, there are employees in each room.

You will need to check how often they get knew art at the Getty. Obviously that's the best time to go...or to go back.

You should also try the Getty in Malibu. Pretty place! and next to the beach. Its mostly sculptures.

Your probably wondering why I gave 4 stars. Well, its not the customer service cause that's always great. However, the prices of the cafe and some bad drinks, the prices of the restaurant and not enough food options, the prices at all the gift shops and not always new items and not always having new exhibits.

Though new things are brought in, several pieces have been there a really long time. So I am a little dissappointed about that.

1/12/2015

Who doesn't love The Getty?

Parking and food could be way better, but it's mostly forgotten when you begin to explore inside or walk towards an awesome view of LA.

2/7/2015

Omg! Gorgeous! That too coming from a New Yorker where we're known for The Met, the Getty museum is utterly lovely with its exhibits, especially the manuscripts and paintings which have always been my favorite!!. Took the tram tho, 15 friggin $$$ for parking!!!!! Daaammmm !!

1/9/2015

great place to visit , nice paints. the parking cost 15$ but Getty museum is free. The view on the balcony is great, be wise to pick a sunny day, sunset is beautiful. Considering not to bring any food and drinks in to the museum.

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• See all photos from YangYang J. for The Getty Center

1/22/2015

One of the best attractions in LA. Taking a tram for only $15, and you can take a tour with different schedule times. I strongly recommend this landmark if you like to see spectacular views of LA, extraordinary paintings from several artists, garden tour and many more. I could spend whole day here.

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

12/1/2014

Beautiful grounds.
Last time we came, it was raining. They had all of these umbrellas out for visitors to use. That was nice.

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  garden below

  garden below
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  Waiting for tram

  Waiting for tram
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1/7/2015

The Getty is filled with many nooks and crannies to explore and photograph, a quality restaurant and free admission! All added up it is an impressive resume.

Only problem is that each individual aspect of this establishment can be lacking. Revolving exhibits change frequently to keep you entertained; but they can be a little lackluster or small, and the staff is finicky about what you can photograph. (Note to Staff: No need to yell at me from across the exhibit as if I was slashing paintings)

Parking is $15. Not much you can do about that...But you do get a free shuttle from the structure to the museum!

This is truly a wanderer's paradise. Plenty of sprawling views of the nearby areas from their breathtaking vantage points. Bring your cameras and comfy shoes.

I will rate their "fancy" sit down restaurant separately; but it was upsetting enough to mention here. I went for dinner with my girlfriend and were overlooked for about 45 minutes (sat three other tables after us, got them drinks AND food!!) before we had to get up and speak with the host (who bore hilarious resemblance to Aaron Eckhart) whom I am proud to say made a respectable effort to resolve the mistreatment by a hopefully-fired-by-now waiter. But I digress:

All-in-all this is a great place to wander alone or in groups. Come early to get parking and some personal space. Stay for the sunset.

10/13/2014

WOW JUST WOW !!!
I have lived just five miles away but it took me a trip to Sydney from Fort Lauderdale to get me. here. There is no fee and no reservations to enter this fantastic place but there is a parking fee of $15. I have been to the best museums in the world and this one is high on my list. It is a great place to take the whole family a real learning experience for the young and the young of heart. I do plan a return trip when I pass the gates of LAX again. The one thing I liked was the set up, you don't get a wall filled with master pieces but a set up just to step back and enjoy one of the works of the masters. Parking is underground with a train to drop you off. The best time to go is Tuesday to Thursday.

12/27/2014

The Getty Museum is stunning, and I highly recommend it.

The good:
- The museum boasts beautiful European art and several well-known artists.  Styles and media consist mostly of Pre-Raphaelite, Rococo, Medieval, Impressionism, Illuminated manuscripts (my favorite), photography, and special exhibitions.  
- The architecture and estate are beautiful and well-kept.
- The view from the grounds is astounding.

The irksome:
- Admission is "free" with a required $15 parking fee.  (No walk-ins / you can't park elsewhere.)  It is well worth it, but I abhor "suggested donations" and hidden fees, and would prefer the cost be more conspicuously advertised.

In short:
Yay, rich people who like art!

1/10/2015

I Have been coming to the Getty literally since I was a child and while I've come here many times throughout the years, my last visit was the first time I've come here as a father. With a gap of a few year since my previous visit I could see the changes clearly (including the enormous parking expansion). While the Getty remains the art museum it has always been for the most part, I did my research and read about all the ways it now tries to accommodate to families, since let's face it, an art museum is not that attractive to most kids. When we arrived went went down the parking structure what felt like 6 or 7 levels (this matters later).

We took the tram and we're pleasantly surprised that the Getty now offers free strollers for families. When getting off the tram we immediately realize how terrible they are. My toddler was clearly too heavy for this thing and it was plain Difficult to steer. You could clearly see the wheels had trouble turning when moving even remotely fast with a toddlers weight. The gesture is nice, but useless is useless. It it only gets worse when you've been fighting the kids AND the damn stroller for 3 hours.

Finally, after viewing the gardens, a few viewpoints and a photography exhibit we head to the so-called 'Family Room.' The Getty specifically recommends this room for families not only to get acquainted with the Getty's collection and get kids cited about it, but to let kids have some fun and have some interactive distraction. What a disappointment. The room was basically filled with a structure that was divided into 4 quadrants each with it's own 'theme.' This idea has worked at other museums we've been to, but the design was so completely unaware of the basic needs of toddlers and children in general. The first section has some peep holes and markers where kids can create their own art with a shelf so high as to be meant for early teens at best, and when my daughter cleverly used a stool to get higher, they didn't want her to use it and there were no markers for the few pieces of paper left. The next was nothing more than a large cubby with the design of a fancy French bed so you could read to your kids inside; except it's closed on all but one side and parents tend to be a bit bigger than toddlers! The third was just the walls with some weird noodles sticking out everywhere; and the fourth was just a place that kids could draw on some blank masks they could draw on but sized for adults, not tiny children's faces. It was an attempt that was so ineffective as to be a waste of time. It was obvious it was conceived by someone who maybe heard something about children years ago but implemented no common sense about how they are engaged and stimulated. The whole thing was very sterile and awkward.

Hoping for our visit to the family room to be an opportunity for our daughter to get her second wind before we continued on, we were about to keep looking but we had to leave. Kids need a time and place to feel a sense of freedom and way to let it all out. They just don;t accommodate to this need. The place is beautiful and their collections are great, but they still do not connect with kids needs on an average day.

1/15/2015

You can spend a whole day here whether or not you like art.

The trolley ride to the top is charming, and on the way down if it is night you get a view of LA traffic that turns out to be a stunning array of red and white headlights.

Sunsets from the center area are some of the best you'll see in LA. You either want to see this or the beach/pier.

12/8/2014

What a lovely place. I recommend going in the spring/summer for better weather and color. The garden and architecture planned out for this place is really neat. I encourage others to check out the guided tours for more insight! Admission is free, but parking is 15$ and you'd have to take a tram up to the museum. The view is pretty nice on the tram! I also saw a deer yesterday in the woods while we were going up. Bring a picnic basket if you plan on staying long... They have a nice grassy area in the garden where you can lay out and stare at the clouds.

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  View from the second floor

  View from the second floor

9/15/2014

Probably one of the best date night spots in LA!  Similar to the Griffith Observatory, very scenic and romantic.  Best part is that it's free admission!  Just pay for parking $15 ($10 after 5pm).  That's why you'll see lots of UCLA students wondering around late at night.  It's a cool and cheap hang out spot.

I recommend coming on Saturday because they play lived music at night! Also because they are open til 9pm so come watch the city lights!  You can bring a blanket and enjoy a chill picnic on the cement or join in with the mosh pit by the stage.  You can also have a relaxing picnic on the grass located by the garden.

The security in the museum is very quick to yell at you not to touch the paintings, sculptures, or put your face too close to it.

- Recommend girls to wear flat/tennis shoes because there will be lots of walking!
- Picnic here if you can!
- Closed on Mondays.

9/23/2014

Such a beautiful place!   The Getty Center has a great view overlooking the city.   It costs $15 for parking and $10 after 5 pm.  Admission is free.  The weekends they usually have local bands play and it's a great ambiance for a date or a fun time for the family.  Food can be pricey since it's a museum.  They take good care of the facilities here however it does get a bit hot or muggy in some of the buildings at times.

They have an area for kids to play with puppets and shadows.  I like how they try to make it interactive for everyone to enjoy.  I love walking around in the gardens and lying on the grass.  It's nice and relaxing to chill.

10/20/2014

Pros: awesome architecture and art.  and it's free

Cons: parking isn't free

TL;DR: the Getty Center reminds me of the utopian future where we've eliminated want and can focus solely on bettering ourselves through learning.  It's a beautiful modern complex housing art from the Renaissance to the Impressionist era.  The art is housed in such a way that makes it conducive to walk in and out of the buildings, which is nice because the campus is beautiful.  I highly recommend a trip here and can't say anything bad about it.  You won't be disappointed.

4/23/2014

We only had a very short amount of time here in between other things, but I really wanted to see "Irises."  The architecture of this museum is amazing and it's location showcases the natural beauty all around.  Although we did not get to explore, the grounds look like they would be incredible to spend time journeying through.

You park in the garage for $15 and then take a tram up to the museum (or you can walk up the hill though the grounds if you are feeling fit and adventurous).  The admission to the museum is free.  Irises is the museum's most famous work and is housed in the building that is in the far right corner on the top floor - the room to the right when you get off the elevator.  In the same room is a Degas and Cezanne.  The art is very accessible in all the rooms without a lot of barriers.

There is also an interesting Ansel Adams exhibit on the ground floor of the same building - not sure if it is permanent or not - along with additional photography by other artists.

Although I did not get a chance to spend much time, I will definitely be back the next time I am in LA - you should check it out too.

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  Irises

  Irises

5/25/2014

10 stars out of 10.

The painting, the drawing, the prints, the sculptures, the landscape, the building.  They are all beautiful, priceless, art forms in their own right.  See the beauty in the lines, and how lines create forms.  See the attention to detail in the garden landscaping.  I have no words to truly describe The Getty Center.  I am in awe.

This is an experience to feel rejuvenated and inspired.  Just go; you won't regret it.

I will even justify the $15 parking fee by suggesting you to carpool with a lot of people.  If you go alone, parking fee is $10 after 5pm.  Since sun sets around 8pm, you can enjoy the garden first and move indoors when the daylight starts to fade.  Please note that the Center closes early on Monday to Thursday.  It opens late on Saturday.  Friday's closing time varies by season.

12/6/2014

The Getty is comprised of five multilayered building with tons of art and the most gorgeous garden. There is also art activities for kids and even a nice cafe to eat at. You really need all day to comb through all of the art, there's quite a range from sculptures, to furniture, portraits, to photography (my favorite), ceramics, and more. There's so much to see. I can't wait to go back!

12/18/2014

It's simply a solid museum. The view of the city from the Gett Center is mesmerizing. The art is always revolving, free admission, 15$ parking. Well worth it

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  The Getty Center is as photogenic as a place can get. Everything in the facility is not there by accident.

  The Getty Center is as photogenic as a place can get. Everything in the facility is not there by accident.

2/6/2015

Planning to go back here again. Talk about awesome views and an awesome place if you love art and everything about it!

4/15/2014

One of the best museum experiences that I have ever had. We started with the guided tour which highlighted a number of key paintings. Our tour guide added insightful and thought provoking commentary. She later guided us to the top of the Getty where the views of LA were just amazing.

After the tour we visited the beautiful gardens and the Family Rom. The Family Room has creative and fun way of introducing children to the beauty of art by immersing them in the various interactive exhibits.

We got to the museum early which turned out to be a great idea and because there were barely any crowds in the morning. By the time we left at around 2pm there was a really long line of people waiting to board the tram.  Parking cost $15.00 but it's a deal since there was no cost for admission. Although they make up for it with the cost of the meals which were fairly pricy.

I would love to return for a live performance or to see the gardens when the water feature is complete. It was an overall great way to spend a day in LA.

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• See all photos from Paolo H. for The Getty Center

9/5/2014

My 200th review on Yelp is dedicated to The Getty Center -- that also makes 200 reviews in one year, I think! :D Anyway! (Pls see lots of hi-res photos after the review)

SUMMARY
The Getty Center is my favorite place in the WORLD for its flawless architecture, historic & thought-provoking works of art, & overall immersive experience. Meier's pure white buildings are worth the visit alone.

A+++

EXTENDED 200TH REVIEW NOVEL BELOW

[ONE]

First of all, the monorail. I thought I was going to the Disneyland (I might as well have been). The minute you step onto The Getty -- it is ART. If you took all the sculptures and paintings and other art away from The Getty, I would still give it five stars. Ever since The Getty I have been a huge fan of its architect -- Richard Meier. Walking through. I found myself noticing light and shadow in the halls, walls, ceilings, stairway, and other architectural elements  -- like nuances of a chiaroscuro in a Raphael painting.

Despite the quiet, white minimalist look, there is a quiet but profound attention to detail.

As a photographer I was delighted by the contrasts of my figures against their pure white background -- I did not need to work hard to make my landscapes look good that day. The fountains were also wonderful and classic and dark (I did get in trouble with security though... more on that later --)

[TWO]

There are fantastic outdoor views of the LA area area from way up above too.

Some other highlights,

+ Really cool, old looking color books from the Medieval Ages or something.

+ The sculptures (like Hermes) & the way the museum designed the light to interact with them and create cool shadows. Some have visual FX associated with (the one with bewbs outside).

+ Wooden statues with incredible detail & smoothness.

+ The outdoor gardens and artistic landscape and design. I love how the light filters through EVERYTHING at the Getty and looks beautiful.

+ Their kiddy corner is just fantastic. First of all they have quality oils. Second of all they give you a really nice bench, wide wooden board, & wide piece of paper to paint whatever comes to you.

I was just inspired! That crappy oil and pastel painting I made at the wonderful kiddy corner is in the photos -- I call it "Mountains, Trees, and Waves" (metaphors for a metaphysical concept I created...)

+ Huge Baroque rooms with tapestries, carpets, entire walls full of classic art.  Usually I'm not one for these but the scale was just daunting.

+ There are gardens and nice places outside to chill. Almost like a park.

[THREE]

Speaking of how The Getty has inspired me:

The Getty is the setting of my book too (as a writer)! I wrote a story about three characters who die and end up in a Korean bath house's immaculate white halls -- much like the Getty's -- homage to Meier's genius and committment to pure white forms.

My Instagram featuring a beautiful staircase at the Getty was later featured on the De Young art museum's Instagram! instagram.com/p/jPieG5BN…

[FOUR]

I did have a run-in with security, actually two times:

[THE FIRST TIME]
When the fake rose I was carrying was deemed contraband. I argued a little saying I would keep it by side at all times, and asked if he could keep it behind the counter for me. But he wouldn't let me.

So I threw it in the trash and noticed how beautiful the red  rose contrasted with some yellow and green the Getty had on the background wall.

Even TRASH at the Getty is beautiful.

[THE SECOND TIME]
I splashed around in the fountain because I thought, when the hell else am I going to come back to this place, and also -- the children over there are doing it -- and then a very kind security guard asked me "oh sir would you please stay out of the fountain it's a work of art."

And it all goes back to the whole place just being sacred, man.

I might as well have been skinny dipping in holy water. (forgive me Getty Gods)

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[FIN]

I went with friends so I had the time of our life. I forgot how much I paid for the entire thing (it must have been $15 for parking), but it was totally worth it.

As a patron of the arts and member of the de Young/Legion of Honor, the Getty is just an incredible experience. I appreciate the effort the museum director has put into maintaining its vast collection, and I wish I paid more attention to the special exhibition going on (if there was any).

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  don't dip your feet in the fountain!

  don't dip your feet in the fountain!
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  the fountain outside 2 of 2

  the fountain outside 2 of 2
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  the fountain outside 1 of 2

  the fountain outside 1 of 2
• See all photos from Jonamir Ian C. V. for The Getty Center

5/20/2014

I spent several hours at The Getty Center last weekend. I loved the gardens most of all. There are so many different kinds of flowers and I enjoyed photographing many of them and posting them to instagram while my date waited patiently. There is a lovely grassy area where I enjoyed lounging for a little while as children ran by playfully in adorable outfits.

The restaurant is nice. The food was really delicious, however the bread they serve is not bread at all, but cracker type things that were not very exciting. The server was a little snooty, and the air conditioner was on a little too high for my liking, but all in all it was a pretty good experience.

We stayed so late that we missed the last tram back down to the parking lot and had to take a shuttle instead. That was kind of fun.

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• See all photos from Molly E. for The Getty Center

3/17/2014

I love this place.

Walking around the galleries, I spotted several famous paintings seen in many art and history books. Now I can totally say, "hey, I've seen that painting in person!" This is a beautiful place to spend an afternoon or even a whole day if you want to sit at one of areas around the coffee carts, read a book and enjoy the cool breeze.

There's a huge garden, a pond, terraces with spectacular views of LA, gift shops and tours you can take. Parking costs $15 but admission is free. I love this place as much as the Getty Villa.

5/29/2014

I'm not the biggest fan of historic art and don't have the patience to walk around looking at art for hours upon hours (I know I should appreciate it more), but I still really enjoyed Getty Center!

I took a small group of young adults (18-23 years old), and we all great a time. I enjoyed the views more than the art because that's just where my interests lay. However, there was a good amount of art that did really peak my interest, and I would visit again to take another look.

Highlights:
-The views are amazing. There are so many views of every direction, all amazing!
-It's FREE!! If you want to avoid the $15 parking fee, park on Gayley Ave. and take the 761 bus which drops you off across the street from the LACMA.
-There is food! They have a few small places to get food inside the center if you're hungry.

They also have this cool free transit rail that picks you up at the bottom of the hill (by the bus stop and the $15 parking lot), and brings you to the top! I was so happy because Google Maps definitely told me I was walking up that hill!

I look forward to my second visit. I want to stop by during one of their free summer concerts!

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  Beautiful Art

  Beautiful Art
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  Garden area

  Garden area
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  Garden area

  Garden area
• See all photos from Jessica E. for The Getty Center

2/17/2014

2014 YELP 100 CHALLENGE - 88/100

The Getty Center is, in my opinion, probably the best art museum in LA. Perfect for people of all ages!

FOUR BUILDINGS OF ART:
1) North Pavilion:
- Paintings up to 1600
- Medieval and Renaissance sculpture and decorative arts

2) East Pavilion:
- 17th century Baroque art (Dutch, French, Flemish, and Spanish paintings)
- sculpture and Italian decorative arts from 1600-1800

3) South Pavilion (my personal favorite):
- 18th century paintings
- the majority of the Museum's European decorative arts collection
- complete with elaborately furnished paneled rooms, up to 1800

4) West Pavilion:
- sculpture and Italian decorative arts from 1700-1990
- 19th century paintings
- Neoclassical, Romantic, and Symbolist sculpture and decorative arts

They also have temporary exhibits that rotate every couple of months. Check out their website to see current exhibitions and installations here:
getty.edu/visit/exhibiti…

THE CENTRAL GARDEN:
- 134,000 sq ft
- Natural ravine
- Tree-lined walkaway
- Popular maze-like landscape

TIPS:
- Admission is free
- $15 parking, $10 after 5pm
- Wear good walking shoes if you plan on being there all day
- Gets pretty warm inside some of the buildings

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  Van Gogh's Irises painting. 10th most expensive painting sold at $53.9 million

  Van Gogh's Irises painting. 10th most expensive painting sold at $53.9 million
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  Gardens on Valentines Day weekend

  Gardens on Valentines Day weekend
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• See all photos from Jacqueline R. for The Getty Center

9/19/2014

If you are visiting LA, or live here, I strongly recommend checking out the Getty.

Admission Cost: Free. That's right, it's free to get into the Getty. However, there is a $15 parking fee to park your car here, which is nominal when compared to other museums in town like LACMA. I suggest coming here with a crew so you guys can split the parking costs.

Why It's Great: Perched on a mountain, The Getty will afford you some of the best views of LA in town. The Getty also has a beautiful garden you can walk through, located right by some grass you that's perfect for picnicking. Sometimes, they have concerts out there (check the website for schedule), which is a fun time for families. The Getty also has some of the most beautiful, soaring modern architecture you'll find anywhere, with lots of nice statues beckoning many a tourist for imitation photos.

Story: I was at the Getty once when an older European couple was staring out onto the LA skyline, lost in thought. "Look at the cloud over the city," the woman pensively pointed. "That's no cloud..." her husband muttered. Smog - you'll see it from here.

Full disclosure, you likely won't come here for the art, which is paltry compared to a great European art museum. Sure, there are some great and interesting exhibits here and there, but there's no way to compare this museum's collection to the Met, the Hermitage, or the Louvre.

Still my favorite museum in town, and still worth many visits!

8/19/2014

I love the Getty! A huge plus is that this place is free. A free museum in Los Angeles? Get outta here! All you really have to pay for is parking (it is pretty steep at $15 but it's so worth it!) and food if you plan on eating there. I would probably recommend bringing some sandwiches or even a full-on picnic since there's so much beautiful shaded areas there. There's also a few small eateries at the Getty as well (snack stands and cafeteria-style cafe).

You park at the bottom of the hill and a tram takes you up to the Getty Center. The tram ride itself is a treat since you get a fabulous (albeit smoggy as hell) view of west LA!

There's different pavilions with different types of art, ranging from photographs, sculptures and oil paintings (my fave is Irises, of course!). There's also an outdoor garden area with a beautiful stairway path that takes you to the Central Garden, which is a maze of beautiful azaleas. Absolutely stunning and definitely picture-worthy.

Shall return when time permits and I have my usual museum craving!

10/21/2014

Love this place! Not only is it a great setting to explore art but when you need fresh air, there's so many spots to sit outside at and relax. You can lounge with snacks on a patio or sit In the garden on the grass and listen to the calming sounds of water as it flows through the man-made brook.
Make sure you catch at least one of the tours .
When you first arrive and you want to get your bearings to plan your day, head to the orientation presentation first. Don't forget to grab your personal iPhone audio guide too!
Reserve at least 3 -4 hours to fully enjoy this place and its' surroundings.
Tips: bring water, snacks to save some money.  
Pros:free admission, lots of parking, cool tram ride, free tours hourly, sprawling lawns to lay on, lots of seating areas to eat and relax. Safe to come alone or with others.
Cons:$15 parking and no way around it

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  View of 405 from south pavilion

  View of 405 from south pavilion
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  Cactus garden in the west pavilion with a view of century city in the background

  Cactus garden in the west pavilion with a view of century city in the background
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  Garden exhibit

  Garden exhibit

1/7/2015

EVERY person living in Southern California and elsewhere has to, for their own sake, visit this extraordinary institution that houses works by some of the most revered intellectual genius in the history of art !

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  Art haven also known as The Getty !

  Art haven also known as The Getty !

4/22/2014

I struggled with the rating as I originally wanted to bestow three stars instead of four, however due to the impeccably tidy grounds, tranquil tram ride, and astoundingly stunning views of the city, I certify the experience with four shimmering, glistening and serrated balls of fire, instead of a measly triad.

The key with visiting the Getty Center is timing. Make sure you visit the website to see the current exhibits. This will tell you if going is worth it at the current time. It is noteworthy to say that IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN then go once regardless of the on-goings. The second coupling with the time subject is the day of the week and time of day. In my humble opinion, I would select Sunday late-afternoon, just a few hours before closing time.

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  Cafe, Gardens, and the city in the backdrop.

  Cafe, Gardens, and the city in the backdrop.
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  Stunning view of The Gardens!

  Stunning view of The Gardens!

2/8/2014

I think of the Getty as yet another valuable set of buildings amidst the sprawling LA museum landscape. Where you have a focus on the ancient worlds of Greece and Rome at Getty Villa you have a broader collection of art and architecture at the Getty. Doesn't hurt that the structure is perched prettily at the top of Los Angeles so in addition to the collections of work you see you'll also get to enjoy the stylish architecture and overall environment. It's quite beautiful on a sunny afternoon when you get to explore all the different galleries and exhibits and then put in a bite to eat at the cafe or something from a cart in between. Spend a good few hours there and make a day (or evening) out of it.

Don't forget to visit the Central Garden where you get to walk along a snaky dirt path and see their collection of foliage in all its wonder too. If you want to get fancy with the eats, head over to The Restaurant. You can keep it casual with the Garden Terrace Cafe which I enjoy moreso than the others. I think there are even picnicking options available if that's your thing. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday but closed on Monday. Parking is $15 and admission is free. Have at it!

1/2/2015

This is a great place to go to see world class art.  You don't have to travel to Rome or Amsterdam to see Italian frescoes or  work from Van Gough.  Just take a trip to the Getty and plan on spending at least  3 or 4 hours if you want to see most of the art in the 6 buildings. The architecture and the views are of the city are amazing and worth the trip alone.   The museum is free and parking is 15 dollars.   Come early because during peak times one may find themselves waiting up to an hour just to get parked and get on the tram.

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• See all photos from Keith P. for The Getty Center

8/18/2014

After visiting both the Getty Center and Getty Villa, I've come to love the Getty center more.

Yes, you have to pay $15 parking still, but remember that the exhibits at this museum are free! You don't have to get tickets online here, unlike the Getty Villa.

You start by taking a tram to the museum, which offers nice views of LA. As you step out of the tram, you're able to see the MAGNIFICENCE of the architecture of the museum. The architecture heavily focuses on use of white and outdoor lighting for many of its buildings. (Lots of great opportunities for abstract photography!)

There's many different types of art exhibited here!
There's an outside modern art sculpture garden (many missing), model sculptures, and paintings by all sorts of artists (Vincent Van Gogh!),
Unlike the Getty Villa, the Getty Museum has a lot of Catholicism/Christianity-related art - including ceramics, sculptures, mosaics, and paintings.

Although the Getty Villa's garden is superior to the Getty Center's garden, in my opinion, the architecture for the Getty Center is a winner.

The variety of different art, along with the views of LA (there's an area that lets you see a panoramic view of LA), and architecture are all beyond worthwhile for the price that you pay. Come here whenever you can!

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  The path you take to get to the panoramic view of LA that is offered here

  The path you take to get to the panoramic view of LA that is offered here
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• See all photos from Trang L. for The Getty Center

10/2/2014

You can seriously spend the whole day there. Their art collection, beautiful garden and striking architecture is good reason to visit. It's touristy but the space is expansive to let you feel like an explorer.

Food at the cafe is also laudable, locally sourced ingredients and prepared in front of you. Absolutely not like the cafeteria style in NYC museums.

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  View of Catalina Island

  View of Catalina Island
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  Dahlias in full bloom

  Dahlias in full bloom
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  Garden terrace

  Garden terrace

1/31/2015

I love the Getty Center. Try to come as often as I can. Whenever my friends and I go, we always stay till closing cause that's how long it takes to look at everything and that's honestly, still not enough time. Definitely recommend the Getty for young and old alike who wanna get lost in the moment.

12/29/2014

This is one of the most important must see's in Los Angles.  Even if you don't like art, you still have the buildings, the views, the gardens.  I love this place, everytime I come here it's different.  Even the cafe is good, great food.  Great way to spend a long day.

I recommend getting there 45 minutes before it opens to get on the tram faster.  It get really busy around noon.  You will need all day to see it, take your time, wear good shoes.
Oh yea and its free!  you only have to pay for parking.

My only complaint, the staff should know more about the content of the exhibits.  If you have a question about an art piece they don't seem to know anything or can't suggest how to find out.

8/16/2014

This is a nice art museum! You first park ($15) and then take the tram (free) to the Getty Center (free admission). You get your map and go on the self guided tour if you like or you can opt for the ipods and listen in while touring. They also offer guided tours for free.

Not sure how this place still stay in business when admission is free with all the activities going on, but it's well worth the trip.

It's really big, and you get a good view of LA (get your pano-camera ready). They also have a nice green area for kids and picnic.

I spent a good 2.5 hours here before leaving. I hope to check out the Getty Villa (Greek and Roman themed)  next time I'm back in Socal.

They do have a deal where you can pay for one parking and go to both the Getty Center and Getty Villa for the price of one parking.