DISCOVERING THE GETTY CENTER

Perched on a dramatic hilltop in the Santa Monica Mountains, the Getty Center is one of L.A.’s finest cultural destinations, while also being one of the best bargains in town. It offers a spectacular art collection, superb architecture, beautifully-designed gardens and breathtaking views. If you go, definitely plan to stay a few hours...and don’t forget your camera!


After leaving your car in the parking garage at the entrance, the Getty experience begins
with a five minute electric tram ride that whisks you smoothly uphill to the Arrival Plaza. You’re greeted by a sleek and elegant campus that opened to the public in 1997 and was designed by architect Richard Meier. The buildings gleam with honey-colored travertine that was quarried in Bagni di Tivoli, Italy. The design is striking—incorporating the clever use of circles and squares and blending Meier’s modernist aesthetic with classic materials. The campus unites multiple buildings that
house the legacy and continue the vision of oil tycoon J. Paul Getty
(1892-1976): The Research and Conservation Institutes, the Getty
Foundation, the Getty Trust and the five pavilions housing the J.
Paul Getty Museum, set around an open courtyard.

There’s a lot to do at the Getty. It’s a good idea to stop at the Museum Entrance Hall and plan your visit by picking up a Map & Guide (available in multiple languages) and a copy of Today at the Getty Center that describes the schedule of talks and tours, family activities, performances, lectures and other events. (You can also check the schedule of activities and special exhibitions in advance at www.getty.edu/visit/calendar.) The layout of the campus allows for the best kind of sight-seeing—slip into a building to enjoy some of the finest art in the world; then relax in the courtyard, which feels like a lively European plaza; slip into another part of the museum, then stroll the grounds and admire the gardens, the view and the architecture. It has all the elements for a great day.

The J. Paul Getty Museum houses the famed and continually-expanding permanent collection, as well as a 5,000-square-foot pavilion accommodating temporary exhibitions. The European paintings—from the 1400s through the 1900s--are installed in the upper level galleries of each pavilion to take advantage of the soft natural lighting. Particularly well represented are paintings from the Italian Renaissance and Baroque periods and the French Impressionist era. The drawing collection from the 14th to 19th centuries includes works by Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael and other great masters. The gorgeous illuminated manuscripts from the Middle Ages and Renaissance are displayed on a rotating basis and are not to be missed. You can enjoy the Getty’s famed collection of French decorative arts from the 17th and 18th centuries by strolling through a series of authentically-appointed rooms. And finally, the Getty owns one of the world’s finest collections of photographs, which includes works from European and American artists from 1839 to the present.

While the attractions inside the galleries are many, your experience of the place would not be complete without spending some time exploring the beautiful outdoor spaces. The Central Garden, designed by artist Robert Irwin, lies at the heart of the Getty Center. Follow the zigzagging path along the stream, which leads to the central reflecting pool, with its azalea maze. Explore the surrounding specialty gardens that exploit the interplay of light and color. Discover the works of some of the 20th century’s greatest sculptors that are displayed in multiple outdoor locations throughout the complex (the collection was donated by the late film producer Ray Stark and his wife, Fran.) You can wander the grounds at your own pace or you can take advantage of the free 45-minute architecture and garden tours that are offered throughout the day. And then there’s the view…on a clear day or just around sunset, the hilltop perch offers views of Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean that are nothing short of spectacular.


Given how much there is to do, it’s likely you’ll be there for a few hours. There are a number of options for dining. The outdoor Garden Terrace Café (located in the center of the complex, overlooking the Central Garden) offers coffee, a limited lunch menu and snacks. The Restaurant (which I never seem to have time for) features full-service fine dining. The self-service Café (located on the level below the Restaurant) is usually my choice. It has an extensive menu of hot and cold items and both indoor and outdoor seating. There is a coffee kiosk in the central courtyard, for that mid-afternoon pick-me-up. It’s also worth noting that you can bring your own picnic to enjoy in the garden or on a bench, while soaking up the view.

Visiting the Getty Center: Hours: Tuesday-Friday and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Closed Mondays and most major holidays. Admission is FREE, no reservations required. Parking is $15 per car; it’s free after 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays and for all evening public programming held after 5:00 p.m. Directions: The Getty Center is located just north of Sunset Blvd. off the I-405 (San Diego Freeway). Take the Getty Center exit off the 405 and follow the signs. Metro Bus 761 also stops at the main gate on Sepulveda Blvd. Accessibility: Unlike many art museums, the Getty welcomes families with children and offers children-oriented audio guides and a staffed Family Room with hands-on activities. The Getty Center is ADA accessible to all visitors.

One Final Note: The Getty’s rich collection of Greek, Roman and Etruscan antiquities is housed at a separate
facility, the Getty Villa. Modeled after a first-century Roman country house, it is located in Pacific Palisades,
one mile north of Sunset Blvd, and is also worth a visit. Admission is also free, however, one needs to pre-arrange for a timed entrance ticket by calling or visiting the website. (heck www.getty.edu/visit or call (310) 440-7300 for details.