Getting to the Getty Center
The Getty Center Los Angeles is located 30-45 minutes driving from downtown, depending on traffic. It costs $25 to park but is free to visit the museums! From the parking garage, they have a tram that takes guests up to the Center. The ride up takes less than 5 minutes but you can catch some glimpses of the LA skyline en route!
About the Getty Center
The Getty Center opened to the public in 1997 thanks to a trust created by J. Paul Getty. Today, it’s one of the world’s largest cultural and philanthropic institutions dedicated to the visual arts. There are centuries worth of art on display here, from medieval times all the way to modern art. There are also rotating or guest exhibits at the Getty, which you can view online here: Current Exhibitions. In the multiple outdoor spaces and courtyard you can enjoy lunch or take in the views of downtown LA.
Central Garden
Our favorite outdoor space was the Central Garden. Designed by California artist Robert Irwin, this garden is at the heart of the Getty Center. As you follow the walkway, you’ll notice a small stream that winds its way through the garden. It ends in a waterfall over a stone wall into a pool with a maze of azaleas. There are more than 500 varieties of plants in the garden so there are endless hidden gems to explore. We recommend visiting the central garden first, before it gets too hot later in the day. If you’re visiting on a weekday, you can catch a free 45-minute tour of the gardens. To learn more, visit: Central Garden.
Food Options
From coffee carts, to cafe’s with to-go food, to a sit down dining experience – the Getty Center Los Angeles has food for any type of visitor! We chose to grab sandwiches from The Garden Terrace Cafe so we could sit outside and enjoy views of the gardens. You can even pre-order food online so you can pick it up and skip the line on busy days. Full service dining is available and it’s recommended you make reservations in advance. They also offer afternoon tea on Fridays & Saturdays only from 2-3pm. We were bummed to have missed this since we love a good afternoon tea but you need to make reservations well in advance in order to get a seating! To learn more about dining options at the Getty Center, visit this link: Food & Drink.
The Getty Villa
Many people only visit the Getty Center Los Angeles and miss out on the hidden gem that is the Getty Villa. Built in 1974 by J.Paul Getty with the purpose to house his personal growing art collection, the now museum is home to countless Greek and Roman antiquities. The villa is modeled after the remains of Villa dei Papiri in Herculaneum, Italy, an ancient Roman villa that was buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
Visiting the Getty Villa truly feels as though you’ve stepped back in time! We kept saying how it felt like we were in Europe (and not LA). In the gardens, there is a massive reflecting pool and colonnaded walkways. It’s the perfect spot to read a book, admire the views or enjoy a snack.
Ticket Reservation
Like mentioned above, the Getty Center in Los Angeles (and the Getty Villa) are both free to enter. However, they do require a pre-reserved entry time that you can book online. It costs $25 to park at each location. The two museums are about a 20-30 minute drive apart. We spent the morning at the Getty Center, ate lunch there, and then headed over to the Villa in the afternoon.
Pro Tip: At your first stop, ask the information booth to validate your parking so you don’t have to pay another $25 to visit the other location. This is only valid if you visit both on the same day!
Review
The Getty Center was truly a highlight of our time in LA! We loved the variety of art available, the stunning gardens and how lovely it is to visit. Be sure to add both the Getty Center AND the Getty Villa to your Los Angeles travel list!
