Information, Reviews, and Tips for the Getty Center Museum

The Getty Center is one of the world’s best museums. Even the most suitable moniker, “museum,” does not do it justice. The Getty Center is a must see, and it’s free! It should be on your Los Angeles bucket list. The Getty’s overall experience is amazing. Parking at the Getty Center approximately a mile distant from the museum. Arriving by monorail is part of the experience, as it is in Magic Kingdom. Arriving at the Getty is an adventure.

At the Getty Center, you may enjoy breathtaking views of the Santa Monica and Los Angeles skylines, as well as the surrounding mountains. The Getty Center’s modern structure stands out among the manicured lawns and public spaces. Enjoy a coffee or sandwich outside and enjoy the beautiful Southern California weather. I could see visiting without going inside the exhibits if we lived or worked nearby.

All this praise would be worthless without the galleries. Fortunately, the Getty’s main draw is superb. They’re not just great but abundant! It’s impossible to view everything at the Getty Center in a single day, unlike the Louvre. A 3-day minimum is required. The Getty Center’s galleries are huge and magnificent, therefore it’s worth showing how vast and great they are. The Getty is an adult art museum. I’m not sure it’d appeal to kids. Less participatory and tactile displays, but a wide range of art forms and presentation approaches.

Start at the Museum’s Entrance Hall, where many visitors enquire. A first visit to the Getty might be overwhelming because of its size and number of halls. Get a map and an audio tour headset here. All you need is a driver’s license to obtain these surprise free headphones. To see the current temporary/special exhibition, either travel to the Exhibitions Pavilion’s top level or to the Getty’s upper floor. That’s my pick! The Getty collection includes Van Gogh, Manet, and Rembrandt. If you inquire at the Museum Entrance Hall, they will tell you this. The Getty Center map even shows some of the West Pavilion higher level attractions. It will be busiest at night.

West Pavilion (upper level only) and Exhibitions Pavilion should be your first stops. So it’s irrelevant. It’s still not enough time to see everything, but you’re a tourist. The distance is short, and traffic should be light by midday.

Arrive after 3 p.m. on weekends. After school, most people depart. The problem is that you only have a few hours before the Getty shuts.

Even seeing the West and Exhibition Pavilions properly takes two hours. Unless you go up to Burbank, you will confront rush hour traffic on the north side of Los Angeles (or in that vicinity). As you can see, the Getty Center charges for parking. It’s now $15 (or $10 after 3 p.m.) in LA.

If you’re doing the Getty Center and Getty Villa on the same day, dine at the Getty (or pack a picnic!). Lots of great restaurants between them (our recommendation would be Tivoli Cafe, which offers a good intersection of convenience and quality).

Tripods are also forbidden at the Getty. Photos of the unique exhibition are not allowed since flash photography is prohibited. The Getty does not appear to ban photography. Check the Getty website for current guidelines.

Finally, a Getty visit is unavoidable. It’s on my list of free things to do in Southern California. The overall experience is so much more. The Getty is one of the greatest museums I’ve ever visited. It’s a great afternoon activity. As a local, I could go back without becoming bored.