Getty Center

A free art palace of white travertine on a hilltop, with architecture by Richard Meier, a central garden, and Van Gogh's Irises, overlooking Los Angeles all the way to the sea.

The Getty Center opened in 1997 on a hilltop in the Santa Monica Mountains on the west side of the city. Designed by architect Richard Meier, the complex is built from 16,000 tons of Italian travertine and white metal panels, and the architecture itself is a highlight. The ride up from the parking lot at the base of the hill on a white driverless tram takes five minutes and feels ceremonial. The museum has four pavilions and focuses on European art from before 1900. Its collection includes Van Gogh's Irises, Monet's Haystacks series from Impression, Sunrise, Rembrandt, Rubens and Turner, along with rich French decorative arts and furniture from the reigns of Louis XIV to XVI, medieval illuminated manuscripts and a world-class photography collection. The central garden, designed by Robert Irwin, is another work of art. Zigzag paths lead down to a stream and a maze of azaleas, changing with the seasons. The terrace offers panoramic views from Westwood and the downtown skyline to the Pacific, especially beautiful at sunset. Admission is free, and you only pay for parking ($25 per car, or $15 after 3 p.m.), or take Metro bus 761 to the base of the hill. The museum's restaurant, The Restaurant, which has mountain views, requires a reservation. The café and picnic areas allow you to bring your own food. Plan for about 3 hours. On Saturdays, the museum stays open until 9 p.m., which is good for seeing the city at night. Also in the Getty family is the Getty Villa in Malibu by the sea, modeled on a Pompeian Roman villa and displaying Greek and Roman antiquities. It is also free but requires an online timed reservation. Note: the museum is closed on Mondays. Queuing for the tram and security checks take 15–20 minutes. It can be windy on the hilltop. Large bags must be checked.

Getty Center

Opening hours

Nearby sights

Places to eat nearby