Travel bucket list idea:

Getty Center

Los Angeles, California, United States of America (USA)

Credit The Getty Center

Last updated: 18 March, 2024

Stunningly designed by Richard Meir, this marble-clad modernist complex tucked into the Santa Monica Mountains houses the late billionaire oil tycoon J. Paul Getty’s impressive art collection. Highlights on show include works by Titian and Van Gogh, illuminated manuscripts from the Middle Ages, Louis XIV-era furniture and decorative arts.

Strolling through the 110 acres of galleries, gardens and modern buildings perched overlooking the LA sprawl is a must for any visiting art fan.

Logistics

Price: Free

Minimum age: 0

Age suitable: 18+

When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

The Getty Center is about 12 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. On-site parking is available – but it usually fills up pretty quickly, so come early (or late) if you want to park; a monorail then carries visitors up to the complex.

Download the museum’s guide app before you go, which has an audio a highlights tour and on-demand information to every exhibit (you just enter the exhibit number). Take your own earphones, or you’ll have to buy them there.

There is a museum café and a formal restaurant with views of the Santa Monica mountains (book ahead for the latter).

When to do it

It’s open all year round, Tuesday to Sunday. Closed Monday.

Who to go with: organised tours

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Demystifying Art at The Getty ---Two Hours

Los Angeles

Viator

Why stand in line with strangers for a public tour at a museum-prescribed time? Have your own private tour when you want it! Be able to ask your guide that you want more time with a specific period of art --- or a favorite artist! You customize it to suit your time and interests! It's all about what you want! Want a time that's not posted? Have a group larger than 6? We can accommodate up to 35 people. Prices upon request.

Price $275

Min age 0

Rating 5 / 5 [25 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Demystifying Art at The Getty - One-Hour

Los Angeles

Viator

Why wander aimlessly through a museum or listen to an impersonal self-guided tour on a mobile that can't answer a question? Enjoy an exclusive tour of the spectacular collection at The Getty Center and converse with your in-person own art historian. You tell us the date and time and we'll make the reservation at your convenience! Want more time to see and enjoy more? Want a time that's not posted? Just ask! Have a group larger than 6? We can accommodate up to 35 people. Prices upon request. Check out other tours offered by Quick Culture!

Price $175

Min age 0

Rating 4.76 / 5 [17 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Website >

Demystifying Art at The Getty - 90 minutes

Los Angeles

Viator

Why stand in line with strangers at a museum-prescribed set time? Enjoy your own private tour of the spectacular collection at The Getty at your convenience! You get to choose from a general view of the highlights and concentrate on a particular period of art history. (Renaissance, Baroque, Decorative Arts, Impressionism) OR highlights of the Special Exhibit! It's all about what interests you!

Price $225

Min age 0

Rating 5 / 5 [15 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Website >