The Getty Center
The Getty Center
5
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
About
The Getty Center in Los Angeles is an astounding place to spend a day marveling at world-class art and relaxing in beautifully manicured gardens. Take the tram up to this lavish postmodern complex, which houses a sprawling museum featuring masterpieces by the likes of Van Gogh, Monet, and Cezanne. You can also enjoy superb views of the city from the Cactus Garden, and savor a delicious contemporary menu at the center's restaurant. You can visit the complex for free, though there is a parking fee. To skip the lines, book a museum tour to delve deeper into the art with the help of a knowledgeable guide. – Tripadvisor
Duration: 2-3 hours
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Neighbourhood: Brentwood
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- Spw91Bridgewater, New Jersey704 contributionsUnbelievable collection and locationExcellent, as good as Getty villa. Unbelievable collection in a great location. (Must be much better without the rain). Very large facility with collection covering most aspects of western civilization arts. Very minor complaint in that the map/guide was confusing. The app might be nice but to be useful you need to download it and have your earbuds with you. So plan ahead if you want to try it. You have to take a tram from the parking garage up to the actual museum. Staff did an excellent job with a huge crowd in the rain.Visited March 2024Travelled with familyWritten 3 March 2024
- knowsnyc881 contributionsConfusing layoutDisappointed not to see the Villa. The center is stunning architecturally. And the setting and views are lovely. Try to take all three docent tours: collection; garden; architecture. We did only one. It was helpful. The tram up runs regularly. The staff seems geared up for Disney size crowds. Even with the map, the layout was confusing. The collection is interesting, but not up to NY museums. We ate lunch from a kiosk outdoors. It was somewhat pricy unless you got the pbj which was $3.25. Sandwiches are huge so perhaps you can split one. Beautiful outdoor seating areas. Very pleasant outdoor seating.Visited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 5 March 2024
- Vincent LinTaipei, Taiwan1,925 contributionsThe most recommended art centers and museums in Los Angeles. Reservations are recommended but tickets are free.The most recommended art centers and museums in Los Angeles require reservations in advance, but tickets are free. Awesome art center and museum Admission is free, only parking fee is required After 3 o'clock it's 15 yuan The hinterland is so vast that you need to take electricity to get to the museum on the top of the mountain. Worth spending half a day Highly recommended as a must-visit museum in Los Angeles. #arts #art The J. Paul Getty Museum is an art museum located in Los Angeles, California, with two locations: the Getty Center and the Getty Villa. The former collects Western art from the Middle Ages onwards. With an estimated 1.3 million visitors per year, it is one of the most visited museums in the United States; the latter exhibits art from ancient Greece and Rome. The two museums received approximately 2 million visitors in 2016. Wikipedia Completed: 1997 Date of establishment: December 16, 1997 Public transportation: Los Angeles bus line 761 Number of visitors: 1,356,381 (2013) 1,439,084 (2019) Founded by: Paul GettyVisited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 13 March 2024
- rootsandshootsRedmond, Washington300 contributionsMuseum with a ViewPerched perfectly on a hillside overlooking LA, the Getty Center feels like stepping back into Ancient Greece or Rome. Open and airy, the views from all sides are beautiful. Collections are smaller than Europe’s notable museums but very worthwhile of a day’s visit. Highlighting the tranquility are the beautiful water installations and sunken garden.Visited March 2024Travelled with familyWritten 18 March 2024
- XeuropnVirginia Beach, Virginia497 contributionsVery nice experience in a beautiful settingOur daughter brought us here for the views and experience of the beautiful gardens. The museum, dedicated to art, was also interesting. We were unaware that you need to make a reservation, and this makes parking and negotiating the crowds easier. Admission is free, but parking is $25. There is a tram that takes you to the center, where the views are excellent. We ended up spending two hours there, and probably didn’t see half of the exhibits.Visited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 20 March 2024
- dittehejbergAlleroed Municipality, Denmark76 contributionsWealth beyond all imaginationI have never seen such an overwhelming display of wealth before. The construction is incredible. The art is amazing. And the surroundings are absolutely beautiful. We didn’t spend much time in the gallery but enjoyed the view and park primarily.Visited March 2024Travelled with familyWritten 21 March 2024
- Elise GHudson River Valley, New York1,321 contributionsA worthwhile visit while in Los AngelesIf you’d like to spend a few hours among beautiful architecture, scenic views, prolific gardens and interesting art installations, the Getty Center is the place for you. We chose to attend during the 3:30 timeslot. One benefit to going that late in the day is that the parking garage rate is reduced. The 3:30 start allowed adequate time for our visit; we weren’t rushed. Throughout the Center, there is sufficient staff to help welcome and guide visitors. We took the tram from the garage to the Getty Center and chose to walk back to our car. Upon our return home, we learned about Getty. He was not a nice man. We are thankful that the trust that has created this establishment for many to enjoy.Visited April 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 9 April 2024
- AMILLIONMontreal, Canada403 contributionsThe Getty ExperienceMy friends and I had an unforgettable experience at the Getty! Exploring the diverse art pieces and learning about various painting styles made the visit truly captivating. Whether you're strolling through pavilions or admiring the gardens, the experience offers something for everyone. The duration of the visit can vary, ranging from a leisurely hour to an immersive three-hour journey, depending on your pace. Don't miss out on the scenic views perfect for photo opportunities! The convenient train ride from the parking area to the hilltop where the Getty is situated adds to the charm. While parking fees start at $25, arriving later in the afternoon can save you money, with rates dropping as low as $10. Remember to book your tickets in advance through the main website for a hassle-free and enriching experience!Visited April 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 19 April 2024
- Grover RPensacola, Florida22,436 contributionsAmazing Art but an Even Better Setting - Beautiful ViewsMuch of our trip to LA was taking friends to places I had been before and loved. However, there was place I missed last time and made sure to schedule for this trip, the Getty Center. In making plans to visit, be sure to obtain passes for a time before you come. The passes are free but without them you visit is not assured. As for the visit, it is an impressive art museum, but its buildings and location may be the most impressive thing about it. It has everything from Renaissance to Modern, but what is more impressive is the way it is presented. There are 5 separate buildings with both 1st and 2nd floor galleries. However, you can go between buildings on the second floor with great balcony views of Los Angeles from the mountains, downtown and all the way to the beach. With that said, there is great art from nearly every age. While a lot of it is paintings, they also have sculptures and furniture. There are some great pieces but some of the leading artist in any age, Van Gogh, Monet and Manet, Titian, Rembrandt, Rubens and Turner. However, on just art quantity and quality, there are better museums in Europe definitely and even the US. What those museums don't have is the incredible buildings and setting that the Getty has. I think Griffith Park has the best views of Los Angeles; however, the Getty almost matches those. Finally, you have to mention the monorail that takes you from the parking deck to the museum. It is an attraction of its own and is an amazing way to provide for parking and still keep the incredible views of the facility. It is all uphill going to the museum so you can walk back if crowded on the return. When you combine the art, innovation and setting, it is a truly amazing attraction for LA and something you can't miss when you go to LA.Visited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 27 April 2024
- koebeEdmonton, Canada109 contributionsWell worth the visit.Beautiful gardens. Fantastic location and views. Place is impeccably clean and organized. Too much to ever see in one day. Going in the morning is best as the lineup to get through security was short. I do wonder about the Van Gogh being the original as the area was not roped off and a kid almost touched the painting had an adult not told him not to.Visited April 2024Travelled with familyWritten 29 April 2024
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5.0
14,818 reviews
Excellent
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377
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77
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49
ItchyFeet
Camarillo, CA11,833 contributions
July 2024 • Couples
We have lived in Southern California, our entire life and watched this complex being built and this was our first visit.
I have probably literally driven by this exit hundreds of times.
If you are a resident of Southern California or if you’re a tourist coming to visit, I would highly recommend visiting The Getty.
Just the architecture alone is quite amazing how they built the building complex into and on top of the hill. It’s amazing to just wander around outside and look at the buildings and the structures. It’s also amazing to see the gardens in all the little nooks and crannies of the property.
Of course the Getty is an art museum but there is so much more to see. We saw paintings by Monet and Rembrandt that we didn’t even know we’re there. We really had no idea what to expect when we went.
Definitely plan a full day ; we were there for a little over four hours and could’ve spent more time but we needed to get somewhere for dinner.
A strong suggestion would be to get the earliest ticket possible and to get there as early as possible. You take a ticket and pay for parking on your way out. There is no admission fee. There’s a kiosk before you get on the tram to come back to your car to pay the $25 parking fee.
The garage is all underground so it’s a little bit chaotic. I cannot imagine trying to find parking if I did not get there early in the day because then you have swarm of people coming in and swarm of people leaving at the same time.
I have probably literally driven by this exit hundreds of times.
If you are a resident of Southern California or if you’re a tourist coming to visit, I would highly recommend visiting The Getty.
Just the architecture alone is quite amazing how they built the building complex into and on top of the hill. It’s amazing to just wander around outside and look at the buildings and the structures. It’s also amazing to see the gardens in all the little nooks and crannies of the property.
Of course the Getty is an art museum but there is so much more to see. We saw paintings by Monet and Rembrandt that we didn’t even know we’re there. We really had no idea what to expect when we went.
Definitely plan a full day ; we were there for a little over four hours and could’ve spent more time but we needed to get somewhere for dinner.
A strong suggestion would be to get the earliest ticket possible and to get there as early as possible. You take a ticket and pay for parking on your way out. There is no admission fee. There’s a kiosk before you get on the tram to come back to your car to pay the $25 parking fee.
The garage is all underground so it’s a little bit chaotic. I cannot imagine trying to find parking if I did not get there early in the day because then you have swarm of people coming in and swarm of people leaving at the same time.
Written 1 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jim E
Redondo Beach, CA93 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
The Getty is a very nice museum to visit, there is no admission charge however reservations are required. There is a parking fee of $25.00 per car. The art changes from time to time and there is a nice variety of art to enjoy, Plan on spending 2-3 hours in the galleries and gardens, umbrellas are provided for when you are outdoors but are not permitted in the galleries. If you have a backpack, you will be asked to put it in front of you or off to the side so that you do not accidentally bump into any of the art.
Rating for the museum 5 Stars
They also have a higher end restaurant on site which on our visit was a complete miss, Brunch for 2 $110+Tip, staff was inattentive, and the food was overcooked.
Rating for the restaurant 3 Stars
Rating for the museum 5 Stars
They also have a higher end restaurant on site which on our visit was a complete miss, Brunch for 2 $110+Tip, staff was inattentive, and the food was overcooked.
Rating for the restaurant 3 Stars
Written 5 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BushkaTexas
Texas563 contributions
May 2024 • Family
The Getty Center is a huge complex with beautiful architecture, gardens and art. We arrived and were scolded by the attendant in the security line for not having a reservation but allowing us in as walk-ups. This place is huge so not sure why you have to have a reservation. Also for a free museum you have to pay $25 to park. The security lines were very long and took over 30 minutes and then you have to wait for a tram to take you to the top or opt to walk which we did. It's a straight up hill walk that takes about 20 minutes but we enjoyed it but be it good shape as it's pretty steep. The grounds are stunning and there's a lot to see. We picked a few galleries to peruse with the most famous ones being the European galleries with the Irises painting and Monets. A bottle of water was $6 which was ridiculous. Nice place to spend an afternoon.
Written 26 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PJCoastToCoast
California108 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
This review is not of the very beautiful buildings and grounds of the Getty, but rather of the terrible organization the museum has in terms of greeting visitors - a fact that becomes more obvious with the huge crowds the museum gets in the summer.
Several aspects are atrociously organized, especially the parking garage (the reader that tells you how many spaces are available is unreliable) and, most especially, the long line at the security screening.
We apparently missed a tiny, unreadable sign indicating where to turn for the security line and were SCREAMED at by an employee with apparent anger management issues, slamming the sign up and down. It completely ruined our experience. (I really should have turned around and immediately left, but my companion did not want to go.)
If someone makes a mistake, you can rectify it in two ways - you can say hey, you need to come over this way instead, in a neutral and informative way. OR you can become an angry ball of rage, as this dude was.
Everyone was unhelpful and unpleasant, from the tram staff to the docents. Every single person gave off porcupine vibes of Don't Bother Me the whole time. I get that it's summer and the place is incredibly busy, but man, it was PAINFUL to deal with as a visitor.
Museum management: you or your security vendor need to print up MUCH larger signs to guide people through the long maze at security. I will never ever return, but maybe others can find that information more helpful than the mass of chaos that you're delivering now.
Several aspects are atrociously organized, especially the parking garage (the reader that tells you how many spaces are available is unreliable) and, most especially, the long line at the security screening.
We apparently missed a tiny, unreadable sign indicating where to turn for the security line and were SCREAMED at by an employee with apparent anger management issues, slamming the sign up and down. It completely ruined our experience. (I really should have turned around and immediately left, but my companion did not want to go.)
If someone makes a mistake, you can rectify it in two ways - you can say hey, you need to come over this way instead, in a neutral and informative way. OR you can become an angry ball of rage, as this dude was.
Everyone was unhelpful and unpleasant, from the tram staff to the docents. Every single person gave off porcupine vibes of Don't Bother Me the whole time. I get that it's summer and the place is incredibly busy, but man, it was PAINFUL to deal with as a visitor.
Museum management: you or your security vendor need to print up MUCH larger signs to guide people through the long maze at security. I will never ever return, but maybe others can find that information more helpful than the mass of chaos that you're delivering now.
Written 17 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cello12345
Urbana, IL819 contributions
Nov 2024 • Family
Admission to the grounds and museum is free, but you'll need a reservation for parking (and it will cost $25). The underground parking garage has at least 7 levels. From the parking area, take the tram to the top of the mountain (or you can walk if you want). We appreciated being able to just relax on the lawn overlooking the fantastic garden maze area - very low key - while some members of our group enjoyed touring some of the museum areas. The view is spectacular, high above the city, and you can see the ocean too. A great place to see the sunset!
Written 7 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robin B
Phoenix, AZ1,482 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
I guess I’m an American Art kind of girl. The Getty has all European art. There’s nothing wrong with European Art, it’s just that I’ve seen Monet, Manet, Degas, Piccaso, all the Dutch masters, etc., etc. at every other art museum I’ve ever visited. The Getty is HUGE. We spent about an hour, just visiting the pieces we wanted to see. They have a nice collection, and if you haven’t been to many art museums, you could spend 2-3 hours here. The museum is large and spread out, which is good because it disperses the crowds. Getting to the museum is a bit of a pain. You park at the bottom of the hill ($20), get in a long Disneyland type line, have bags checked, take a tram (or you could walk a mile uphill) to the museum. They have a very nice museum store, a café (which we didn’t go to) and fantastic views of downtown Los Angeles.
Written 6 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lynne Seabrook
Brighton, UK53 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
Stunning architecture, world-class art, and beautiful gardens with incredible views over LA. A great place to visit before driving to San Diego.
Tips: You must book tickets in advance. They are free, but you need to reserve your slot.
Don't arrive before 9.30 if your ticket is for 10am, they will turn you away. No cafe until you have entered.
Note: Parking is $25 per car or motorcycle; $15 after 3pm. For evening events and on Saturdays after 6pm, parking is $10.
Metro bus 761 stops at the Getty Center entrance and bus 134 stops at the Getty Villa entrance.
There is a free GettyGuide app before you visit to hear insightful audio about their collection and exhibitions. Bring headphones for a better listening experience.
Tips: You must book tickets in advance. They are free, but you need to reserve your slot.
Don't arrive before 9.30 if your ticket is for 10am, they will turn you away. No cafe until you have entered.
Note: Parking is $25 per car or motorcycle; $15 after 3pm. For evening events and on Saturdays after 6pm, parking is $10.
Metro bus 761 stops at the Getty Center entrance and bus 134 stops at the Getty Villa entrance.
There is a free GettyGuide app before you visit to hear insightful audio about their collection and exhibitions. Bring headphones for a better listening experience.
Written 24 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
writedesign
Eagle Point OR224 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
Prejudice here... I'm an artist and particularly love the Impressionist. This knocked me out!!! I walked around every room, looking closely at each painting. Then I stood in the middle and could have cried!!! You can get so close to the painting it's dangerous!! One whack job can ruin a $40 million piece. Please, put them under glass!!! The website did not let me know the A-list paintings I could expect. I was on a cruise ship, paid for an uber to and from the museum, and wish I had more time.
Written 11 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
taitaihk
Hong Kong, China562 contributions
June 2024 • Couples
We spent an excellent day here. The special exhibition alone was worth it for the sculptures, but also the other painting and sculpture galleries are very impressive. The architecture is stunning and the gardens were in full bloom in June.
Entrance is free but you must book an entry time online. We went soon after it opened when the galleries and the cafe were still fairly quiet. By lunchtime everywhere was busy. We took an Uber from Santa Monica and got the shuttle train up to the Centre from the car park area.
We would definitely recommend this as a day out.
Entrance is free but you must book an entry time online. We went soon after it opened when the galleries and the cafe were still fairly quiet. By lunchtime everywhere was busy. We took an Uber from Santa Monica and got the shuttle train up to the Centre from the car park area.
We would definitely recommend this as a day out.
Written 16 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paulette H
Florida20 contributions
May 2024 • Friends
The art exhibits were wonderful, and the grounds immaculate. It takes time to go through the museum, so make sure you leave enough time to explore. The entrance is free, but parking is expensive, so be forewarned. There are paintings and sculptures by many famous artists at the Getty museum, and it is not crowded during weekdays. You can take your own guided tour with assistance from your own curator box, or from a docent. Lunch at the cafe is extremely expensive- $16 for a chicken sandwich, so maybe eat before you go.
Written 4 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Do you have works in ceramic?
Written 9 December 2024
Just go the Getty Center website and then I believe there is a link to Ticketron, or another service through which you make the reservations. There is no actual admission fee. We reserved less than a week before we went and there was no problem getting the date/time slot we wanted.
Written 8 December 2024
Are there docent tours? And do they need reservations?
Written 8 May 2024
You do need to get a pass. They are free and can be obtained online from the website of the Center.
Written 9 May 2024
Can I use mobility scooter in the museum for handicapped person
Written 28 September 2023
How Long time does the visit to Getty CENTER Take?
Written 7 March 2020
Es tu desicion ya que es dependiendo de cuál es tu interés o de qué te parece interesante puede ser desde una hora hasta todo el día
Written 8 March 2020
Do I need to reserve a ticket in advance to go to the museum
Written 30 December 2019
Здравствуйте!Я бы хотела понять как мне из LAX добраться до Центра Гетти.Зараннее благодарю.
Written 2 December 2019
Добрый день! Я планировал поездку через Гугл, но мой друг подбросил меня на машине. От остановки автобуса немного пройти до нижней парковки, а от неё вверх идёт бесплатный фуникулер. Для планирования поездок на общественном транспорте в/по LA я рекомендую вам приложение Citymapper для Андроида оно точно есть.. Я много перемещался на общественном транспорте и оно мне очень помогало.
Written 2 December 2019
How much is the entrance ticket?
Written 5 September 2019
Other travelers have already explained that there is no entrance fee- but parking was $20. This is an amazing place - don't miss it.
Written 9 October 2019
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