Getty Center

Overview

The Getty Center is a stunning hilltop museum complex designed by Richard Meier, housing European paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts, with beautifully landscaped gardens and sweeping views of LA and the Pacific.

Highlights

• Van Gogh's Irises: The museum's most famous painting, plus works by Rembrandt, Monet, and Cézanne.
• Central Garden: Robert Irwin's masterful walking garden with a floating azalea maze.
• Architecture: Meier's white travertine buildings bathed in California sunlight.

History

Opened in 1997, the $1.3 billion complex sits atop a hill in the Santa Monica Mountains. J. Paul Getty's oil fortune funds the museum, which never charges admission.

Visitor Tips

• Free Admission: Always free — parking is $20 ($15 after 3 PM).
• Tram Ride: A free tram carries visitors from the parking structure to the hilltop.
• Duration: 3 hours.