Top 5 reasons to Visit The Getty Center

Getty Center sign as you enter the parking area

Continuing the theme of Southern California excursions on a budget, this weeks focus is The Getty Center.  "The Getty" is up on a hill overlooking downtown LA, the South Bay, the Pacific Ocean and on a clear day you can see the mountains surrounding the LA Basin.  With all that it offers, it is difficult to label just as a museum.  To me, it is so much more.

Here are my top 5 reasons "The Getty" should be on your list of budget friendly excursions in Southern California.

1.  Once you leave the parking area you board the tram and begin to rise above the traffic, congestion and busy pace of LA.   It is the best feeling watching the traffic and all that is LA get further away.  You round a bend, the traffic becomes hidden and you arrive at the center.  I am not an architecture buff, yet the presence and beauty of the campus is magnificent and moving.

View of Traffic on Tram to The Getty Center

Research Pavilion at The Getty Center

2.  I find myself getting lost in the variety of plants, trees and flowers on and around The Getty.  With over 300 varieties, you could spend an entire day capturing images of flowers with your camera.  This is an ideal place to practice Macro Photography.  I recommend a stroll around the Central Garden, conceived by artist Robert Irwin, who calls it "a sculpture in the form of a garden aspiring to be art."  If you get the chance, go in the Spring and catch all of the vegetation in full bloom.

Getty Center Central Garden

Macro Shot of flower in the Central Garden

Ladybug at play in the Central Garden

Silhouette of Tree at Sunset, The Getty Center

 3.  With so many different collections of European paintings, drawings, manuscripts, sculpture & decorative arts, and European & American photographs you can visit multiple times and not see everything.  The cool thing about it is that they have permanent installations, and keep your repeat visits fresh with traveling exhibits.  I love photography and that is where I end up spending most of my time, the bonus is that they tend to rotate this gallery frequently.

4.  The Getty is a great place to take a date, out of town guests and the family.  You can experience a romantic sunset overlooking downtown LA and the Ocean, introduce people to the treasure in your own back yard or let the kids run off their energy in the park located in the center of the campus.  A true bonus is that the Getty allows you to bring in food so that you can picnic amongst all of the beauty.  If you don't bring a picnic with you, you can visit one of their on-site cafes that also serves wine and beer.

Downtown LA from The Getty Center

Catalina, Southbay and Pacific Ocean from "The Getty"

View of Central Garden and Southbay from the Park

5.  This is my favorite part about "The Getty".  Thanks to the J. Paul Getty Trust, admission to The Getty Center is free.  The only charge to you is $15 per car load.  With the ability to bring your own picnic, get in for the price of parking and absorbing all of the offerings; the "The Getty" is great day to expand your mind while keeping costs lean.

Bust of J. Paul Getty

 Photography note:  You can take pictures throughout most of the exhibits.  No flash photography within any exhibits, and no photos at all in the Photography Exhibits.

Also, the Getty Center Volunteers are pretty vigilant about the flash photography and keeping you from touching any of the exhibits.  They are a serious lot, so be aware.

Docent keeping a close eye on the happenings

 Let us know if you pay a visit to "The Getty" with a comment or a photo.  Also, don't hesitate to drop us a line if you have any photography questions.