How to Visit the Getty Museum in Los Angeles

The Getty Museum, opened in 1997, sits atop a hill in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Brentwood. The mostly travertine and glass building, designed by architect Richard Maier, houses a diverse collection of art, ranging from classical to 19th century works. Admission to the museum is free, although a fee is charged for parking. An automated tram takes visitors from the parking lot to the museum.

Instructions

1. View the permanent collection. With its sister museum, the Getty Villa in Malibu, the Getty collection owns more than 40,000 works of art, only a fraction of which are on display. Highlights include the museum's Roman and Greek sculpture collection, its European decorative arts and its paintings by European masters. One of the most famous single works at the museum is "Irises" by Vincent van Gogh. The exception to the museum's emphasis on pre-20th century art is its vast collection of early 20th century photography.

2. Enjoy a temporary exhibit. The Getty Museum plays host to some of the world's most important traveling exhibits. Recent shows have included "Greeks on the Black Sea: Ancient Art from the Hermitage," "Degas at the Getty" and "Jacques-Louis David: Empire to Exile." No fee is charged for admission to the temporary exhibits.

3. Stroll the Central Garden. The Getty Museum's Central Garden sits in the heart of the museum complex. Designed by landscape architect, Richard Irwin, the 134,000-square-foot garden features a tree-lined walkway, a reflecting pond and a vast array of native California plants. The garden is also an excellent vantage point from which to view the city of Los Angeles and the surrounding area.