Getty Center
Getty Centre Pixabay Public Domain
If fine art and local culture are the types of things you are interested in then bring your group to the Getty Center while visiting L.A! The Richard Meier design and Travertine Stone exterior only begin to show the wonders inside the Getty Center, full of gorgeous gardens, beautiful sculptures, and classic works by Van Gogh and Rembrandt. This massive campus of the Paul J Getty Museum and other various programs of the Getty Trust takes on average about 3 hours to visit, the entire area an absolutely massive ode to culture, art, and regional history. Created in 1997, this ‘famous, sizable, and free museum’ highlights American and European art, architecture, and manicured gardens, not to mention various Italian art, Asian photography, and even 28 different outdoor sculptures.
While the J Paul Getty Museum is actually closed on Mondays, any other day of the week you and your group can stop by this gorgeously designed building and check out the highly regarded permanent collection within, mostly consisting of pre 20th-century European paintings, drawings, illuminated manuscripts, sculpture, and decorative arts. You will also see various examples of 19th and 20th century American, European, and Asian photographs, as well as the breathtaking Irwin Central Garden. More specifically, head to the North Pavilion for 1600-century art and Medieval works, the East Pavilion for 17th-century Baroque art, the South for 18th-century European works, and the West for Italian art and 19th-century masterpieces. The current ‘special’ exhibit is entitled London Calling, and after you check that out you can also head to the Sketching Gallery to try your hand at world-class art, the interactive family room for a post-visit treasure hunt, or pick up your interactive Getty Guide!
This campus also holds the Getty Store, the gift shop full of education treasures such as award-winning publications, gifts, children's books, and toys. After this stop, head over to the Restaurant for fresh, local foods and amazing Santa Monica Mountain views.
