The Getty Center: A Museum,
the California Way
By Claudia Alves

 

World Renowned Artwork, and Gardens That Are Worth the Visit Themselves
The Getty Center, located on 750 acres in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains, overlooks Bel Air, Brentwood and, on a clear day in the distance, you can see the Pacific Ocean. It opened in 1997 and is the second museum of the J. Paul Getty Museum -- the first is the Getty Villa in Malibu.

The photo above and those to the left are views of the Getty Center.

The Getty Center is truly a combination of architecture and environment. Being Southern California, even the museums must incorporate the outside.

The museum houses world renowned art work and excellent visiting exhibits, such as "Medieval Beasts" (until July 29) and "Painted Menagerie," paintings by Jean-Baptiste Oudry not seen by the public in over 150 years, (until September 2).

However, at this museum, the gardens deserve their own visit. There are three methods for touring: grab a pamphlet and take a self-guided tour, take the 50 minutes docent-led tour, or just meander and enjoy the different areas. While we all know that a garden is planned, taking the docent-led tour helps you to gain deeper insights into nooks that would otherwise go unnoticed.

The galleries frame the different views to form their own work of art. The separate outside rooms, a small distance from the main terrace, allow for their own personality and privacy. The water garden, which is the bolder garden, includes large boulders from both the travertine in Italy and Northern California.

Then take the zig-zag path to the circular Central Garden. The water featured through the center of the path recreates the ravine from the Museum to the Research Institute and accompanies you down to the main Central Garden with the pond in the center. Roam around the two-tiers, marvel at the variety of plants and flowers, including Angel's Trumpets, society garlic, poppies, sweet peas and roses - the flowers and plants are ever changing. Take advantage of the seating areas and simply enjoy the sights and smells. Walk to the lowest point and look up to the Galleries' picture perfect view.

For lunch, bring your own and picnic in the picnic area or the lawn; grab a snack at the cart in the courtyard; or have a light lunch at the Garden Terrace Cafe. The Restaurant/Cafe building also has a full-service restaurant on the main floor and a cafeteria style cafe downstairs.

A day filled with art and nature -- what a way to spend the day in L.A.!

Location: 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles, CA, 90049
Hours: Tuesday - Thursday and Sunday, 10:00 am - 6:00 pm, Friday and Saturday, 10:00 am - 9:00 pm
Admission is free, no reservations needed. Call 310-440-7300 or visit www.getty.edu for directions and further information.