1 / 3The Getty
📍 Brentwood, CA
World-renowned art museum atop Brentwood hills with free admission, a tram ride to the top, peaceful gardens, and collections spanning ancient to modern art. Parking is paid. Some classical artworks contain nudity.
Visiting The Getty is truly one of the most memorable cultural experiences in Los Angeles. The museum itself is a masterpiece long before you even walk into the galleries. Designed by architect Richard Meier and opened in 1997, the Getty sits atop the hills of Brentwood, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the city, the ocean, and the surrounding mountains. The Getty Trust—founded by oil magnate and art collector J. Paul Getty—created this center to preserve and share world-class art, and today it’s one of the most beloved attractions in California. People come to The Getty for so many reasons: the impressive art collections, the spectacular gardens, the architecture, and simply the peaceful atmosphere. The museum holds everything from classical antiquities and medieval manuscripts to Renaissance paintings, decorative arts, and contemporary photography. Every gallery feels thoughtfully curated, and you could easily spend hours wandering without seeing everything. The attraction itself is vast, and that’s a huge part of its charm. The Central Garden is a must-see—an evolving artwork of plants, paths, and water features that creates the perfect place to pause and take in the surroundings. The outdoor terraces are just as incredible, offering postcard-worthy views in every direction. Even the tram ride up to the museum feels like an experience. When you visit, expect to be wowed not only by the art but by the entire environment. The Getty is clean, calm, beautifully maintained, and surprisingly relaxing for such a major museum. The staff and volunteers are consistently kind and helpful, always ready to point you toward exhibits or share a bit of history. If you're looking for culture, beauty, and an escape from the noise of the city, The Getty is absolutely worth the trip—and almost guaranteed to become one of your favorite places in LA.
🏆 Family Action Verdict
Best for families with older children who can engage with visual art and architecture. The tram ride, garden terraces, and views provide natural points of interest even for children with shorter attention spans. Pre-check exhibits if classical nudity is a concern. Parking costs apply regardless of free admission.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →36,267 Google reviews
Edgar Ignacio
4 months ago
“Visiting The Getty is truly one of the most memorable cultural experiences in Los Angeles. The museum itself is a masterpiece long before you even walk into the galleries. Designed by architect Richard Meier and opened in 1997, the Getty sits atop the hills of Brentwood, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the city, the ocean, and the surrounding mountains. The Getty Trust—founded by oil magnate and art collector J. Paul Getty—created this center to preserve and share world-class art, and today it’s one of the most beloved attractions in California. People come to The Getty for so many reasons: the impressive art collections, the spectacular gardens, the architecture, and simply the peaceful atmosphere. The museum holds everything from classical antiquities and medieval manuscripts to Renaissance paintings, decorative arts, and contemporary photography. Every gallery feels thoughtfully curated, and you could easily spend hours wandering without seeing everything. The attraction itself is vast, and that’s a huge part of its charm. The Central Garden is a must-see—an evolving artwork of plants, paths, and water features that creates the perfect place to pause and take in the surroundings. The outdoor terraces are just as incredible, offering postcard-worthy views in every direction. Even the tram ride up to the museum feels like an experience. When you visit, expect to be wowed not only by the art but by the entire environment. The Getty is clean, calm, beautifully maintained, and surprisingly relaxing for such a major museum. The staff and volunteers are consistently kind and helpful, always ready to point you toward exhibits or share a bit of history. If you're looking for culture, beauty, and an escape from the noise of the city, The Getty is absolutely worth the trip—and almost guaranteed to become one of your favorite places in LA.”
Andy
a month ago
“Oh man, where do I even begin. This place had so many buildings to choose from. A lot of historical and very vintage European art. For those are strick with their kids watching things, I would say this is not safe for children to view because of the nudity found in statues and art pieces. Some sections are safe for works as this Museum is huge. The time I went in had a "biblical" interpretation of the Bible that left me questioning it's accuracy to the scriptures. All in all, the place was well kept, beautiful, plenty to see. It certainly kept us there for hours without realizing the time. The small monorail system was a treat. The employees where extremely friendly and helpful and courteous and kind and patient with us even when we where confused about the reservations and for this reason alone this place deserves a 5/5. Again, I would advise a proper research and vetting of art pieces, seems like a lot of either bureaucracy or retelling of stories other pretenses. Recognizing the difference between art and history is key for some pieces.”
Angela Kwon
3 months ago
“-Visited on Nov 25, 2025 around 11am. If you’re planning an LA trip, make sure you book a visit to the Getty (along with the Getty Villa). There’s so much to see—tons of sculptures, statues, and incredible art pieces. You take a tram up to the top, and the LA views from up there are honestly gorgeous. And the fact that a place this beautiful and educational is free? I’m genuinely so grateful.”
Akanksha Sharma
3 weeks ago
“Beautiful museum with amazing architecture and stunning views of Los Angeles. The gardens are very peaceful and well maintained. The art collections are impressive, and the tram ride up to the museum is a nice experience. A great place to spend a few hours exploring and relaxing”
Reviews from Google
Overview
The Getty Center sits on a Brentwood hilltop designed by Richard Meier, offering panoramic LA views from the tram and garden terraces. Collections cover ancient antiquities through European masters and modern works. Free talks, performances, and courses run regularly. The Cohn Family Butterfly Pavilion adds a seasonal nature element. The Getty Villa is a separate location with its own ticketing and focus on ancient civilisations.



