The Getty Center is a free art museum in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, built on a hilltop and designed by architect Richard Meier

The Getty Center holds more than 2,000 works of art spanning from the Middle Ages to the present day. The collection includes paintings, sculptures, photographs, manuscripts, and decorative arts. You do not pay to enter the museum or to view the permanent collection — admission is free, though parking costs $20 per vehicle (or $15 after 3 p.m.). The museum sits at 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90049, roughly 15 minutes north of downtown depending on traffic.

The building itself is part of the experience. Meier's design uses travertine stone, steel, and glass across 110 acres of landscaped grounds. The central plaza, galleries, and outdoor spaces are open to the public whether or not you plan to spend hours looking at art. Many visitors come to walk the grounds, sit in the courtyards, or eat at one of the on-site restaurants and cafés without entering the galleries.

Key Takeaways

  • Admission to the Getty Center and its permanent collection is free, but parking is $20 per vehicle (or $15 after 3 p.m.), and you must pay separately for special exhibitions.
  • The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and closed Mondays; hours extend to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
  • You can visit without a ticket by exploring the plaza, gardens, and outdoor spaces, which are open to the public during museum hours.
  • Special exhibitions rotate throughout the year and require a separate paid ticket beyond the free general admission.
  • The Getty provides free tram service from the parking garage to the hilltop museum entrance, and the grounds are designed to be walkable for most visitors.

Hours, Parking, and Getting Inside

The Getty Center opens Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. On Friday and Saturday, the museum stays open until 9 p.m. The museum is closed on Mondays and on some major holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day). You can check the Getty's website for holiday closures before you go.

Parking is located in a garage at the base of the hill. The standard rate is $20 per vehicle; if you arrive after 3 p.m., parking costs $15. Visitors with a valid disabled placard or license plate park free. Once you park, a free tram carries you up the hill to the museum entrance — the tram runs continuously and takes about five minutes. If you prefer to walk, a pedestrian path also leads from the parking garage to the top, though it is steep and takes roughly 15 to 20 minutes.

You do not need a ticket to enter the plaza or to use the tram. The plaza, gardens, and outdoor spaces are open during museum hours and free to explore. You only need a ticket if you want to enter the galleries where the art is displayed.

What You Pay For: General Admission vs. Special Exhibitions

General admission to the permanent collection is free. This includes access to all the galleries that display the museum's main holdings — European paintings, sculptures, photographs, manuscripts, and decorative arts from the medieval period through the 20th century. You can spend an hour or an entire day in these galleries at no cost beyond parking.

Special exhibitions are different. The Getty rotates temporary shows throughout the year, and these require a separate paid ticket. The price varies depending on the exhibition; recent special exhibitions have ranged from $15 to $25 per person. Some special exhibitions are included with general admission, while others charge an additional fee — the museum's website lists which exhibitions are ticketed and which are free. You can see the current and upcoming exhibitions before you visit to decide whether you want to pay for a special show.

The Getty also offers discounted or free admission for certain groups. Visitors under 18 are always free. Students with a valid student ID receive a discount. Residents of Los Angeles County can receive discounted parking on certain days. Check the Getty's website for current discounts and any special programs.

The Collection and What You Will See

The permanent collection spans European and American art from roughly 1200 to 1900, plus 20th-century and contemporary photography. The galleries are organized by time period and medium rather than by theme. You will find medieval manuscripts and illuminated books, Renaissance paintings, Dutch and Flemish works, French Impressionist paintings, and 19th-century American art. The decorative arts collection includes furniture, ceramics, and metalwork from the same periods.

Photography is a major focus at the Getty. The museum holds one of the largest photography collections in the world, with works spanning from the invention of the medium in the 1830s to contemporary digital photography. Photographs rotate in and out of display, so the photography galleries change more frequently than other sections.

The museum does not have a single "must-see" masterpiece the way some museums do. Instead, the collection is broad and deep — you can spend time with works by artists like Rembrandt, Monet, and Van Gogh, but you will also encounter lesser-known pieces and artists. The layout encourages wandering and discovery rather than following a single narrative path through art history.

Planning Your Visit: Time, Crowds, and Facilities

How long you spend at the Getty depends on your pace and interests. Many visitors spend two to four hours in the galleries. If you want to see the entire permanent collection carefully, plan for a full day. If you are visiting the plaza and gardens only, you can spend 30 minutes to an hour. The museum provides maps at the entrance and on its website so you can plan which galleries to prioritize.

The Getty is busiest on weekends and during school holidays. Weekday visits, especially mid-week, tend to be less crowded. The museum does not require advance reservations for general admission, though it recommends arriving early if you visit on a weekend. Special exhibitions sometimes have timed entry windows during peak times — check the website before you go.

The museum has restrooms, water fountains, and seating throughout the galleries and plaza. Three restaurants and cafés operate on-site: the Restaurant (full-service dining with a view), the Café (casual counter service), and the Coffee Bar (beverages and light snacks). You can also bring your own food and eat in the outdoor courtyards. The museum has benches, shade structures, and grassy areas designed for sitting and resting.

Accessibility and Facilities for Visitors with Disabilities

The Getty Center is designed to be accessible to visitors with mobility challenges. The tram from the parking garage is wheelchair accessible, and the museum has elevators connecting all gallery levels. Accessible restrooms are located throughout the building. Visitors with a valid disabled placard or license plate park free, and accessible parking spaces are located near the tram entrance.

The museum provides wheelchairs and mobility devices free of charge at the information desk. Service animals are welcome in all areas of the museum. If you have questions about accessibility before your visit, you can contact the Getty directly by phone or through its website.

The Getty also offers programs for visitors who are deaf or hard of hearing, including captioned videos and audio descriptions of artworks. Some galleries have seating areas where you can rest while viewing art. The museum's website includes detailed accessibility information and a map showing accessible routes through the building.

Getting There and Parking Alternatives

The Getty Center is located in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles, roughly 15 minutes north of downtown. If you are driving, the address is 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90049. GPS and mapping apps will direct you to the parking garage entrance. Street parking is not available at the Getty; all visitors must use the parking garage.

Public transportation is an option if you want to avoid driving and parking fees. The Los Angeles Metro bus system serves the Getty Center. The 761 bus stops near the museum entrance. The 12 and 14 buses stop at a nearby intersection, from which it is a short walk to the parking garage and tram. Travel times from downtown Los Angeles or other neighborhoods vary depending on your starting point and traffic; check the Metro website for routes and schedules.

Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft can drop you at the Getty Center entrance, which avoids the parking garage and tram. This option costs more than parking but may be worth it if you are visiting from far away or prefer not to drive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to buy a ticket in advance to see the permanent collection?

No. General admission to the permanent collection is free and does not require advance tickets. You can walk in during museum hours. If you want to see a special exhibition that charges admission, you can buy a ticket at the entrance or online before you visit.

Can I bring my own food and drinks into the museum?

Yes. You can bring your own food and non-alcoholic beverages and eat in the outdoor courtyards and plaza areas. You cannot bring food or drinks into the galleries themselves. The museum has several on-site restaurants and cafés if you prefer to purchase meals.

How much time should I plan for a visit?

Most visitors spend two to four hours in the galleries. If you want to see the entire permanent collection carefully, plan for a full day. If you are only visiting the plaza and gardens, 30 minutes to an hour is typical. You can visit for as long or as short a time as you like.

Is there a gift shop or bookstore?

Yes. The Getty has a museum shop that sells books, exhibition catalogs, art prints, and other items related to the collection and current exhibitions. The shop is located near the main entrance and is free to browse.

What should I wear and bring?

Comfortable walking shoes are recommended, as the museum involves walking through multiple galleries and outdoor spaces. The hilltop location can be windy and cooler than surrounding neighborhoods, so bring a light jacket. Sunscreen and a hat are useful if you plan to spend time in the outdoor courtyards and gardens. The museum allows backpacks and bags, though very large bags may be subject to inspection.