The Getty Center
The Getty Center is a hilltop oasis of art, architecture and awe-inspiring gardens in Los Angeles.
The Getty Center, set on a Santa Monica Mountains hilltop in Brentwood, pairs Richard Meier's modernist architecture with curated gardens and Los Angeles Basin views. Opened in 1997, it houses European paintings, manuscripts, decorative arts, and a photography collection including European, Asian, and American works.
Getty Center Architecture and Collection
Perched 900 feet above sea level in the Santa Monica Mountains on a 24-acre site, the Getty Center was designed by architect Richard Meier and features modern white buildings clad in Italian travertine. The museum relocated here after J. Paul Getty's death in 1976, and the institution now houses roughly 50,000 artworks from his collection. Meier drew on both natural and cultural references, surrounding the structures with extensive gardens that provide varied vantage points for photography.
Best Photo Spots
Four photo spots at The Getty Center include gardens, an exterior walkway, a sculpture garden, and a restaurant.
The Central Garden
Photographs of This Location
The Getty Center: History and Gardens
The Getty Center opened to the public in 1997 following construction that began in 1989 and cost over $1 billion. Its gardens, designed by Robert Irwin, incorporate grass, open space, and shade arranged as outdoor living rooms, giving photographers a range of compositions across the grounds. Inside, one of the country's largest Rembrandt collections anchors interior subjects, while the institution traces back to a 1953 trust established by oil magnate Jean Paul Getty, whose Getty Villa opened in 1974.
Common Questions
The Getty Center attracts a staggering 1.8 million visitors every year.
The Getty Center is open Tuesday–Sunday, 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM and closed Mondays.
The Central Garden is a multi-tiered landscape created by artist Robert Irwin, featuring walkways, bridges, streams, plants and a waterfall spilling into a circular azalea pond.
Practical Information
1200 Getty Center Dr., Los Angeles 90049; Interstate 405; every 4-5 minutes
Parking at the Getty Center has a fee, and visitors ride a tram from the parking area to the museum.; $15; $25
10:00 - 17:30 (Tue-Fri, Sun); 10:00 - 20:00 (Sat); 9:30 a.m.; 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Saturday)
Free; Admission to The Getty Center is free, but there is a fee to park in the garage.; $39
Photowalk
Walk the The Getty Center Photo Trail
1 routes through the same vantage points, from a quick loop to a full afternoon.
The Lower Terrace sculpture garden features a variety of modern sculptures and offers distant views of the LA skyline.
Session Tips
- Expect to see a herd of goats at the Getty Center each spring, hired to clear brush and reduce fire risk on the hillside.
- Stop at the information desk for a map to navigate the series of pavilions connected by terraces and outdoor spaces.
- Plan to arrive at least 45 minutes before a scheduled tour to allow time to park and reach the top.
- After visiting the main entrance, head behind the museum toward the Central Garden, which is a destination unto itself.
- Visit the Getty Center on a clear day to enjoy sweeping views of the Los Angeles skyline, mountains, and the Pacific Ocean.
When to Shoot
Best Time to Photograph
1:25 PM - 1:50 PM
1:50 PM - 2:50 PM
12:35 AM - 1:35 AM
1:35 AM - 2:00 AM
Best Season
late winter
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 06:59 | 17:07 | 10h 8m |
| Feb | 06:38 | 17:37 | 10h 59m |
| Mar | 07:04 | 19:01 | 11h 57m |
| Apr | 06:22 | 19:25 | 13h 2m |
| May | 05:52 | 19:48 | 13h 56m |
| Jun | 05:42 | 20:07 | 14h 25m |
| Jul | 05:53 | 20:05 | 14h 12m |
| Aug | 06:15 | 19:40 | 13h 25m |
| Sep | 06:37 | 19:00 | 12h 22m |
| Oct | 06:59 | 18:19 | 11h 20m |
| Nov | 06:26 | 16:50 | 10h 23m |
| Dec | 06:52 | 16:46 | 9h 53m |
What to Expect During Your Session
Spring brings a herd of goats to the hillside for brush clearing, while late winter renders the grounds emerald green after seasonal rains. Saturday is the only day offering extended evening hours until 20:00, making it the sole option for late-light shooting, though weekends and peak seasons draw heavy crowds. On clear days, the hilltop vantage frames the Los Angeles skyline alongside the San Bernardino and San Gabriel Mountains and the Pacific Ocean.
A guided tour of the Getty Center begins with a scenic tram ride up the Santa Monica Mountains.
Arriving shortly before the 9:30 a.m. opening, the visit stretches from morning into early afternoon.
A guided tour of the Getty Center covers architecture, sculptures, Rembrandt and van Gogh paintings, and decorative arts over two hours.
The guided tour of the Getty Center lasts approximately two hours.
“The visit can end with lunch at the Terrace Café, which offers outdoor seating overlooking the Central Garden, with picnics also welcome on the lawn.”
Getting There
Access & Transit
- Wheelchair access
- The Getty Center is fully wheelchair accessible, with elevators, ramps, accessible restrooms, and wheelchair rentals.
- Parking
- There is a parking garage at the Getty Center with a fee, and an attendant directs cars to a lot across the street before opening.
- Public transit
- Metro Rapid Line 761; A tram ride connects the parking garage or public transit stop to the Getty Center's entrance.; public transit
- Walking distance
- The tram ride up to the Getty Center offers scenic views of Los Angeles and the surrounding hills.