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The Getty Villa
Categories: Arts & Entertainment Museums Arts & Entertainment Performing Arts Arts & Entertainment Botanical Gardens Museums, Performing Arts, Botanical Gardens [Edit]
17985 Pacific Coast HwyPacific Palisades, CA 90272
Neighborhood: Pacific Palisades
(310) 440-7300
- Hours:
Mon, Wed-Sun 10 am - 5 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
456 reviews for The Getty Villa
Review Highlights
"...artwork inside of it is greek/roman which is also pretty..."
(in 51 reviews)
"A beautiful place to go if visiting Los Angeles."
(in 20 reviews)
"The collection of sculptures were amazing."
(in 62 reviews)
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456 reviews in English
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Review from jessica O.
Rowland Heights, CA
2/1/2012
Gorgeous. So gorgeous. Love the views, love the architecture, and love the drive to get there. I did feel like I didn't couldn't see everything in one day, and I plan to come back soon.
If you need a little break, head to the store and try on some of their cool hats. Kid's section. Trust me, you'll thank me! -
Review from Mary T.
Los Angeles, CA
1/31/2012
I love going to museums! The Getty Villa is one of the first Getty museums. This is a nice place for a date! They offer free admissions to the museum. But be sure to order the tickets online first. http://www.getty.edu/v...
The architecture of the museum is superb. It is a nice place to relieve some stress in a peaceful and serene environment. The parking is $15 per vehicle. It is totally worth it! I went one of the tours to learn more about the roman sculptures and how it was transformed through the years. You can sign up for other tours at the museum and learn more about the sculptures and art pieces.
One thing to be careful about is not to use flash photography. The security guards are pretty strict on that.
You can spend the whole day there enjoying the pretty scenery and art! -
Review from Kathy W.
1/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
The first of the Getty museums. This one is a lot smaller than the Getty Center in Los Angeles near Westwood.
Must "order" your tickets online prior to coming to the museum. The tickets are free but they don't want too many people on the small land. One can only enter the museum when heading northbound on PCH otherwise you have to make a U-turn somewhere. The entrance is also on a hill so if there is a line to enter the Villa it's a bit difficult to inch up the hill. Avoid driving a manual car to the Villa. Parking is $15 per vehicle. They also check for your confirmation number or actual ticket before allowing you to enter the Villa.
The design and structure of the Villa is really pretty. Reminds of Roman and Greek architecture. Walking into the main corridor I really felt like I was in a Villa. It's a great place to visit during the spring and summer time. The large water pond and surrounding garden is a great photo opportunity area. One can also go on the 2nd floor for a greater view. There isn't as great of a scenic view as the Getty Center since it's elevation is not that high.
The artwork is pretty interesting but after a while it gets tiring. There are more sculptures and statues than paintings. Also if you want it to be educational yet fun, check out the handouts for children. It's more of a "I Spy" and gives you some fun facts.
Overall, a great place to visit if you run out of things to do in LA. It is free but parking is pretty pricey. Not sure if you can park on the street, but if you do you have quite a journey up the hill to get to the main museum area. I would definitely come back again if I wanted to work on my historical knowledge. More often than not I would visit the Getty Center instead since there is a larger picnic area and a better view of the greater Los Angeles area. -
Review from Karlyn F.
Los Angeles, CA
2/8/2012
I love this place, so peaceful and beautiful. You have to make reservations and parking is $15, but it is soooooo Worth it!!!!!
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Review from Grace K.
2/4/2012
Beautiful architecture surrounded by gorgeous grounds with a sweet view. Not as much art as The Getty, but a must see.
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Review from Lolia S.
San Francisco, CA
1/18/2012 4 photos
The Villa is impressive, world class, perfect for a few hours of leisurely strolling and free. There are two floors and various rooms house different parts of the Getty's Greek and Roman collection and the grounds include peaceful Mediterranean style gardens. Try to go on a sunny day to enjoy the view of the Pacific Ocean. http://s3-media1.ak.ye...
The café has an upscale look and offers Greco-Roman inspired fare. They also have a coffee kiosk, lovely restrooms, a theater, and tours.
I like how the artifacts and even the paintings in the changing exhibitions area have detailed, interesting explanations. It's amazing how huge items like the olive oil vessels given to the victors at the ancient Olympics have survived all these centuries. The vessels contained olive oil from Athena's sacred olive oil grove.
My favorites:
* Coins, gems and jewelry; the intaglio jewelry still looks fashionable
* Mummy paintings give you a sense of people who lived so long ago
* Tombstones, elaborate and touching, they often depict the dead clasping the hand of the living demonstrating their eternal bond
Advanced tickets, available online, are required. Parking is $15.Listed in: SoCal, from Santa Barbara to…, The Great Outdoors
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Review from Cobra K.
Colorado Springs, CO
2/5/2012 23 photos
This place is so beautiful. Nothing really to report...trust all the reviews. Come here, wear nice clothes, bring a camera and tripod, sneak in some snacks (I usually do extra sharp cheddar cheese, grapes, strawberries and a little sparkling cider) and enjoy.
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Review from Lola K.
Studio City, CA
2/4/2012
The view beautiful, the food yummy and then you go and feed your eyes.....what could be better? I need to find a way to live here. Wasn't there a story about a guy who lived in someone's attic for months on end and no one in the house noticed? Just kidding......sort of.
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Review from Ellen L.
I loved the architecture and design of this place! The gardens outside were gorgeous, and I definitely can appreciate the Roman influence of the style. I'm much bigger on gardens and architecture than the art exhibits, so I liked the small size of the villa.
I have to admit I like the Getty Museum best though. My favorite part is the balcony overlooking the pool and gardens. At sunset it's an absolutely breath-taking view. As a tip, make reservations online and print it out to present to security when you drive up! I also find that if you go towards the end of the day, it's less crowded and much more enjoyable :) -
Review from Leah G.
Pleasanton, CA
1/31/2012
The Villa is absolutely beautiful. It's a great place to go for some peace and quiet in a serene environment. It's also free as long as you book online. This means that they guarantee there aren't too many people there. The architecture really works with the Greco-Roman collection. Living in LA can be hectic, and this is a great place to go if you want to get out of the city and slow down for a little bit.
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Review from Akemi I.
Pasadena, CA
1/16/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Do you love amphoras, majestic columns and naked marble men? Do you fantasize about living in your own obnoxiously big and luxurious Roman villa filled with amphoras, majestic columns and naked, incredibly fit, handsome (and apparently uncircumcised) marble men? (Don't give me that look; I know you will check, if you haven't already been there.) If yes, then you will most certainly enjoy the Getty Villa.
In short: It is a picturesque Roman-style villa that stands atop a hill facing the Pacific Ocean. Some of its most beautiful spots are also outdoors so go on a sunny day.
I think my two favorite areas of the Getty Villa are 1) the smaller peristyle garden with encircled by the main building and 2) the 2nd floor balcony from which you can gaze down at the larger outdoor garden with the beautiful long rectangular pool.
If you want to impress your date, this is a great place to start (doesn't hurt to cruise down PCH before and after too)! Cross your fingers that there won't be rowdy groups of schoolchildren fearlessly roaming from room to room ogling at Everything. Best of luck to you. :Db
**Make sure you make reservations online AHEAD OF TIME so you don't embarrass yourself (potentially in front of your date) at the entrance. And bring $15 for parking.
Enjoy! -
Review from Nancy L.
Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, CA
1/16/2012
I love museums, to put it simply. A perfect day for me is going to a museum with my boyfriend, walking around and marveling at everything around me, and finishing off with a light lunch or just something dainty.
I love the Getty Villa because it is a serene and beautiful sight to be held. I took an Art History course this semester, focusing a lot of Ancient, Classical, and Hellenistic Grecian, Truscan, and Roman art. I definitely want to revisit the Villa, because I want to look back at all of this with that knowledge in mind.
It is a gorgeous and peaceful place, definitely. It is appointment first (just make free reservations online, the only thing you pay for is the $15 parking). It doesn't take a long time to go through the museum, but the gardens themselves are worth just sitting down at and enjoying the day. Everytime I visit the Villa, I always end up at the beach afterwards, because it's a perfect ending to a pretty day! -
Review from Anita L.
12/17/2011
Amazing and beautiful museum! I loved the Getty Villa so much more that the Getty Museum. I guess that's because I am a fan of Greek & Roman artifacts, and personally like to look at sculptures and statutes versus paintings.
Admission is FREE, but you have to pay for parking. So CARPOOL!! You need to make reservations online and designate a time for arrival.
Remember to bring sunglasses & camera with you. Perfect place for family outing, and they have great spots for pictures! -
Review from Stef B.
Los Angeles, CA
1/13/2012
If you love Roman busts and Grecian Urns than this place is for you. But if you are at all interesting or have good taste in art, than this place is a bit boring.
The grounds and the cafe are very nice, but it should be called Getty Light, not Getty Villa. For a better Getty experience for to the Getty Center.
Also, the Getty Villa is free but they make you print up a reservation before visiting. The hassle of pressing print is barely worth it. -
Review from Steph H.
12/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
I hadn't been to the Getty Villa in almost 20 years--the last time I'd gone was well before the renovation in 2006 and I'd been wanting to check it out for a long time. I don't know why I waited so long, it's FREE, aside from the $15 parking (you must also call in advance to reserve tickets), like its big brother Getty off the 405. Both institutions are amazing, but this is a much more intimate, relaxed place, and SO beautiful, a true Italian villa by the sea. There's a gorgeous view of the ocean from its upper balconies and I loved all the fountains and gardens. Also helped that the weather was fantastic when we were there--clear blue skies with a little bite in the air--California fall weather.
When my friends and I went there was a show going on called Modern Antiquity, juxtaposing works from modern masters such as Picasso, Picabia, de Chirico and Leger with works from greek and roman antiquity that were direct or indirect influences. I don't ever recall seeing works by Picabia in person before and I was especially impressed with how contemporary his works looked. Also lots of greek and roman statues, ceramics, glassworks, etc.
They only have one cafe that's semi cafeteria-style (you pay at cashier and they bring our your stuff to you); no fancy sit-down like at the big getty, but this place was quite good. A lot of museums these days have such good food, and this was no exception. I had their chopped salad with herb grilled chicken and it was very good. Other people in the group tried the lasagna, portobella burger, regular burger, seafood stew, and I think everyone was very happy with their food. Afterwards we had some coffee and dessert selections like carrot cake and a "small bites" platter which was a sampling with truffle chocolates, cookies, and a custard. Very good, very decadent.
Overall, a VERY pleasant visit, one that I hope to make again before too long.Listed in: Worth the Drive from Long…
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Review from Stephanie P.
12/26/2011
#409 For our parents' Christmas present this year, we decided to take them out on a SoCal day trip. So, our first stop was the Getty Villa. I had already been once before about two years ago, but neither my parents nor my sister had been. The drive up was exactly what I remembered - bumpy and steep. Our tickets were checked at the first stop up, then we paid $15 for parking and had our tickets scanned at the second stop. It's definitely a better idea to carpool if you plan on coming out here because $15 per person per car just seems silly.
Anyways, I suppose they expected tons of people to visit today because there were a number of guys directing traffic - not so when I came last time. Because we were part of the 10:00AM crowd, we got the chance to park in the lot right underneath the outer peristyle, so we had a quick walk to the entrance. The architecture of the place obviously hasn't changed. Now, I definitely appreciate the effort that has gone into the upkeep of the villa but, to be honest, I'm quite turned off by how ... new ... the place looks. Maybe it's just the fact that I'm enamored by rustic places, but I can't give it a full 5-star rating.
The reflecting pool and outer peristyle aren't as charming the second time around, but we had a fine time taking pictures before the crowds starting streaming in. When we finished up with the outer peristyle, we were right on time for the walking tours. They have two different ones - architecture and garden - and they're offered every hour. So, you can catch both of them in a single visit.
I didn't take to the architecture guide that we got, so I bailed early and wandered around on my own. I especially loved the Modern Antiquity exhibit where they juxtaposed the works of Picasso, de Chirico, Leger, and Picabia with classical Roman and Greek sculptures. It was a jarring experience seeing the original classical works and the artists' interpretation of them within their own paintings. Picasso's works in the exhibit were a bit flat, but de Chirico's worked especially well with the curation - so hat's off to the curator for that. His "transparencies", especially, left a lot to the imagination and I took my time with those works.
All in all, the Getty Villa is definitely a place to experience in SoCal and, now especially, the place has some awesome exhibits for you to experience. For $15 per car, it's definitely worth it. Just make sure you make your reservations! -
Review from Sean B.
12/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
I absolutely loved this place, it's my favorite museum in Los Angeles, even moreso than the Getty (Proper). Ancient artwork, a really cool vibe, mostly nice people.
Four stars because, I'm sorry, but it's weird to get scolded for touching something at a museum that's made of plastic and is simply decorative. It's a huge laminate mural of the Roman Colosseum. It's not, you know, actually an exhibit. I'm sorry, it was made at Alphagraphics in 2011, I don't think you get to scold me for touching it. -
Review from Stephanie G.
Los Angeles, CA
12/7/2011 5 Check-ins Here
Free!!!! Ohhhh how I love that word
Free to get in but you must reserve them! Thank me later or give me a ROTD! I'm serious
Parking $15 fuuuuuhhhh but is $10 after 5pm
It's nice to come here and look at the sculptures, gardens, or the kid picking his nose and wiping it on his sisters shirt. True story.
It's quite relaxing here and they have a cafe with some good food -
Review from Justin Y.
12/1/2011
I could only come up with a rhyme to describe my time at the Getty jumpin' up and down like confetti so I'm about to get ready and steady like Teddy..
The beautiful scenery, sculptures, gardens and pools
if you're only in LA once don't miss out on this it's super duper cool.
Strolling through the Getty with you and your significant other
Your girlfriend, cousin, or even your brother from another mother
The two of you smiling, laughing and strolling through the gardens
photos galore, stunning views, tranquil space without saying pardon
Your day will be will spent well at the Getty
You won't break your wallet cause only parkin' is petty.
The last time I was here I thought it was fate
What I'm tryin' to say if it's not too late
Will you be Justin Y.'s prom date? -
Review from Lisa P.
Los Angeles, CA
2/5/2012
My family just went with our little girl for the first time and we had made some really unforgettable memories. We are not from Los Angeles originally and compared to my past museum experiences the Getty is overwhelming (in a beautiful way) in size and the in the amount of art it hosts. The best way to describe the Getty ( for us ) is being wrapped in a warm and fuzzy cocoon. The vibe was that everyone wanted to be there and no one looked sad because it is impossible to be so at the Getty. I realize this is for the villa but anything Getty is golden and we are heading here next!
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Review from Mariel L.
12/22/2011
As I strolled by the gorgeous reflecting pool of the Getty Villa on a balmy November afternoon, looking towards views of the Pacific Ocean, my mind was awash with feelings of pure bliss. I was back home in California after being gone for almost a year, and I wanted to make sure I saw the real beach, and the Getty Villa was just the perfect cherry on top of this Sunday Funday with my family. It is a gorgeous museum, with lush gardens and imposing Greek statues, and plenty of walking grounds to tire my li'l nephew, who I believe runs on a combo of Energizer batteries and Red Bull.
Even if you are not an avid museum visitor, there's still plenty of sights to enjoy, from the many gardens surrounding the villa, to the aforementioned reflecting pool. It's definitely a great location for photographers of all calibers, as you can see people snapping pictures from the smallest phones (moi) to the largest SLRs (my brother). There's a fun area for the kids with a shadow-pose area, although i have to admit I wanted to push the kids out to do my own posing. :[ -
Review from Kristin C.
West Los Angeles, CA
12/30/2011 2 photos
Gorgeous museum, I think I love it more than the larger Getty museum.
The Getty Villa makes you feel like you are in Italy or Greece, or just not LA. The pools and gardens are quite splendid. Take a long stroll, a very long stroll, and soak up the sun and the ocean air. Inside, the collection consists of ancient coins, male vs female bust, a beautiful gold dipped Grecian crown, and even a mummy (watch the video on how this one was made)!!
- Its FREE, make reservations online -
Review from Miguel R.
12/2/2011
The Getty Villa showcased the Aztec Pantheon and the Art of Empire exhibition in 2010. It was pretty impressive. I love the fact that this museum demonstrated its interest in cultural diversity by bringing these pieces of art from Mexico. It is great that a museum which focuses on classic art from Europe also focuses on classic art from other regions. Well, the Aztecs were not from the classic period in Mexico's Prehispanic era (they were from the postclassic) but I'm ecstatic to have gone to that exhibition anyway.
The museum itself is a work of art and it's right by the sea - what could possibly be better? The classic architecture is gorgeous as are its gardens.
After a good day on the museum grounds you can also go to the beautiful beaches of Malibu and relax and contemplate the art you just experienced further. Beat that NYC!
This museum brings back great memories of my grade school days. One of my favorite field trips ever was to this museum.
The Villa also has great lectures and performances.
Entrance is free but parking in the structure ($15) is not.Listed in: Cultural Los Angeles
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Review from Sam L.
12/8/2011
I actually really enjoyed the Getty Villa... so much more so then the Getty Museum.
The villa is situated in Malibu (or I guess more technically Pacific Palisades) and has breathtaking views of the Ocean. :)
To go here, it's free but you do have to make reservations (think typically a month in advance) and while most people are griping about paying to park... I didn't have to when I went. Yay! :)
I like architecture so of course, I spend most of my time marveling at the architecture. They did have a lot of pretty nice "exhibits" and a garden in the back. I think when you come here though, it's more about the architecture of the building itself and the furniture.
Also, they do a Watson Adventure scavenger hunt...and while I haven't been to this particular one... those are pretty fun. -
Review from Michelle C.
Los Angeles, CA
I'm legitimately like a bright-eyed kid in a candy store here... "OMG, that's Achilles dragging Hektor behind his chariot." "That's a kouros!" "Wow! How can this little pendant be so intricately carved?" "You know, Caligula was the 'crazy' Roman emperor who wanted to instate his horse as consul." Again... I'm like a kid in a candy store :)
The Getty Villa is incredible. My obvious affinity for Ancient Greco- Roman civilization aside, the venue is absolutely breathtaking no matter what your background with Ancient Greece and Rome. Modeled after the Villa dei Papiri, the structural architecture and various outside gardens are Kodak worthy and definitely a good option if you want to impress a date.
Inside, the rooms are filled with art fragments, knick-knacks such as pendants and coins, and of course, a plethora of sculptures. Currently, they have an exhibit called Modern Antiquity with art inspired by the Classics from Picasso, di Chirico, Leger, and Picabia. Insanely fascinating.
Admission to the Getty Villa is FREE, though you have to reserve advance tickets online beforehand. Parking per car is $15 before 5pm and $10 afterwards for special evening programs like productions of Ancient tragedies in their outdoor theater. They also have a cute little cafe and gift shop.
All in all, one of my favorite escapes in the LA area. You can easily spend a few hours here browsing the exhibits, though probably not a whole day unless you have an extremely cultured history buff as your date.
LOVE.Listed in: Carpe LA!
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Review from Bullet S.
Los Angeles, CA
10/25/2011 7 photos
Getty Villa is a beautiful gem of Malibu and a great place to take photos.
The only catch is you have to be low-key. If you intend on bringing reflectors and/or larger eye-catching lenses expect to be escorted out. Security here is on point and they are instructed to question posed photography. Museum entrance is free with parking being a sharp $15. Make sure you call in advance to reserve a spot.
If your intentions are to shoot my suggestions are to work quick and smart. Bring prime lenses as its less obtrusive. Make sure you actually take time to look at the exhibits, as to not draw too much attention.
Good luck and happy shooting! -
Review from Cecilia C.
Fountain Valley, CA
1/18/2012
This is one of my favorite places in California and I enjoy every moment of it, every time. Not only is the place gorgeous but so is the drive there. You get to drive by the ocean and all different kinds of houses (if you take PCH). And I love Greek mythology and ancient Greek and Roman art so it's my personal heaven. The architecture is so amazing and every little detail seems planned. The statues and art are great and there's a kids' room also. The gardens are labeled and fun to walk around in and it always seems to be sunny there, even during January. I'm mesmerized by its beauty and, even though the main exhibits don't change, I am always looking forward to my next visit.
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Review from Judd L.
10/31/2011 25 photos
Remember the name Norton Simon who never met J Paul Getty. It is his business and tax law knowledge as well as his investment strategy that propelled the J Paul Getty Trust from $700 million to billions even after building of the $1 billion 750 acre Getty Museum and spending billions on world famous artwork, research and education. The Trust spends three out of every four years acquiring expensive artworks to maintain their tax-exempt status. For example: Cezanne's Still Life With Apples (for a reported $25 million) and van Gogh's Irises (for somewhere in the neighborhood of $35 million).
If you were the miser himself, he would have taken the bus for less than $2 each way instead of having to pay the $15 parking fee. He installed in his London palace pay phones and placed dial locks to his private phones. He simply got tired of paying for visiting business people and friends making long distance calls on his dime.
Getting back to The Getty Villa... it's just absolutely a perfect medium to capture the ancients times idea of living high on the hog. I mentioned to my wife that even though the artifacts were so called purchased legitimately, today there are claims by Italy, Greece and others wanting their stolen ancient treasures returned. The Trust has agreed to return some... but without specific time frames.
So go up there in the Palisades hills of Los Angeles and enjoy the great beauty of this villa and what it houses. After all some of those pieces in the collection may soon be returned to their home countries. http://www.nytimes.com... -
Review from David A.
Long Beach, CA
11/25/2011
The Getty Villa is one of two Getty museums in town. The other Getty (the Getty Center) is larger and more popular, but the Getty Villa is pretty special in it's own right. Either one should make the list of top L.A. destinations. The Getty Villa specializes in art and cultural artifacts from ancient Greece, Rome, and Etruria. The Villa houses a broad range of items, especially antiquities.
The architecture is one of the most interesting aspects about the place. The Getty Villa was designed to recreate a roman villa as it would be 2000 years ago. The blueprint was inspired by the Villa of the Papyri, which is a large country house that was destroyed in the eruption of mount Vesuvious and uncovered in the 18th century.
The entrance to the Villa is located along highway 1 in Malibu. The drive up to the parking lot was not very intuitive, but a few employees were there to direct us along the way up the incline to the parking lot. We grabbed a nice lunch at the Villa cafe that overlooks the museum grounds. When you explore the museum be sure to keep in mind that the stone statues may have looked considerably more colorful when they were created thousands of years ago. They may have originally looked much more vibrant (and tacky).
Admission is free but you have to reserve your tickets in advance. Parking is $15.
Check out the link to my blog on my profile for more information (and pictures!). -
Review from D. R.
Malibu, CA
10/25/2011
Meier's Bavarian wonder of a place is the better place and yet...
These folks (will) have Leger & Picabia!!! -
Review from Realtor Karl B.
San Diego, CA
11/27/2011
Free to enter, but must pay $15 to park.
A little bit of history here and gardens to view.
I heard the bigger Getty is better and 4 times bigger. -
Review from Winnie H.
9/25/2011 9 photos
After seeing Yelp buddies Michael S, Pancho V, and Tess M's reviews, I wanted to visit The Getty Villa since I've never been there despite living in SoCal for a long time. With visiting relatives from overseas, I had the perfect excuse to do so after scoring some last minute free tickets.
The drive there was scenic once we hit PCH with ample signage to guide us to the location. http://www.yelp.com/bi... Parking was easy and only required a short walk to the museum entrance. My uncle who is getting up there in age benefited from the use of a wheelchair while on the premises so we picked up one at the Visitor Center and we were on our way to explore the place.
The exhibits are done well but I enjoyed the architecture and outdoor areas more. Here's a summary:
The Herb Garden - The first area you'll pass by. The man-made pond houses a huge koi and lots of babies. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
The East Garden - http://www.yelp.com/bi...
The Inner Peristyle - http://www.yelp.com/bi...
The pièce de résistance of the Getty Villa is the Outer Peristyle. http://www.yelp.com/bi... This is definitely a very relaxing environment with the sound of gushing water from the fountain and beautiful landscaping throughout the area. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
While at the Villa, don't forget to occasionally look up as there are beautiful artwork right above you. The ceiling in the Outer Peristyle. http://www.yelp.com/bi... Column and ceiling at the Inner Peristyle. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
The displays and exhibits at the museum are always look but don't touch so I really enjoyed the very cool interactive exhibit where you can touch everything. They have huge replicas of Greek pottery where you can write and doodle on them. http://www.yelp.com/bi... There is even a shadow theater with foam weapons and gear you can grab off the wall to put on a mock battle.
This is a nice place to spend an afternoon taking in some culture and ocean air. It's worth a visit at least once for everyone. -
Review from Yi Z.
11/1/2011
The Getty Museum is so cliche so I decided to take my out-of-town guests to the Getty Villa. I've never been a fan of the art of the Getty Collection but I do have to say that the antiquities at the Villa are far more impressive than the mismatched mumbo jumbo at the Museum.
That said, I was still there for the architecture and the gardens so we took both the Architecture and the Garden Tours. Let me just tell you, it's pointless to take both since there's so much overlapping information. I liked the Garden Tour a tiny bit more but you get the background on the construction of the Villa on either.
The Getty Villa is great for photographs; it's too bad that my guests and I didn't care to take very many. I remember when the Villa first reopened, you had to book tickets weeks in advance. Now, you can pretty much pick whatever time you want. -
Review from Kay D.
10/6/2011 2 photos
What I like about the Getty Center and the Getty Villa is that they say "free admission" and then charge you $15 for parking. Nice one.
I came here recently with my parents and husband; none of us had been before. It was quite lovely, but keep in mind that this place is small. The purpose of the Villa is to be a recreation of a lost villa from Pompeii. It features a plethora of Greek, Roman, and Etruscan artifacts. We saw everything in about two hours, and we were meandering at a fairly leisurely pace.
The Villa itself is architecturally lovely, and the three gardens are beautiful...but small. I wouldn't plan on spending an entire day here, though you could always spend some time at their Mediterranean cafe or take an informative tour to pass the time. Definitely worth at least one visit!
PS - You need a timed entry admission ticket that you need to print out ahead of time. It's free, and you can get it on their website. -
Review from Martha D.
Van Nuys, CA
1/2/2012
This place is gorgeous! I came here to work on an observation paper I had for Humanities class. I knew about the Getty museum but I was not aware that there was the Getty Villa. The place is free except for parking. They have gorgeous Roman and Greek statues. They are very friendly and helpful when you approach them for help. They have wheelchairs for those who are handy capped. If you like to take pictures of random things, this is a nice place to capture some nice images. Best part the beach is across the street. You will enjoy your trip to the Getty Villa :)
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Review from Kelly H.
Santa Ana, CA
1/7/2012
GORGEOUS, GORGEOUS, GORGEOUS.
I've been here twice, once when it was raining, and it was still beautiful. Great place for photographs or for a nice date. It's basically a huge mansion turned museum located in beautiful Malibu.
You need to make an appointment, and I think it costs $7, as opposed to the Center which is free + $15 parking. I came late both times I've been here, and the guards still allowed us in.
They keep it really clean and are really iffy about how close you get to the artifacts, no flash photography, and they provide umbrellas for you (like the Center).
There's a family-friendly room where kids can draw on vases, play and pose behind a screen projector, and more. I'm in college and even I had fun in there. -
Review from Ronique B.
Fullerton, CA
11/24/2011
This is a beautiful pretty peaceful place to simply dwell in. Aside from the exhibits, which are impressive to say the least, the Villa itself is a work of art. You can see the ocean from the second floor balcony that over looks the larger fountain (there is a name for it...I just can't recall it).
Don't forget to visit the Venus that is just beyond the fountain/garden area. It's the only statue on the grounds that you can actually touch. -
Review from Gabriela G.
Los Angeles, CA
10/23/2011
This place is pretty amazing overall. Architecturally i wasnt so impressed, while they are trying to make it look like an expensive villa in Italy it is more reminiscent of a new Mediterranean style apartment complex or the recently build condos at the Glendale Galleria mall. A bit generic in its construction for my personal taste, and not very original at all when compared to the Getty on the Westside. If you've been to the Chateau de Versailles in France, Schonbrun Palace in Vienna or Windsor Castle in London, you may not think the Getty Villa is visually striking from the outside. Even Hearst Castle just a couple of hundred miles further North on PCH has more authentic historical depth.
The Getty Villa does have phenomenal breath-taking views. Located high on a mountain overlooking Malibu and the Pacific Ocean this is a great place for a date. While the landscaping, is avant-guarde (outdoor theater garden) in some areas, in others, it is classical and beautifully crafted to make you believe for a second that you are indeed, in Italy. They also have an herb garden which is quasi-cool.
In my opinion, the actual art on display left much to be desired; and while the rooms were large and space was ample it felt like there was not enough art to fill all their walls, maybe this was a conclusion i came to, not from actual lack of art, but from the layout of the museum, and the work they chose to show.
I like that it's a free museum, though you still must call ahead since they only allow a certain number of people at a time and they only give out so many tickets per hour per day. You MUST call ahead or go on their website to reserve your tickets in advance otherwise you are not likely to get in through the gates since they scan your confirmation before they let you inside. (so print out a copy of your confirmation if you can and bring it with you too!)
Some cool places to eat around Malibu. Getty Villa is centrally located enough that you could make your outing an all day event. Post museum, myself, my boyfriend and a couple of friends drove an extra 20 miles to Neptune's Net for fresh shellfish though I'm sure there are better seafood restaurants and dive bars closer to the Villa itself.
It's a great place to go on a date and to spend enough time walking through the grounds. The grounds are more interesting than the art they have for show. -
Review from Tanya D.
12/21/2011 4 photos
The Getty Villa - tix are free and each adult ticket includes up to 3 kids 15 or younger. Parking is $15 - but with the free tickets, fresh air and factoids the Villa is definitely worth it. We made reservations for noon on a Sunday - not too crowded, which was great! This place isn't huge at all and maybe takes two hours to walk through and read every artifact's description. But there is a cafe near the theater and multiple outdoor areas to walk around and relax, so break those two hours up into an afternoon of Malibubean fun. The outer peristyle is picturesque of course, but there's an herb garden and concrete fountain pool that are equally pleasant spots to switch off your Blackberry and stroll. Bring some good company, take in the ocean views from the front and enjoy an afternoon at the Villa. Highly recommended!
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Review from Michele K.
Irvine, CA
10/23/2011
I'm sure that if I came here on a beautiful day, I would have given at least 4 stars. Unfortunately, that was not the case. Although the weather said that it would be sunny but partly cloudy... it was more like cloudy the whole time. I thought the overcast weather would go away after noon, but I could barely see the blue sky behind the gray clouds :( I was really sad that the clouds didn't go away since I am sure the getty villa is beautiful when the sun is shining.
Admission to the museum is free.. HOWEVER, $15 PARKING FEE!!! SO LAME!!! :( I don't know why they charge so much for just parking! You also have to reserve a ticket by time on their website. I guess they only let a certain amount of people into their museum in timed increments... I thought reserving free tickets online was a little weird... oh well. :/
Getty villa is on a huge hill. There is a steep ramp from the entrance all the way to the parking lot. This must be a pain when it gets crowded. Parking was easy to find and it's a quick walk to the entrance of the museum (unlike the Getty center where you have to take a tram from the parking lot)
The villa was beautiful. It was made to resemble a villa in Pompeii that was destroyed by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. I loved the gardens and the fountains that were incorporated into the building. The herb garden and the garden with the gigantic pool were my favorites!!! The villa features roman and greek artifacts. I was into mythology when I was a kid so reading all of the descriptions by each artifact was really interesting! They also have a mummy somewhere... but I'm not sure what that was about... creepy!!!!
The villa offers a variety of free tours throughout the day. I only went on the garden tour, but they also offered an architecture tour, a glassblowing tour among others. I really like how you get a headset so that you can hear the tour guide better. It helped me pay more attention since I usually zone out during these sorts of things. If you find that reading the descriptions on your own is boring, I really suggest taking a tour!
