The Getty Center hangs serenely in the Santa Monica hills above the heat, smog, and traffic distractions of Los Angeles. This free art museum is a destination for worldly tourists, solo viewers, and creative families. It is also a romantic and trendy venue for cheap dates.
Los Angeles Getty Center is Free
Except for London, there are few free art museums of merit. However, the Los Angeles Getty Center is free and fabulous every day of the year, except Mondays and major holidays when closed. Permanent artworks include pre-20th century European paintings, sculptures, drawings, photographs and decorative arts.
The Impressionist works are not as extensive as NY or Paris, but include:
- Monet
- Van Gogh
- Gauguin
- Degas
Views and Architecture, a Spiritual Experience
The location of the Getty is the most remarkable aspect of this free art museum.
On a clear day one can see:
- Downtown Los Angeles skyline
- The San Bernardino Mountains
- Pacific Ocean
- The hilltop mansions of LA’s rich and famous.
The outside of the museum building looks like a monstrous sculpture, but once inside, the architecture morphs into a playful space for art lovers or anyone seeking to escape the oppressive city below.
It is a spiritual experience to settle into a roomful of art from another century, then walk outside to a swirling, windy balcony which teeters over the entire grid of Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Getty Center also has beautiful garden walkways.
A Place for Everyone at this Free Art Museum
The serenity and emotional feelings of this powerful space are the factors which make this free art museum so inviting.
- Cheap dates: Strolling the gardens, fantasizing about the paintings, and eating at the inexpensive self-service café, where the tables have a priceless view of the Santa Monica hills, are almost as romantic as an Italian hillside, and quite a bit less expensive.
- Chic Singles: An art museum is one of the best places to go alone. One can dress up and feel like a patron of the arts, or alternatively, can wear scruffy jeans and think like a starving artist looking for inspiration. The Getty is a good place to make friends.
- Kids and Family Artists: The “Family Room” is an area to teach children about art and creativity. There are family events going on every week. All children should be exposed to the imagination and originality of the arts and the Getty architecture.
Driving Directions to the Getty
By car:
- Go north from Los Angeles on Interstate 405, take the Getty Center Drive exit, and follow the signs. Parking is $10.00 and can fill up.
- There are two ways up the museum road: Take the free monorail or skip the lines by walking up the road, which is lined with trees that seem to have come from a Van Gogh painting.
By Bus:
- Take Metro Rapid Line 761.
- Call (800) COMMUTE for easy information.
Few things in LA can compare to the Los Angeles Getty Museum. It is a great place for cheap dates, happy families, over-stressed tourists, and singles looking for a home away from home.
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Christina Gregoire - Christina Gregoire writes about divorce, fashion, and baby boomers. Her forte is explaining complex ideas in simple language.
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