Set high on a hill above LA, visitors will not want to miss the Getty Centre, LA's cultural highlight. This postmodernist Mecca, which was built to house the massive art collection of oil magnate J. Paul Getty is now a free museum, open to all.
After parking at the bottom of the hill, an electric tram whizzes you up to the complex, which, with its white sleek appearance, has a look of a James Bond baddies lair to it. Architect Richard Meier was hired to build the museum in 1984 and it took 13 years and US$1 billion to finish.
The complex includes the circular Research Institute, which houses one of the world's largest art and architecture libraries, and a collection of public exhibits. There is also the Central Garden, designed by Robert Irwin, where you can enjoy fabulous views of the city down below. Take a wander through the tree-lined walkways and admire the more than 500 varieties of plants. The Harold M Williams Auditorium, which holds talks, concerts and film screenings is nearby. Most visitors however make a beeline to the art museum, where after climbing up a grand Spanish Steps-style stairway, you will reach a courtyard leading to six pavilions housing a permanent collection and visiting shows.
The galleries are filled with works from famous names such as Van Gogh, Monet and Gauguin, and the collection of impressionist paintings, drawings, sculpture, photographs and French furniture is astonishing in its breadth. More art works are added all the time. Make sure you allow plenty of time to experience the galleries at leisure, and if you need a break, the centre’s cafe and restaurant are nearby.
There is plenty for children to do, as the museum offers a great range of activities for the under 16s. Very young children are welcome to run amok in the Family room which has plenty of hands-on activities to keep them busy.
The Getty Centre is a 13 kilometre drive from Beverly Hills. Entrance is free, but there is a charge for parking.
