The Getty Center Museum & Santa Monica

Description

Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

WHAT YOU VISIT
The Getty Center Museum
Set high on a hillside providing a great view of Los Angeles, the 110-acre complex is a magnificent architectural structure swathed in Italian travertine marble. Once you arrive at the base of the Santa Monica Mountains, you'll board a computer-operated tram and travel up to this Los Angeles landmark. Since opening in 1997, this headquarters for the Getty Trust displays the Gettys' enormous collection of Impressionist paintings, including Vincent van Gogh's famous "Irises," glimmering French furniture, fine illuminated manuscripts, contemporary photography, and European drawings. Also enjoy the meticulously landscaped gardens, with over 500 varieties of plants and expansive terraces that afford sweeping views of downtown and the sparkling Pacific Ocean.

Santa Monica
A picture-perfect beach town, Santa Monica is a coastal community west of downtown Los Angeles. Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Santa Monica is anchored by the nostalgic Santa Monica Pier, a colorful beachfront boardwalk featuring arcade games, street vendors and amusement rides, including the historic Looff Hippodrome Carousel (which was featured in the award winning film, "The Sting" starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford).

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
The Getty Center, designed by renowned architect Richard Meier, is an impressive architectural achievement. Photograph its Italian travertine marble façade, then focus your lens on the manicured gardens and stellar views. In Santa Monica, the colorful beach atmosphere makes for picture-postcard memories. Ride the solar-powered Ferris wheel for panoramic vistas of the coastline from more than 130 feet in the air.

LUNCH
This leisurely day allows you to purchase lunch and snacks on your own. Dining options at the Getty Center include several espresso/snack carts, a cafeteria, a self-service cafe, and a more elegant restaurant. In Santa Monica, you'll find everything from amusement park-style fare to trendy cafes, ice cream shops and a plethora of restaurants at a variety of price points.

SHOPPING
Just a few minutes away from the pier is the Santa Monica 3rd Street Promenade, an outdoor, tree-lined mall with trendy stores and a plethora of outdoor cafes.

WHAT YOU SEE ALONG THE WAY
A drive through Los Angeles takes in a variety of neighborhoods, the hustle and bustle of one of the most exciting cities in the world set against the backdrop of verdant mountains, swaying palm trees and the sun glinting off the Pacific Ocean.