One of 2 Getty Museums in L.A., Getty Villa is an Intimate Retreat by the Malibu Coast (Malibu (CA))

Los Angeles is said to be deprived of rich culture compared to New York. Thanks to the J. Paul Getty Museum, that opinion has changed. The J. Paul Getty Museum boasts one of the finest collections in the world, as well as beautiful architecture.

The Getty Museum has two different locations- the Getty Center and the Getty Villa. They are located 5 miles apart, with the Getty Villa located in the hills of Pacific Palisades right in front of the Pacific Ocean. Because Getty Villa is located at the eastern end of the Malibu coast in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, for the general public’s belief it is in Malibu. 

Among the many reasons to visit the Getty Villa, the beautiful recreated Roman country house building and one of America's finest holdings of ancient Greek, Roman, and Etruscan art collections might be the biggest reasons.

At Getty Villa, the building itself is a work of art. On top of that, the Villa is situated on a hilltop with a fantastic ocean view. Every inch of the villa, from the floor to the pillars, is a replica of an ancient (first-century) Roman country villa of the Papyri of Rome in Herculaneum, Italy. (Herculaneum was the name of the other village besides Pompeii that was buried by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius.)

Designed by Robert E. Langdon, Jr. and Ernest C. Wilson, Jr. in consultation with archeologist Norman Neuerburg, Getty Villa opened in 1974. Although the interior, landscape, and art collection were all planned by Mr. Getty, he never visited the site before he died in 1976.

Visitors can appreciate and be captivated by the extravagance of the ancient Roman Empire by looking at this villa. You can see more pictures of Getty Villa buildings and landscapes from link below. 

- Getty Villa Design Inspired by Villa in Ancient Roman Town

As one of L.A.’s preeminent art museums, the art collection in the Getty Villa is awesome.  Without oil tycoon J. Paul Getty, this museum would not exist. He was an avid collector of European art and went about collecting these pieces in person. He also had a gift for making money. When he died, part of his inheritance greatly benefited the Getty Museum.

Getty Villa exhibits a variety of ancient Greek, Roman, and Etruscan relics, pottery, and art that is very rare in other parts of America. Etruria was an ancient country conquered by Rome and was considered the heart of Rome. 

Getty Villa is easily accessible to those living in Los Angeles. Enjoying the art collection, the landscape, and the view of the Pacific Ocean and catching the refreshing ocean breeze make a perfect outing for the whole family. Also, Getty Villa is a rare intimate atmosphere retreat. 

Food and beverages are available at the Getty Villa, but are somewhat overpriced. However, there are picnic areas where you can bring your own food to enjoy. Visitors are encouraged to take advantage of the orientation and weekend gallery tours to learn more about what they are seeing while there. The Villa is quiet shortly before the official opening time. Here’s a tip: reserve the earliest time of the day and arrive at least a half hour early to enjoy the grounds during the quiet period.

The Getty Villa also hosts live performances at its outdoor theatre and indoor auditorium, as well as special educational programs for children. The Family Forum gallery offers unique hands-on activities, including decorating Greek vases and projecting shadows onto a screen.

Entrance to the Getty Villa is free, but visitors must make a reservation in advance and print out a pass from the museum website. Parking, however, is $15 per vehicle (no parking is allowed in the nearby neighborhood). The parking price has increased immensely over the past decade.

For those who do not wish to spend the money, public transport is available to the entrance of the Getty Villa with free shuttle service from the main entrance (visitors must provide proof of their bus ticket).

When driving to Getty Villa using GPS navigation, the address will lead you to Pacific Palisades, which is incorrect. Often times, because the Getty Villa is so close to Malibu, it is mistaken as belonging to Malibu City, but officially it is a part of City of Los Angeles. As the Getty Villa is directly across PCH from Malibu Beach, being able to watch the gorgeous sunset over the horizon can cap a wonderful day at the museum.