Getty Center

Set within the Santa Monica Mountains, there’s no doubt that the building within which the Getty Center is located is a rare architectural gem. With its Italian marble facade and distinctive curved walls, this is a prominent sight on the Los Angeles landscape. The building was originally constructed for the purpose of housing the vast art collection belonging to oil magnate J. Paul Getty. Today, the galleries are stocked with a variety of work from every genre of art, including paintings, drawings, and sculpture. In fact, there’s something for everyone.The museum also houses a collection of 19th- and 20th-century American and European photographs, French furniture and decorative arts. The museum is always being updated with new exhibits to keep it fresh and relevant. Its exquisite art collection is also matched by the grounds which surround the Getty Center, which are lovingly tended, creating an attractive setting for visitors.Richard Meier was the architect responsible for designing the Getty Center, and the structure itself is almost as valuable as the paintings that it houses. This is literally a billion dollar development, featuring a throng of cream coloured buildings which are as attractive to look at as the exhibits that they house. The building’s exterior surfaces have been specially designed to capture the light of dusk and drape the building in honey and amber tones. The central garden also offers visitors a real oasis of calm away from the concrete jungle that is LA. It has more than 500 varieties of plant and a calming reflective pool.If you have children in tow, the Getty Center caters for them, too. The museum runs a number of children’s activities designed to keep younger visitors entertained. The Center’s Family Room also provides a number of interactive attractions, along with festivals, performances and a number of exciting journeys through the galleries.The Getty Center is located 13 kilometres from Beverley Hills. Entrance is free and parking is available.