The Getty Center is a free art museum and garden complex in the hills above Los Angeles, showing European art from the Middle Ages to today. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport and parking, accessibility, and practical tips for planning your visit.
This guide was updated in August 2026. The museum’s own website confirms that all East and North Pavilion galleries, plus several South and West Pavilion galleries, are currently closed as part of a major modernization project, so expect to see a reduced portion of the permanent collection.
Quick facts
| Opening hours | Tue–Fri, Sun 10am–6:30pm. Sat 10am–9pm. Closed Mondays |
| Ticket prices | Free admission (timed-entry reservation required). Parking $25 ($15 after 3pm, $10 after 6pm; free Sat after 6pm) |
| Address | 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90049 |
| Nearest transport | Tram from the hillside parking garage/visitor entrance; also served by Metro bus routes |
| Typical visit length | 2 to 4 hours |
Getty Center opening hours
The Center is open Tuesday to Friday and Sunday, 10am to 6:30pm, and Saturday, 10am to 9pm. Like many US art museums, such as the Yale Center for British Art in Connecticut and the Crow Museum of Asian Art in Dallas, is closed Mondays.
It is also closed annually on New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day, and closes early on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
The on-site Research Library keeps separate hours, Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 5pm, by appointment.
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Getty Center ticket prices
Admission to the Getty Center is free, but requires a timed-entry reservation, bookable online or by calling (310) 440-7300.
Parking costs $25 per car or motorcycle, dropping to $15 after 3pm and $10 after 6pm; parking is free on Saturdays after 6pm.
Parking payment is cashless; all major credit and debit cards are accepted.
The Getty Center is not included in any city pass, since general admission is already free.
Opening hours and pricing were checked on the official website and last updated in August 2026.
How to get to the Getty Center
The Center sits in the Brentwood hills, just off the San Diego (405) Freeway, at 1200 Getty Center Drive.
After parking, an electric tram carries visitors up the hill to the museum entrance; the ride takes about five minutes and departs frequently.
Several Metro bus routes serve the area; check current routes and schedules with LA Metro before travelling by public transport.
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Parking near the Getty Center
An on-site parking garage serves the Center directly, with the tram taking visitors from the garage to the museum entrance.
Given the timed-entry reservation system, it’s worth allowing extra time on arrival, since parking and the tram ride both take a few minutes.
How long to spend at the Getty Center
Most visitors need 2 to 4 hours to see the galleries, gardens, and architecture at a relaxed pace.
Allow extra time for the Central Garden, which is designed to change with the seasons, and for the panoramic views over Los Angeles.
Accessibility at the Getty Center
The Getty Center publishes detailed accessibility information, including accessible parking, tram access, wheelchairs available on-site, and accessible restrooms.
Contact the Center directly for specific accessibility needs before visiting, given the current gallery closures related to ongoing construction.
Inside the Getty Center: what to see
The museum’s collection spans European paintings, drawings, sculpture, decorative arts, and photographs from the Middle Ages to the present day.
The Center’s architecture, designed by Richard Meier, and its Central Garden, designed by artist Robert Irwin, are considered highlights in their own right, alongside sweeping views over the city.
A major modernization project is currently underway, meaning several galleries, including all of the East and North Pavilions, are closed to improve accessibility, energy resilience, and long-term conservation of the site.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip |
|---|
| Book your timed-entry reservation online in advance, since walk-up entry is not guaranteed. |
| Check which galleries are open before visiting if you have a specific artwork or period in mind, given the ongoing renovation closures. |
| Arrive with extra time for parking and the tram ride up the hill. |
| Visit on a Saturday evening for free parking after 6pm, when the Center stays open until 9pm. |
| Bring a jacket even in summer, since the hillside location can be breezy. |
Frequently asked questions about the Getty Center
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Getty Center suitable for children? | Yes, with outdoor gardens and family-friendly programming alongside the galleries. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance? | Yes, a free timed-entry reservation is required for admission. |
| Is the Getty Center open on Mondays? | No, it is closed every Monday. |
| Is parking free? | No, parking costs $25, reducing later in the day, though it’s free on Saturdays after 6pm. |
| Which galleries are currently closed? | All East and North Pavilion galleries, and several rooms in the South and West Pavilions, are closed for a major modernization project. |
Things to do near the Getty Center
The Getty Villa, the Getty’s second Los Angeles site, is about 13 miles west along the Pacific Coast Highway. The UCLA campus and Westwood Village lie a short drive from the Getty Center.
Brentwood’s shops and restaurants are within easy reach for those extending their visit. Santa Monica, with its beach and pier, is a short drive from the Getty Center towards the coast.
Alternative attractions
The Broad, in downtown Los Angeles, offers a contemporary art collection with free general admission. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), on Wilshire Boulevard, holds one of the largest art collections in the western United States.
The Norton Simon Museum, in Pasadena, presents a smaller but highly regarded collection of European and Asian art. The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens, in San Marino, combines art collections with extensive gardens.
More Los Angeles travel
Other Los Angeles travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Exposition Park attractions: How best to tackle the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, California Science Center and California African American Museum.
- Hollywood attractions: What to expect at the Hollywood Museum and on tours of the Dolby Theatre.
- What you need to know before doing the Warner Bros Studio Tour Hollywood.
- Plan your visit to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach.
- Pacific Palisades and Santa Monica Mountains attraction guides: Getty Villa, Will Rogers State Historic Park, Topanga State Park.
