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Explore Ancient Art at the Getty Villa

Getty Villa and pool view

On our last trip to the Los Angeles area we decided to do a museum day. This time, we opted to check out the Getty Villa museum, a place that I've always wanted to visit. Located on a hillside above the ocean in Pacific Palisades, the Getty Villa is unique in that it's a replica of an ancient Roman country house, modeled after the Villa of the Papyri in Herculaneum.

Getty Villa

With its cool ocean breezes, amazing ancient Roman, Greek, and Egyptian art, tranquil gardens, and views of the Pacific, the Getty Villa is a welcome respite from the bustle of LA. Best of all, admission is entirely free! It's really a must-visit destination when you're in the area.

The Getty Villa is a short trip from Los Angeles north on the Pacfic Coast Highway. The setting is absolutely spectacular, and you really feel like you've stepped back into the ancient world. Built in the early 1970s, the villa was created for oil tycoon J. Paul Getty to house his personal collection of art. After extensive renovations, the Getty Villa reopened in 2006 as a museum dedicated to ancient Greek, Roman, and Etruscan art.

Getty fountain

Ancient art is what this museum is all about, and you'll see plenty of Roman, Greek, and Etruscan sculptures and decorative arts. Come face-to-face with larger-than-life Roman statues, an Etruscan warrior's armor, a Roman-period Egyptian mummy (complete with realistic mummy portrait), colorful Assyrian mosaics, and much more.

Getty Egyptian mummy

There's almost too much to take in, but everything's well identified and explained on signage and labels. When you need a break from looking at art, you can explore the expansive villa gardens, which are truly amazing. Plants and trees, pools, fountains, and outdoor statuary make the setting truly magical.

Hallway with statues in Getty Villa

It's really an amazing experience — an incredible journey through art and history — and it's a lovely place to spend an afternoon by the ocean. We can't wait to visit again on our next trip to Southern California.

Assyrian mosaics at the Getty

If You Go

The Getty Villa museum is located at 17985 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272, It's open Daily from 10 am–5 pm; closed Tuesdays. Admission is free, and timed entry tickets are required for admission, and you can reserve them online. Note that the Getty Villa is not the Getty Center in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles, which also offers free admission and contains a collection of art from the middle ages to the modern day.

Getty Villa Greek frieze with warriors

There's a $20 fee for parking on site. No street parking is available. Your parking fee can be used for same-day parking at the Getty Center, too; check at the museum information desk for more information. Bikes can park for free, and the Metro bus line 534 stops on the Pacific Coast Highway directly across from the Getty Villa.

Getty Villa peristyle and garden

Food and drink are available at the museum cafe, which offers Mediterranean-inspired food. The Coffee Kiosk offers drinks and boxed lunches, and you can even make reservations for an afternoon tea in the garden — a children's menu is available.

Learn more about visiting the Getty Villa at www.getty.edu/visit/villa