The Getty Center is a good option for a day of art, architecture and gardens in LA. Admission is free, but you need a timed-entry reservation. If you drive, there is also a parking fee, so instead of thinking “it’s free, so I can drop in without a reservation,” prepare in advance and your plans will come together.
Important renovation information: The Getty says it will temporarily close starting March 15, 2027, and plans to reopen in spring 2028. As of October 2026, some galleries are also closed. If your trip is further out, check the renovation information before making a reservation.
Basic information and reservations
| Item | Official information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90049 |
| Admission | Free; timed-entry reservation required |
| Tue.–Fri. and Sun. | 10 a.m.–6:30 p.m. |
| Sat. | 10 a.m.–9 p.m. |
| Mon. | Closed |
The museum is closed or has shortened hours on major holidays and at the end of the year. Check the dates and times you can actually select on the reservation screen, and save your reservation confirmation. The Getty Villa is a separate facility in a different location, so make sure your reservation email says Center.
Parking fees depend on your arrival time
At the time we checked, the official rate was $25 per car or motorcycle, $15 after 3 p.m. and $10 after 6 p.m. Parking is listed as free after 6 p.m. on Saturdays. Payment is cashless. Even if you are aiming for the free period, check your entry reservation and that day’s opening hours separately.
Even with no admission fee, there are costs once you include travel and parking. For a short visit, it is practical not to decide based on the parking discount alone, but to prioritize whether you will have enough time left to see the exhibitions you want.
The entrance for navigation, and public transit
The official transportation page notes that some GPS systems may give incorrect directions and says to use the intersection of N Sepulveda Blvd & Getty Center Dr for the main entrance. Checking the property address and the vehicle entrance separately makes it less likely that you will get lost.
The Getty says Metro bus 761 stops at the entrance at Getty Center Drive and Sepulveda Boulevard. Check connections from your starting point and return service with Metro. Also, the official information says there is no cell service or Wi-Fi in the parking area, so it is reassuring to have your reservation ready to show and to arrange where to meet your companions before you go in.
Don’t overlook the areas that are currently closed
According to the renovation information, the Plaza-level galleries of the North Pavilion, South Pavilion and East Pavilion are closed. If there is a work you want to see, do not judge only by whether the museum is open; check whether that gallery and the work are on view. Do not plan on seeing every work in a single visit.
For the long-term closure from 2027 onward, prioritize updates on Building Getty’s Future over older travel articles. The reopening schedule may change, so this article does not guarantee dates when you will be able to visit in the future.
On your first visit, choose two of three goals
- Art: Pick one exhibition that is on view and spend your time viewing it.
- Architecture: Check the layout of the buildings on the site map as you walk around.
- Gardens: Consider the weather and how much walking you will do, and combine it with breaks indoors.
Our editorial team suggests not trying to see everything on your first visit, and instead deciding on your main goal and your breaks first. On days when you want to enjoy the outdoor views, rearrange the order depending on the weather; with kids, do not pack exhibitions back to back, and leave room for meals and breaks. Adjust your actual time there to your reservation slot and your companions.
Checklist before you book
- Whether you are booking the Center or the Villa.
- The dates of the renovation closure and gallery closures.
- The number of people and time slot for your entry reservation.
- Parking, public transit and connections for the trip home.
You might also like
Official information and sources
Information checked: October 15, 2026. Hours, prices and terms of use may change. Please check the official information as of the day you visit or buy.
- Getty Center: visitor information
- Getty: transportation and parking
- Getty: renovation and closure schedule
Featured photo: Codera23 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0, taken in 2019. Title band added; the modified image is shared under the same license).
You might also like
Want to enjoy gardens in LA too? How to choose among 3 Japanese gardens
This article is also available in Japanese.
