Getty Center

The beautiful Getty Center
Nanc's favorites are always the Impressionists.

I was impressed with the brilliant colors of the illuminated manuscripts.

Nanc reflects on a bit of decorative art.

A room from a 19th century French mansion.

Notice these four happy, smiling and WARM travellers have shed their jackets in the LA sunshine.

A reflection of the courtyard and buildings.

Looking at LA across the cactus garden.

An ocean view from the central garden.

Flowers, art, LA and s**w covered mountains in the distance.

The HOP ended Saturday morning with a farewell breakfast. We had a great time and would recommend this HOP to anyone as an easy and excellent way to see the parade and enjoy all the related activities. As with any Escapees event, we ran into old friends and met many new ones whom we are planning to meet up with again somewhere down the road. We were not leaving until Tuesday and were just going to kick back and unwind after a busy week of HOPping but after seeing pictures of the Getty Center a fellow SKP had taken, we decided that a visit was in order.

The Getty Center, one of two museums endowed by J. Paul Getty, is located on the side of the Santa Monica Mountains with a spectacular view of the entire Los Angeles basin and the Pacific Ocean. The buildings and grounds, designed by Richard Meier, are worth a visit in their own right even if you are not interested in the collection of European art and American and European photographs. It is also one of the best deals in town with free admission and parking only $15. The uniqueness of the place starts with the tram (really a horizontal elevator) that carries you the last 3/4 of a mile up the hill riding on a cushion of air. You arrive in a large plaza and are surrounded by art everywhere you go. You then walk through the Entrance Hall into the Museum Courtyard of trees and fountains among the five separate art pavilions. The plaza level has sculptures, illuminated manuscripts, and decorative arts including one building with several complete rooms from a number of French mansions. Most of the sketches and paintings are on the upper levels in rooms that allow natural light from skylights that are controlled with louvers. There is an area for kids to draw, a sketch room with pieces for artists to sketch and photography is allowed in most galleries. There is not an overwhelming amount of art in each room and, even with the large number of people, the galleries were never really crowded. For me the buildings themselves were the most outstanding thing with the plazas, grounds, fountains, gardens and spectacular architecture. Unlike most museums, there is access to many outdoor terraces from ever building. Each one offers a different view of the complex and the city below. This is an outstanding place and a must see while visiting LA.