A Day Exploring the Getty Villa: A Beautiful Escape Near Malibu

There are some places in Southern California that make you feel like you've traveled much farther than you actually have. The Getty Villa Museum is one of them.

Located along Pacific Coast Highway in Pacific Palisades, right near Malibu, the Getty Villa combines ancient art, Roman-inspired architecture, manicured gardens and the beauty of the California coast into one incredible experience. The property feels worlds away from the traffic and energy of Los Angeles.

I highly recommend adding the Getty Villa to your itinerary if you're exploring Malibu, Santa Monica or the greater Los Angeles area.

Stepping Into Another World

One of my favorite things about the Getty Villa was the architecture.

The museum is designed as a re-creation of an ancient Roman country house, with its architecture and gardens modeled after the Villa dei Papiri, an ancient Roman villa in Herculaneum, Italy. Today, the property houses Getty's collection of ancient Greek and Roman art. 

Walking through the courtyards, columns and gardens almost feels like you've left California for an afternoon.

Take your time here. I found myself paying just as much attention to the building and landscaping as I did to the artwork.

The Gardens Were One of My Favorite Parts

The gardens are absolutely beautiful.

There are manicured hedges, fountains, sculptures, covered walkways and Mediterranean-inspired landscaping throughout the property. This is also where I captured some of my favorite photographs from the day.

I wore this bright green outfit, and I loved how the color stood out against the classical architecture and greenery.

Don't rush through these outdoor areas just to get to the galleries. They're a huge part of what makes visiting the Getty Villa special.

Inside the Getty Villa

Inside, the experience shifts from California gardens to the ancient world.

The collection focuses on antiquities from ancient Greece and Rome, while the architecture itself helps create the feeling of seeing these objects in a setting inspired by the world they came from. Getty even suggests allowing around 45 minutes just to appreciate the Villa's Roman-inspired architecture, before accounting for galleries, gardens, photographs or a tour. 

This was one of my favorite photo spots. The natural stone surrounding the sculpture created such a beautiful backdrop and really captured the classical feeling of the Villa.

Watch My Getty Villa Experience

Come along with me for a look inside my day exploring the Getty Villa, from the gardens and architecture to some of my favorite moments around the museum.

How Much Does the Getty Villa Cost?

Here's one of the best parts: admission is free.

You do need to reserve a timed-entry ticket, so I recommend making your reservation before heading toward Malibu rather than simply showing up. Same-day reservations may sometimes be available, but I wouldn't rely on that if the Villa is an important part of your itinerary. 

Reserve your Getty Villa timed-entry ticket

Parking at the Getty Villa

If you're driving, parking is currently $25 per vehicle, dropping to $15 after 3 p.m. Parking for evening events is $10 after 6 p.m. The parking facilities are cashless. 

One thing I definitely recommend knowing beforehand: drivers must enter from the northbound, right-hand lane of Pacific Coast Highway. You cannot make a left turn across PCH into the entrance. 

The official address is:

17985 Pacific Coast Highway
Pacific Palisades, CA 90272

How Much Time Should You Spend Here?

I would personally give yourself at least 2–3 hours.

If you enjoy art, photography, architecture and gardens—or you're creating travel content like I was—you could easily spend considerably longer. The museum is currently open 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and closed Tuesdays, so an earlier reservation gives you plenty of flexibility. 

Getty also offers free 45-minute architecture-and-garden tours and art-and-site tours, subject to availability, which could be worth adding if you want to understand more of what you're seeing. 

Is the Getty Villa Worth Visiting?

Absolutely.

The Getty Villa isn't somewhere I would visit just to check another museum off my list. The entire property is the experience.

I loved being able to walk through the gardens, admire the architecture, discover ancient art and simply enjoy such a beautiful environment along the Southern California coast.

If you're planning a day around Malibu, Pacific Palisades or Santa Monica, I highly recommend setting aside a few hours for the Getty Villa. Bring your camera, wear something you feel beautiful in, and don't schedule yourself so tightly that you can't slow down and appreciate the property.

This is one Southern California attraction where you'll probably leave with far more photos than you expected.