Southern California Getty Villa or Museum?

[Hidden_Mickey]

So, if we only have time for one, should we visit the Villa or Museum? What's the difference?

Thanks!

 

[bakerudall]

Well, first of all, I would encourage you to make time for both if you can. There is only about a 30 min drive between them (you can wave at or stop by Santa Monica Pier on the way), and the parking validation from one can be used at the other. This makes the $15 parking fee a little more reasonable.

If you can only do one, your choice would depend on the makeup of your party. The Getty Museum is massive, with indoor exhibits and amazing outdoor gardens, sculptures, and landscaping. Kids love being able to explore the grounds. Indoors, they will have to be quiet and keep away from the art. There are security workers in each room who make sure you don't touch anything. My wife and I were barked at and followed for a while for pointing at something too closely. There are a lot of sculpted and painted nudes (so you get to have the art talk with the kids first) and fascinating furniture, photography, manuscripts (old bibles included), and many other art forms. Depending on your party, you could spend from three hours to a full day here.

The Villa is a modeled after an Italian home, buried by the Vesuvius blast, that probably belonged to Julius Caesar's father-in-law. It is stunning and also full of sculpture, pottery, paintings, Roman architecture, fountains, a long reflection pool, etc. I think you get more out of this one with the guided tour, so it's probably more suitable for adults and older children. However, if younger families have time for both, it is still worth exploring for a couple hours. It is vital to remember to get your Villa tickets online ahead of time, as no tickets are sold on location. The daily limit of visitors here also makes for a more intimate experience than the larger museum. Admission to both Getty's is free.

 

[bekkiz]

If you have any interest in the Ancient Greeks, Romans or Etruscans, then the Villa is the way to go. Not only is the setting completely gorgeous, the collection is really impressive. It's one of my all time favorite museums. Both times I've visited, they've had hands on activities for children that looked really neat.

However, if that subject matter isn't a huge selling point, I think the museum has broader appeal.

 

[bekkiz]

Sorry, double post!

 

[bakerudall]

Okay, now that I've thought about it more--

You're from NYC, and you have plenty of large and well-appointed museums in the NY/DC area. If you can only do one Getty, go for the Villa. It's a more unique property and the Malibu backdrop can't be beat.

BTW, I don't know if this has already been done by the podcast team, but it would make a great "sixth-day" segment.

 

[LisaT91403]

There is only about a 30 min drive between them (you can wave at or stop by Santa Monica Pier on the way), and the parking validation from one can be used at the other. This makes the $15 parking fee a little more reasonable.

It's a 30-minute drive when there is no traffic. It can be MUCH longer...the 405 almost always has traffic, and PCH can be pretty bad with the beach-going crowd. I think seeing both in the same day is too much (yes, too much art!), but that's just me.

Personally, I think the $15 parking fee is pretty reasonable given that admission to the museum is FREE

I prefer the Getty Museum to the Villa. I'd suggest looking at the website and seeing which exhibits are more appealing to you. The views, while different, can be great from both locations. The Restaurant at the Getty is very good as well.

 

[Hidden_Mickey]

Okay, now that I've thought about it more--

You're from NYC, and you have plenty of large and well-appointed museums in the NY/DC area. If you can only do one Getty, go for the Villa. It's a more unique property and the Malibu backdrop can't be beat.

BTW, I don't know if this has already been done by the podcast team, but it would make a great "sixth-day" segment.

Yes, I'm not sure that anything can beat the Metropolitan Museum of Art! I'm leaning toward the Villa because of the setting. Tough call though!

 

[Sherry E]

I moved this thread over to our Southern California sub-forum (in the California & the West forum), as it is not specifically related to planning for Disneyland Resort trips.