The Getty Center is situated on a 110-acre site overlooking the Los Angeles skyline. The jaw-dropping location is a match (or more than a match) for what’s inside the J. Paul Getty Museum: five museum galleries showcasing pre-20th-century European paintings, drawings, and decorative arts; a collection of 19th- and 20th–century American and European photography; contemporary and modern sculpture; and a selection of Greek and Roman antiquities. The collection boasts works by Gauguin and Puryear, and Van Gogh’s Irises, as well as a selection of decorative arts dating back to the 1700s. There’s also an extensive collection of pre-20th century European paintings and drawings from such masters as Titian and Jacques-Louis David, as well as illuminated manuscripts, sculpture and 19th and 20th century photography. The paintings are viewed in natural light, thanks to the computer-controlled skylight windows on the second-floor galleries.

The museum offers a packed schedule of events and public programs, including Friday Night at the Getty, a free-of-charge contemporary performance series featuring music, dance, theater, and spoken-word events. During museum hours, families can visit the Family Room, a place for children of all ages to learn about art together by participating in hands-on projects. The award-winning “GettyGuide” is the portable audio tour on sale for $5 and comes in various versions catering to age group and interest.

The real gem of the Getty Center grounds is its Central Garden, a 134,000-square-foot garden chiefly the work of artist Robert Irwin. More than 500 plant varieties are used to create a masterpiece of greenery that includes a tree-lined walkway descending to a central plaza, stone waterfall, and pool.