Getty Center

Getty Center

Getty Center: Our most recommended tours and activities

Los Angeles: Getty Center Guided Tour

Los Angeles: Getty Center Guided Tour

Explore one of Los Angeles' top sights with an art historian on a private, guided tour. Choose from four tours that fit your interests and time constraints! Just for Kids from 6-12 is a 1-hour tour especially designed to show kids how to look at and what to look for when viewing a work of art. Some of the fun approaches we use include a scavenger hunt, detective clues, storytelling and interactive questions. In addition, kids will be able to touch and handle different artist materials from chisels and brushes to papyrus and marble! You'll be amazed by your shared discoveries! At the end of the tour, each child receives an “Art Appreciation Badge” and a special art gift! Chaperones are required at a ratio of one adult to every 3 kids! For Adults: The Classic I.5 -Hour Tour is quick, fast-paced and focused. It is a brief Introduction to the Museum to see and hear fascinating facts about the highlights of the permanent collection. Artworks on the tour may include da Vinci, Bernini, Rembrandt, Turner, Manet, Monet, Renoir and the signature artwork of The Getty Center: Vincent van Gogh’s "The Irises" plus a rare panoramic view of Los Angeles. The Deluxe 2-hour tour is a more art-balanced tour providing a more comprehensive overview with time for questions and discussion. You will see all the main highlights of the 1.5 hour tour PLUS additional art from each art period including the impressive Medieval Manuscripts collection. With more time, your guide will be able to show more art from each period and provide more context of each artists’ influences and contributions to art history. The Grand 2.5 hour tour is an in-depth tour that includes all of what you see and hear on the 2-hour tour PLUS a thorough exploration of the ingenious architecture of Richard Meier and the tragedies and triumphs of the personal history of The Getty family. You will have more time for discussions and questions, including the impact of Copyright Issues and the controversies that surround Artificial Intelligence. Ideal for Art lovers who want a deeper dive into the museum’s collection and to enjoy the Getty Center at a more leisurely pace. See lesser-known seminal artworks and enjoy hearing about the personal lives of the artists. A bonus to this tour is to see authentic, rare video clips of both Monet and Renoir creating art!

California Coastline Helicopter Tour

California Coastline Helicopter Tour

Glide through the melting sunset over the California Coastline, sweep over the Santa Monica Mountains, or get great views over the exclusive homes of the Pacific Palisades. This is a unique and thrilling 30-minute helicopter tour exploring the Los Angeles Coast. The California Coastline tour is available at any time during the day and is a must for anyone who loves the ocean. Take off from the Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, heading south to fly over the Santa Monica Mountains and drop down into the spectacular coastal homes of Pacific Palisades. Fly low-level along the world famous beaches of Santa Monica, the Santa Monica Pier, and Venice. On your way back to the Airport, you'll fly over the new Getty Center, with its grand architecture appearing ever more dramatic from the sky.

Los Angeles: Famous Neighbourhoods and Celebrity Homes Tours

Los Angeles: Famous Neighbourhoods and Celebrity Homes Tours

Get an insider look at LA culture, history, landmarks, and hot spots. Stop at The Santa Monica Pier, The Grove/Original Farmer's Market for shopping and lunch, and see Griffith Observatory before scoping celebrity homes. Meet at 9:45 AM to board your bus. First, see The Hollywood Walk of Fame, embedded with more than 2,500 terrazzo and brass stars bearing the names of celebrities honored for their contributions to the entertainment industry. One of the most famous streets in all of Los Angeles. See where many film locations for movies and TV shows take place. Then, head to The Sunset Strip. Drive past restaurants, bars, and nightclubs that are popular with celebrities. From here, continue to West Hollywood, the area that is home to many celebrities, as well as some of the best nightlife in all of Los Angeles. You'll see Beverly Hills next, located on the west side of Los Angeles. It is home to some of the most expensive real estate in the world. Next is Rodeo Drive, a famous shopping district located in Beverly Hills. Keep your eyes open for celebrities and paparazzi. Continue to see views of Bel Air, and The Getty Center. Then, stop at Santa Monica Pier for an hour. Go for a stroll on the pier, get some food and drinks, or play carnival games. See the 3rd Street Promenade, which is a pedestrian-only shopping district. Drive through Culver City and past Sony Pictures headquarters. The next drive-by is by Fairfax Avenue! You'll also see the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), the Petersen Automotive Museum, and the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum from the outside.The next stop is for an hour-long lunch at The Grove, also known as The Original Farmer's Market. Choose from over 80 places to eat, drink, and shop. After lunch, you'll cruise past Melrose Avenue, Paramount Studios, and Griffith Park on your way to your last one-hour stop at The Griffith Observatory. You will get the best views of Los Angeles and the Hollywood Sign from The Griffith Observatory.   Finally, head back to The Hollywood Walk of Fame to switch buses for your 2-Hour Celebrity Homes Tour (the 2nd part of your combo). Ride in an open-air bus past celebrity homes, including Tom Cruise, Katy Perry, Leonardo DiCaprio, Elvis Presley, Quentin Tarantino, and others. You will also see Rodeo Drive and have a 15-minute stop at The Beverly Hills Sign. (Please note you can take both tours on the same day or split them up into two days. The time when booking refers to your 5.5 Hour: Half Day Tour of The Best of Los Angeles. After booking please reach out to Hollywood Bus Tours directly to schedule your 2 Hour Celebrity Homes Tour.)

Getty Center: Highlights Tour of Architecture, Gardens & Art

Getty Center: Highlights Tour of Architecture, Gardens & Art

Through my British upbringing and German education – I am bi-lingual and hold a Ph.D. in art history – I bring a solid academic foundation and an engaging approach to exploring the Getty Center and its treasures. With over 20 years of experience, I enjoy combining scholarly insights with an engaging narrative style, bringing the stories behind the art and architecture to life. My tours are thoughtfully designed for seasoned travellers and art aficionados, seeking an engaging, educated, yet accessible experience. The Getty Centre took over a decade and $1 billion to build, against many prejudices, it has solidified itself as one of Los Angeles’ most significant cultural institutions with up to 1.6 million visitors annually. We will begin our tour at the arrival plaza, a tree-shaded area at the top of the hill, where you will arrive after a short tram ride. We will take a look at the architecture constructed with over a million square feet of travertine and the array of different buildings and art institutes. To give you an oversight of the surroundings, I will be pointing out important landmarks and together we will discover geographical features of the landscape. Later we will make our way to the most spectacular panoramic view. At the J. Paul Getty Museum, featuring works of art: paintings, furnishings and sculpture dating from the eighth through the twenty-first century, we will look at select highlights to give you an overview not only of the art works per se, but of J. Paul Getty's ambitions as a collector, the Getty Trust's policies and its engagement as a world-renowned cultural institution in both scholarly education and art conservation. Later, we will explore the tranquil and creative outdoor spaces that feature important works of 20th century sculpture and investigate parts of the flora – not to forget and even some of the fauna. After all, in Southern California, we have a particularly close relationship to animals and ecosystems * Please note: You can choose whether you would like the tour to be either in German or English in the drop-down menu below!

Los Angeles: Small Group Sightseeing Tour

Los Angeles: Small Group Sightseeing Tour

Welcome to the most comprehensive city tour in Los Angeles! Begin your exciting adventure in the heart of Downtown. The first stop will be at the historic Olvera Street where one of the oldest churches in Los Angeles “The Plaza Church” is located. From there you will be transported back in time to explore the world famous Union Train Station which is known as the "Last of the Great Railway Stations." The route will continue through downtown, passing by Chinatown, the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Millennium Biltmore Hotel, the Civic Center, Broadway, and the city skyline. You will see the fashion district (which consists of over 1,000 stores), some film locations from famous Hollywood productions, and the Staples Center Arena before heading northwest toward Griffith Park. Griffith Park offers the best view of the city as well as the world famous Hollywood Sign; the views are simply breathtaking. The Hollywood Walk of Fame is the third major stop on this tour and is among the most popular stops in Los Angeles. The Hollywood Walk of Fame will give you the opportunity to walk among the “stars” that have made significant contributions to film, radio, television, theater, and the recording industries. The legendary Chinese theater located alongside the Hollywood Walk of Fame hosts movie premieres as well as other special events. You never know, you may be able to witness a red carpet premiere while there. After many attractions, you deserve a break. Next, you will stop at the historic Farmer's Market, which is one of the greatest places in Los Angeles to enjoy a variety of foods and beverages. "The Grove” which is located next to the Farmer's Market will not go unnoticed. You can take a ride on a historic 1950’s trolley and enjoy the features of a large center garden that includes an animated fountain with many shopping opportunities. Now that you've had time to relax and eat, you will be whisked off in the early afternoon to another world! From the Sunset Strip, you'll pass by iconic locations such as the Whisky a Go Go and the Chateau Marmont, before reaching Beverley Hills. While in Beverly Hills you will experience the charm of Rodeo Drive and may even feel like a star yourself. You'll soon see how varied and diverse this metropolis really is as you get an insight into what life is like once you've been discovered by the Hollywood Studios. Back on Sunset Boulevard heading west will bring you past the Getty Center. From there you will finally feel the breeze of the ocean. The Santa Monica Pier is a landmark of the city and has served for many backdrops in countless Hollywood films. Finally, round off a fascinating day with a nice walk along Venice Beach where you will be entertained by many different artists and showmen. “See and be seen” is the motto here. You will not be disappointed! With countless attractions in the most exciting city in the world, you will finally be brought back to your hotel or to a prearranged drop-off location by late afternoon. You won't sit on a big sightseeing bus on this tour. Capped at a maximum of 18 people, a familial atmosphere always develops during the tour. The tour makes frequent stops, allowing you to discover everything at a relaxed pace.

Los Angeles: Hollywood & Beyond Helicopter Tour

Los Angeles: Hollywood & Beyond Helicopter Tour

Discover the unparalleled beauty of Southern California from the sky on a luxury helicopter experience. The Hollywood & Beyond aerial tour takes you over iconic landmarks, including Hollywood, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and the stunning Pacific Ocean. Beginning in Long Beach, the 40-minute flight guides you past the vibrant Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, among the world's busiest seaport hubs. Enjoy breathtaking bird's-eye views of the Vincent Thomas Bridge and its surroundings as you head over Sunset Boulevard and the Getty Museum. Soar over the exclusive Hollywood Hills and Bel Air, where legendary film personalities reside. Marvel at the upscale Rodeo Drive, UCLA campus, Hollywood Bowl, and Universal Studios in the distance. The world-famous Hollywood Sign is best witnessed from the sky, followed by notable sights like Griffith Park and Observatory and Dodgers Stadium. Pass through the heart of Downtown Los Angeles with glimpses of LA Live, the LA Coliseum, USC, and Crypto.com Arena, home of the LA Lakers and Kings. Conclude this epic ride with a flyover of Long Beach, including the downtown area, home to the Long Beach Grand Prix, and the historic Queen Mary, a retired British ocean liner from the 1930s.

Malibu Coast and Mountains : 50-Minute Helicopter Tour

Malibu Coast and Mountains : 50-Minute Helicopter Tour

As you ascend above the mountains, you’ll be greeted with magnificent coastal views of the peaks, canyons, beaches and ocean with distant views the channel islands. Explore So Cal's natural beauty and parks with a Malibu Coast & Canyons tour. Experience the coastal and mountain communities and the So Cal vibe. With epic views of Malibu State Park and Wineries. Lakes, beaches and mountains. Also, a chance to spot surfers, and even dolphin or whales as you fly along the surf line. A must do tour for photographers!

8 activities found

Traveling now? See what’s available for your dates

Top activities in Los Angeles

436 activities found
Sort by:
Recommended

Top sights near Getty Center

Other Sightseeing Options in Getty Center

Want to discover all there is to do in Getty Center? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Getty Center

Overall rating

4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9
4.9 out of 5 stars
(301 reviews)
5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely wonderful experience. Our guide Sasha had herself worked at the Getty for 12 years and was a wealth of information. She was prepared with additional visual aids to help explain different things. Her knowledge of art is deep and she was a personable, professional and fun guide able to make art accessible to listeners. We would hi go lot recommend this tour.

5 out of 5 stars

The guide was very skilled and professional. An interesting and detailed introduction to the architecture, art and gardens of the museum. I sincerely thank you for an interesting and meaningful time spent together. Ruta

5 out of 5 stars

Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and shared very interesting insights and facts in an informative and engaging way.

5 out of 5 stars

Ellen was our guide and she was very informative. I took my family and we all had a great time

5 out of 5 stars

Excellent! Sarah was awesome and accommodative, flexible and very knowledgeable.