Free world-class art at the Getty, tram ride included, then dinner in Brentwood village. A refined afternoon that costs less than you think.
A sophisticated afternoon date that costs nothing and feels like a hundred-dollar experience. The Getty Center is the anchor — world-class art, architecture, and gardens with views to the ocean — followed by dinner in Brentwood. Four to five hours.
Take the tram up from the parking garage to the hilltop campus. The Richard Meier architecture alone is worth the trip. Start with the garden — the central pool surrounded by concentric plantings is one of the most designed outdoor spaces in LA. Then pick two or three galleries that interest you. The European paintings collection and the photography galleries are particularly strong.
Cost: Free admission. Parking is $20, or free after 3 PM.
Tip: Arrive at 3 PM for free parking and stay until close. The late-afternoon light through the travertine walls is the best part.
Before leaving, walk to the south promontory for the view. On a clear day you can see Catalina Island. The cactus garden on the south side is easy to miss and worth finding.
Drive five minutes east on Sunset to the Brentwood Country Mart or San Vicente Boulevard. Options range from casual to upscale:
A free Neutra landmark, then the unhurried stretch of Colorado Boulevard. An Eastside afternoon with no schedule.
Take this date →Free golden hour on the soft-bottom stretch of the LA River, then dinner on Glendale Boulevard.
Take this date →A free Glendale afternoon: an art gallery in a 1904 mansion, then a trail up to the Brand family pyramid.
Take this date →