The Getty Villa - A Roman Inspired Oasis by the Pacific
Guests often ask us about local outings and best sightseeing in the area and one of the most revered places is The Getty Villa. The Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades offers an immersive journey back to the ancient Mediterranean, blending art, architecture, nature, and scenic California charm and is a place people go back to time and time again if they want a relaxing and indulgent outing.
Conceived in the early 1970s by oil magnate J. Paul Getty, the Villa was modeled after the famed Villa dei Papiri near Herculaneum, buried in 79 AD. Architects Robert Langdon and Ernest Wilson—with archaeologist Norman Neuerburg—meticulously adapted its design, combining features from unexcavated Roman estates with modern safety and structural technologies.
The result is a stunning 300-foot-long peristyle courtyard lined with Doric and Ionic columns, complete with vibrant frescoes, mosaic floors, and elegant travertine and wood-formed concrete detailing. Around it, four gardens—Inner and Outer Peristyles, Herb Garden, and East Garden—are filled with Mediterranean plants, fountains, bronze statuary, and reflecting pools, faithfully evoking ancient Roman sensibilities.
The Villa opened in 1974 as Getty’s private space for antiquities. After his death in 1976, the Getty Trust acquired funding to build the Getty Center and repurpose the Villa exclusively for Greek, Roman, and Etruscan art. Closed from 1997–2006 for seismic and architectural upgrades by Machado & Silvetti, the reopened Villa combines classical aesthetic with contemporary functionality, including skylights, new entrance pavilion, and an open-air classical theater.
Home to around 44,000 antiquities—Minoan pottery, Roman portraiture, Etruscan sculptures—the Villa displays thematic collections such as “Gods and Goddesses,” “Stories of the Trojan War,” and works by Dionysos. Highlights include the Roman marble Lansdowne Heracles, a circa 125 AD sculpture, and an Egyptian-style Roman mummy with exquisitely painted bandages. The second floor hosts rotating exhibitions, adding scholarly richness to the experience.
The Getty Villa embodies educational purpose:
Free guided tours daily—architecture, garden, and gallery—are offered, including a 40-minute “Villa Architecture Tour”.
An outdoor classical theater (Fleischman Theater) presents performances and readings.
Family Forum and “Art Detective” cards engage young visitors, including shadow‑play props, replica vase painting, and thematic audio tours inspired by popular mythology books.
Public programs include lectures, workshops, Mediterranean-themed cafe meals, and garden tours tied to culinary history.
In January 2025, the Palisades Fire burned about 1,400 trees around the Villa, but thanks to robust fire mitigation strategies—cleared brush zones, double-wall concrete galleries, sealed air systems—the buildings and precious collections were unharmed.
The Villa reopened on June 27, 2025, with limited reservation capacity, refreshed landscapes, and safety upgrades.
✨ Why the Getty villa matters
Authentic immersion: Its architectural homage to genuine Roman homes makes it more than a museum—it’s a living archaeological experience.
Educational mission: Tours, workshops, and performances connect visitors across ages to classical civilizations.
Cultural anchor: As part of the world’s richest art institution, the Villa complements the Getty Center’s modern collections, offering focused antiquities scholarship.
Community and resilience: Its survival through wildfires and continued outreach reinforce its role in local and broader cultural landscapes.
📝 Visiting Tips
Free admission with timed reservations (Wed–Mon, 10 am–5 pm); closed Tues.
Prebook entry tickets and parking ($25 before 3 pm / $15 after) via getty.edu.
Arrive early to join guided tours or performative events.
Explore the gardens slowly—the Herb Garden especially reveals ancient plant lore.
Dine at the cafe or bring a picnic; combine your visit with a trip to the Getty Center for a discounted second-day parking voucher.
Book your room at a boutique hotel by Venice Beach so you have a proper place to unwind :)
The Getty Villa transports you across millennia—from Malibu’s coastline into the cultural heart of the Roman Empire. It’s a place where architecture, art, and antiquity join oasis-like to inspire, educate, and delight. Whether you come for the statues, the gardens, the performances—or simply the serenity—you’ll leave feeling both transported and renewed.