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Getty Center is the rich uncle of Los Angeles area museums. Several millions worth of art pieces, museum programs in the arts, including music, as well as education and building construction make the Getty quite a loaded institution. Although arguably, The Getty is eclipsed by LACMA (Los Angeles county museum) is presentation of overall art, there is no doubt that the Getty is a must visit during a visit to the city of Angeles.
Come here for romantic moments with that someone special. Stroll hand in hand through the garden area, steal some kisses from your partner and get lost in the maze of greenery. Head into the museums for the art and then have a picnic or wine in a courtyard area.
Architecturally speaking, the Getty will delight with its pristine white exterior, glorious columns and several intruguing and handsome features in every corner.
For music lovers, The Getty does conduct special concerts throughout the year, especially on the weekends, in the intimate Williams Auditorium. Also, be sure to look out for film screenings and local theater productions.
Note:
Admission is free. Parking is $15 at the museum lot ($10 for some concerts). Unless you are fortunate as I was one time in parking for free at the nearby Jewish temple before evening, you'll have to pay up for parking. Alternately, you can take public transit via Metro 761. The stop is right by the main entrance.
Wear comfortable shoes here. There is much walking.
Take advantage of the courtesy umbrellas when it rains during your visit (And when very hot too.)
There is an elegant restaurant here to dine in but I'd recommend packing a lunch and eating there in view of the lovely gardens and hillsides!
Updated Mar 13, 2013
Address: 1200 Getty Center Drive, LA, CA 90049-1687
Phone: 1 (310) 440-7330
Westwood Village is a central, popular Westside town center area frequented by UCLA students but is a hangout for any diner and shopper. Here, one may also catch a Hollywood premiere during the evening (as I did years back for an Eddie Murphy film) at one of the few quaint, classic small theater like the Mann Village.
The iconic Westwood Building (pictured) serves as the major landmark of the village area.
Popular restaurants here:
Jerry's Famous Deli (Southern California Fave)
Enzo's (Local, Pizza)
Diddy Reese (Local, ice cream)
Eurochow (Local Hotspot)
Subway
LaMonica's NY Pizza
California Pizza Kitchen
Starbucks
Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf
Top Village Shops:
Aahs (entertainment souvenirs)
Urban Outfitters
Gap
Whole Foods Market
Nearby places of interests:
UCLA
Hammer Museum
Updated Feb 28, 2013
Website: http://www.westwoodvillageonline.com/
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If you want to experience West LA without the pretense and concern of fashion and celebrity come to the Museum of Tolerance. Here, one can explore an utter real (too real) human experience. Be prepared to contemplate the world and the perils of mankind, especially during the madness of the 20th century in the times of WW II and the Holocaust. Yikes, is this too heavy for you? Just deal with that, and come here neverthless.
At MOT, Simon Weisenthal Center, catch different virtual exhibits, permanent and temporary. There is a focus on the Holocaust and WWII for photo/audio tours, lectures, artifacts, and documents. Besides these notable events, one can see actual letters of Anne Frank and listen to a recorded presentation narrated by Billy Crystal on family life.
Things to remember:
Advance tickets are recommended to get. Call 310-722-2565 for them. One chooses specific times for admission.
($13 general admission; $11, seniors (62+); $10 for students with ID and kids (5-18 years old)
There is a very strict screening process for entry. All entrants should have Photo ID in order to experience the museum.
MOT is on the SW corner of Pico and Roxbury.
Note that the museum has many closings for observing American and Jewish holidays, such as Passover and Rosh Hashana. Check website for specifics.
Parking is free in the underground level here.
Pay heed to the no-parking zones by the residential side streets nearby.
also...
Special orientations materials for tourists who speak any of the following languages are available:
Spanish, French, German and Japanese
Absolutely no photography or videotaping in the museum.
Hours:
Mon-Th 10AM-6:30PM; note that the last entry hour is 4:00 PM
Fri 10 AM - 5 PM
Sat closed (always for Sabbath observance)
Sun 10 AM-7:30 PM (enjoy the long admission hours this day)
Updated Sep 9, 2008
Address: 9786 West Pico
Phone: 310-553-8403 info
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The Westside Pavilion is the signature West Los Angeles mall. It is located at a few intersections along Pico Blvd, centrally at Westwood Blvd. You will find the usual mall fillings here- dept stores(Nordstrom and Robinson-May), boutiques, other shops, vendor carts food court...yada yada yada.
What is unusual here and what is the best reason to come is the architecture, which is somewhat ulta modern/industrial and convoluted with its tubular structure, split escalators and stairs (as seen in picture). The mall, which was done in 1985, is elongated, parallel to Pico Blvd and is tri-tiered. It's interesting to note that he same architect who created this mall also had hands on famed Universal City walk, in North Hollywood. In 2006-2007, much of the mall structure will be under construction. There are plans to make an art-deco style theater on the western wing and presumably more stores and cafes are sure to be built around them. Until further notice, expect little ugly parts around here and closed sidewalks adding to some inconvience.
Something noticeable here is the high visibility of mall security. Though singled out as a potential terrorist target of Los Angeles in 2004, there is no reason to panic here. Malll rats are relaxed and carefree as they would at any mall. Furthermore, one sees an upscale tendency to the Pavilion as reflected by a number of pricey stores and by the high fashioned look of many customers (the nearby Westfield Shoppingtown Century City is even more upscale in all appearances).
WP is a mall of the stars. Celebrity sightings are common. Also, for the Hollywood connections: the mall was scene in the film Clueless and in the music of video Tom Petty-Free Fallin'. Like, how cool are these tidbits of info !!??
When here, it's nice to catch a film at the very-independent movie theaters and meet for coffee at the Coffee Bean. Just outside the mall are a number of intimate, independent shops, cafes and restaurants to get an even more idea of local life.
Updated Mar 10, 2007
Address: 10800 Pico Blvd.
Website: westsidepavilion.com
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Skirball center is a wonderful place of cultural and the social scene in the West Los Angeles area. Though primarily an insititution of Jewish heritage, the center does extended itself rather impressively a global celebration of the arts, especially to sub-Saharan African expression. See an visual art exhibition, catch a concert and walk around the center which is extensive. This is a beautiful place, romantic for a date or family friendly. Come on any Thursday here because it's free for all! Check out the latest schedule on website. Pics to come!
Things to remember:
The Skirball is close to Getty Center, so catch two of the best cultural center in one day.
Wheelchairs are available to all who would need one.
No photography allowed in the indoor exhibition.
Besides on Thursday when all exhibitions are free, there is different admission pricing for certain exhibitions.
There is free music entertainment at Cafe Z nightly, especially on Sat from 12 PM-2 PM
Parking is $5
Exhibition Hours:
Mon -closed
Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat- 12-5 PM
Sun 11-5 PM (hmmm....why an early hour on Sun but not the others? Quite strange!)
Updated Jul 3, 2006
Phone: 310-440-4500
Website: http://www.skirball.org
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Hammer Museum is a lovely, small museum in the heart of L.A. westside. Various media forms are represented and celebrated here. It is a strong center for intellectual and lighter artistic expression. Tours are conducted here, especially for students and other groups.
Come on Thursdays here. All vistors get in free! If you are not so fortunate to come this day, general admission is only $5! Senior admission is $3 Children under 17 are always clear for free admission. The low prices are some of the best for quality museums.
Come here by car or bus. If by bus, take the fast Metro 720 that goes along Wilshire, the MTA 20 and 21 and other routes on the Santa Monica Big Blue Bus and Culver City Bus lines.
See website for more info.
Written Feb 4, 2005
Address: 10899 Wilshire Blvd.
Website: www.hammer.ucla.edu
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Here's an alternative place for walking in the L.A area. Go to the remarkable UCLA campus. One feels like being in an old European village here. I suggest that you come on a Sunday, when there are less students roaming the campus. Or perhaps come here when there is an event, such as a sports game or concert, and walk around the campus before or after the event.
Kudos to the architects who created the buildings here with the reddish bricks. Their work is really masterful.
I refer to the main campus here, which is the heart of UCLA. This area has the main library and the Fowler Musuem. Also, there are spectacular views of the surrounding hills ! Click links below for more ifo
Written Feb 3, 2005
Website: http://www.ucla.edu
A walk and more on the Westside!
L.A. is a tale of many cities: the west, the east, the north (or Valley regions), the south and the ever developing downtown center. See the main Los Angeles page for the last four parts. Other...
Nothing much about WestLA, just that it borders with Santa Monica. But there's quite a few restaurants that are in my favorite list :) Among them are Hop Li, Anna's, Hop Woo, and Boston Market
Build your own West Los Angeles page
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