FAQs
Answers to common questions about visiting the Getty Center
-
Is it free to visit?
Admission is free, and requires a timed-entry reservation.
Please note there is a fee for parking.
How do I make reservations?
Make a free reservation online or call (310) 440-7300.
I didn't get/can't find the confirmation email about my reservations. What do I do?
Please check your email's "Junk," "Bulk," or "Spam" folder as your email provider may have mistaken the email including your reservation for spam. Look for a message from sender "Getty Tickets" and address tickets@ticketing.getty.edu.
Are same-day reservations available?
Possibly. Check online for available entry times or call (310) 440-7300.
Do I need to be vaccinated for COVID-19 to visit?
Visitors are not currently required to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
-
How much does parking cost?
Parking is $25 per car or motorcycle; $15 after 3pm. For evening events and on Saturdays, parking is $10 after 6pm.
(Rates include Los Angeles City Parking Occupancy Tax.)
How do I pay for parking?
Pay for parking with a credit card or cash at any of the pay machines located by the elevators on every level of the Main Parking Structure. There are also pay machines near the tram station at the top of the hill.
Do I need a parking reservation?
No, you don't. Parking reservations are not required or accepted.
Can I park on the street?
There is no street parking available near the Getty Center. Parking in the surrounding neighborhoods is restricted.
Can I be dropped off?
Cars or vans that carry 15 passengers or less may drop off passengers at a designated turnaround area located inside the Main Entrance before entering the Main Parking Structure.
Can I charge my electric car?
Electric vehicle chargers (level 2) can be found at the north end of the parking structure on levels P2, P5, P6, and P7. Chargers are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Can I take public transportation?
Metro bus line 761 stops at the Getty Center entrance at the intersection of Getty Center Drive and Sepulveda Boulevard.
Get complete route information from Metro (Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority): call (323) GO-METRO ((323) 466-3876) or use the Metro Trip Planner.
Can I arrive by bicycle?
Bicyclists park for free. Find bike racks on the entry level of the parking structure by the elevators.
-
Are there visitor guidelines?
Yes, we have a Visitor Code of Conduct.
Visitors are expected to respect Getty staff and other visitors. Behavior or language that is inappropriate, abusive, harassing, or threatening, including sexual harassment and racial or other slurs, will not be tolerated. Refusal to follow this Code of Conduct and any rules—whether on print materials or as directed by Getty staff—can result in removal from the site.
-
Can I bring small bags into the galleries?
Yes. However, to protect the artworks, bags and backpacks smaller than 11 x 17 x 8 inches must be carried on the front or side of your body.
Can I bring large bags and luggage?
Yes. But backpacks, umbrellas, bags, purses, and packages larger than 11 x 17 x 8 inches must be checked at Coat Check in the Museum Entrance Hall. Child carriers worn on the back are also not allowed in galleries and must be checked.
Please note that all bags may be subject to security inspection. Hazardous materials (e.g., pepper spray) and weapons of any kind are prohibited and cannot be checked.
-
Can I bring my own food?
Yes, you may bring your own food and non-alcoholic drinks. Picnicking is welcome in public seating areas. Picnic boxes and coolers larger than 11 x 17 x 8 inches must be stored at Coat Check.
Can I bring alcoholic beverages?
No, you can't. But, beer and wine are available for purchase on site.
-
Can I bring my pet?
Pets are not allowed on the grounds or in the parking areas.
Service animals, such as guide dogs for the blind, are permitted.
May I leave a service animal or pet in my vehicle while parked in the parking garage?
No, animals of any kind may not be left in a vehicle parked in the parking garage. Please plan accordingly: pets are not allowed on site and service animals must accompany you throughout your visit.
-
What can't I bring?
For the safety and protection of our staff, visitors, and artworks, the following items may not be brought on site:
- Weapons, including guns and ammunition
- Alcoholic beverages
- Illegal items
- Paint and chemicals, including pepper spray
- Cutting tools, including knives and scissors
- Tools and tool parts
- Recreational equipment, including skates, skateboards and kick scooters
-
Is smoking allowed?
Smoking is not allowed anywhere at the Getty Center or Getty Villa Museum, including parking garages, arrival areas, and adjacent bus stops. This includes cigars, pipes, cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, vapor cigarettes, chewing tobacco, tobacco-related product, or any controlled substance.
-
Do you have foreign-language materials or services available for visitors who do not speak or read English?
The GettyGuide app includes a tour of highlights of the collection at the Getty Museum in:
- Brazilian Portuguese
- French
- German
- Italian
- Japanese
- Korean
- Mandarin Chinese
- Russian
- Spanish
A printed guide to the Getty Center is also available at the Information Desk in the Museum Entrance Hall in:
- Chinese (Traditional)
- English
- French
- German
- Italian
- Japanese
- Korean
- Russian
- Spanish
A Spanish-language orientation film about the Getty is available online: El Getty - Película de Orientación (opens in YouTube).
-
Can large groups visit the Getty Center?
If you are visiting with a group of more than 15 people, please make a reservation through our online form, email or call (310) 440-6168.
A group reservation allows you to:
Reserve parking for vehicles that seat more than 15 people.
Drop off passengers without parking.
Can I bring a child carrier?
Front-facing child carriers are the only type of carrier permitted in galleries. Carriers that require a child to be placed on the back are not allowed and must be checked at Coat Check.
-
Is there cell phone service?
Yes, though reception can be spotty.
There is no cell reception in the parking structure.
If you plan to meet others at the Getty Center, we recommend that you agree on a meeting place and time before you arrive. The arrival plaza at the top of the hill (where visitors exit the tram) is a convenient meeting point.
Is Wi-Fi available?
You can connect to the free wireless network GettyLink in most galleries and at most public seating areas. Signal strength varies with location.
Wi-Fi is not available in the parking structure.
-
Is photography or filming allowed?
Handheld cameras, video cameras, and camera phones are welcome in all public outdoor spaces as well as in the permanent collection galleries, subject to the following:
- Photographs and videos are for personal use only and may not be sold.
- Professional photo shoots, including wedding, engagement, and modeling, are not permitted.
- Natural light only; no flash or other supplemental light.
- Selfie sticks are welcome in public outdoor spaces only. To protect the art and for the safety and enjoyment of all visitors, selfie sticks are not allowed inside.
- Tripods, monopods, handheld microphones, lighting, props and other external equipment are not permitted.
- A safe distance must be maintained from all artwork, cases, platforms, and pedestals. Cameras must be kept a minimum of 18 inches away from artwork and may never be held over an artwork.
Some works of art in the permanent collection galleries may be restricted; please pay attention to signage that prohibits photographs or video of individual works of art.
Photography and video of artworks on loan for changing exhibitions are sometimes prohibited by lenders. Please check at the entrances of changing exhibitions for any restrictions in those galleries. Where permitted, photography and video are subject to the same conditions described above.
Outdoor sculptures and works of art displayed in the galleries may also be protected by copyright law.
Privacy and Visitor Experience
Please be mindful that your photography or video activities respect the needs and privacy of other visitors and do not distract staff or volunteers from their primary duties. The Getty reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to withhold and/or withdraw permission to photograph or videotape on its premises if it is a disruption and/or is perceived that it might endanger works of art or other visitors.
High-Resolution Artwork Images
Love a particular work of art on display? High-resolution images of thousands of works in the Getty’s collection are available for free download under our Open Content Program. Open content images may be used for any purpose without further permission from the Getty.
Live-Streaming Video Apps
Personal live-streaming via video apps is permitted in the permanent collection galleries, subject to the same conditions described above. We ask that live broadcasts respect the privacy of other visitors, and that volunteers and staff not be interviewed or otherwise engaged in a way that takes them away from their primary job duties.
3-D Scanning of Artworks
3-D scanning using handheld cameras is permitted in the permanent collection galleries, subject to the same conditions described above. Please email Museum Rights and Reproductions with any questions related to 3-D scanning activities.
Drones
For safety and security reasons, drones are not permitted at the Getty Center or Getty Villa.
Use of the Getty's Name, Mark, Site, Architecture or Logo
Photographs and videos, where permitted, are for personal use only and may not be sold. Any commercial or other unauthorized use of any transmission, picture, film/type, writing, drawing, or other depiction of the Getty sites or architecture, or its names, marks, or logos, is prohibited without prior specific written approval of the J. Paul Getty Trust. Please call the Communications Department at (310) 440-7360 or email Getty Communications for more information.
Getty-Sponsored Filming
The Getty may photograph, film, or videotape visitors for educational and promotional purposes. By visiting Getty, you consent to the use of your likeness, voice, or video image for these purposes.
-
Can I host a wedding at the Getty Center?
No, the Getty Center is not available as a site for weddings or other private parties.
-
My question isn't answered here. Who can I contact?
Please call (310) 440-7300 or email visitor services.