 |
| Entrance to Getty Villa from PCH |
"I want to play soccer with uncle."
My brother flew in from D.C., and he wanted to do something special with our kids, who are five and seven. He suggested a museum. Then he suggested the mall. The kids shot down both ideas almost immediately. They've been to the natural history museum so many times they could probably give the tour themselves, and they already know there's nothing much for them at the mall.
So soccer at home it was.
Except that's not how the day went. We ended up at the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades, a museum, with two kids who had just told us they didn't want to go to a museum.
And somehow, it was the best call of the day.
Plan A: Santa Monica Pier (Too Hot, Too Crowded)
Before soccer, we wanted to take everyone out for a bit, and the Santa Monica Pier was our first idea. The problem was the weather.
It was 1:30 in the afternoon, about 83 degrees, and the humidity was high. I honestly don't understand LA weather these days. Although it was perfect weather for a beach, but nobody in the car wanted to spend the afternoon wandering around in the sun.
As we drove up PCH, we could see how packed the beach and the pier were. Cars everywhere. People everywhere. None of us wanted to mix in with that crowd.
So we just kept driving north.
And then we saw the turn for the Getty Villa.
Getting Into the Getty Villa Without a Reservation
The kids had no idea where we were going. And I had no reservation. So we decided to drive up to the parking entrance and give it a try.
The lady at the gate asked if we had a reservation. We said no. She asked how many people. Me, my brother, and two kids: four.
She let us in.
She also reminded us, very kindly, to make sure we book next time. Lesson learned. If you're planning a visit, please don't count on our luck. Book it ahead.
 |
| Our lucky arrival at the Getty Villa entrance |
Is the Getty Villa Good for Kids?
Yes, especially for younger kids who need room to move. The Getty Villa isn't just rooms of glass cases. It's a wide open space with a few exhibit buildings, outdoor gardens, and water fountains.
The moment our kids saw the fountains and all that space to run around, the "we don't want to go to a museum" attitude was gone. Apparently a museum is fine as long as nobody calls it a museum.
We did walk through the galleries too. The kids really loved the mummy, and they were surprisingly interested in the stone art and sculptures. Other than that? Nothing else really amused them. I think that's a fair review from a five-year-old and a seven-year-old.
 |
| Exploring the fountains and open spaces with the kids |
Food and Drinks at the Getty Villa Café
After walking around, we found a patio-like area where you can sit down and eat the food they sell there. They also sell drinks, including wine and beer.
I personally would have loved a cold beer. The breeze was nice, the shade was nice, and it was the perfect moment for one.
But I was the driver.
So I settled for an ice cold water. What can I say?
This was exactly what me and my brother were looking for that afternoon, a place to sit down and enjoy the breeze instead of standing in the sun at the pier.
 |
| Shaded outdoor patio seating at the Getty Villa café |
The Afternoon Tea We Missed
While walking around, we noticed a glass room full of people. I wanted to check it out. It turned out to be the afternoon tea area, and you need a reservation to get in.
We asked anyway.
Our luck had already run out at the entrance gate.
The kids would have loved the sweets, but it didn't happen this time. If you have kids with a sweet tooth, this is one more thing worth reserving ahead of time.
 |
| Glass-walled afternoon tea room at the Getty Villa seen from outside |
The Ocean View and the Villa After the Palisades Fire
Even though the kids kept reminding us they wanted to go home to play soccer, we stayed a little longer so we could see the ocean view from the top of the Villa. It was worth it.
The Getty Villa was closed for almost six months because of the Palisades Fire in January 2025, and it reopened to the public on June 27, 2025. Knowing what that area went through, I was really glad to see the place so well protected and open again. Seeing it in person meant a bit more than I expected.
 |
| Exploring the Getty Villa |
EV Charging at the Getty Villa Parking Structure
If you drive an EV, skip P2 and go up to P3 or P4. We parked on the P2 level and didn't see any EV chargers there. But on the upper levels, P3 and P4, there were many EV chargers available.
I only found this out after I had already parked, of course. So if you're driving an EV, just go up. You can charge while the kids run around the fountains.
 |
| EV charging stations on the upper P3 & P4 level of the Getty Villa parking structure |
Quick Tips for Visiting the Getty Villa With Kids
Reservation: Required. Admission is free, but book your timed entry ahead. We got in without one, but we were told to book next time.
Cost: Free admission. Parking was $25.
EV charging: None that we saw on P2. Many chargers on the upper levels, P3 and P4.
Afternoon tea: Separate reservation needed. We couldn't get in as walk-ins.
Food and drinks: There's a café with patio seating. Wine and beer are available (not for the driver).
What our kids liked: The fountains, open space to run around, the mummy, and the stone art.
How long we stayed: Almost an hour, which was about right for a five- and seven-year-old.
Best for: A hot day when you want shade, a breeze, and fewer crowds than the beach.
 |
| Inside the Getty Villa |
Was the Getty Villa Worth It?
Absolutely.
Admission to the Getty Villa is free, but you're supposed to book a timed-entry reservation ahead of time. The only thing we paid for was parking ($25).
We spent almost an hour there before heading home for the soccer game the kids had wanted all along. They got their uncle. We got shade, a breeze, and a view of the ocean without walking around in the sun at the Santa Monica Pier.
Would we go back? Definitely. But next time, with a reservation. And maybe one for afternoon tea too.
Sometimes the best outings aren't the ones you plan. They're the ones you find when you keep driving past the crowd.
Don't forget to check out Getty Center before it closes for renovation.
LET'S GO!
Comments
Post a Comment