Getty Center

The Getty Center sits on a ridge above the 405 freeway in Brentwood, and getting there is part of the experience: you leave the car at the base of the hill and ride a driverless tram up to a campus of pale travertine pavilions, courtyards and terraces. The museum is run by the J. Paul Getty Trust, and entry to the collection is free, although you do need a timed-entry reservation, which can be made online or by phone.

Inside the pavilions the collection covers European paintings, drawings, illuminated manuscripts, decorative arts, sculpture and photography, alongside a programme of changing exhibitions. Some galleries in the South, East and North Pavilions are closed for renovation at the moment, so check which rooms are open before you go if there is a particular work you want to see. Outside, the Central Garden is a sculpted, terraced space that changes with the seasons and rewards a slow wander.

The setting is as much of a draw as the art. On a clear day the terraces look out across the Westside to the Pacific in one direction and towards Downtown in the other, which makes late afternoon a good time to be here. On Saturdays the museum stays open until 9pm, which allows for an evening visit and sunset views.

The Getty Center suits almost everyone. Families can spread out on the lawns and terraces, art lovers can spend a full day in the galleries, and first-time visitors who are not museum people often enjoy it simply for the architecture and gardens. Allow at least three hours, and longer if you want to eat on site or see a temporary exhibition.

A few planning tips help. Book your reservation before you set out, especially for weekends, because it is needed even though entry is free. Wear comfortable shoes, as the campus is spread across several pavilions linked by open plazas and stairs, and bring a layer for the breezy terraces. If you only have time for one major art museum on the Westside, this is usually the one to choose.

Practical points: the museum is closed on Mondays and on a handful of public holidays. Parking is charged per car and is cashless, with lower rates later in the day and free parking on Saturdays after 6pm. Public transport is possible, but most visitors drive or take a ride-share to the entrance on Sepulveda Boulevard. Pair the visit with the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades on another day, as both use the same reservation system.