The Getty Villa

A few weeks ago we were lucky to be invited to an event at the Getty Villa, the smaller, yet equally beautiful sister to the Getty Center.  Perched high in the hills above Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, it's an oasis from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles.  While the recently renovated Getty Villa houses the antiquities collections of the J. Paul Getty Museum, the buildings and grounds are anything but "antique".  There is definitely a nod to classical aesthetic, but the details and design are clearly contemporary.

I've been wanting to visit since it reopened back in 2006, but it's one of those deals where when it's in your backyard, you're less likely to remember, let alone take the time to schedule a visit.  So I'm glad that we finally had an "excuse" and that all the stars aligned and we were able to have someone watch the kids too.

Love my little guys, but two youngsters screaming "wee wee" while running amuck and attempting to climb into the fountains... now just thinking of that raises the ol' blood pressure a bit!

This is a fountain, but with a little more depth, wouldn't this be an awesome swimming pool?

Each fall, a classical comedy or tragedy is performed in this outdoor amphitheatre...

One of the many beautiful murals...

This was a nice shot, then this lovely lady stepped into the frame... perfect!

I have a thing for beautiful ceilings...

I also have a thing for beautiful water features and water lillies...

 

Claude would be proud ;)

And yes, a thing for mosaics too...

Roman Medusa 115-150 A.D.

A peek at the Pacific and the building that the Mister and I erroneously thought was the original Getty Center... Could've sworn we went on field trips there as youngsters... The docent said it's a private residence, but yet I still doubt...

That was an awesome, relaxing day and we hope to return there in a few years with our quiet and obedient charges.