A Fun Valentine’s Day to Remember at The Getty Center
A first Valentine’s date at an art museum sounds like it could be a Hallmark movie trope. Except this lacks Christmas, snow, and matchmaking kids (or dogs).
NOTE: This is a post inspired by #FlashbackFriday, where I reminisce about my past experiences for nostalgia, and also to practice my (rusty) writing skills. The events, prices, and other details mentioned are not necessarily accurate when reading. It’s best to assume the events, prices, and other details are from my previous personal experience unless I state otherwise that it is accurate at the time of writing.
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Valentine’s at the Getty Center
If anyone told my younger self that I’d be spending my first Valentine’s with what was then a brand-new boyfriend at the art museum, I would’ve laughed my butt off before walking away.
First of all, that sounds like such a stereotypical art major thing to do, that I would’ve said no just on principle. Second, that’s perilously cheesy-romantic territory. Finally, I don’t even enjoy art museums that much, despite being an art major.
Crazy, I know, but at that point in my life, my main association with art museums was homework and my looming art history midterms. Plus, after living & breathing everything art-related 4 days a week in school, I was ready to spend my weekends doing something – anything – during the weekend.
I had honestly planned on skipping Valentine’s Day altogether, or at least celebrating it either earlier or later than the 14th to avoid the crowds. Yes, I disliked crowds pre-pandemic. Plus I was – and still am – against the over-commercialization of Valentine’s Day in general. However, I have to confess to liking the discount chocolates the day after.
But as it so happened, I had an essay on some painting from The Getty Center due and a limited number of weekends in which to get it done. Oh, and a brand-new boyfriend who was game for any low-budget date ideas (admission was free, we only had to pay for parking).
As luck would have it, without intending to, the only time both our schedules were free was on the 14th, right on Valentine’s Day.
So I had said what the heck, and decided to lean into it: I suggested we may as well make a nice day out of it with a proper date, and get dressed up. I mean, I just so happened to have a dress I had bought during the after-Christmas sales that I haven’t had a chance to use yet, but that was an afterthought, honestly. Mostly.
Anyway, that’s how I found myself joining the throng of couples & families getting on the tram from the Getty parking lot up to the Getty Center. Me, my then-boyfriend of 4 months, and our friend…
Yeah, turns out our friend hadn’t been before, so when I happened to mention our plans, she volunteered to split the parking fee (it was per vehicle), so we said “Sure, why not?” Not quite the most romantic, but hey, our college-student budgets didn’t give a damn about romance, alright?
Before that fateful Valentine’s Day, I’d only ever been to the Getty Villa, so I thought it would be similar to that. Well, I was in for a shock, because the Getty Center was huge and my poor feet were going to pay for my mistake… I definitely wore the wrong shoes, which were heels, obviously. Curse my need to lean into the aesthetic!
After a few hours, and a lot of foot pain (plus maybe a blister), we didn’t even get to see the entirety of the Getty Center.
It was simply too big, with a huge selection of artworks to see from paintings to sculptures, and even the architecture & landscaping of the Center itself to appreciate.
I suppose it’s doable if you’re not interested in taking in everything, or even most of the artwork they have displayed. But then, why even go to the Getty at that point??? Other than just to say you’ve been and for the Instagram pics, I guess.
I was also glad we went as early as we did since we noticed it started getting busy and feeling crowded sometime after lunch. We braved it for maybe another hour or so and enjoyed the gorgeous landscaping since the garden was so open and provided the illusion that there were a lot fewer people than there actually were.
But all in all, we saw what I needed to see for my homework and then some. Plus got an enjoyable, mostly romantic day out of it. So I count that as a win.
Ultimately, the amount of people, warming weather, and hunger pushed us to call it a day. We briefly debated getting food from there, but decided against it, since I shared that my food experience from the Getty Villa a few months prior was rather underwhelming for the price.
I mean, $15 for a wrap? No, thank you! Our college-student budget and practical sense won that day (unlike during my Getty Villa trip). So we sat down to enjoy the (free!) tram ride one more time, down towards the parking lot, and headed home.
At the end of the day,
Since we were still hungry, however, we stopped by an L&L (infinitely more affordable & filling than food from The Getty) near me for a late lunch, and talked about the possibility of going back to see the rest of The Getty Center.
Over our student-budget-friendly meal, we all agreed that The Getty Center is worth another visit someday.
It’s really hard to fully appreciate everything they have on offer unless guests are prepared to spend a significant chunk, or even the whole day at The Getty Center.
Was it worth it?
Honestly, The Getty Center turned out to be a lot better than I had expected it to be. Oh, and the Valentine’s date portion also went well, since I married that same boyfriend a few years later.
I’m sure there are most likely better European museums out there. Plus there’s something to be said about viewing Italian Renaissance paintings IN Italy, I’m sure. But it’s hard to beat a free attraction. Or as close to free as it can get since the same $20 parking fee can be used in BOTH* the Getty Center and Villa if you visit both on the same day! It’s a bit of a drive between the 2 locations, but if you plan ahead, it’s certainly doable.
I honestly don’t even know where to find something similar or comparable in LA, in terms of price & quality of experience.
Would I do it again?
Since that first Valentine’s visit, I’ve gone back a couple of times – one of which was even for pleasure, surprisingly!
Even though we didn’t end up going back there with the same friend, I’ve gone back with other friends, my boyfriend (for another homework), and even my parents. It was a first for both of them to visit the Getty Center, and that trip in general was also the first time my boyfriend met my dad. So fun times all around, though that’s a story for another time!
But yes, visiting The Getty Center once – and even multiple times – is worth a trip, even for those who don’t know anything about art or its history.
I certainly wouldn’t mind going back again someday, though I wouldn’t necessarily try to go back on another Valentine’s Day. It still sounds a little too cheesy for me, even today.
