My husband and I would like to take the train from SF to LA and spend a few days visiting the Getty Museum and the Villa. - also other worthwhile museums in LA. Can someone advise us re. this visit about special hotels near the museums - or, is it necessary to stay near the museums..... We'd be taking cabs or UBER/LYFT to destinations.
I'd like as much information re. hotels, the museums and other things we might want to do in the LA area. We've don't need the movie stuff! Due to illness we missed out ITALY trip this year - SO maybe LA will be a treat even if it isn't Venice or Rome, our other favorite destinations!!
Thanks...
Giannetta

My apologies for not responding sooner. I was waiting for some truly art oriented people to provide some input, but nothing was forthcoming. Weird!

I gather from your post that you are a little uncertain about LA as a substitute for Italy. All I can tell you is that LA has more museums than any other city in the USA, and more museums per capita than any other city in the world. Frankly, I’m astonished. But here are the references.

http://www.discoverlosangeles.com/wh...eums-galleries

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Ang..._and_galleries

And here is a list of museums in Los Angeles County. Again, very surprising to me.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...ty,_California

A few comments about the two Gettys that you plan to visit.
The Getty Villa requires a “timed entry” ticket or permit. It doesn’t cost anything but you can’t just waltz in there any old time. I think you can get it off their web site.

The Getty Center has no such restriction.

Last year the current curator of the Getty Center (or whatever you call the guy in charge) proudly announced that there would be no art newer than 1900 there. It turns out that this restriction is in Getty’s will! Totally wacko, because it’s out of sync with the design of the Center itself, which is completely Modernist.

Something interesting I learned about the Center design is the use of stairs to accentuate the architecture. I got this from a guide standing in the lobby. They have elevators, and they aren’t hidden, but they are made very inconspicuous. See:

http://academic.reed.edu/getty/stairs.html

I enjoy The Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena. I find the art there more to my liking than either of the Getty museums.
Nearby is Old Town Pasadena with interesting shops, architecture and restaurants.

I posted the link to LA county museums and that's OK, but it doesn't include LA city, so here's the link for the latter.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...in_Los_Angeles

The Huntington in San Marino is especially lovely…. has beautiful gardens too.

Interesting, when we visited the Getty Center when it first opened we needed car reservations, etc.
I don't remember much about the art, but the architecture and the setting are fascinating.

"Last year the current curator of the Getty Center (or whatever you call the guy in charge) proudly announced that there would be no art newer than 1900 there. It turns out that this restriction is in Getty’s will! Totally wacko, because it’s out of sync with the design of the Center itself, which is completely Modernist."

Sounds like the Getty Villa, not the Center.

I would not take a taxi in LA. It will cost a fortune. Rent a car. Or I guess if you don't want to drive, look into hiring a car and driver for the day. The Getty Villa is in Pacific Palisades even if their web site says Malibu. At the time they thought that was a more prestigious address! The Getty Center is in the hills between WLA and the Valley. Think major Traffic anywhere you want to go in LA. I'd look into a hotel in Santa Monica, or Century City if you plan to go downtown LA. Maybe the Hilton in Beverly Hills.

Santa Monica is a good idea, not so much Century City, mostly offices and once they close not a lot to do there, especially bad without a car. Westwood maybe, would be close to Getty Center. And agree about renting a car.

Actually, we did stay at the Beverly Hilton when visiting the Getty Center and found it very convenient,

From the Beverly Hilton to the Getty Villa by taxi will be about $35+ one way. Just letting you know transportation will be very expensive.