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Weekend Parking At The Getty?

I'll be visiting the Getty Museum in 2 weeks. I have noticed on this forum (and on Getty's Web site, as well) that parking reservations are necessary during the week. But since I will be visiting on a weekend, I was wondering how the parking is? I wouldn't get there until late morning. If it's bad, I remember seeing something about being able to park at the VA Hospital at Sunset & 405, and take a shuttle bus to the museum...? Anybody know the parking situation there on the weekends? Thanks!

You can check there web site, but last time I was there (Nov.), we didn't arrive until 1:30 on saturday afternoon and parking was not a problem. Enjoy!

While a little on the pricy side, if you have the time, make reservations for lunch or dinner at the restaurant up at the Getty. Wonderful setting and view and the food was very fresh and delicious.

Rich, I have worked in the LA arts scene (including museums) for years, and have been to the Getty many, many times (as well as behind the scenes tours and visiting friends who've worked there). I'm afraid the other posters have some misinformation, and even the way your query is phrased you too may be a bit confused. The deal with the parking is NOT related to how cowded the parking lot it is on a particular day. Instead, view your parking reservation as your "ticket" for admittance at the Getty. Every museum must control the number of patrons admitted (basic crowd control, for the enjoyment of patrons and to keep to fire codes). Restaurants do this with tables (no more tables, you wait); sports, parks and theaters do this with tickets. Once they are sold out, no more admittance. Most museums do crowd control like a theater, with tickets. However, the Getty is committed to being a free institution. They are swimming in money and do not need to charge admittance. They could give "free" admittance tickets as a way to control their head count (but it might confuse people). Instead, they require a parking reservation be made in advance, in order to prevent overcrowding. They know they will not exceed the maximum number of patrons allowed in the museum grounds, as they will never have more than the maximum number of cars parking in their lot. I think the Getty counts on the hassle of telephoning in advance to further limit the number of patrons and prevent overcrowding. Yes, this is an inefficient system. For example, who is to say if there are 8 people in an SUV, or one person per car. Counting cars is not a good way to count heads. Also, any "walk in" traffic is allowed. But it was their system at the old Malibu Getty, and they've kept it (it made more sense there as they needed to limit excessive street traffic because the old museum was locatedin a residential neighborhood). To go to the Getty, one MUST make a parking reservation, which requires telephoning sometimes months in advance. The security at the parking lot entrance have a list of the day's parking reservations; if you are not on the list, they send you away. No exceptions. It does NOT matter how crowded or empty the actual parking lot is that day. How to get around the rule? Park in Brentwood and take a cab in. Take a hotel shuttle to the museum. Walking is not feasible as there is no pedestrian traffic on that street and it is nearest to exclusive Bel Air and Brentwood. Have a friend drop you off at the entrance. Students with I.D. need not have a parking reservation (only one person in your party needs a somewhat authentic looking student ID to get the whole carfull of you in).

Sorry, it posted too early (computer problems!). I would've made it much shorter before sending!! Basically: NO RESERVATION = NO GETTY No exceptions for those driving in. It has absolutely zero relationship to when you go or how crowded the lot actually is. For the impulsive, you can park in Brentwood & take a cab. I believe there are companies aware of this problem who offer lot parking for a fee and provide a shuttle.

Many thanks for the responses. OCLocal: I would LOVE to make a reservation -- but that's the problem -- the Getty DOESN'T take reservations for the weekends (when I would be going). Therefore, I am left in somewhat of a quandry, because I don't want to drive 2 hrs., only to be turned away because of no parking. I am assuming that since the Getty (this is on their Web site, by the way) does NOT take reservations for weekend parking, parking must not be a problem, right? I don't know how crowded it gets on the weekend, but I have got to believe that they see more people on the weekends than during the week, right? Thus the reason for my original posting . . . If you can tell me how things are ON THE WEEKENDS, I'd really appreciate it! Thanks! P.S. Terry: Thanks for the response. I hope you're right! Sarah: Thanks for the suggestion, but I already have reservations elsewhere!

Message to OCLlocal - While your information was once true, the Getty no longer takes reservations on the weekends. Parking is on a first come, first serve basis. Apparently once the initial hype over the new facility passed, there has been significantly less traffic through the musuem. The reservation policy still holds true on the weekdays, since there are many tour buses on these days, and they want to limit the number of patrons. But you shouldn't have much difficulty getting parking on a weekend - atleast none of my friends have during recent afternoon visits.

Hey Rich: Well I learned something new! I had no idea that they have a newer policy requiring no parking reservations on the weekend. It sounds like the previous poster (xxx) has got it right -- if they would change a longstanding policy like that, they must not be having a problem with overcrowding on the weekend. Nevertheless, I would plan to get there early. To be safe, I would telephone them during M-F 9-5 office hours just to confirm the weekend policy. Their system is probably automated, so press the buttons as if you are making reservations for a class/group school tour (that usually gets you through to a live person at most museums). Well, my mother & I have been calling the Getty to make reservations since I was a little girl. I am shocked and pleased that's not necessary anymore on weekends. So,...I guess I can finally take my 7 years expired Univ. Wisconsin ID out of my wallet now? (I use it in a pinch if I haven't called ahead)

Rich, Parking on weekends is not a problem. And the museum is full but not crowded in some areas and in others areas the crowds are less. I highly recommed your going. If you have other questions e-mail me directly, I have been many times since it opened and never tire of it. I hope you get to visit on a clear day, the views are magnificent.

We went to the Getty in September and that was right when they stopped taking weekend reservations. We arrived early(about 15-30 minutes before opening time. We were able to get in with no problems and fairly quickly. It is a great place to see!

I visited the Getty on a Saturday a few weeks ago. We arrived around 10:45am, and had no troubles parking ($5.) If you're arriving before 11:30 I don't think you'll have any problems parking.

. . . Well, I thought you might be interested in knowing what happened . . . We got to the museum (or, more appropriately the Getty Center Dr. Exit off of the 405) around 11 in the morning to discover a line of cars, and a very small sign saying that the parking was full! Seeing the museum was supposed to be the highlight of my trip, but by the time we found another place to park, we were so disgusted that we didn't go. I'm very angry that I flew 1,500 miles to discover that the Getty should be making parking revervations 7 days a week -- NOT JUST ON THE WEEKDAYS. So to anyone who is thinking about going there on the weekends -- beware -- get there early!!! I will be writing the Getty to inform them of my displeasure...

i JUST RETURNED FROM LA--I WENT TO THE GETTY ON SATURDAY MORNING, ARRIVED AT ABOUT 11, AND GOT A PARKING PLACE AFTER WAITING ABOUT 30 MINTUES --IT WAS "FAMILY DAY" SO APPARENTLY WAS MUCH MORE CROWDED THAN NORMAL--I AGREE THAT GOING ON A WEEKDAY MORNING WITH A RESERVATION PROBABLY WOULD BE EASIER, IF YOU CAN GET A TIME THAT WORKS--GOING ON THE WEEKEND WHEN IT OPENS (10 AM) I THINK WOULD BE FINE TOO---DITTO ABOUT THE RESTAURANT---I DON'T KNOW HOW EXPENSIVE IT IS, BUT LOOKED QUITE NICE---I WOUD TAKE THE RECORDED TOUR AS WELL-IT'S QUITE INFORMATIVE ABOUT PAINTINGS YOU HAVE AN INTEREST IN