The Getty Villa - Part 1

This year my wife and I celebrated our 18th Wedding Anniversary at the Getty Villa. We had been wanting to get out to the Villa for a few years and were finally able to. The Villa is absolutely breathtaking. 
Situated just off PCH in the Santa Monica Mountains you feel like you are much further away from PCH than a few hundred yards. 
There is so much to see that this update is going to have to be done in two parts. The first part we'll look at the outside portions of the Villa, the beautiful gardens and fountains. 

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Upon parking at the Getty Villa you have to head up and down a few elevators (or lots of stairs) to get to the main entrance. The way the Villa is set up makes great use of the setting in the Santa Monica Mountains while not disturbing too much of the natural beauty in the area. 

As you walk up to the main entrance to the Villa you are treated to some fantastic views of the Pacific Ocean. It was an absolutely beautiful day thanks to the recent rain and wind. 

There are many plaques and signs throughout the grounds. This one features the names of the Getty Trustees and the project team that worked on the reopening of the Villa in 2006. 

As you approach the main Villa you are treated to a great view of the Amphitheater and the main building. 

The main entrance to the Getty Villa. 

We'll head inside the building later this week, but today we are going to concentrate on the amazing grounds surrounding the Villa itself. 

The Mediterranean setting of the gardens really blends seamlessly with the Roman exhibits inside the Villa. 

More great views of the ocean and the Villa's main drive which simulates the ancient streets of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Even the Parking Structure is authentically Roman. =)

The only statue in the Villa visitors are allowed to touch. 

We of course had to have a little bit of fun with it. 

The Outer Peristyle (or Formal Gardens) had to be my favorite garden at the Villa. Not only does it offer a great view of the Villa itself but it really does seem like something directly out of the Roman Empire. 

Some great Bronze Replicas of statues and busts are found throughout the garden. 

The description of this one was simply "deer". 

Heading into the Inner Peristyle. 

Some of the busts and statues have some creepy eyes that like to follow you around. It would be interesting to see these late at night. 

The East Garden features a replica of an ancient fountain in the House of the Large Fountain at Pompeii. 

Later this week we'll have Part 2 of our update featuring the great exhibits inside the Villa itself, including: 

For more information on the Getty Villa you can visit their website. 

Tickets are free but the Villa itself requires reservations. Parking is $15 per car. 

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