What is it like to be so rich that money no longer matter? That’s J. Paul Getty, an oil person that was the richest person in the world in 1957.
Getty Villa is part of the Getty Museum whose other site is Getty Center. The admission is free but tickets are required. This villa nestled at probably the best corner of southern California. For $15 of parking, it is a pleasant excuse to visit the Malibu beach and soak in some fine culture. Of course, the wonderful combination of sun, beach, and sea breezes is an additional attraction.
Getty Villa is all about ancient Greek and Roman arts and antiquities. The center piece is the Lansdowne Heracles, the Greek version of Hercules. Paul Getty spent hundreds of millions collecting these arts but died before the center opened. There was an extensive renovation and it was re-opened in 2006. A casual walk-through takes about 90 minutes.
Unlike Getty Center that should be a destination, Getty Villa is more a worth-while detour. The garden and the architecture are no less parts of the collection and make sure to linger to appreciate many finer points of them.