If your get-together happens to be in Los Angeles, I highly recommend visiting the J. Paul Getty Museum.  Perched on a hill in the Santa Monica Mountains, the Getty Museum provides panoramic views of the city below.  Part of the fun of visiting the museum is just riding the tram from the parking lot up to the hilltop.  The tram winds it’s way slowly up the hillside so you can enjoy the scenery.

The museum, designed by Richard Meier, is made up of a collection of buildings clad with 16,000 tons of imported Italian travertine.  Inside, the museum offers a collection of Western Art from the Middle Ages to the present, including European paintings, sculptures and decorative arts.  Outside, the Getty has beautiful gardens, plazas and cafes perfect for enjoying an alfresco lunch overlooking Los Angeles.  One way to get the most out of your visit to the museum is to take one of the free tours offered daily. They offer tours on the gardens, architecture and the current exhibition.

The Getty Villa in Malibu - the original location of the museum – has recently been renovated and re-opened to the public.  It’s only a few miles from the current museum and worth the drive. The collection displayed in this Roman-style villa focuses on Greek and Roman antiquities.  The villa is surrounded by gardens with fountains and beautiful mosaics.  New with the re-opening is a 450-seat outdoor classic amphitheater.  Several outdoor performances are currently on the schedule.  If you plan to go, tickets to the villa must be obtained in advance and book up quickly. 

The Getty is definitely one of the highlights of Los Angeles and best of all, admission is free!