Weekends are busy at the Getty, and so the 1200 space, reservations-only parking lot was full. Fortunately, free parking is offered just 2 miles south of the center entrance, and a free shuttle bus takes patrons right to the main entrance.

We got in the line for the shuttle at about 1:00, and with the number of people in line, we quickly figured we had a bout a 40-minute wait ahead of us. More and more visitors arrived, and by the time we stepped on the bus, there must have been 350 people in line. This place is popular.

The story of J. Paul Getty is another one of those great entrepreneurial, rags-to-riches tales. Getty started working in his father's oil fields at 16, went to school at Oxford, and through a series of smart business deals, became a millionaire by the time he was 23. That was in 1916.

He inherited the family oil business in the 1930's and began collecting works of art. The oil business grew into one of the largest in the world, and by 1953, Getty had opened a small museum space in his home. By 1974, The Villa, a recreation of an ancient Roman country retreat, opened in Malibu, CA as a space to showcase his art collection. Getty died in 1976 as the richest man in the world, and his personal estate passed to the J. Paul Getty Trust in 1982.

Planning of Getty Center began that same year.

For those who made the required reservations and parked in the main lot, a sleek looking tram smoothly navigates up the hillside and drops visitors off at the main Arrival Plaza. The shuttle bus took about 10 minutes from the parking lot, it drives parallel to the tram track up the hill, and drops off right next to the tram exit. The tram is the coolest though. Some healthy looking souls actually were walking up the hill.

The Arrival Plaza leads to the main entrance - where visitors get their first taste of the incredible architecture and stone bricks that seem to cover every inch. Floors, walls, columns - all built with blocks of a limestone called travertine.

The travertine blocks used for the Getty Center were cut from a special quarry in Italy, and have a wonderful, and intentional, roughshod look to them.

Architect Richard Meier [chosen among 32 other applicants back in 1983] worked hard to use the location, the topography, and the 405 Freeway as parts of the Getty Center design. He used the natural ridges on the existing mountain, and created a structure that seems to rise up out of it. And he has succeeded. The Center is made of stone and steel and it's huge. Yet it feels completely warm and friendly and accessible.

We arrived hungry, and so headed straight for The Cafe -- one of two restaurants. The Cafe has a nicely varied menu [freshly made pizza, salads, sandwiches, burgers, and real entrees] plus very reasonable prices [$5.95 for starters], and an eating area with one of the most beautiful views in town. Good food -- good value. The other venue, The Restaurant, is a bit pricier.

The staff here is exceptional. From greeters at the front entrance, to uniformed security, to the bookstore staff, Getty seems to employ those who are knowledgeable, approachable, and friendly. As we were walking into the main entrance, one exceptionally friendly staff member handed us maps, gave us a quick overview of the entire property, took a picture of us, [below] and gave us suggestions for our visit.

Did we mention that admission is free? Well, it is.

The Main Entrance provides a place to plan your visit. [below] It's large and ambient, but again, also welcoming. An information desk, restrooms, bookstore, and more friendly staff is located here. Separate guidebooks for the art, gardens, architecture, family fun and calendar of events are all here -- and free. They're excellent, well produced and very informative.

This bust of J. Paul Getty [left] watches over the goings-on in the main center.

The plaque reads:

This museum is a memorial to J. Paul Getty [1892 - 1976] Whose collection forms its core and whole legacy has made possible its continued growth. At his wish the J. Paul Getty Museum from its foundation in Malibu in 1954, to its expansion in there in 1974, to the opening of these buildings in 1997 has been dedicated to delighting and education its visitors.

My first reaction was "Honey, don't lean on that." [see below] But actually, this three-dimensional map of the complex allows leaning and touching. Although it resembles one of those fragile architectural models made of painted foam-core, sitting on a precarious table, it's actually made of a tough metal material and is exceptionally sturdy.

The entire complex has that feeling. Come on in, relax, and take a look around.