los angeles, ca
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another new favorite in los angeles. i love love love the getty center. admission is free, although parking will cost you $10. from the parking structure, you'll take a tram ride up the mountain with a view of the traffic on the 405 (as you congratulate yourself for taking sepulveda instead). first stop - hit the restaurant. try to show up early, otherwise you'll need reservations. get the incredible boullabaisse. mussels, clams, shrimp, chorizo, oranges, and fried onion - all in a rich velvety chipotle saffron cream sauce. the oranges might seem weird, but it totally works. you'll want extra bread because you (and your dining companions) will want to soak up every last drop of sauce. the restaurant's dining room is usually beautifully sunlit, but even on a cloudy day you'll get a gorgeous view of the clouds floating above the mountains (and mansions).
next - walk off your meal by exploring the grounds. the winding path through the garden is nice (even better if your companion is jenny, who can explain the artistic purpose of the different rock formations). the art collection is okay - get the audio guide (or fly jenny in from nyc) if you want to learn more about the artwork. but the best part of the getty is the architecture, particularly when it's sunny and the light reflects off the bright white buildings. walking in and up and around the buildings, you'll stumble across great spaces, hidden fountains, and many scenic vantage points. derek and i bring a blanket and some magazines - we'll sit outside on the hill overlooking the garden for hours. some people picnic. kids roll around on the grass. derek inevitably naps. a perfect LA destination.
