Los Angeles's most famous art museum is the J. Paul Getty Museum, a 110-acre site in the Santa Monica Mountains just off the 405. First opened in December 1997, it is home to a world-famous collection of European paintings, drawings, sculpture, illuminated manuscripts, decorative arts, and European and American photographs. Some of the more notable works in its permanent collection include Paul Gauguin's Arii Matamoe, Vincent Van Gogh's Irises, and Pontormo's Portrait of a Halberdier. The museum also frequently has limited-run exhibitions that feature a broad range of art. Currently, for instance, it is featuring sketches by Leonardo da Vinci that were the basis for his classical sculptures and an exhibit by British photographer Frederick Evans, best known for his stunning shots of medieval cathedrals. Aside from the art, take a moment to explore the Getty's grounds. On a clear day, you can see not only the glimmering skyline of downtown Los Angles but also the towering San Bernardino Mountains to the east and the majestic Pacific Ocean to the west. Admission to the grounds and museum is free.

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