SeeCalifornia.com

From San Francisco to Los Angeles, Long Beach, Malibu and San Diego, if you think “MUSEUM” you think —what? FOOD!

Some of California’s finest dining locations are set inside museum grounds where you suddenly become aware you are hungry– and THAT seat overlooking the Pacific Ocean isn’t so bad. In fact, it is unparalleled in setting! The Getty Villa in Malibu is one such example where the outdoor patio dining views, world class surroundings and quality food could make you go back again–to have lunch!

The Cafe at the Getty Villa – There are several salad options on the lunch menu that include Grilled Chicken or Albacore Tuna. Salads are crisp, clean and light. But as a salad eater, I personally prefer  sandwiches at the Villa’s cafe. They are more filling options with similar prices, all made with wonderful breads!  Eggplant Panini, Grilled Chicken Wrap and my favorite, the Grilled Portobella (in photo) included Sweet Pepper and Onion Relish, Arugula, Basil and Olive Vinaigrette served with Mixed Green Salad. Price, around $10.95. You can also order pizza, kids menu items for the children, burgers and soup of the day.

The Cafe serves casual Mediterranean fare and has indoor and outdoor seating. Menu choices include soup, salads, panini, pizzas, pastas, risotto, and desserts. Wine and beer are also available. Menu items feature organic, locally grown produce whenever possible. No reservations are required for the Cafe.  Cafe Hours: Monday and Wednesday–Friday: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.  Saturday and Sunday: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.  Contact: Catering and Events Manager (310) 440-6426. getty.edu

There are at least a dozen museum restaurants in California providing compelling reasons to go see art (and eat!) A few you may want to check out include:

• LONG BEACH MUSEUM OF ART – Claire’s at the Museum offering ocean-view dining,  lbma.org
• LONG BEACH MUSEUM OF LATIN AMERICAN ART – Viva Cafe, molaa.org
• LOS ANGELES  THE GETTY CENTER – Restaurant at The Getty, getty.edu
• MALIBU/PACIFIC PALISADES THE GETTY VILLA – The Cafe at the Getty Villa, getty.edu
• PASADENA’S NORTON SIMON MUSEUM OF ART – Garden Cafe, nortonsimon.org
• SAN DIEGO MUSEUM OF ART – The Prado at Balboa Park, pradobalboa.com
• SAN FRANCISCO’S DE YOUNG FINE ARTS MUSEUM – de Young Cafe, deyoung.famsf.org
• SAN MARINO HUNTINGTON LIBRARY AND GARDENS – Rose Garden Tea Room or The Cafe, huntington.org
• SANTA ANA BOWERS MUSEUM – Tangata, bowers.org
• SANTA BARBARA MUSEUM OF ART – Museum Cafe, sbma.net