In a piece today on the Getty's financial pinch, the New York Times' Ed Wyatt puts the parking fee hike in perspective:

For a hilltop museum with no public parking nearby and in a city with limited public transportation, the parking increase is practically the same as an admission fee.

There is bus service past the Getty car entrance on Sepulveda, but many people don't, won't or can't use it — it's a multi-hour trip from many places in the L.A. area. So the fact remains, what is free to do at LACMA — stroll the grounds, browse in the gift store or take in the view — will cost $15 at the Getty on July 1 and raise anew the elitism questions. Once you do gain access to the top of the hill, though, the museum part of the experience does remain free.