Why the Norton Simon
The Norton Simon Museum sits on the corner of Colorado Boulevard and Orange Grove in Pasadena — the exact spot where the Rose Parade turns every New Year's Day. You've seen it on television a hundred times without knowing what's inside. What's inside is one of the most remarkable private art collections ever assembled.
Over 30 years, industrialist Norton Simon (1907–1993) built a collection spanning Italian Renaissance to 20th-century modernism, plus 2,000 years of South and Southeast Asian art. You'll see Rembrandt, Raphael, Rubens, Van Gogh, Cézanne, Degas, Monet, Picasso, and Matisse — all in a single visit. The museum is deliberately intimate: about 1,000 works on display means you can see everything in 2–3 hours without fatigue. This is arguably the best art-value proposition in Los Angeles.
Free for students. Free first Fridays 5–8 pm.
The Collection
European Art: Renaissance through 19th Century
Italian Renaissance masterpieces by Botticelli, Raphael, and Giovanni Bellini. Northern European works by Jan van Eyck, Hans Memling, and Lucas Cranach. Baroque paintings by Rubens and Zurbarán. Galleries organized chronologically — a visual walk through art history.
European Art: 19th Century — The Crown Jewel
Where the museum truly shines. An exceptional Impressionist and Post-Impressionist collection: Monet, Renoir, Manet, Cézanne, and Van Gogh. The Degas collection — both paintings and sculpture — is among the finest outside of Paris. The bronze dancers and bathers are extraordinary. The Degas collection alone is worth the trip.
20th Century Art
Picasso, Matisse, Klee, Kandinsky, and more. Works from Cubism, Expressionism, and Abstract Expressionism, including pieces acquired from the former Pasadena Art Museum.
South and Southeast Asian Art
The lower level houses a stunning collection spanning 2,000 years — Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain sculpture from India, Cambodia, Thailand, and Nepal. This is world-class and consistently surprises visitors who came expecting only European art. Don't skip the downstairs.
Sculpture Garden
A tranquil outdoor space with works by Henry Moore, Aristide Maillol, and others set among paths and a central reflecting pond. Rodin's "The Thinker" greets visitors at the entrance. Recently renovated and beautifully maintained.
Current Exhibitions (2025)
Gold: Enduring Power, Sacred Craft Organized for the museum's 60th anniversary, exploring gold as an artistic medium across cultures and centuries.
Dear Little Friend: Impressions of Galka Scheyer Opening Feb. 22, 2025 — The story of the art dealer who brought European modernism to California, whose collection formed the foundation of the Pasadena Art Museum.
ArtNight Pasadena March 14, 2025 — Free admission 5–8 pm with free shuttles between Pasadena museums. One of the best free nights in Pasadena.
Practical Details
Address: 411 W. Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91105 (corner of Colorado and Orange Grove)
Hours: Monday, Thursday, Sunday: 12–5 pm. Friday–Saturday: 11–8 pm. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
Admission: $20 adults. $15 seniors (62+). Free for students with ID. Free for children 18 and under, active military, and members. Free for everyone first Friday of the month, 5–8 pm.
Parking: Free, on-site (limited — ridesharing encouraged on busy days).
Transit: Metro A Line to Memorial Park Station (15-min walk), or Pasadena Transit bus #10/#40 which stops in front of the museum.
Dining: The Garden Café (Patina Restaurant Group) — open during museum hours, outdoor seating overlooking the sculpture garden.
Tips
- Allow 2–3 hours for a thorough visit. The museum is perfectly sized — not overwhelming.
- The Degas collection alone is worth the trip. Don't rush through it.
- The South Asian galleries downstairs are easy to overlook — don't skip them.
- Audio tours available via personal mobile device (bring headphones).
- The museum is never as crowded as LACMA or the Getty — weekend afternoons are busiest but still manageable.
- Combine with a walk around Old Town Pasadena (10 minutes away) for lunch or dinner.
- The gift shop has excellent art books.
Nearby
The Huntington — 15 minutes south in San Marino — 130 acres of gardens and a Gutenberg Bible
The Getty Center — Free art museum in Brentwood with the best views in LA
Beverly Hills — Beverly Hills neighborhood guide
FAQ
Is the Norton Simon Museum worth visiting? Yes, it's one of the most underrated museums in LA with an exceptional collection of European art from the Renaissance to the 20th century, plus a beautiful sculpture garden.
Who was Norton Simon? Norton Simon was an American industrialist and philanthropist who amassed one of the most impressive private art collections in the world over several decades.
What is the Norton Simon Museum known for? The museum is known for its outstanding collections of Old Masters, Impressionist works (especially Degas), South and Southeast Asian art, and its beautiful outdoor sculpture garden.
Make It a WashedUp Plan
The Norton Simon is the museum you take someone to when they say they don't like museums. Small enough to not be exhausting, world-class art, peaceful sculpture garden. Pair it with dinner in Old Town Pasadena. Even better: hit it on a free first Friday.
Last verified: February 2025. 60th anniversary exhibitions on view. Free first Fridays 5–8 pm. ArtNight Pasadena March 14, 2025. Check nortonsimon.org for current exhibitions.
