Overview
The Norton Simon Museum sits on a quiet corner of Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, California, and is widely regarded as one of the finest mid-size art museums in the United States. It houses more than 12,000 works spanning five centuries of European painting and sculpture alongside one of the most important collections of South and Southeast Asian art in the Western world.
The museum takes its name from industrialist and collector Norton Simon, who assembled the collection over decades beginning in the 1950s. He acquired significant holdings from major auction houses and private European collections, resulting in depth and quality unusual for a regional museum. Works by Rembrandt, Rubens, Raphael, Goya, Degas, Manet, and van Gogh hang alongside rooms devoted to Hinduism and Buddhism spanning roughly 2,000 years.
The building itself was designed by Ladd & Kelsey and later renovated by Frank Gehry in the 1990s. Gehry's intervention softened the interiors and created a more intuitive flow between galleries. The two-acre sculpture garden at the rear — modeled loosely on Monet's garden at Giverny — features a lily pond and outdoor bronzes by Rodin, Maillol, and Moore, making it a destination in its own right.
Before You Go
Admission and Hours
Admission fees and opening hours change periodically. Check the official Norton Simon Museum website (nortonsimon.org) before your visit for current pricing, any free admission days, and holiday closures. The museum is typically closed on Tuesdays.
Tickets
Tickets can generally be purchased at the door or in advance online. Discounts are commonly available for seniors, students, and children; verify current categories on the official site. Members enter free.
What to Bring
- Comfortable shoes — galleries span two floors and the garden path is uneven in places
- A light jacket; gallery interiors are air-conditioned and can feel cool
- A reusable bag if you plan to visit the museum shop
Photography
Personal photography without flash is generally permitted in the permanent collection. Restrictions may apply in temporary exhibitions. Confirm the current policy at the front desk on arrival.
Accessibility
The museum provides wheelchair access, audio guides, and other accessibility services. Contact the museum directly or check its website to confirm the full range of accommodations available.
Getting There
By Car
The Norton Simon Museum is located at 411 West Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91105. Parking is available in the museum's lot directly adjacent to the building. Verify current parking fees on the official site, as they are subject to change.
By Metro Rail
The Metro Gold Line (now part of the A Line) stops at Memorial Park station, which is a walkable distance from the museum — roughly 10–15 minutes on foot along Colorado Boulevard. Check Metro's trip planner (metro.net) for current schedules and fares.
By Bus
Several Metro bus routes serve Colorado Boulevard. The Pasadena Area Rapid Transit System (ARTS) also operates routes connecting the museum to Old Pasadena and the Pasadena Convention Center. Verify current routes and schedules locally.
From Los Angeles
The museum is approximately 12–15 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles. Drive time varies significantly with traffic on the 110 Freeway (Arroyo Seco Parkway) or the 210 Freeway. The Metro A Line from Union Station to Memorial Park is a practical car-free alternative.
Things to See & Do
Permanent Collection Highlights
- European Paintings: The collection moves chronologically from the Renaissance through the early 20th century, with notable depth in Dutch and Flemish Golden Age painting. Rembrandt's self-portraits and Rubens's large-scale works are highlights.
- Impressionism and Post-Impressionism: The museum holds significant works by Degas — including an extensive group of his bronze dancers — as well as paintings by Monet, Cézanne, van Gogh, and Toulouse-Lautrec.
- South and Southeast Asian Art: Spanning roughly 2,000 years, this collection includes Hindu and Buddhist sculptures in stone and bronze from India, Nepal, Cambodia, Thailand, and Indonesia. It is one of the deepest holdings of its kind in the country.
- Old Masters Drawings and Prints: A dedicated study room houses works on paper by major European masters; access may require advance arrangement — verify with museum staff.
The Garden
The sculpture garden behind the museum is free to enter for ticketed visitors and provides a calm contrast to the indoor galleries. Bronze figures by Rodin, Aristide Maillol, and Henry Moore are placed around a central lily pond. The garden is an especially good reason to visit on a clear day.
Temporary Exhibitions
The museum mounts several focused temporary exhibitions each year, often drawing on its own reserves or partnering with other institutions. Check the website for what is current during your visit.
Programs and Events
The museum periodically offers lectures, curator-led tours, family programs, and evening events. Schedules are posted on the official website.
Food & Drink
On-Site Café
The museum operates an on-site café where visitors can take a break without leaving the building. Menu offerings and hours can vary; verify current availability when you purchase your admission ticket.
Old Pasadena (5–10 minutes away)
Colorado Boulevard and Fair Oaks Avenue in Old Pasadena host a wide range of restaurants, cafés, and bakeries covering most cuisines and price points. This is the most practical option for a full meal before or after your museum visit. The area is walkable if you have already parked near the museum.
Green Street and Lake Avenue
A short drive or ride from the museum, these corridors offer additional dining choices popular with Pasadena locals, from casual sandwich shops to sit-down restaurants.
Practical Information
Visitor Services
- A coat check and storage lockers may be available; confirm at the front desk
- Audio guides are offered for the permanent collection; inquire about languages available
- The museum shop carries art books, prints, jewelry, and gifts related to the collection
Nearby Amenities
ATMs, pharmacies, and grocery stores are readily available within a few blocks in Old Pasadena. Restrooms are located on multiple floors within the museum.
Emergency Numbers
- US emergency services: 911
- Pasadena Police non-emergency: verify the current number locally or through the City of Pasadena's official website
Climate
Pasadena has a Mediterranean-influenced climate. Summers are hot and dry (often 85–100°F / 29–38°C); winters are mild with occasional rain. Indoor galleries are climate-controlled year-round. The sculpture garden is most pleasant in spring (March–May) and fall (September–November).
Safety
The Norton Simon Museum is located in a generally safe, well-maintained commercial area of Pasadena. Standard urban precautions apply: keep bags with you in the galleries, do not leave valuables visible in parked cars, and be aware of your surroundings in the parking lot at night.
Pasadena as a city has lower crime rates than many larger neighboring municipalities, but petty theft targeting tourists — particularly car break-ins — is reported in Southern California broadly. Secure your vehicle and use the museum's own parking facilities rather than isolated side streets where possible.
Local Culture & Etiquette
The Norton Simon reflects a particular strain of American private collecting at its most ambitious: a single industrialist's decades-long effort to acquire works of lasting art-historical significance rather than merely fashionable pieces. Understanding this context helps visitors appreciate why certain areas of the collection — Degas bronzes, South Asian sculpture, Dutch Old Masters — have an unusual density and quality relative to the museum's modest size.
The South and Southeast Asian galleries are worth approaching with some preparation. A free gallery guide or the audio tour can orient visitors unfamiliar with Hindu and Buddhist iconography, helping distinguish deities, identify narrative cycles, and appreciate the craftsmanship of individual objects. Many visitors focus exclusively on the European paintings and miss what is, for many specialists, the museum's most distinctive holding.
