Trip ideas while visiting Pasadena in California
The Norton Simon Museum is one of the most remarkable private art collections ever assembled in the United States, located along Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, California. Originally established as the Pasadena Art Institute in 1922, the institution was transformed in 1974 when industrialist and philanthropist Norton Simon merged his vast collection of more than 4,000 artworks with the existing museum. The building itself is an architectural landmark, featuring a distinctive curved facade clad in 115,000 glazed tiles designed by the firm Ladd and Kelsey in 1969, which wraps the galleries in a warm, earthy palette that echoes the surrounding San Gabriel Mountains.
The museum’s European painting collection is world-renowned, with masterworks spanning seven centuries from the early Renaissance through the 20th century. Visitors encounter extraordinary paintings by Raphael, Botticelli, and Zurbaran alongside Dutch Golden Age treasures by Rembrandt and Frans Hals, all displayed in intimate, beautifully lit galleries that allow close, unhurried viewing. The Impressionist and Post-Impressionist holdings are particularly stunning, with seven paintings by Vincent van Gogh including the deeply emotional Portrait of the Artist’s Mother and the swirling, vibrant Mulberry Tree from his Saint-Remy period, plus major works by Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, and Paul Cezanne that rival any museum collection on the West Coast.
The Asian art collection at the Norton Simon is one of the finest in North America, with particular strength in South and Southeast Asian sculpture spanning 1,500 years. The galleries present serene stone Buddhas, intricately carved temple reliefs from India and Cambodia, and bronze sculptures of the dancing Shiva Nataraja that capture divine movement in metal with breathtaking elegance. The contemplative atmosphere of these spaces reflects Norton Simon’s deep personal interest in Asian philosophy and religion, with tranquil lighting and thoughtful arrangement encouraging visitors to slow down and appreciate the spiritual power of these works.
Visitors can enhance their experience with free audio tours available through smartphones, offering curator commentary that reveals fascinating stories behind key pieces and the history of the collection. The museum store carries art books, prints, and jewelry inspired by works in the collection, while rotating temporary exhibitions bring fresh perspectives to the permanent holdings. During select evenings, the museum hosts jazz performances, film screenings, and lectures that activate the galleries in unexpected ways and draw a lively local crowd.
The museum’s sculpture garden is a hidden gem inspired by Claude Monet’s garden at Giverny, featuring a tranquil pond framed by lush plantings of camellias, azaleas, and water lilies. Monumental bronzes by Aristide Maillol and Henry Moore are placed along winding paths throughout the garden, creating a seamless dialogue between art and nature in the heart of Pasadena. The garden provides a serene sanctuary for sketching or quiet contemplation between gallery visits, with seasonal blooms ensuring something new with every return trip. Just beyond the museum grounds, Pasadena’s Old Town district sits within comfortable walking distance, offering dining, shopping, and the historic charm of beautifully restored buildings along Colorado Boulevard.
The Norton Simon Museum is open every day except Tuesday, with weekday mornings offering the quietest gallery experiences and the best opportunities for uninterrupted viewing of the most popular paintings. First Fridays of each month feature extended evening hours with special programming that makes for an especially memorable experience, while spring and fall bring the most pleasant temperatures to the sculpture garden. Parking is available in the museum’s lot, and the Memorial Park Gold Line station provides convenient Metro access from downtown Los Angeles and surrounding communities.