Norton Simon Museum, Pasadena
63 people recommend, 3 warn against itvia r/LosAngeles, r/AskLosAngeles, r/pasadena30 comments cited below
The comments cited below are a sample of the full tally across 33 threads.
What people say, in short
Norton Simon is repeatedly praised for combining a substantial art collection with a manageable museum size. Commenters highlight Impressionist paintings, European works and Asian sculpture, and several describe it as a favorite or an overlooked choice. Visitors who do not want an overwhelming museum outing appreciate its compactness. Recommendations often pair it with Old Town Pasadena. Commenters' reports of visit length vary.
Address
Norton Simon Museum, 411 W Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91105
At a glance
- Best for
- Art
- Known for
- Impressionist collection, European paintings, Asian sculpture
Nearby on this map
Other places on this map closest to Norton Simon Museum, Pasadena, as the crow flies.
The evidence
Every point below is paraphrased from a real public comment, ordered by how much the community engaged with it. Caveats and negatives are kept in — follow any link to read the original for yourself.
- Recommendsu/SealedRoute in r/LosAngeles · Apr 2024exhibits
Went to see the Goya prints exhibit and found the imagery fantastic and harrowing.
- Recommendsu/Intelligent-Cod-2200 in r/AskLosAngeles · Jun 2026collections
Recommends the Norton Simon as amazing for a Pasadena visit.
- Recommendsu/thaddeus_flowe in r/LosAngeles · Apr 2024collections
Calls it the finest private collection on the west coast and surprisingly underrated.
- Recommendsu/ldupree1991 in r/pasadena · Aug 2024
Simply says the Norton Simon museum is great.
- Recommendsu/Count_Von_Roo in r/AskLosAngeles · Feb 2024
Suggested as a museum a mom would enjoy.
- Recommendsu/InfernalWedgie in r/AskLosAngeles · Aug 2026
Listed as a museum recommendation for an art nerd visiting LA.
- Recommendsu/GercektenGul in r/AskLosAngeles · Feb 2026
Listed among museum recommendations.
- Recommendsu/Evening-Deal-8865 in r/pasadena · Jul 2026
Lists it among museums easily accessible from Old Town Pasadena.
Show all 30 cited comments
- Recommendsu/slyiscoming in r/AskLosAngeles · Sep 2024collections
Describes a mix of European paintings and Asian sculpture.
- Recommendsu/No-Perspective872 in r/AskLosAngeles · Feb 2026
Really liked it.
- Recommendsu/badnorwegianwood in r/AskLosAngeles · Apr 2025
Went on a first date there and both had a really good time.
- Recommendsu/muchinhastaelfin in r/AskLosAngeles · Aug 2026collections
Smaller than some, but has a fantastic collection, especially Impressionism.
- Recommendsu/Lothloreen in r/AskLosAngeles · Nov 2025
Lovely for a few hours, not overwhelming, and good for art lovers.
- Recommendsu/BeatrixFarrand in r/AskLosAngeles · Jun 2026access
Praises the art collection and manageable museum size.
- Recommendsu/ducklingkwak in r/pasadena · Aug 2024
Lists the Norton Simon Museum among suggested places to visit.
- Recommendsu/SkullLeader in r/AskLosAngeles · Apr 2024collections
Their favorite art museum.
- Recommendsu/Shift_Least in r/AskLosAngeles · Nov 2025
Lists Norton Simon Museum as a rainy-day suggestion.
- Recommendsu/foxypandas421 in r/AskLosAngeles · Apr 2025
Lists Norton Simon Museum among favorite places.
- Recommendsu/RedditPGA in r/AskLosAngeles · Mar 2025
Suggests visiting the museum and walking Old Town Pasadena.
- Recommendsu/Rumaan_14 in r/AskLosAngeles · Sep 2024collections
Worth visiting for the collection even though it is not big.
- Recommendsu/bored_today in r/pasadena · Oct 2026
Suggests pairing it with the Gamble House.
- Recommendsu/booksandmusic91 in r/AskLosAngeles · Feb 2026
Says it is great.
- Recommendsu/LilyBartSimpson in r/AskLosAngeles · Sep 2024collections
Says it is great and may have the best Impressionist collection in Southern California.
- Caveatu/keetots in r/pasadena · Oct 2026timings
Cautions that the museum did not fit the planned Tuesday outing.
- Recommendsu/AllUpInMine in r/AskLosAngeles · Jan 2026
Names Norton Simon as a recommendation.
- Recommendsu/Anonymous-USA in r/ArtHistory · Jul 2025collections
Includes it in a list of art museums for art.
- Recommendsu/thanksforthegift in r/AskLosAngeles · Aug 2025collections
Praises it as a nice, small museum with a lovely collection.
- Recommendsu/munchalumps22 in r/AskLosAngeles · Jan 2025collections
Wonderful museum with diverse pieces from Renaissance to modern and contemporary.
- Recommendsu/puellanominelupa in r/AskLosAngeles · Feb 2024collections
Praises its European and Southeast Asian collection and lovely garden.
- Recommendsu/jlwilcoxus in r/AskLosAngeles · Feb 2026collections
Great collection and manageable size; highly recommends.
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Freshness
Details last checked 10 Nov 2026. Recommendations reflect what people said at the time; confirm current details before you go.