Norton Simon Museum

Located at the southwest corner of Interstate 210 and Ventura Freeway in Pasadena, the Norton Simon Museum houses a collection of historic art that has enchanted people for thousands of years.

The museum's history dates back to the early 1920's when the Pasadena Art Institute incorporated and acquired property at which to exhibit art collections. The Institute started with a small collection of 19th-century European and American art. In 1942, the Pasadena Art Institute merged with the Pasadena Museum of Art. In the 1950's the Institute received an endowment of over 500 art pieces. In 1974 the museum came under the management of Norton Simon. Simon, who died in 1993, aspired to educate and enrich lives as well as display art.

In 1999 the museum expanded its hours. The museum opens from noon to 6:00 p.m. daily except for Tuesday. It also closes for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. The museum has a Garden Café that serves light fare, and offers audio and group tours.

The Norton Simon Museum is located about 45 minutes by car northeast of Los Angeles International Airport. Other nearby tourist sites include the Pacific Asia Museum, McDonald and Washington Parks, and Huntington Botanical Gardens.