From Rancho Cucamonga, a Pasadena art outing can center on the Norton Simon Museum, at 411 W. Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena, California. Its collections span European, modern, Indian, and Southeast Asian art, making it a cultural day trip from this side of the region; a two-star room at New Kansan Motel is one lodging option in Rancho Cucamonga.
- Location: At the corner of Orange Grove and Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena.
- Collections: Approximately 12,500 objects, with about 800 on view at a time.
- Typical hours: Open Monday, Thursday, and Sunday afternoons, and later on Friday and Saturday; closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
- Admission: General admission is $20 for adults and $15 for seniors ages 62 and above; some visitors enter free.
What can you see at the Norton Simon Museum?
The Norton Simon Museum presents art from several periods and regions, with a collection that includes European works from the Renaissance through the 20th century, modern and contemporary art from Europe and the United States, and Indian and Southeast Asian art spanning 2,000 years. Around 800 of its approximately 12,500 objects are on view at any one time.
The institution’s history begins with the Pasadena Art Institute. Industrialist and art collector Norton Simon later became its namesake and founder. The museum stands at the corner of Orange Grove and Colorado Boulevard, at 411 W. Colorado Blvd.
How do you get to Pasadena from Rancho Cucamonga?
The Rancho Cucamonga Metrolink station is at 11208 Azusa Ct. and serves the San Bernardino Line. Station parking requires a paid permit; the station has 960 parking spaces, including 24 handicapped spaces. From New Kansan Motel, Chaffey Community Museum of Art is about 15 minutes by car, a local art stop you could pair with the Pasadena museum outing.
At the museum, Pasadena Transit buses #10 and #33 stop in front, as does Metro bus line #180. The closest Metro rail station is Memorial Park Station on the Metro A Line, at 125 E.
Holly St. at Arroyo Parkway. For local travel planning before or after the trip, getting around Rancho Cucamonga can help you think through the city portion of your plans.
What are the Norton Simon Museum hours and ticket basics?
The museum’s regular schedule is Monday, Thursday, and Sunday from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 12:00 to 7:00 p.m.; it is closed Tuesday and Wednesday. For visitors without tickets, final entry is 4:15 p.m. on Sunday, Monday, and Thursday, and 6:15 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
General admission costs $20 for adults and $15 for seniors ages 62 and above. Admission is free for children ages 18 and under, students with valid ID, and museum members.
Advance tickets are recommended to expedite check-in, but they are not required; general-admission tickets are for a specific day rather than a specific entry time. Check the official site before you go, as hours, admission, and ticket details can change.
Free parking is available in the museum lot, with limited free parking on adjacent streets. Accessible parking spaces are available in both museum parking lots. Entrance ramps sit beside the main entrance stairs and in the lower-level parking area.
What should you know about the sculpture garden and visit logistics?
The Sculpture Garden combines a pond, water lilies, trees, shrubs, flowers, paths, and outdoor sculpture. Works by Auguste Rodin, Henry Moore, and Aristide Maillol are among the sculptures there. The garden is open year-round but closes during heavy rain.
Public areas between the museum’s two levels are accessible by elevator, including ADA-compliant restrooms. A limited number of wheelchairs are available first-come, first-served.
Museum guidelines prohibit touching the art and using flash photography, tripods, monopods, or selfie sticks; bags larger than 11 by 15 inches are also prohibited. For a different museum day trip from Rancho Cucamonga, consider MOCA Los Angeles.
FAQs
Where is the Norton Simon Museum?
It is at 411 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, California 91105, at the corner of Orange Grove and Colorado Boulevard.
Is the sculpture garden open all year?
Yes. It is open year-round, except that it closes during heavy rain.
Do you need advance tickets?
Advance tickets are recommended to expedite check-in, but they are not required. General-admission tickets apply to a specific day, not a specific entry time.
Is parking available at the museum?
The museum has a free parking lot and limited free parking on adjacent streets. Accessible parking spaces are available in both museum lots.