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    Norton Simon Museum

    4.5 (901 reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 7:00 PM

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    Painting
    Ann T.

    PRO-TIP: Free for students with valid ID and EBT card holders. Plenty of parking and a great way to spend the afternoon. No water bottles or flasks so make sure to leave them in the car or you can check them in at the front desk. There are some permanent collections and they rotate out collections as well, so make sure to check before your visit. They also have a nice sculpture garden, pond, and cafe outside, but if there's construction it might have been moved to the side. Permanent collections include: paintings and sculptures from Europe, America, South and Southeast Asia, and much more. Lots of great pieces from the 18th century and before. I love the still life pieces and the impressionist ones of nature and daily life. Big fan of both artist van Gogh and FGO servant van Gogh (actually there's a couple FGO references at the museum too which are nice). Love that there's seats in some areas and people can relax, sit down, admire the art, and sometimes I see people sketching too. I also really liked that they rotate out prints of their artwork for free that you can grab before leaving the museum. There's a theater (need to check out a film or viewing here one day), several wings, and floors. I love the spiral staircase in the middle too. A past exhibit I really enjoyed was Francisco de Goya's works. Big fan of "The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters" and was really cool that I got to see it in person. Can't wait for my next visit.

    Stephanie V.

    Such an amazing museum. A favorite of ours. Support the arts whenever possible. Recommend for a relaxing peaceful day.

    Nate T.

    4th stop of the day and 2 museum on our date day adventure was this beautiful art museum which contains the works of all the world renowned artists and sculptors. If you are into learning about art history along with some visual stimulation, this is the place.

    Krista K.

    Kids are free! What a great surprise when we arrived to check out some famous artists works. We were able to see Van Gogh, Degas, Rembrandt, Morrisot, and so many others. We went in keeping an eye open for our favorite piece of art and came with several. We stopped outside and grabbed a coffee and some pastries, and sat by the little pond and enjoyed the beautiful scenery before heading home. Such a great day!

    The view while sitting at the outdoor cafe.
    Tamara H.

    The Norton Simon museum is a nice size to stroll through quickly or make a half day of it. The grounds are well manicured and the galleries are nice with a good selection of art to browse. The museum has a nice vibe to it. The outdoor cafe that looks onto the lily pond is a lovely setting for lunch or coffee and a pastry. And everything I've ordered off of their food and drink menu has been tasty. The gift shop has a large collection of art coffee table books along with other high end gift shop merchandise. Parking is available. Students, with a school id, get in free. Adults $20 per person. Typically the museum is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Check their website for special hours around the holidays.

    Ready for the holidays at Norton Simon
    Robbie B.

    Museums like this one are amazing. Every single piece of art you see was literally acquired by industrialist Norton Simon himself! Nothing "on loan from" or "donated by" here. Once one of the richest people in the world (worth $10 billion in the 1960s), Simon collected largely Impressionist and Old Masters, as well as sculpture. He bought this building (which was the Pasadena Museum of Art), had it renamed, and used it to house his own collection. Just wow! [A museum like this one is the Broad in downtown LA; the art there is from Eli Broad's own collection]. Tragedy strikes both rich and poor. Simon divorced after his son Robert Simon committed suicide at age 31. He then had a great second act, marrying Hollywood royalty (actress Jennifer Jones) and becoming one of LA's most notable philanthropists. On to the museum: huge free parking lot on Colorado Boulevard, right across from a Ralph's. Free admission with student ID. Monet, Van Gogh, Raphael anyone? Lots of that stuff, and plenty of those huge paintings that I guess would go in peoples' castles or something. The star of this museum is the outdoor garden and giant pond. Even someone who hates eating outside like me cannot resist grabbing something from their very small cafe and hanging out, pond-side. Final stop at the well-stocked gift shop for your Madonna and Child coffee mug.

    Garden
    Nori F.

    Beautiful museum and gorgeous garden. Never overly crowded, with an amazing collection of painart and sculptures. We always enjoyed visiting the gallery and peaceful outdoor space. They have a little cafe in the sculpture garden area as well. Plan to be there for a couple of hours! Check the hours before you go; they're closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Parking is free in their private lot.

    Mac R. M.

    Best kept secret art museum in the area. Not as well known as the Getty and I'm fine with it as it allows for a more personal experience with the art pieces. Visited twice in last three years...past posting photos attached. Parking can be a challenge at times but not impossible.

    Pamphlet (Nov 2025)
    Luke L.

    Norton Simon Museum (established in 1975 - was known as Pasadena Art Institute or Pasadena Art Museum) is an art museum in Pasadena and our party recently came here for "50 Years: A Golden Anniversary Weekend Celebration". [Parking]: Free onsite parking but completely packed on Saturday. I ended up just finding a metered parking near W Green St & S St John Ave. [Admission]: $20 per adult, but our party came during 50 Years: A Golden Anniversary Weekend Celebration so free admission. [What to see]: You want to see Pablo Picasso? Vincent van Gogh? Claude Monet? Edgar Degas? You will certainly find some of their artworks here. Not enough? They also got a small but really beautiful sculpture garden. On the bottom level they have an impressive South and Southeast Asian Painting and Sculpture collection. There was Live Music in the Galleries during the weekend celebration. [Other special notes]: Offer public tour see website for more details ( https://www.nortonsimon.org/calendar/tours-and-talks ). The museum is divided into the following sections: 14th to 16th Centuries (main level), 17th to 18th Centuries (main level), 19th Century (main level), 20th Century (main level), Theater (main level), Sculpture Garden (main level), South and Southeast Asian Art (lower level), Asian Sculpture Garden (lower level), and special exhibitions (main & lower levels). [Conclusion]: This is a small but mighty art museum with an impressive art collection. I am a big fan of this museum.

    Rodin's The Thinker
    Stewart L.

    The Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena is celebrating its 50th anniversary and just had a weekend-long "party". I'm old enough to remember when the museum was being built. It gets prime exposure every New Years Day during the Rose Parade, as it sits right on the corner of Colorado Blvd and Orange Grove, where the parade turns. It's a beautiful H-shaped building that houses industrialist Norton Simon's large collection of European and Southeast Asian art. The museum and its gorgeous Sculpture Garden have been improved and beautified over the past year. The museum offers free parking. Right at the entrance is Rodin's "The Thinker" bronze sculpture. The interior galleries are separated into 5 areas: European art 14th-16th centuries, 17th-18th centuries, 19th century and 20th century, plus South and Southeast Asian art downstairs. There's also a gallery downstairs for temporary exhibitions, currently "Gold: Enduring Power, Sacred Craft". On the main level there is a theatre where they were doing live model sketching. There were also live music performances, a sitar player during my visit. Even an novice art-lover will find may recognizable artists here, including Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Picasso, Cezanne, Degas, Monet, Manet +. The Sculpture Garden has pieces interspersed along the peaceful paths, with a central pond. There is a cafe here, run by the Patina Group. An enriching, educational and beautiful Pasadena experience.

    Learning about Rembrandt (kids edition)
    Raquel O.

    My sons are older now and my middle son is really into art. I took him and my youngest for an hour to walk around and see some pieces. Students are still free, parking is free and adults are $20. Well worth the cost and time to ensure my kiddos grow up appreciating art.

    Trina D.

    My husband and I went to the Norton Simon on the SoCal Free Museums day and unfortunately we got the wrong info because, it was still $20 per person, since this museum does not participate. A shame would have been to turn around and go home to OC, which was what my husband suggested. But I was determined to visit since we found parking in the lot, and had driven over an hour to be there. I haven't been to the NS since college and the admission has since gone up but the collection is still vastly amazing. They have the largest Degas collection in the world. Their impressionist collection is exceptional and because I'm partial, I do love some Rodin sculptures that they have displayed in the outdoor garden. There are a few Van Goghs, Monets, Manets, and Picasso thrown in the mix. What is there to complain about? We live in SoCal and on a lovely winter day, it can be 75F outside. The museum is a great way to spend a couple hours with your loved one. Enjoy the art, and wander about afterwards down Colorado Blvd for lunch.

    Mella P.

    This museum is so beau and rich with history! I really enjoyed my Friday afternoon here. This 2 level experience is truly set apart from some of the other art exhibits and experiences throughout the SoCal area. It's very moody and quiet yet radiating smooth cool tones and deep art and artifacts. I was truly pleasantly surprised and cannot wait to visit again.

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    This is a hidden jewel, absolutely gorgeous, serene always a peaceful, beautiful place to get lost in

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    4 months ago

    A great place to take my students. We used to have a scavenger hunt that the students were required to complete.

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    Norton Simon Museum Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Norton Simon Museum

    How long does it take to visit?

    You can spend as little or as long as you want. It's not a large museum, but the outdoor cafe is lovely to get a bite or coffee at and sit at one of their tables and chairs. The grounds outside by the cafe are nice to walk around too. I have… Read more

    Reservations needed to visit?

    No, reservations are not required for a normal visit during business hours.

    Is it free?

    $15.00/adult for the permanent collection. It is free if you have a student ID or if you are under 18 years of age.

    Any recommended hotel nearby?

    Is it open 11-5pm on easter day?

    Yes

    If I bring my camera would they allow me to take photos?

    Yes

    Can you bring your own good/drinks to the museum?

    No outside food or drink allowed

    Is there a restaurant in museum?

    Yes... but I think it's more like a café

    View All 9 Questions

    Review Highlights - Norton Simon Museum

    This Pasadena gem has a remarkable collection with masterpieces by Degas, Monet, Picasso and so much more.

    Mentioned in 161 reviews

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    Storrier Stearns Japanese Gardens

    Storrier Stearns Japanese Gardens

    (97 reviews)

    $

    Background On Visit: Last Sunday (4/12/26), the venue hosted the Pasadena Festival Of Tea. We were…read moreone of the participants for this event. Hours Of Operation: They welcome visitors to the garden on many Friday and Saturday evenings and during the day on Sundays. You can check out their schedule of events and admission cost on their website: https://japanesegardenpasadena.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/japanesegardenpasadena/event.jsp?;=&event=1612& Admission Cost: Mostly, $15 on Friday and Saturday. Sunday, it's $12. For other events, they post the cost on their website. Location/Parking: Located across from the Arlington Gardens (Free). It's kinda hidden, but just use the gps on your phone to guide you. Parking can be found along Arlington. For special events, they encourage you to park at Westridge School (Orange Grove and W. State St.) and walk up to Storrier Stearns. Ambiance/Decor: The Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden is a beautiful and charming retreat with a quiet and tranquil elegance. The place is small which contains many of the much admired design features found in the most lavish of Japanese-style gardens of its era. As Kendall Brown states in his book, California Japanese-style Gardens, "this is the genius of Kinzuchi Fujii: this was once a flat area of two tennis courts; now it is a masterwork. 1) Classic Niko-an Teahouse, the garden landscape offers a variety of other beautiful details. 2) Numerous gathering points, seating areas & vistas 3) Four original bridges plus the original cedar log Japanese Waiting Bench 4) Two large interconnected, irregularly shaped koi ponds 5) The sounds of two waterfalls, one cascading down a 25-foot hill 6) An artful dry riverbed for rain overflow winding through the garden 7) Cooling shade everywhere from spreading sycamores & old oaks 8) Many tons of boulders & stones 9) Granite statuary & stone lanterns Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden For Thought: Wouldn't mind coming back to re-center myself. I did a have nice time.

    This is the most difficult Botanical Garden to get in touch with…read more The hours they have posted on their website are wrong, no one picks up the phone after calling several times and leaving several messages. I went in person last weekend, and it was closed despite their online hours posted. The lack of clarity even upon walking up to the venue is not clear. They have no signs stating they are closed and it's clear they do not care to return voicemails. Please do not waste your time going there.

    Pasadena Museum of History - Our tickets for the mansion tour! Also gives you entry to the main museum!

    Pasadena Museum of History

    (58 reviews)

    I would recommend you verify what the installations are before you go along with doing it on a day…read morewhere you can tour the house so it's worth the fee. $9 per person to just see two small installations is too expensive. I believe if you tour the home it's $20 per person and you get into the museum as well. The stag was lovely and polite as well as the property being beautiful.

    An opulent, historic mansion on Millionaire's Row, the hoverboard from Back to the Future II, and…read morethe first Finnish consulate in SoCal - these are just some of the things we saw at the Pasadena Museum of History! It was really fun playing tourist so close to home - a true hidden gem, I never knew this museum was here even having lived here all these years lol! We did the Fényes Mansion tour which includes admission to the main museum and is the best way to experience the museum imo. The main museum is currently running an exhibit featuring films made around Pasadena and it was so fun to explore and see things like the BTTF hoverboard and Eddie Murphy's outfit in Beverly Hills Cop, and so many more interesting items and info tidbits. But it's small so it's best to pair it with the mansion tour - which is a fascinating glimpse into the area's past and the prominent family that owned the mansion. It even holds the original office of the first Finnish consul, Y.A. Paloheimo, still intact as it was all those years ago, complete with the consul emblem and his photo with Eleanor Roosevelt. The mansion is one of two remaining fully intact mansions on what used to be "Millionaire's Row" - the other is the Gamble House which is a craftsman - but Fényes Mansion is over the top grandeur! There used to be 52 mansions and these are all that's left :-o And here's a fun little fact we learned - did you know Tiffany & Co made elaborately carved wooden chairs?? You can see them in the dining room of the mansion and they're absolutely beautiful! We learned SO many interesting bits of history about Pasadena and the surrounding area - I won't share it all here - you gotta take the tour - it's totally worth it! But I will leave you with one other fun fact I learned that answered a burning question I had every time I would drive the 210 - this is for the locals - do you know how Michillinda Ave got its name? It came from some of the earlier settlers of the area in the 1870s: Michigan + Illinois + Indiana = Michillinda!! The tour is a great experience for local history and I highly recommend it - they're infrequent so if you can get in on a tour, DO IT!! They're around $20 and you can get them in advance via Eventbrite which I recommend bc they sell out (especially on weekends). You can also buy them onsite but the tours are likely to be full. The museum admission is included and they have bathrooms and a small private parking lot available. Shout out to our awesome tour guides Andrea & Paul - tysm for a great afternoon!!

    Pasadena Art Night - Pasadena City Hall during Pasadena Art Night 2014

    Pasadena Art Night

    (14 reviews)

    $

    Twice a year, the City of Pasadena's Cultural Affairs Division puts together an evening during…read morewhich many of the museums and historic sites remain open late, and offer free admission. This offers a wonderful opportunity for local residents to check out a new museum or site, learn a thing or two, and take the kids to see something new in a low-stress, welcoming environment. Lines for some attractions are longer than others, so be sure to have a list with your priority spots to make the most of your time! In keeping with social distancing requirements, Spring Art Night 2021 was virtual. The next Art Night has been planned for October 8, 2021. You won't want to miss it!

    I've done DTLA Artwalk plenty.. But Pasadena Art Night? I'm ashamed to say this was my first year!…read moreArt is universal and what's so beautiful about that is how differently it's expressed. Through stages, spaces and mediums. Pasadena had a great line up for all the art they had to showcase. They delivered it much better than some of the artwalks I've been to in the past. How so? Well, let me tell you: Pasadena Art Night is much less flashy, much more community, and much more organized. It's definitely a night for the family as much as it can be for a date. Because this Art Night is much more community friendly and interactive, there's much more heart coming from the community itself either as the showstoppers or the audience! With a huge line-up of art exhibits, my friend, her son and I managed to hit up four destinations to get our fill of the spectacular evening in store for us. Our first stop was none other than, Kidspace Children's Museum! They had the night lighting up with all the kids' best moves whether it was dancing, jump roping or hula hooping and making sure everything from rope to hoops to even bubbles were lit up! It was practically a mini rave for tiny humans and my friend's kid had a blast. Music was also well selected. From there we took one of the many trams reserved specifically for Art Night goers! All trams were labeled based on destination which made the night all that more accessible to every and all interested! We made it over to the park right by city hall. The park was hosted by a nonprofit org called Day One who delivered an Alice and Wonderland "Down the Rabbit Hole" theme! Tea was being served with tea pots and cups hanging from trees, chalk art welcoming you in, a book tunnel leading you right to the stage of poets and story tellers to the left and luminescent trees with happiness keys being hung right along the branches to your right. The keys were gorgeous with blank tags waiting to be written on. After getting lost down the rabbit hole, we fell upon city hall which was more of a quick pit stop. Only leading us to our final destination, Paseo! Paseo's courtyard was being hosted by MUSE/IQUE. They were showcasing a free basic dance class by the hour or so! They had displayed step by step instructions on the ground of different dances. We made it just in time to learn one of their routines! After being taught, they allowed the participants to find a partner & dance the night away. We had finally made it to the end of our little friend's energy and decided to end the night with some happy feet! We got right back on the tram hassle free. City Hall was the only destination that had every bus for every direction come into! As we ended a well organized and run Art Night in Pasadena, my friend and I promised to attend the next one to come as her little one sang us Wheels on the Bus all the way back to kidspace where our cars were safely parked. Will I do this again? Ooh you betcha. Hope you check it out too, yelpheads

    Enchanted: Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens - The stained glass houses on the Luminous Lawn were really beautiful and you can walk around in most of them! (Nov 2025)

    Enchanted: Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens

    (354 reviews)

    My mom and I took my kids to see the Christmas markets in France this past December. It was a…read morebucket list trip for my mom, and while my boys had a great time, the travel was complicated and arduous, mostly because of my wild three-year-old Wade B. A couple weeks later, my husband and I took the boys to the Enchanted Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens. They had an absolute blast, and my five-year-old Leo B. declared, with utmost sincerity, "I think this is the nicest place I've ever been." Matt B. and I had been once before, almost a decade ago, with our friends Caroline Y. and Scott S., when we were all young and childless. We came back together, this time with five kids, and as much as I enjoyed it back in the day, I found it even more compelling this second time around. The magic was amplified ten times by the presence of my sons, who absolutely loved all the beautiful, colorful lights. I did buy them shitty Christmas light necklaces, one of which broke almost immediately, causing considerable strife. The alternative, of course, was to deny Wade his request before even entering the garden, where he would badger me every time he saw another child with the necklace. I was not surprised to see that most of the children seemed to have them, every parent having made the same calculation on their way in. Smart and evil of Descanso Gardens to put that vendor right by the entrance. I'm guessing Enchanted is their big revenue generator for the year, and this is a McKinseyish way to maximize. The kids oohed and aahed at every exhibit, marveling at all the colors and lights. We oohed and aahed right with them, and had the additional pleasure of watching them play and interact with the elaborate, immersive displays. They loved the tulip fields, the model trains, the stained glass houses, the trees and music and light. There was also a large platform that served as a dance floor for small children, who partied to the ambient music. Wade was especially taken with this stage, and the one part of the night that did not go well was when I yanked him away so we could see the rest of the installations. It was cold and the kids were up way past their bedtimes, but we all had a blast at the Enchanted Forest. When pressed, Leo admitted that Paris was in fact as nice as Descanso Gardens, but the point was made. Come Christmas, we can take the boys to France or we can just drive to La Cañada and buy a few tickets that support a wonderful botanical garden. We might even manage the latter every year.

    Wow! What an unexpectedly cool experience!…read more Pro tips: 1. Bring whatever you like to keep you very warm in weather that seems cool normally but in the woods is icy cold. It was 51 and according to the weather app felt like 47 but I'm here to tell you it was COLD COLD more like 32 imho and head, hands, neck and feet coverage is a must so you can enjoy it. Suggest a warm beanie, gloves, and a down type jacket. Definitely jeans or long pants. I grabbed a blanket from my car to wear! 2. It's an easy walk, but for those with wheelchairs or canes or walkers it can be bumpy and some areas are a bit tricky. Also given all the rain, it can be dirty dusty muddy so wear shoes you don't care about. 3. Bring your best camera bc the photo ops both with people and without are plentiful. Make sure everything is charged as there's no common area to charge things easily. I'm sure you can try the restaurant or store in case of emergencies. Or go back to your car. 4. Be prepared to walk a very slow mile. Lots to see and photograph. Took me about 1:15 and I took my time. You can definitely do this much faster if solo and not easily amused or maybe not big on pics. And you can take a lot longer if you like detail and creativity amidst a natural space. 5. It's dark despite tons of lighting so be wise when walking. 6. Parking is free and easy. Just follow the signs or people. There is a walk to the line from the car. Lots of walking in general. 7. Our park reservations were for 6pm. I arrived around 6:10 and the line took about 20 mins. Was done by 7:40. 8. Cute shopping at the beginning before entering an next to the line to get in. It is an outdoor nursery type shop and two small indoor Knick knack type stores. Prices are typical tourist type prices. Also next to it is a coffee and pastry stand but you have to go first and then get in line or get out of line if you have people to hold your place as there's a line to get goodies. 9. Farmhouse is a restaurant on site. Checkout their Yelp. Make reservations as they book up fast. Good for groups. Food imo is average. Standouts were the beet salad, French fries, short rib appetizer, salmon and halibut. They use minimal seasoning at this place so if your health requires less sodium you're good! Get the pan fried crispy skin salmon lol. 10. If you're trying to cut costs there's an El Pollo Loco right as you exit the freeway coming here and before going up the hill to the park. 11. Great holiday thing to do with a large group. Entertainment for most everyone. If you're an outdoorsy, artsy, creative loving, enjoy exercise and family time type, this will be right up your alley!

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    Rubel Castle

    (58 reviews)

    I cannot say enough wonderful things about our experience here at Rubel Castle. Our host, guide,…read moreand local "Rubelligent" volunteer, Ms. Kathleen had all the intel about this historical property. She was so knowledgeable and helped set the stage for us to slip into a forgotten era and get a glimpse of how imagination met inventiveness with a DIY charm. ~ A LITTLE BACKSTORY FOR YOU ~ It's not pronounced Rubel as Barney from Flintstones. Rather, it's like Target is to Targét when we are trying to be fancy. So that's Rubel as in "Roo-bell." Unlike modern-day construction, Rubel Castle wasn't built overnight. It was made of collected recyclables and construction rubble that spanned many decades and took several friends and volunteers to build it. For Michael, however, the lifetime inspiration was first sparked at the age of 9. His love for canons was where it started and the rest is history you can hear about on the tour. But don't just show up like we did randomly one day. To book, visit RubelTours.org and make a reservation. ~ OUR TOUR EXPERIENCE ~ It's as if Michael Rubel, the creator and mastermind of this enchanted dominion had intended it to be--magical. Built in the castle period of wood and tin, every corner captured our interests, from antique cars to the 1890's Seth Thomas Tower Clock with a unique backstory (and only six in existence today). There were old vending machines, tools, trinkets, and machinery that time had long forgotten. Did I mention there was a drawbridge? Yes, and a dungeon too. I was just waiting for a dragon to come swoop down on us next. Walk in the footsteps of famous visitors like Alfred Hitchcock, Dwight Eisenhower, Jack Benny, and Bob Hope. It's a feast for the eyes no matter where you glance. I particularly enjoyed the bottle house that Michael built in 1968 as his "home" as a kid. That independent spirit was quite charming to see. ~ WATERCOLOR NATURESCAPE ~ We were fortunate to have our gracious host lead us on a tour and organize a special art crafting experience outdoors. It was absolutely lovely beneath the trees and between rusted vintage cars from the turn of the century. We each got a small canvas to paint our flowers in watercolor. (This particular experience takes place in the Spring and Fall, weather permitting.) We heard the squirrels rattling in the leaves and birds chirped and sang in the trees above. We discovered that peacocks apparently originated from this property, compliments of Michael Rubel. And did I mention that on the far side of the property, a custom garden was in full bloom? BOOK A TOUR Help support the Glendora Historical Society and keep this magnificently unique city-castle maintained. It's worth it.

    A castle in Glendora? Yes, your eyes aren't deceiving you--Rubel Castle is real, it's magnificent,…read moreand it's gloriously eccentric. Thanks to the sheer persistence (and probably delightful stubbornness) of Michael Rubel, we now have this quirky, towering State Treasure sitting right in the middle of Glendora like a fairy tale that accidentally took a detour through a hardware store. This place is beautifully done, and part of its charm is that it's a full-on hodgepodge of relics, antiques, crystal trinkets, and "wait... what is that doing here?" moments tucked into every nook and cranny. You'll marvel, you'll laugh, you'll squint in confusion--honestly, it's everything you'd want in a castle built with love, imagination, and a dash of madness. And let's talk about the makeshift cemetery. Quirky? YES. Fun? Absolutely. Slightly spooky? Only if your imagination is over-caffeinated. But it fits the vibe perfectly--like the castle whispered, "You know what I'm missing? A tiny cemetery." The tours are fantastic, the guides are passionate, and the whole experience feels like you're stepping into a living scrapbook of California history and charming chaos. Overall: Amazing, amazing place. Book your tour. They only do tours every first Sunday of the month, so set your alarms, mark your calendars, tie a string around your finger--just don't miss it. Rubel Castle is truly a California State Treasure, and an absolute must-see for anyone who appreciates creativity, history, and a little eccentric sparkle.

    Kidspace Children's Museum - Guests are greeted by the colorful KIDSPACE topiary

    Kidspace Children's Museum

    (917 reviews)

    We made a last minute reservation for Sunday 4/26 with our membership. Morning slots were sold out…read moreso we got 12pm. We arrived a little before 1pm. Today they had two special events: 1) meet a mermaid, and 2) party in paradise (Guam dancers). Today was particularly busy with Ronald McDonald House run from 9-11am and free admission for those who participated. Love that Kidspace has themed events to keep families coming! Lots of beautiful themed decorations in the front entrance and right as you walk through. We went straight to the reading area to get in line for meet the mermaid. We waited about 15 minutes. The mermaid was very friendly and played the part well. There were lots of Kidspace photographers. Next we went to the 1:30pm "party in paradise" performance at the outdoor amphitheater. My girls' (almost 5 & 7yo) favorite is the craft room. Today's activity was still the paper butterfly cutouts (we came on 3/30). They could spend the whole visit in the craft room! Los Trompos is also another favorite! Other favorites we didn't get to today: muddy boots farm, blue ocean area, arts/crafts up at the top of the hill, tricycles, climbing structures (2 indoor, 1 outdoor). My youngest really wanted to do the pressurized water bottle experiment. It wasn't working properly today, but a little boy showed us the trick. Tip: press low, high, AND bottom row buttons all at the same time. Watch the stick rise, the water fill up, then shoot up! Shout out to Events Director, Michael, who is always friendly and helpful! Thank you for saying hi!

    This place is so special. Theres endless options for kid-led fun. We particularly loved the arroyo…read moreand all of its outdoor wonders. They do not allow adults in without children, which I'm so appreciative of. Liv helped me upon arrival and was very informative and patient while I waited for my party. She even offered to escort me in to find them if they were having too much fun to come get me, which I really appreciated. Great team -- great place!

    Norton Simon Museum - artmuseums - Updated May 2026

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