What an incredible experience and great way to explore Pasadena. I've lived in SoCal all my life…read moreand I never even knew this museum existed. All I can say is WOW! What a beautifully designed and curated collection. It was the perfect way to spend my Sunday afternoon. I got to see a Monet, Van Gogh, and a Rivera up close and personal. The detail was incredible, what masterpieces! If you haven't checked out this museum, definitely put it on your list. The staff were super helpful and friendly. Plenty of parking. I definitely will be looking into a membership.

There's two floors so much amazing collections to see. The garden area is a work of art. I really…read moreenjoyed it. It's easy to get lost wondering thru each art piece. Can't believe the museum is here in our area. We watched the history of Norton Simon in the theater. Great job narrating his work. I would go again so much to see and be inspire. The Staffs were very professional and courteous.

This place is amazing but really small…read more I love that they have little workshops. I was here for a paint with flowers//tea. We used hibiscus, tumeric and butterfly pea flower. My work wasnt good but other had the most beautiful paintings. I dont know how they made such small lines when mines came out as blobs. Cyanotype Workshop is also really fun. You just put items on a paper when youre ready and let the sun do the work. You just need to check their website to see what event is going on. Cyanotype Workshop

I came to check out From the Ground Up: Nurturing Diversity in Hostile Environments, and the…read morecuration was fascinating. Lots of color, texture, and thoughtful pieces. It was creative, engaging, and fun to walk through. The space itself is on the smaller side, so you can take in the entire exhibit in about thirty minutes. It's just a clean and well-presented collection. Best of all, admission is free, which makes this an easy yes if you're anywhere near Pasadena and want something interesting to wander through.

We don't have a lot of galleries in the valley so I love that Matt Kennedy decided to open this one…read moreup in Pasadena. Matt is also the gallery director at La Luz Dr Jesus gallery, one of the most prestigious galleries in LA. The exhibits shown at 30 South are always thought provoking and I really love how they're always diverse in subject matter. As a gallery owner he's very in tune with not just the past & current trends, but also where art is headed in the future. We stopped by for the private opening of Chuck D's (Public Enemy) 1st art show & we were pleasantly surprised to see Chuck is just as good with art as he us with music. Wow! Such raw energy and Chuck was even there shaking hands and kissing babies lol! Excellent exhibition! Both Matt and his wife are very knowledgeable and his wife also sells her custom (and amazing) jewelry there. If you're in the area, definitely stop in and experience the gallery for yourself. I can't wait to see who & what's next on their plate!

Gallery 30 South, the newish (it opened this year) art gallery from the director of La Luz de Jesus…read moreand his wife and artist, aims to be a "comfortable contemporary art space" with exhibitions and events. The exhibitions run for about a month. It's a small space (one room) with handcrafted contemporary jewelry in one corner. I wasn't sure what the hours were. On the door, it says they're open by appointment only. But now it seems like they are open Wednesday-Sunday. The door was open one day so I walked in to check out the current exhibition, Mythos & Logos by Shaun Berke. The paintings were dark and inspired by Norse mythology but not confined to that period. Nuns, naked women in hoods and other beings engaged in rituals. The largest painting was $30,000. Prior to the Berke exhibit, there was a show by Lindsey Way and Frances Bean Cobain. Frances's pieces sold out in a week. I'm not a contemporary art critic (or even fan) but I do like the mission of Gallery 30 South - to offer a place where people can stroll in and experience interesting, even provocative, contemporary art. They'll carry a range of pieces, from low cost to high end. The owners also are founding members of the Green Street Village, a historic business district in Pasadena. There are mostly independent retailers on the street - in contrast to Old Town Pasadena. It's a pretty street but there isn't much going on - however, it now has this new art gallery. If you like art galleries, check out Flower Pepper Gallery in Old Town Pasadena too.

Gallery Nucleus is always the first stop on my mind when I visit Alhambra :) Their selection of art…read morebooks and prints is amazing, and I've had the pleasure of attending one of their Tuesday night cosplay figure drawing events! The staff are nice, and the exhibits themselves are so inspirational. Overall, it's such a treat, and a great space to discover new artists while connecting with fellow creatives!

Nucleus is a small art gallery exhibit and bookstore in Alhambra and this shop has been here as…read morelong as I can remember since the late 2000s. Apparently Nucleus expanded and opened a second location in Portland in 2016. [Parking]: Easy and free street parking. If parking is not available on Main St, then there are plenty of public parking spots and parking plazas in downtown Alhambra. [Space]: The space is separated into a bookstore at the front with various art books and a rotating art exhibit (Wicked in March 2026) at the back. All art on display is for sale. The bookstore sells mostly art books (both original works and artwork from specific anime, games, or pop culture) as well as various original greeting cards. Tickets are not required to see the exhibit and admission is free. [Conclusion]: A neat spot to see various unique art prints and a free exhibit. Chances are if you are at Nucleus then you are also here to check out other spots in downtown Alhambra (e.g. grabbing tea drinks or visiting other miscellaneous shops).

Walking into this place feels like stepping into another universe -- one made entirely of stories,…read morehistory, and quiet magic. The moment you walk through the door, you're surrounded by towering shelves and beautiful, chaotic stacks of books that feel lovingly curated rather than cluttered. It's the kind of space where time slows down and you forget about your phone because you're too busy discovering something unexpected. Every corner feels alive. The warm lighting, the golden walls, the endless spines of books -- it's cozy, nostalgic, and deeply comforting. You don't just shop here; you explore. And the owner? Truly an angel. Kind, welcoming, and incredibly knowledgeable. You can feel how much heart and soul they've poured into this space. They don't just sell books -- they share stories, recommendations, and genuine warmth. The customer service alone makes you want to come back again and again. If you love books, hidden gems, or places with real character, this is one of those rare magical spots that reminds you why independent shops matter. I'll be thinking about this place for a long time.

There is no other bookstore quite like Century Books, the owners Judith and Steve are some of the…read moremost wholesome people I have been fortunate to meet. Me and my partner love to visit & chat with them about books, plays, and other things while looking around and they are so accommodating, it almost feels like we are their guests in their home. More than reasonable prices and have plenty to choose from.

This charming art gallery on Green Street is full of lovely art in a traditional style with a…read morevariety of price tags so there's something beautiful and affordable for everyone. The owner has a wealth of knowledge about artists, styles, and the pieces that will expand your knowledge of art and help you choose pieces for your home. It closes at 5 usually so don't try going in the evening, but it's open Saturdays too. I highly recommend stopping by!

Finding this charming art gallery on a recent visit to Pasadena was a most pleasant surprise. We…read morewere immediately drawn in by the window display of traditional fine art. The elegant interior and knowledgable and engaging proprietors only added to our experience. There are hidden treasures here for every pocketbook! Next time you are in Pasadena make your way to this quaint section of Green Street and Galerie Gabrie.

The Walt Girdner Photo Studio & Gallery is a collection of vintage photos from Girdner's travels to…read moreMexico, Europe and Africa. The studio is located in the Pasadena Playhouse District, next to the Playhouse in a sizeable gallery. The black and white images peer out through the studio windows and offer passersby a glimpse into Girdner's extraordinary past. Walk inside for a closer look and you are immediately greeted by some of the most captivating images, and your gallery host, Cheyenne. Cheyenne is well-versed on the history of the gallery and provided me with additional information on future exhibits and their monthly featured artists. She is very personable, soft-spoken, and talks with a smile; very welcoming and friendly. Every time I'm in the area I will admire new photographs from the window display or take a little stroll through the gallery. Eventually, one of these days the print of two men and charcuterie will make its way home with me. Fun Fact: Girdner believed in using photography as a form of communication, and that the younger generation--through their imagination--is best at interpretation.

Beautiful studio, right in the heart of downtown Pasadena...next to the Pasadena Playhouse. Huge…read morecollection of vintage photos from all over the world. Also, he has art exhibitions from local artists & the art work is amazing!