Things to do in California, United States: The Best Art Museums

The Norton Simon Museum is known around the world as one of the most remarkable private art collections ever assembled. Over a 30-year period, industrialist Norton Simon (1907–1993) amassed an astonishing collection of European art from the Renaissance to the 20th century and a stellar collection of South and Southeast Asian art spanning 2,000 years. Modern and Contemporary Art from Europe and the United States, acquired by the former Pasadena Art Museum, also occupies an important place in the Museum’s collections.

A private art collection open to the public that features several rooms of Chinese art spanning 5000 years of history. All visitors will be led on a tour through several galleries of art by a complimentary tour guide, in English or also Mandarin. The tour lasts between 90-120 minutes (1 ½ - 2 hours) but can be shorter if requested. For staff scheduling purposes, visitors are *strongly* encouraged to call ahead and make reservations to visit the gallery. For large tours between 10-30 people, it is recommended to call a month in advance or earlier. For smaller groups of 1-9 people, it is recommended to call about a week in advance, especially if you are only available on a specific day. Please see the website for more info. Hours: Tuesdays - Fridays 10:00am - 4:00pm Closed on holidays Please check the website for any notification of brief closures for new exhibition installation which typically occurs anytime during the summer months of July and August.

The Hilbert Museum of California Art at Chapman University, which opened in 2016, was established thanks to the generosity of Mark and Janet Hilbert, whose superlative collection focuses on the “California Scene” painting movement of roughly the 1920s through the 1970s and beyond. The Hilbert Collection – which includes oils, watercolors, sketches and lithographs of rural and urban scenes, coastal views, farms, ranches, freeways and landscapes of everyday life in the Golden State – is a significant repository of 20th-century representational art by California artists. The Collection also includes animation and movie art (many California fine artists were drawn to the state by work in the movie industry, including as animators, background painters, set and backdrop designers and poster artists) and works by noted American illustrators.

A celebration and exploration of the well-known author's work through multi-sensory exhibits, priceless artifacts and live theater performances.

Located in downtown Palm Springs (with a branch location in Palm Desert, CA), the Palm Springs Art Museum offers compelling art exhibitions from national and international artists. The museum's extensive permanent collection includes significant works by modern and contemporary artists, western, contemporary and glass artists, and features several temporary exhibitions throughout the year. The museum is open free every Thursday night and the second Sunday of every month. It also offers a range of theatrical and musical performances in its Annenberg Theater. Throughout all these programs, the museum is dedicated to creating memorable and inspiring interactions through educational and cultural opportunities.

Known as MOLAA, this combination museum and cultural center is devoted exclusively to contemporary Latin American and Latino art, including paintings, lithographs and sculptures, and also offers gift shop.

Located on 217 acres in the Carneros region of Napa Valley, di Rosa houses the foremost collection of contemporary Bay Area art, with nearly 2,000 works by 800 artists. A wide range of styles, media, and subject matter provide an overview of the creative energy and freedom to experiment that characterize this region of California. The Gatehouse Gallery welcomes drop-in visitors to view di Rosa’s current exhibition​ but in order to view the full extent of the collection (including the Main Gallery, Residence, and Sculpture Meadow) a tour is required. These informal, guided tours include time for independent viewing of the artwork. Open Wednesday through Sunday. Advance reservations for tours are highly recommended.

The Crocker Art Museum was one of the first art museums in the U.S. and is now one of the leading art institutions in California. Established in 1885, the Museum features one of the country’s finest collections of Californian art, exceptional holdings of master drawings, a comprehensive collection of international ceramics, as well as European, Asian, African, and Oceanic art. The Crocker is CLOSED every Monday.

Since its inception in 1965, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) has been devoted to collecting works of art that span both history and geography, in addition to representing Los Angeles's uniquely diverse population. Today LACMA is the largest art museum in the western United States, with a collection that includes over 120,000 objects dating from antiquity to the present, encompassing the geographic world and nearly the entire history of art. Among the museum's strengths are its holdings of Asian art, Latin American art, ranging from pre-Columbian masterpieces to works by leading modern and contemporary artists; and Islamic art, of which LACMA hosts one of the most significant collections in the world. A museum of international stature as well as a vital part of Southern California, LACMA shares its vast collections through exhibitions, public programs, and research facilities that attract over a million visitors annually, in addition to serving millions through digital initiatives, such as online collections, scholarly catalogues, and interactive engagement online. Situated in Hancock Park on over 20 acres in the heart of Los Angeles, LACMA is located between the ocean and downtown. With this much to explore, we encourage you to spend an entire day with us, delving deep into the work of your favorite artists, taking a free tour, catching a film or concert, or just letting your curiosity lead the way.