Discover Claremont

Claremont brings together nature trails, botanical collections, and cultural sites for a variety of occasions during a stay. Claremont Hills Wilderness Park is known for its extensive trail network at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains; California Botanic Garden focuses on botany. An art museum, a historic house with programs, and a food hall add to the selection. When planning your stay, you can consider these themes separately: trails and activities, plants, and art and history.

Trails and Landscape

Claremont Hills Wilderness Park spans more than 2,000 acres and includes more than 20 miles of trails. It lies at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains and encompasses natural landscapes as well as seasonal wildflowers. The 5-mile “Claremont Loop” is one route within the park; the more than 20 miles, by contrast, describe the entire trail network. The park offers opportunities for hiking, cycling, and horseback riding. The seasonal blooms also give a visit to nature a seasonal dimension.

Thompson Creek Trail offers a different, specific point of comparison: it is paved and 2.8 miles long. There are access points at many locations along the route. Walkers, runners, and cyclists use the trail. At 2.8 miles, it is shorter than the Claremont Loop; it also differs in having a paved surface.

A Garden for California Plants

California Botanic Garden covers 86 acres in Claremont and is the largest botanical garden dedicated to California native plants. Its curated collections include more than 22,000 plants native to California, including some rare or endangered species. For visitors with an interest in botany, the focus is therefore on California native plants. The garden's size and collection describe two different aspects: its physical extent and the thematic selection of plants.

Art and History

Claremont Lewis Museum of Art presents exhibitions in the Historic Claremont Depot. The museum welcomes groups during public and private hours. Garner House is a house built in 1926 in the Spanish Colonial Revival style and a center for historical programs and community engagement in Claremont. The two places have different focuses: exhibitions and group visits are central to the museum, while Garner House combines the house's architecture with its role in historical programs and community engagement.

Dining in Claremont Village

Claremont Packing House houses a food hall in Claremont Village. This adds a specific dining destination to the nature and culture themes of a stay.

Getting There by Bus and Train

California Botanic Garden is accessible by bus. From the Foothill Transit Rt. 188 stop at Dartmouth Ave. and Foothill Blvd., it is a five-minute walk to the garden. The walk from Claremont Metrolink Station takes about 20 minutes; alternatively, you can take a short bus ride on Rt. 188. Metrolink connects Union Station in Los Angeles with Santa Fe Depot in Claremont. Check current schedules before traveling, especially for the bus connection.

For planning, you can compare different themes and routes: the extensive trail network and its named routes, the garden's diversity of plants, and exhibitions and historical programs. If you want to focus on art and history, the museum and Garner House differ in their respective roles. For nature interests, seasonal wildflowers, the collection of native plants, and the various trails each offer a distinct focus.

Discover more destinations: San Dimas, Monterey Park, Alhambra, Redondo Beach, Cudahy, Valencia, Santa Fe Springs, Rolling Hills.

For the main travel overview: Los Angeles.