Nestled in the San Gabriel foothills, Claremont is a suburban city between Los Angeles and San Bernardino. It has been nicknamed the “City of Trees and PhDs” due to its leafy streets and abundance of educational institutions. In the heart of Claremont is “The Village”, a cluster of independent boutiques, galleries and restaurants.
Things to do in Claremont
Roughly 2,000 native species are showcased at the California Botanic Garden, which was originally established in 1927 on the Orange County ranch of Susanna Bixby Bryant. In 1951, the garden was relocated to Claremont where it sprawls across more than 30 hectares today. In addition to its themed displays, the California Botanic Garden regularly hosts wildflower tram tours, yoga classes and art exhibitions.
Art enthusiasts shouldn’t miss a visit to the Claremont Museum of Art, which showcases work by local and regional artists. Established in 2004, the museum’s gallery space is housed within the historic Claremont Depot. As you browse the paintings, sculptures and mixed-media works that are on display, you can learn about Claremont’s reputation as an artistic hub over the last 70 years.
Another cultural institution not to miss is the Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology, which occupies two circular exhibition halls at The Webb Schools. The majority of specimens on display were discovered by Webb students during fossil-collecting trips and include vertebrates and invertebrates from California, Utah and Montana. The museum is particularly renowned for its track collection, which is one of the most diverse in the world.
Getting around Claremont
Claremont is around 30 minutes’ drive from Downtown San Bernardino and 40 minutes from the heart of Los Angeles. Los Angeles International Airport is an hour away and has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular trains connect to the Claremont Depot railway station and buses travel throughout the city.