Claremont Hills Wilderness Park has more than 20 miles of trails, alongside a specifically named five-mile loop—a good starting point when planning time in nature in Claremont. There is also a botanical garden with California plant collections, as well as art, historic programs and a food hall. To plan your trip, you can first decide whether trails, plant diversity or culture should shape your stay.

Trails and Landscape

Claremont Hills Wilderness Park is located at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains and spans more than 2,000 acres. The five-mile “Claremont Loop” runs within the park. This distinction between the total length of the park’s trails and one specific, measured route can help if you want to plan your route around a particular distance. The park offers opportunities for hiking, cycling and horseback riding. Its landscape includes native areas and seasonal wildflowers. If you are especially interested in the blooms, keep the seasonal nature of this feature in mind when planning.

Another option is the Thompson Creek Trail: it is paved, 2.8 miles long and has several access points along the route. Walkers, runners and cyclists use the trail. At 2.8 miles, it is shorter than the five-mile Claremont Loop; the Thompson Creek Trail is also specifically described as having a paved surface.

California Plants in the Garden

California Botanic Garden offers a different nature experience from the trails in Wilderness Park. Spanning 86 acres in Claremont, it features curated collections of more than 22,000 California native plants, including some rare or endangered species. The garden is the largest botanical garden dedicated to California native plants. While the park focuses on trails, landscape and seasonal wildflowers, the garden draws attention to curated plant collections. This gives visitors two distinct ways to experience nature in Claremont.

Art, History and Community Life

Claremont Lewis Museum of Art presents exhibitions at the Historic Claremont Depot. The museum welcomes groups during both public and non-public hours. Garner House offers another historic connection: built in 1926 in the Spanish Colonial Revival style, it serves as a center for historic programs and community engagement in Claremont. Its construction date and architecture give the house a distinct historical character; its present-day role connects it to programs and community life.

For meal planning, there is also a specific destination: Claremont Packing House is home to a food hall in Claremont Village.

Plan Your Journey and Choose a Hotel

California Botanic Garden is accessible by bus. The garden is a five-minute walk from the Foothill Transit Rt. 188 stop at Dartmouth Ave. and Foothill Blvd. It is about a 20-minute walk or a short bus ride on Rt. 188 from Claremont Metrolink Station. Metrolink takes visitors from Los Angeles Union Station to the Santa Fe Depot in Claremont. Check the current schedule for your specific trip; transit details to the garden may change.

If you are looking for a hotel in Claremont, first decide whether trails, plant diversity or culture is especially important to your stay.

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