Prestigious California college city with a vibrant village center
A mecca for creative inspiration since the late 1880s, Claremont maintains a scholarly, open-minded charisma. Artistic expression and historic preservation are cornerstones of this upscale village-style city in the San Gabriel foothills. Its tapestry of educational and gathering spaces has attracted naturalists, artisans, actors and professors for over a century. At its heart are seven private colleges across a 540-acre campus, equipped with a planetarium, art museum and 86-acre arboretum. Whether for cultural or architectural diversity, Claremont is in demand. “I’d describe Claremont as boutique,” says Ben Nance, a Claremont native and Realtor with Sotheby’s International Realty. “It’s smaller, suburban, secluded and charming, and sort of like a mini-Pasadena. We have all the cute restaurants, vintage clothing stores and art museums, and people come here to escape L.A., hike our hill trails and then have lunch in the Village.”
Famous for its schools from kindergarten through higher education, Claremont is considered a strong launching pad and boasts a litany of renowned artists such as Jessica Alba and Frank Zappa. “A lot of artists came out of or taught here, like Millard Sheets and Phil Dike, and you’ll see Ramos Martinez murals on campus buildings,” Nance says. The city’s lavishly green landscape has also been the setting for countless television series and movies. “A lot of filming happens here, like 9-1-1, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and so many movies at Pomona College. It’s an attractive city for actors.” Trending a bit pricier than other L.A. County locales, homes get snatched up in Claremont because few cities offer its collage of natural beauty and architectural grandeur.
Claremont is a charming city blending history, culture, and scenic beauty in every corner.
Check out the latest exhibits at The Benton Museum of Art near Old Claremont.
An aerial view of Claremont showcases its scenic streets, greenery, and mountain backdrop.
Students in Claremont head to The Claremont Colleges for their next class.
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Claremont Village and the Claremont Packing House
“It's a beautiful city that has a small-town feel and an amazing downtown, probably the best downtown outside of Pasadena. We don’t have any big box retail, fast-food restaurants or big strip malls. You notice the look and feel changes instantly from driving in from nearby cities,” says broker/owner Ryan Zimmerman, who works with Concierge Realty Group and has about two decades of experience in the area. Claremont Village is a hip downtown district located in the southern half of the city. It’s where neighbors can meet for coffee, shop artisan cheese shops, find fashion and explore galleries. “Everyone goes to the Village,” adds Nance, “because you have Indian, Mediterranean, American, Spanish, Mexican, really any type of restaurant. La Populare is the newest. It’s where you go for high-end Mexico City cuisine. Back Abby, which is in this old icehouse, is a huge hangout with a great bar.” The Harvard Square historic district, which is part of downtown, has more locally owned eateries. Claremont Packing House, on the site of a 1920s citrus packing house, is a landmark attraction that has live music, chic boutiques and fine dining.
The Claremont Packing House: A historic gem with unique shops, dining, and local flair.
A view from above shows the Claremont Village and all that it has to offer to residents.
A couple enjoys a peaceful stroll through Claremont Village, soaking in the local charm.
La Popular in Claremont serves authentic, Mexican dishes served with a side of tradition.
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Acclaimed Claremont Colleges, plus A-rated public and private schools
The seven Claremont Colleges, five undergraduate and two graduate schools, are central to the city’s legacy and a catalyst for its future. Claremont McKenna College was designated by the U.S. Secretary of State as a “Top Producing Institution” for Fulbright U.S. Students for 2023-24. But the journey begins with Claremont Unified School District, which earns an A rating on Niche. Highly regarded private school options include The Webb Schools, known for its National Merit Scholars and award-winning robotics and debate teams.
Claremont McKenna College: Excellence in academics, leadership, and a vibrant campus.
Chaparral Elementary School serves a majority of elementary students in Claremont.
The athletics at Claremont High School are some of the best in the area.
Webb School in Claremont: A prestigious institution known for academic excellence.
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California Botanic Garden, wilderness hiking and more recreation
“The California Botanic Garden is our most beautiful greenspace. It covers a fair chunk of our city, and people come from all over to see native Californian plants and butterfly gardens,” Nance says. In the heart of the city, it spans 86 acres. To the north, the Claremont Wilderness Loop draws bikers and hikers away from busier cities into Claremont’s hills. Thompson Creek Trail around La Puerta Sports Park and Higginbotham Park, says Nance, “is a more mellow, paved walking trail. It’s amazing how many people you can connect with from other cities there.” Since the 1900s, the Claremont Club has been a fulcrum for fitness and health, located on the east side of town. “It started as a tennis club, but it’s become the place for all things health and fitness. I grew up going to summer camp there and they still have so many great kids’ camps,” Nance says. Pickleball has a huge following here, and members enjoy an Olympic-sized pool, gyms and a salon.
The California Botanic Garden is a must visit that Claremont locals and residents love.
Take a ride or run at the popular Claremont Wilderness Loop.
Thompson Creek Trail: A scenic path for hiking, biking, and enjoying nature's beauty.
The Claremont Club: A premier fitness destination offering luxury amenities and wellness.
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An architectural array of midcentury modern homes and Victorians in Claremont
“Our motto is The City of Trees and Ph.D.s,” Nance says. “Not only because of the colleges but because we take great pride in our trees. We’re working on an ordinance to protect some of the heritage species.” Tree-lined streets are a trademark of the city, with crepe myrtles and live oaks being two of the most popular types. Claremont’s residential subdivisions reflect the work of famous architects, including Richard Neutra, known for Modernist wraparound windows, and Foster Rhoades Jackson, who studied with Frank Lloyd Wright. In Claraboya — meaning ‘window to the sky’ — homes have panoramic views of the mountains and valley, since they’re located in the north side foothills. Many midcentury homes feature the signature aesthetic of Frederick Dowell and Theodore Criley, where open-plan interiors emphasize indoor-outdoor symbiosis. Also located in northern Claremont, Clara Oaks is planned as an exclusive haven of less than 50 homes that will showcase modern design and environmental sustainability. “One of the great things about Claremont is that it has diverse architecture,” Zimmerman says. More styles include Mediterranean homes, Craftsman Bungalows and Tudors.
Because it’s a smaller city with abundant amenities, inventory stays low and competition high. On average, homes in the area stay on the market for 29 days, compared to the national average of 41 days. Median home pricing in Claremont is $1 million, higher than nearby Glendora’s median of $860,000. Homebuyers should check with the Claremont Architectural Commission to see if their house falls under the Mills Act, which could mean lower property taxes.
There is a wide variety of unique homes in Claremont including this Colonial style home.
A peaceful neighborhood view in Claremont, blending natural beauty with suburban charm.
A charming mix of Victorian and Spanish-style homes line the streets of Claremont.
A bird's-eye view of Claremont's tree-lined streets, showcasing its residential charm.
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Events and attractions, including Village Venture and the Claremont Museum of Art
The Claremont Farmers and Artisans Market brings vendors to the city every Sunday. For more than 40 autumns, Claremont has been celebrating the annual Village Venture Arts and Crafts Festival — brimming with more than 400 booths, live music, a parade, food trucks and a cider and wine garden. Taste of Claremont is the most popular opportunity to sample the city’s finest specialty foods, brews and spirits during the spring. In the old train depot, The Claremont Museum of Art features exhibits such as a recent Vince Kelly collection of storm-fallen trees refashioned into chairs.
A 30-mile commute to LA and Metro access
Via Interstate 210, Claremont is about 30 miles from downtown LA. It's about 40 miles from Irvine via state Route 71. “We have a lot of doctors in North Claremont who work at the colleges or are commuting into L.A, Irvine or Orange County,” Nance says. “Buses and Metrolink trains run right through downtown.” The city looks forward to a 12.3-mile extension of the Metro Gold Line rail with immediate access in proposed developments such as South Village. From central Claremont, residents can reach the Ontario International Airport within about 10 miles.
The crime rates and environmental factors of Claremont
According to the FBI, the violent crime rate in Claremont was low in 2023, compared to the state of California and the United States. The city’s property crime rate was lower than California's but higher than the national rate.
Claremont has warm weather from the spring through the fall, which brings the Santa Ana winds. The winter is cooler with more rainfall and rare snow appearances. There is major heat risk due to high temperatures in the summer, and the city has severe air quality risk due to wildfires in the nearby San Gabriel Mountains.
Licensed real estate agent since 1984. Licensed real estate broker since 1986. Top 25 agent for Mulhearn Realtors - now Prudential California Realty - 1985 & 1986. Managing partner Integrated Realty Services 1987 - 2003. Mortgage brokerage and one stop investment services for investors. Acquired and turned around 25+M Resolution Trust Corp (RTC) distressed assets. Associate broker with Century 21 Masters since 2003. Century 21 Double Centurion Award recipient. Top 1% of all agents in the Century 21 system. Member of the Panel of Economic Experts of the Ventura County Superior Court. Approved Superior Court Receiver. Chapter President - Asian Real Estate Association of America, Inland Empire Chapter. Specialized in Probate, income properties, 1031 Investment Tax Exchange with 20% or more increase in cash flow without additional capital.
2001 - Award recipient of the Award for Corporate Excellence from the U.S. State Department. Century 21 Centurion Honor Society Century 21 Centurion 2004-2016 Who's Who is California Tau Beta Pi - National Engineering Honor Society Phi Beta Phi - Nation's oldest and most selective Honor Society Eta Kappa Nu - Electrical Engineering Honor Society Phi Kappa Phi - French Honor Society
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering with Honors - California State University - Los Angeles - 1982 Master of Science in Electrical Engineering - California State University - Los Angeles - 1984 CA Registered Professional Electrical Engineer since 1984 Resident of West Covina since 1983
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