Photo: Wikimedia Commons — see author and license on the file page.

John R. Rodman Arboretum

Nature & parks
In Claremont, California
0.1 mi from Route 66

The John R. Rodman Arboretum is a botanical garden on the campus of Pitzer College in Claremont, CA, less than a mile off the old road. It offers a green, easygoing break in a college town packed with museums and landmarks. For Route 66 travelers passing through the eastern Los Angeles suburbs, it is an unhurried spot to stretch your legs before heading on to nearby galleries and a famous mural.

What is John R. Rodman Arboretum?

The arboretum is a garden of trees and plants set around the Pitzer College grounds, near the college's Broad Center. It is part of a working campus rather than a stand-alone attraction, so the mood is quiet and relaxed.

About the college

Pitzer, a private liberal arts school, was founded in 1963 for women within the Claremont Colleges group and began admitting men in 1970. About a thousand students attend. Its teaching leans toward the social and behavioral sciences, programs abroad and the study of media, and it is known for a focus on social justice and a willingness to experiment in teaching.

Visiting John R. Rodman Arboretum: tips

A walk here takes as long as you like; half an hour is plenty for a look around. Keep to paths and respect campus life. The Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery and the Prometheus fresco are each about 0.4 miles away, and Brackett Observatory is about 0.6 miles away.

Practical info

Address: Broad Center, 1060 N Mills Ave, Claremont, CA 91711
Hours: Open 24 h
On site & nearby

Sources: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Wikidata · official site — may be outdated. Suggest a fix

Where to eat near John R. Rodman Arboretum

All diners →

Diner & restaurant
Magic Lamp Inn
Rancho Cucamonga, CA · 4.5 mi from John R. Rodman Arboretum
A 1950s Route 66 steakhouse whose Aladdin's-lamp neon sign burns a real gas flame after dark.
Diner & restaurant
Sycamore Inn
Rancho Cucamonga, CA · 4.7 mi from John R. Rodman Arboretum
A steakhouse in a 1920 inn on Foothill Boulevard, on a site that fed travelers long before Route 66 existed.