{"id":2511,"date":"2015-06-02T05:07:23","date_gmt":"2015-06-02T05:07:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/titus-canyon-road-trip-copy\/"},"modified":"2022-09-21T19:53:10","modified_gmt":"2022-09-21T19:53:10","slug":"rancho-santa-ana-botanical-garden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/rancho-santa-ana-botanical-garden\/","title":{"rendered":"Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Situated along one of Southern California\u2019s most well-known highways is one of its least-known botanical gardens \u2013 Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden in Claremont.<\/strong>\u00a0 \u00a0Many people who travel on Route 66 don\u2019t even notice the little sign that marks the entrance to this botanical garden that specializes in plants from its home state of California.<\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Location<\/h3>

A visit to these gardens is a great day trip from many points in Southern California \u2013 especially when you include a delightful stroll through the all-American, small town feel of downtown Claremont.\u00a0 Both are within easy reach of the Foothill (210) Freeway – situated halfway between the 57 and 15 Freeways.<\/p>

Finding your way to the Garden is pretty easy. \u00a0For GPS users, the address to Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden is 1500 North College Avenue, Claremont, CA. The entrance to the garden is off Foothill Blvd, Route 66. \u00a0From the 210 Freeway, follow these directions:<\/p>

  • Exit on\u00a0Base Line Rd<\/li>
  • Whichever off-ramp you take, turn west on Base Line<\/li>
  • In a short distance, turn left (south) on Monte Vista Ave<\/li>
  • Continue on Monte Vista for 1 mile<\/li>
  • Turn right (west) on Foothill Blvd<\/li>
  • Continue on Foothill Blvd for 1 mile<\/li>
  • Turn right into the entrance to the Garden<\/li><\/ul>

    About the Garden<\/h3>

    Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden is a private, nonprofit research and education institution devoted to California flora.\u00a0 It was established in 1927 by Susanna Bixby Bryant in Orange County and was moved to Claremont in 1951.<\/p>

    The plants on display are native species or cultivated forms that were developed from them.\u00a0 A few plants are ancient components of California flora or close relatives of the Garden\u2019s native species.\u00a0 Many cultivated forms of native California plants that are used in landscaping today have been developed at the Garden through hybridization and selection.\u00a0 Many rare and endangered species are also grown at the Garden and the staff conducts research to conserve these important, vanishing plants.\u00a0<\/p>

    Like other botanical gardens in the USA, Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden is a leading research center that studies botany.\u00a0 They have an extensive library of botanical information used for California plant identification and a herbarium of preserved plants.\u00a0 The Garden also offers a graduate program in botany through the Claremont Graduate School as well as community educational programs, lectures, tours and special programs for people of all ages.<\/p>

    The Garden has a long history of developing cultivars of California native plants. \u00a0Cultivars are plants or plant groupings that have been cultivated by selective breeding because of their desirable characteristics.\u00a0 Of the more than 75 cultivars developed at the Garden, many have been used in the horticultural trade to the public.\u00a0 Many of these plants have been selected, developed and named by the Garden\u2019s staff.<\/p>

    There are many walkways to meander along in the 86 acres that makes up the Garden and many of them are ADA accessible.\u00a0 In less than an hour\u2019s time, you\u2019ll pass through many of the different California plant ecosystems \u2013 from the oceans to the deserts, from the valleys to the mountains.\u00a0 Many of the native plants are grouped in clusters resembling the terrain that they naturally grow in.\u00a0 There is a large area that is dedicated to the wildflowers of California and, depending on the time of year (and if we\u2019ve had enough rain), the plants here may be blooming profusely.\u00a0 Another large portion of the Garden has native plants growing in a more natural setting and allows for even more exploring.\u00a0 Visit the Garden with good walking shoes and be ready to walk at least a mile or two on good solid surfaces.<\/p>

    More…<\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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    Pictures<\/h3>

    Below are some pictures of what you will see along the way.<\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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