North Claremont: Padua Hills & Claraboya
North Claremont climbs into the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, and two named communities define the area: Padua Hills, a hillside neighborhood with roots back to 1938, and Claraboya, a self-governed community of roughly 200 homes established in 1964. Both sit above the rest of the city in elevation and price, trading walkability for views, larger lots, and direct access to the trailheads above town.
North Claremont at a glance
- Typical home price: Roughly $1.0M – $2.5M+, depending on the specific development, lot, and view
- HOA: Yes — both Padua Hills Community Association and Claraboya Homeowners Association are active HOAs with their own dues and rules
- Walkability: Low — a car is necessary for daily life, though hiking trailheads are close by
- Closest schools: Sycamore or Chaparral Elementary → El Roble Intermediate → Claremont High (confirm your exact address at cusd.claremont.edu — boundaries can shift)
- Best for: Buyers wanting elevation, views, larger lots, and an HOA-maintained community
Character and the two communities
Claraboya is the older and larger of the two communities — about 200 private homes built starting in 1964, governed by a five-member elected board that meets roughly every other month, with day-to-day management handled by Crown Property Management. It's one of the more established hillside communities in Claremont, with decades of continuity among residents.
Padua Hills is technically two things at once: a broader hillside neighborhood whose roots go back to a 1930s arts colony, and a smaller, newer 78-home planned community (Padua Hills Community Association, built in 2007) managed by Wheeler Steffen Property Management. Homes in the wider Padua Hills area tend toward midsize, high-value properties on view lots, while the newer association adds a more contemporary, HOA-maintained option within the same hillside setting.
Schools
North Claremont falls within Claremont Unified School District. Its hillside location typically places homes in the Sycamore or Chaparral Elementary attendance areas, two of the district's highest-rated elementary schools, before students move on to El Roble Intermediate and then Claremont High School, which offers AP and IB coursework along with 32 sports programs.
Because school boundaries can shift, confirm the exact zoning for any specific North Claremont address directly with Claremont Unified School District rather than assuming based on elevation or street alone.
Getting around and nearby landmarks
The defining landmark here is the Padua Hills Theatre, a Spanish Colonial Revival building from 1930 listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was once home to the Mexican Players, a theatrical troupe that performed dinner shows there from 1931 to 1974 and was, for decades, Claremont's biggest draw for visitors. The City of Claremont now owns the property, and after a 2009 restoration it operates as a wedding and event venue set among a grove of century-old olive trees.
Beyond the theatre, North Claremont's biggest draw is direct access to the foothills — Claremont Hills Wilderness Park and the Thompson Creek Trail both start nearby, making this the easiest part of the city for residents who want to hike or trail-run regularly without driving to a trailhead.
Who North Claremont Fits
North Claremont is widely regarded as one of the most desirable residential areas in Claremont, especially in the context of Claremont market reports. Nestled along the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, this area is celebrated for its scenic neighborhoods, offering breathtaking views, spacious homes, and tranquil residential settings.
Many of Claremont’s prestigious communities, including Claraboya and other foothill developments, are found in North Claremont. The luxury homes in this region often feature larger lots, hillside views, and custom architectural designs.
Residents enjoy a peaceful suburban lifestyle while being just minutes away from the vibrant shops and restaurants of Claremont Village.
Selling Strategy for North Claremont Homes
The North Claremont real estate market encompasses a diverse array of properties, ranging from established single-family homes to luxury homes nestled in scenic neighborhoods. Typical property characteristics include: • larger lot sizes • custom homes and luxury properties • foothill locations with mountain or valley views • quiet residential streets. Due to the desirable location near the foothills, homes in North Claremont often command higher price points compared to other areas of the city, as highlighted in recent Claremont market reports.