If you’re looking for further ideas on sights to see and places to dine in Claremont, here are some recent editorial reviews that highlight some of the region’s charm and let you in on some of its surprises.
From Huffington Post: “Whiskeying the Night Away in Claremont Village”:
“What I discovered, however, after a 40-mile drive east on the 10 Freeway was a historic downtown village with charm and character, and filled with parks and wilderness areas. The city and the surrounding communities are home to the Claremont Colleges, and nestled here among the old brick buildings, artisan shops and shady trees, you’ll find all the culture you’d expect from a college town.
On the west end of town is a quaint district that includes antique shops, a wine store, family-owned restaurants and the Hotel Casa 425, a stylish boutique hotel combining old world charm with modern luxury.“
From Westways Magazine “Bon Appetit” column (March-April 2012):
“Hotel Casa 425’s Lounge & Bar - Some of the best dining bargains don’t even feel like bargains, such as Hotel Casa 425’s Lounge & Bar. At this chic boutique hotel, you can hang like an L.A. hipster without spending like one. A trio of juicy Kobe sliders ($15) topped with caramelized onions begs for a big bowl of thin garlic fries, while a Manchego cheese–chicken-mango quesadilla ($10) gets its spicy kick from jalapeño. And what’s better between sips of a raspberry mojito than fried calamari with lemon aioli? Another form of sliders—ice cream sandwiched between delicate cookies—reappears for dessert. 425 W. First Street, Claremont; 1-909-624-2272.”
From Sunset Magazine:
“Folk Music Center: Dulcimers, banjos, sitars, tablas, harps and hundreds of other acoustic noisemakers can be found here. Don’t be shy, sign up for a harmonica workshop, ukulele class, or slide guitar lessons. Antique and vintage instruments from all over the world are displayed throughout the store.”
From Los Angeles Magazine:
“With its distinctive brick buildings, graceful cupolas, and shady colon-nades, Claremont brings to mind an East Coast hamlet set in the foothills of Angeles National Forest. Home to seven renowned colleges — the first, Pomona College, was built in 1887 — the town began as a hub of the citrus industry before developing a strong arts identity. These days painters and musicians join students and professors at the cafés, galleries, and boutiques that line the quiet streets.”
From JohnnyJet.com:
“When most people think of Claremont, the Colleges come quick to mind, as they are some of the nation’s most highly respected educational and cultural institutions. But the town’s character still exudes much of its Spanish heritage, and there’s a sense of appreciation for independence, creativity, and an overall slower pace of life.”
From Sunset Magazine:
“With its stately lawns, Pomona College feels like the East Coast, while at liberally green Pitzer, you could be in the Bay Area. And Mediterranean-style Scripps lets you pretend you’re an exchange student in Italy.”
From California Travel Expert:
“This historic tree-lined village, flanked by blooming pink tabebuia trees, charming cafes and more than 150 boutiques, is one of my favorite places to spend the day. … Tidy manicured lawns, immaculate sidewalks and historic Craftsman mansions surround this New England-style village, which was created in 1887 when the Santa Fe railroad came to town. Today, you can easily take the Metrolink here from most major cities, then walk from Claremont Depot to the village for a weekend of shopping and dining. … This is one of the most bike-friendly cities in Southern California — thanks to the large population of college students who attend the nearby Claremont Colleges.”
From Traveling Diva:
“Downtown streets have a charm of their own. Reminiscent of middle America, with the advantages of LA’s technology-driven stores, downtown offers select stores, products and services, sure to satisfy the most eclectic of tastes. … La-la land getting too crowded for you? Come relax in Claremont. This is a place you will want to go back to time and time again.”
From SightseeingSam.com:
“Claremont is a true village more so than a than town, and if brings to vision a pleasant European community, then that’s exactly what was intended. In a way, it’s like a piece of Switzerland, a compact and upscale area surrounded by towering mountains, close enough to reach within minutes.”
From PubClub.com:
“Think of (Claremont) as a one-day or weekend vacation escape an hour from home. Some people in Los Angeles can even reach it by Metro, which means leaving the car in the garage. That’s a true European experience, a rarity in Southern California. … This is an area worth exploring. It has a rockin’ jazz club, a dueling piano bar, beer joints, cantinas and a cozy lounge in an upscale hotel. Most of the bars are within easy walking distance of one another in downtown – known as Claremont Village – and the area is filled with college professors and students from the seven high-end liberal arts colleges in the area, plus other friendly locals.”
