Claremont, a smart getaway from busy L.A., offers unique experiences for a wide variety of weekend wanderers. From Shakespeare under the stars to discovering dinosaur fossils to devouring a flight of ham, there are surprises around every turn (delightful ones at that!).
- Dine in a regionally acclaimed foodie town. L.A. Weekly and NBC Los Angeles have declared Claremont a “food neighborhood” that’s “worth the drive” for foodies and tourists.
- Take a breathtaking walk through California Botanic Garden, the largest botanic garden dedicated to California native plants.
- Stroll the charming Historic Claremont Village, with its many unique boutiques, restaurants, and galleries.
- Marvel at dinosaur fossils at Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology
- Do a jamon (ham) tasting at The Meat Cellar. Your foodie friends will be jealous.
- Wander the Margaret Fowler Garden at Scripps College. We’d say it’s a secret garden (because it might sound cooler), but this small, walled medieval-style cloister garden is just too spectacular to remain a secret.
- Tackle the AMGEN Tour of California’s challenging bike route to Mt. Baldy.
- Shop boutique shops and dine at regionally-acclaimed restaurants in the historic College Heights Lemon Packing House.
- Sample amazing wines during a weekend wine tasting at Packing House Wine Merchants, a winner of multiple Wine Spectator’s ‘Best of’ Awards.
- Spend extra shopping money through Discover Claremont hotel packages.
- Grab a FREE concert at the stunning Little Bridges Music Hall at Pomona College.
- Eat a lavish meal in a big, glamorous white booth (like a Hollywood starlet!) at Bardot. They also have a beautiful patio with an outdoor fireplace.
- Try out a musical instrument and say hello to Ben Harper’s mom, Ellen Harper (who ain’t too bad a musician herself!) at Folk Music Center.
- Set a new record at Lost Levels, a classic arcade with over 40 games from the ‘80s and ’90s.
- Soar through the air at a private aerial circus class at The Circus Studio
- Revel in a fresh, brilliantly crafted pastry from Some Crust Bakery or Creme Bakery as you gawk at the mountains.
- Shop for fresh local produce and unique artisan crafted goods at the Sunday Farmers and Artisans Market, one of the region’s largest farmers markets.
- Catch a show and a cleverly named cocktail at the dueling piano bar, Piano Piano, at DoubleTree by Hilton. It comes alive nightly with acts straight from the Las Vegas Strip.
- Score a free light show at “Dividing the Light,” a Skyspace by James Turrell at Pomona College at dusk — after a spectacular meal in the Village, of course.
- Scope out stunning architecture at the various Claremont college campuses.
- Browse eclectic books at The Claremont Forum Bookshop & Gallery, a nationally famous bookstore that provides donated books to prisoners.
- Enjoy a hike or a bike ride with epic views stretching to Downtown L.A., Catalina Island, and the Inland Empire basin at Claremont Hills Wilderness Park.
- Get a free yoga session followed by Happy Relaxation Hour at Vino y Vinyasa at Hotel Casa 425.
- Follow up a locally sourced lunch with a round of bocce ball on the pretty Union on Yale patio.
- Hold a butterfly on your finger at the Butterfly Pavilion at the California Botanic Garden, every spring.
- Sip on an exceptional pint at Claremont Craft Ales while sampling gourmet nibbles from the many food trucks that stop at the brewery.
- Enjoy a Broadway show (without sitting in big-city traffic) and fine-dining at Ben D. Bollinger’s Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theatre.
- Score a rare vintage vinyl record at Rhino Records.
- Grab a pint and a pie at Pizza ‘N Such.
- Indulge in a plethora of pies while admiring classic cars at the Claremont Pie Festival, every March.
- Sip a Belgian ale while noshing on a well-crafted burger at The Back Abbey
- Soak in an in-room spa tub at Claremont Lodge.
- Attend a fabulous play or concert at Bridges Auditorium at Pomona College
- Watch Shakespeare under the stars with a picnic (and a little wine) at The Midsummer Shakespeare Festival, every July.
- Savor some of the best pit BBQ around at Gus’s BBQ in the iconic Claremont Packing House.
- Ride a bicycle past Claremont’s gorgeous historic homes.
- Go on a vintage shopping extravaganza at Vintage Odyssey, Replay Vintage, and Dee Lux.
- Peruse museums and art galleries. Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery at Scripps College, Claremont Museum of Art at the Claremont Depot, Benton Museum of Art at Pomona College (opening in 2020), and The Petterson Museum of Intercultural Art at Pilgrim Place are must-stops for art-lovers.
- Enjoy FREE live concerts throughout the Claremont Village in the summer during Friday Nights Live (May – October).
- Sample a wide variety of whiskeys at Eureka!
- Satisfy your sweet tooth with Chocolate Lavender ice cream at a la Minute.
- Sample local craft beers while rocking out to great blues music at The Craft Beer Walk and Blues & Brews Festival, every June.
- Shop handmade items from local artists at Studio Claremont and other local boutiques.
- Sample artisan spirits and German gourmet goodies at Vom Fass. They also offer classes such as Whiskey 101 and the Basics of Oils and Vinegars.
- Discover Fair Trade items at the many boutiques and coffee shops in Southern California’s first Fair Trade Town.
- Host a meeting right from your business suite, which comes with its own conference room space, at DoubleTree by Hilton.
- Enjoy more than 30 wines paired with amazing food from local artisan restaurateurs while listening to live music from over 15 bands at The Vintage Village Wine Walk, every September.
- Revel in caramel apples and copious other sweet delights at Bert & Rocky’s Ice Cream Co.
- Check out live local music at The Press.
- Discover delicious cheeses or pick up a gourmet grilled cheese and craft beer for a picnic, at the Cheese Cave.
- Relax with a cocktail in hand next to a firepit at Hotel Casa 425. Enjoy free concerts in their courtyard each summer.
- Find a beautiful bowl or other fun items to spruce up your home kitchen at Barbara Cheatley’s Antiques.
- Get your holiday shopping done early as you stroll the streets of the Claremont Village lined with over 450+ booths selling unique art, original crafts, and apparel during The Village Venture Arts & Crafts Faire, every October.
- Indulge in a tranquilizing spa session at one of the many boutique spas.
- Nosh on a perfectly cooked steak and a glass of wine at the award-winning Tutti Mangia Italian Grill, the Inland Empire’s only Italian Chophouse.
- Watch the latest arthouse films at Laemmle’s Claremont 5
- Experience the charm of an old-fashioned ‘50s diner at Village Grille.
- Nibble on a smorgasbord of sweet and savory pies at I Like Pie.
- Bring your bike on the Metrolink and make it an eco-friendly weekend.
- Have your favorite furry friend stay with you at the dog-friendly Motel 6 Claremont.
- Follow up your yoga session with a craft beer at Yoga on Tap at Claremont Craft Ales.
- Devour fresh, gourmet tacos on the benches at Petiscos.
- Take a private dip at the University Inn pool.
- Taste terrific tapas while listening to Spanish music at Viva Madrid.
- Explore the boutique shops at the historical Old School House.
- Walk through a beautiful fruit tree orchard, beds of crops, and a 162 square foot greenhouse at the Pomona College Organic Farm. There’s also a chicken coop and a Dr. Seuss-like Earth dome.
- Peruse local art while listening to live tunes at Claremont Art Walk, held the first Saturday of each month,
- Enjoy a picnic and live music in the garden at Garden Groove at California Botanic Garden during the summer.
- Stare at the Venus statue by Flemish sculptor Giovanni da Bologna (1529-1608), the centerpiece of a fountain at Harvey Mudd College.
- Experience different styles of 20th century architecture through a monthly historic walking tour presented by Claremont Heritage.
- See examples of folk architecture from the Great Depression in the Russian Village District.
- Savor craft ciders at Ironbark Ciderworks.
- Watch some of the finest films from around the world at the Claremont Film Festival.
- Find magnificent Mexican folk art for your home and yard at Rio De Ojas.
- Enjoy the free parking. Indeed, there is one town in Los Angeles County where you can keep your quarters and credit cards in your pocket.
