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Since I’m a native of Los Angeles, certain outskirts of the city bring me right back to my youth. Claremont is one of those places. Nestled in the Pomona Valley 30 miles inland from Downtown LA, Claremont combines a quaint old-world charm with appetizing restaurants and diverse things to do. The laid-back vibes of the college town make it an exemplary destination when you just want to slow down and not deal with the city noise.
Check-in and Dine at the Doubletree
Claremont is easily accessible via car, train, or plane. The Ontario International Airport is just 10 miles away (and LAX 50 miles) while the train station is centrally located in the Claremont Village. I arrived by car and checked into the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel of Claremont.
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The fascinating history of the region begins here since it’s on Historic Route 66. As eager USA travelers in the early 1900s flocked to the West via the coast-to-coast drive, which was one of the country’s original highways, Claremont was a common stop.
The Doubletree was once the Griswald’s Lodge, a popular motor motel with a restaurant and dinner theater. Although those institutions may be retired, the Doubletree of Claremont opened in their place in 2006. The hotel keeps the historic atmosphere alive with exceptional hospitality and dining.
Dining at the Orchard in the Doubletree Hotel
The Orchard Restaurant at the Doubletree offers premiere dining and a full bar. The menu consists of California cuisine and the culinary team makes an effort to source ingredients as locally as possible. Taking that farm-to-table approach, it certainly came through in both presentation and taste.
My halibut dinner tasted not only flavorful but fresh with a ginger glaze and kimchi. This was a duo I didn’t know I needed. The fish was tangy thanks to the kimchi with a hint of spice from the ginger. The bok choy and mushrooms were as if they had just been grabbed from the garden. The Orchard raised the bar for me with hotel dining.
Claremont Village
Just a mile from the hotel is the inviting Claremont Village. These downtown streets like Harvard and Yale Avenue (taking nods from prestigious USA colleges) are filled with locally-owned boutiques and eateries. Speaking of locally owned, Claremont takes shopping an important step further.
The city became the 28th Fair Trade Town in the United States in 2012 and the first in Southern California. By doing so, local businesses, churches, schools, and citizens can come together to advocate for the availability of Fair Trade products in the community and educate the importance of Fair Trade.
The village has a great blend of shops from vintage to pop culture. DeeLux is enticing for me with its groovy mix of psychedelic coffee mugs and fridge magnets. As I browsed the clothing racks, I found 1970s dresses from department stores of yesterday like Sears, and blouses that would rival the Golden Girls.
It truly is a fun and unique boutique. My other favorite is the Grove Gift Shop. This corner store is a complete rewind to the 1990s for this kid at heart. The shelves are loaded with cartoon and comic icons. If neither of these is your style, do not worry. There are numerous stores for everyone in the Claremont Village.
For little ones, Boon Companion Toys will keep them entertained for quite a while. The Folk Music Center is a must for any music enthusiast. A Shop Called Quest will woo the heart of any anime or comic lover.
A Kline Chocolatier has been Claremont’s go-to candy shop for decades. The Packing House, which was once a packing plant for California citrus fruit, has a mix of shops like Replay Vintage, Claremont Forum (a non-profit used bookstore), and Artist’s Kiosks, offering locally artisan-made goods.
Take a Bite Out of Claremont
I grew up going to local staples, Walter’s, and the Village Grille. I love seeing these restaurants continue to thrive amidst new ones joining the neighborhood over the years. Walter’s is celebrating over 40 years of upscale dining in the heart of the village.
They specialize in American and Mediterranean food with a wide choice of plates from vegetarian to meat and seafood. The Village Grille is the ultimate 1950s American throwback diner serving up old-school classics like pancakes, biscuits, and gravy, burgers, and shakes. It would be a good choice for some traditional morning fare.
If wine is on the agenda, you’re in the right place. Packing House Wines (back over at the historic citrus packing building) has received many Best Of awards, including from Wine Spectator. The boutique wine shop offers a full restaurant with an emphasis, once again, on farm-to-table dining. Their take on new American cuisine (think pork tostadas, mac ‘n cheese) is expertly presented in conjunction with their impressive wine list.
Crepes of Wrath is a tasty hole in the wall…literally. The crepe shop is powered by a sole order window and a few seats in front. Although it’s teeny, I felt so welcome as I watched my crepe be made from the window. I enjoyed it practically on the sidewalk and felt very cozy. Just down a few doors is Bert and Rocky’s Ice Cream Company. The bustling old-fashioned parlor has dozens of ice cream flavors to pick from and given the line out the door, appeared to be a local’s favorite.
Plan a Visit to Claremont
Given the ideal California climate, anytime is a great time to visit Claremont. Since it’s within the Inland Empire, the temperatures do rise come summer but cool down to make a nice, crisp fall. Winter will find some chilly days and always-needed rain, and springtime finds the village hopping with fresh blooms and light nights beginning.
Holidays and town celebrations are a favorite in Claremont. Visit their website here for a complete listing and to plan your stay.
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Author Bio: Mary is a freelance travel writer based in Los Angeles. She’s written on her website, Along Comes Mary, since 2012. Her work can be found online, including FWT, Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels, Ventura County Mom Collective, Big Blend, and GoWorld Travel.
Mary is a proud member of IFWTWA, the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association. She has also served on their conference and editorial committees as a former executive board member. When she’s not writing or traveling, her favorite place to be is with her husband, daughter, and their two dogs.
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