Marcella & Ben's Guidebook to Claremont & Beyond!
Bakeries
Claremont has two bakeries, and we love them both for different reasons
Amazing pastries and bread in this French-styled bakery. They also have great pre-made sandwiches for a grab-and-go meal on their French baguettes. Local favorite!
Crème Bakery
116 Harvard Ave NAmazing pastries and bread in this French-styled bakery. They also have great pre-made sandwiches for a grab-and-go meal on their French baguettes. Local favorite!
Local institution. I have been going here since the early 1980's! Great and generously-sized croissants. There is one with almond paste as well as a savory one with ham and cheese. Other highlights are breakfast sliders, cupcakes, and cakes.
13 locals recommend
Some Crust Bakery
119 N Yale AveLocal institution. I have been going here since the early 1980's! Great and generously-sized croissants. There is one with almond paste as well as a savory one with ham and cheese. Other highlights are breakfast sliders, cupcakes, and cakes.
Craft Breweries
Each of these places are run by long-time Claremont locals.
Local brewery with food trucks on weekends. They have outdoor seating and roll up the doors of this industrial space, so it’s very open. Here’s a link to their calendar to see the food trucks: http://www.claremontcraftales.com/calendar.html
9 locals recommend
Claremont Craft Ales
1420 North Claremont BoulevardLocal brewery with food trucks on weekends. They have outdoor seating and roll up the doors of this industrial space, so it’s very open. Here’s a link to their calendar to see the food trucks: http://www.claremontcraftales.com/calendar.html
Lovely owners who come up with fun hard cider flavors. There are food trucks on weekends and they always have a vegetarian or vegan option. LGBTQ-friendly.
Ironbark Ciderworks
1420 North Claremont BoulevardLovely owners who come up with fun hard cider flavors. There are food trucks on weekends and they always have a vegetarian or vegan option. LGBTQ-friendly.
Food scene
Specializes in Belgian beers. Great pub food and nice outdoor seating courtyard in the Village.
14 locals recommend
The Back Abbey
128 N Oberlin AveSpecializes in Belgian beers. Great pub food and nice outdoor seating courtyard in the Village.
Union On Yale
232 N Yale AveWe really like this place. It's a tiny kitchen and everything is made to order. Outdoor casual picnic table seating only. Brunches with breakfast burritos in the mornings as well. Always ask for sauce, they don't just automatically provide it.
Petiscos
211 W 1st StWe really like this place. It's a tiny kitchen and everything is made to order. Outdoor casual picnic table seating only. Brunches with breakfast burritos in the mornings as well. Always ask for sauce, they don't just automatically provide it.
Farm to table. Food comes from Amy’s Farm. Great for foodies and special events. On the pricer side, but one of the best restaurants in Claremont.
Uno Tre Otto
114 N Indian Hill BlvdFarm to table. Food comes from Amy’s Farm. Great for foodies and special events. On the pricer side, but one of the best restaurants in Claremont.
The Quarter Creole Cuisine
Popular Cajun restaurant. Lots of seafood.
Local things to do
You can be at 5,000 feet in the Baldy Village in 10 minutes from our place and feel much farther away. From there, explore various hiking trails, or drive further up the switchbacks, where you can ski or hike to a waterfall. For a fun excursion, you can take the ski lifts year-round to the Top of the Notch restaurant at 8,000 feet and hike around there for incredible views. The very top trail on the mountain ridge (“Devil’s Backbone”) is only recommended for *very* experienced hikers with proper equipment, crampons, etc.
PARKING PASS: No matter what your plans are on the mountain, make sure to stop at the ranger station for a forest parking pass (located near the Baldy Lodge on the opposite side of the street).
63 locals recommend
Mount Baldy
You can be at 5,000 feet in the Baldy Village in 10 minutes from our place and feel much farther away. From there, explore various hiking trails, or drive further up the switchbacks, where you can ski or hike to a waterfall. For a fun excursion, you can take the ski lifts year-round to the Top of the Notch restaurant at 8,000 feet and hike around there for incredible views. The very top trail on the mountain ridge (“Devil’s Backbone”) is only recommended for *very* experienced hikers with proper equipment, crampons, etc.
PARKING PASS: No matter what your plans are on the mountain, make sure to stop at the ranger station for a forest parking pass (located near the Baldy Lodge on the opposite side of the street).
This place is now called California Botanic Garden. Well-known for its dedication to California native plants. Nice paved trails to stroll and take in the nature with the backdrop of the mountains.
Admission is $10. Order tickets online here: https://11213.blackbaudhosting.com/11213/tickets?tab=2&txobjid=35ce1631-7ffb-49c1-adf8-987dbe050acb
19 locals recommend
Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden
1500 N College AveThis place is now called California Botanic Garden. Well-known for its dedication to California native plants. Nice paved trails to stroll and take in the nature with the backdrop of the mountains.
Admission is $10. Order tickets online here: https://11213.blackbaudhosting.com/11213/tickets?tab=2&txobjid=35ce1631-7ffb-49c1-adf8-987dbe050acb
Rhino Records
5458 N Yale AveOur local independent movie theater. You can order tickets online and pick your seats in advance.
14 locals recommend
Laemmle Claremont 5
450 W 2nd StOur local independent movie theater. You can order tickets online and pick your seats in advance.
Musical instruments from all over the world. Sometimes they host music events too. A historical Claremont treasure.
Folk Music Center
220 N Yale AveMusical instruments from all over the world. Sometimes they host music events too. A historical Claremont treasure.
World renowned light and space artist (and Pomona College alum!) James Turrell's FREE daily light show/installation. Sunrise and sunset. Check sunrise/sunset times here before going. See our own digital guidebook for link to sunset times.
James Turrell Skyspace
World renowned light and space artist (and Pomona College alum!) James Turrell's FREE daily light show/installation. Sunrise and sunset. Check sunrise/sunset times here before going. See our own digital guidebook for link to sunset times.
The Arts - Local
Local museums and galleries.
World renowned artist and Pomona College grad James Turrell light installation. Go any day at dusk. The website will link to sunset times. Go about 20 mins before it says. A must-see if you appreciate art!
Public Art "Skyspace: Dividing the Light"
600 N College WayWorld renowned artist and Pomona College grad James Turrell light installation. Go any day at dusk. The website will link to sunset times. Go about 20 mins before it says. A must-see if you appreciate art!
The founder lives a block away from us. He created this museum many years ago with his extensive ceramics collection. It has internationally known artists in its permanent collection. The museum also has artist talks and classes in ceramics and sculpture. It’s a must visit in the neighboring city of Pomona if you are a fan of the arts.
American Museum of Ceramic Art
399 N Garey AveThe founder lives a block away from us. He created this museum many years ago with his extensive ceramics collection. It has internationally known artists in its permanent collection. The museum also has artist talks and classes in ceramics and sculpture. It’s a must visit in the neighboring city of Pomona if you are a fan of the arts.
This museum was founded to showcase current and past Claremont artists. Claremont has a rich tradition of art, going back many decades, when there was an artist colony near the Padua Hills theater. And of course, some were professors at the Claremont Colleges. These include Paul Soldner, Betty Davenport Ford, Millard Sheets, etc.
Claremont Museum of Art
200 W 1st StThis museum was founded to showcase current and past Claremont artists. Claremont has a rich tradition of art, going back many decades, when there was an artist colony near the Padua Hills theater. And of course, some were professors at the Claremont Colleges. These include Paul Soldner, Betty Davenport Ford, Millard Sheets, etc.
Some of Sam Maloof's furniture is in the Smithsonian Museum. His rocking chairs are highly collectable and sell for over $30,000. He lived and work in this area and built this house on over 5 acres. Landscaped grounds display lots of art outdoors by area artists, and there are tours of his house and grounds. Or, you can just walk around the grounds on your own.
Sam and Alfreda Maloof Foundation
5131 Carnelian StSome of Sam Maloof's furniture is in the Smithsonian Museum. His rocking chairs are highly collectable and sell for over $30,000. He lived and work in this area and built this house on over 5 acres. Landscaped grounds display lots of art outdoors by area artists, and there are tours of his house and grounds. Or, you can just walk around the grounds on your own.
Free and open to the public. Link to current exhibitions: https://www.pomona.edu/museum/exhibitions
“The Benton Museum of Art is now open for groups of up to 6 people for one-hour visits. Slots are offered Tuesday through Saturday on the hour at 2, 3, 4, and 5 pm. Make your reservation now to see our new building and inaugural slate of exhibitions, and take a look at our health policies and procedures, including our online health check form to be completed the day of your visit. FMI: benton@pomona.edu.”
Benton Museum of Art at Pomona College
120 W Bonita AveFree and open to the public. Link to current exhibitions: https://www.pomona.edu/museum/exhibitions
“The Benton Museum of Art is now open for groups of up to 6 people for one-hour visits. Slots are offered Tuesday through Saturday on the hour at 2, 3, 4, and 5 pm. Make your reservation now to see our new building and inaugural slate of exhibitions, and take a look at our health policies and procedures, including our online health check form to be completed the day of your visit. FMI: benton@pomona.edu.”
Benton Museum of Art at Pomona College
120 W Bonita AveExcursions w/in 1-2 hour drive
Laguna Beach
The Crystal Cove area includes a protected marine park, some of OC’s most gorgeous beaches, a super cute Historic District complete with cottages for rent and restaurants, walking paths, camping areas, and miles and miles of hiking and biking trails. Crystal Cove State Park is like an outdoor lover’s paradise, making it one of the best stops along Pacific Coast Highway.
218 locals recommend
Crystal Cove State Park
8471 North Coast HighwayThe Crystal Cove area includes a protected marine park, some of OC’s most gorgeous beaches, a super cute Historic District complete with cottages for rent and restaurants, walking paths, camping areas, and miles and miles of hiking and biking trails. Crystal Cove State Park is like an outdoor lover’s paradise, making it one of the best stops along Pacific Coast Highway.
Museums - 10mins -1hr Away
The Broad
221 S Grand Ave
The Getty
1200 Getty Center Dr
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
5905 Wilshire BlvdRiverside's newest museum with Chicano artworks from the collection of Cheech Marin.
The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture of the Riverside Art Museum
Riverside's newest museum with Chicano artworks from the collection of Cheech Marin.
Benton Museum of Art
An amazing museum dedicated to ceramic art. A true gem in the entire United States. Located 12 mins. away in the city of Pomona. If you like anything made of clay, check this place out! Also, there's a great little gift shop there of original art.
American Museum of Ceramic Art
399 N Garey AveAn amazing museum dedicated to ceramic art. A true gem in the entire United States. Located 12 mins. away in the city of Pomona. If you like anything made of clay, check this place out! Also, there's a great little gift shop there of original art.