Claremont, California is a quiet college town serving as a home to students, scholars, and families. Downtown Los Angeles and LA beaches are only an hour away, and Mount Baldy is even less than that. On days or weekends that students don’t want to drive far, there are numerous activities to do in and around Claremont.
Claremont’s downtown area (”The Village”) is a popular spot for dining and shopping where students often go when they want to get away from campus for bit. The 20-minute walking distance from Scripps makes it very accessible for those without a vehicle, and the commute is even shorter for those with a bike, scooter, or skateboard. Personally, my favorite spot in The Village is the Laemmle Movie Theater. This small movie theater chain shows all of the most recent releases, has delicious popcorn and snacks, and offers student discounts on Sundays, making it affordable for the average college student. Right next to the movie theater a wide variety of restaurants, coffeeshops, ice cream parlors, and vintage clothing stores. My favorite spot for a nice cool snack on our numerous hot day’s is Ubatuba Açai and Bert and Rocky’s Ice Cream shop. Both places are great for study breaks or friend group field trips. If you are looking for activities to enjoy along with your frozen treats, The Village is known for its thrift stores (DeeLux), arcades (Lost Levels), and family-run bookstores (Claremont Forum Bookshop). The Village is just one of many Claremont hotspots for students to visit during their downtime.
There are a number of other sites in Claremont that students may enjoy visiting. The California Botanic Garden is just a short walk from campus across Foothill Boulevard. One of the many benefits of attending school in Southern California is great weather year-round, making the garden available for students to stroll through at anytime. You can learn about native plants, pick fruit, and take aesthetic photos (arguably the most common reason for students to attend the garden). For those who love pets, Priceless Pets (about a 20-minute walk from campus) takes in animals off the streets and provides them with new homes. One thing my friends and I love to do on weekends is stop by Priceless Pets to walk the puppies and play with kittens! It’s a fun opportunity to engage with animals and destress from school.
I hope you enjoyed learning about my favorite spots in Claremont! If you have any questions please email me at [email protected] .
Jaela Alvarez (’23)