Many Scripps students find themselves in the Claremont Village after class and on the weekends. Just a 10-minute walk from campus, the Village hosts a wide collection of small businesses that students are eager to support.
Coffee Shops and Sweet Treats
Among the multitude of cafés, many Scripps students favor Iron + Kin, a small coffee shop that easily makes the perfect study spot. Pepo Melo and Ubatuba Açaí offer fruit bowls and smoothies, while 21 Choices and Bert & Rocky’s serve a variety of ice cream flavors with mix-ins. Some Crust Bakery is also a perennial favorite with students and alums alike.
Restaurants
Those opting out of a dining hall brunch can choose from numerous restaurants, including student favorite Union on Yale, a semi-upscale outdoor restaurant. Saca’s Mediterranean Cuisine, the Claremont Village Eatery, and the Last Drop Café are also popular options, while night owls can grab late-night eats at the Whisper House.
Shopping
For students searching for room décor, gifts, or sustainable clothing, the Village features many unique boutiques and eco-conscious thrift shops, as well as a weekly farmer’s market where students can purchase fresh flowers. Stores such as Vintage Odyssey and Rio de Ojas offer a combination of handicrafts, furniture, clothes, and jewelry. The Folk Music Center is the Village’s local claim to fame: In addition to its collection of rare and antique musical instruments, it’s owned by renowned folk musician Ben Harper, who purchased the store from his grandparents to keep it in the family.
Movie Theaters and Bookstores
Film buffs and book lovers need look no further than the Claremont Packing House area. The Laemmle movie theater has something for everyone, screening a mix of blockbusters, short films, and limited-run award nominees. The Claremont Forum Bookshop is an independent nonprofit whose used book sales support the Prison Library Project, a national prison literacy program. Comic lovers flock to A Shop Called Quest, a progressive, independently owned creative space that sells comic books and graphic novels.