News Release

Visitor Events in Claremont During 2018 Offer Live Grooves, Craft Brews, Entertainment Under the Stars and More

Claremont, California, located just 30 miles east of Los Angeles, is one of America’s top college towns. Teeming with tree-lined streets and stunning historical architecture, the city’s food scene, boutique shopping, bicycle-friendly streets and trails, and year-round calendar of events for all ages make it an ideal weekend getaway from “busy L.A.”

Some Claremont events in 2018 that are “worth the drive” – or a Metrolink ride to the Historic Claremont Depot – include:

March 17 – Claremont Pie Festival: A fun-filled day for pie lovers, featuring bakers and makers demonstrations, pie baking and pie eating contests, artisan vendor booths, classic car show, and more. Organized by I Like Pie Bake Shop.

April 28 – A Taste of Claremont: Enjoy Claremont’s finest cuisine, wine, and spirits at this fundraiser as local establishments dish up their very best.

April 28-July 29 – Butterfly Pavilion at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden: Housed in the 86-acre botanic garden, home to the largest collection of native California flora, visitors can walk among butterflies, caterpillars, and the California native plants they depend on for food and nectar.

May 17 – 10th Annual Claremont Film Festival: This event features the finest in documentaries and shorts from around the world. Visit ClaremontFilmFest.com for information.

May 19 – Claremont Folk Festival, presented by Folk Music Center: Located at the stunning Sontag Greek Theater at Pomona College, festival-goers will enjoy a full day of music, workshops, vendors, food and beverages, and more for the entire family. Visit FolkMusicCenter.com for tickets to this 34^th annual event.

June – Butterflies and Brews at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden: Local musicians provide the soundtrack as guests walk among butterflies on Friday nights in June.

June 2 – Claremont Village Craft Beer Walk: Claremont Village businesses will serve as craft beer tasting and food sampling sites while entertainment rocks the Village at numerous locations.

July 12-22 – Midsummer Shakespeare Festival, presented by Ophelia’s Jump: Under the stars at Pomona College’s outdoor Sontag Greek Theater, Ophelia’s Jump will perform “As You Like It” and “Romeo & Juliet: An ASL Love Story” (performed in English and American Sign Language) in repertory. Claremont hotels will offer a special “Room and Bard” package that includes festival tickets, a picnic-for-two, and other benefits. Visit DiscoverClaremont.com/specials for hotel specials; find festival tickets at OpheliasJump.org .

September 8 – Claremont Village Wine Walk: Claremont Village businesses will be serving wine and offering food tastings. Live music performances will be held throughout the Village.

October 19 to April 2019 – Origami in the Garden: Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden will host this curated exhibition of pedestal-sized and larger sculptures, created by American artists Jennifer and Kevin Box and others, that tells the story of Origami in museum quality metals.

October 27 – Village Venture Arts & Crafts Faire: Autumn’s largest arts & crafts fair in the Inland Empire. Get holiday shopping done early as you walk the streets of the Claremont Village lined with over 400 booths selling unique art, original crafts, and apparel. Stop by the food court for an array of international foods and entertainment, and the beer and wine garden to sample local brews.

Overnight visitors to Claremont can choose from a range of lodging. In the Claremont Village, the boutique Hotel Casa 425 features rooms that open onto a tranquil courtyard; on Historic Route 66, the resort-like DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Claremont offers a large pool, perfect for cooling off during the summer. Both hotels feature uniquely styled rooms and top-notch dining. Budget-minded tourists will find Claremont Lodge, Knights Inn Claremont, and Motel 6 Claremont along Interstate 10, each featuring outdoor pools.

Claremont Restaurants, Hotels Earn “Best of Inland Empire” Honors

March 2018 – Inland Empire Magazine named several Claremont restaurants and hotels among its 2018 “Best of the Inland Empire” winners in February. The restaurants and hotels were chosen by Inland Empire magazine readers in more than a dozen categories.

Here are some of the top “Readers’ Choices” in Claremont:

Best Splurge Restaurant

Bardot

Best Place for a Business Lunch

The Orchard, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Claremont

Best Italian Restaurant

Eddie’s Italian Eatery

Il Mattone Trattoria Italiana

Tutti Mangia

Best Mexican Restaurant

Casa Moreno

Espiau’s

Best Sandwich Shop

42^nd Street Bagel Café

Best Burger

Eureka!

Best Dessert

Salted Caramel Custard with Butterscotch Cashew Popcorn, The Orchard, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Claremont

Best Slice of Pie

I Like Pie Bake Shop

Best Coffee House

Augie’s Coffee House

Best Coffee Drink

Iced Caramel Latter, Augie’s Coffee House

Best Hotel

Casa 425 Hotel + Lounge

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Claremont

Popular “Claremont Is The Place to Stay” Guest Package Offered at Claremont Hotels

The popular “Claremont Is the Place to Stay” hotel and gift card package will continue to be offered throughout 2017.

Claremont hotels offer special “Claremont Is the Place to Stay” packages, inspired by the tourism board’s award-winning short that pays homage to film director Wes Anderson. The package includes a comfortable guest room and $100 in Claremont Chamber gift cards – redeemable towards food and services at local hotels, and meals, shopping and services at more than 140 participating Claremont businesses. Guests can redeem cards at many of the city’s most popular eateries, and for nighttime entertainment including lively dueling pianos at PianoPiano, stand-up at Flappers Comedy Club, and live music at The Press Restaurant.

Guests can book directly through participating Claremont hotels: Hotel Casa 425 (909-624-2272), DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Claremont (909-626-2411), Motel 6 Claremont (909-621-4831), Claremont Lodge (909-626-5654), and Knights Inn Claremont (909-626-2431). The package, underwritten by the Claremont tourism board, is subject to availability at each hotel.

Claremont visitor attractions include Folk Music Center, owned by musician Ben Harper and family; Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden; the walkable Claremont Village; Claremont Packing House entertainment and dining center; Candlelight Pavilion dinner theater; vivid examples of California architecture throughout the city and along Historic Route 66; and public walks, galleries and libraries at the Claremont Colleges.

Spring and Summer Events in Claremont, California, Offer Visitors Tasty Bites, Refreshing Cocktails and Activities under the Stars

Claremont, California, is one of the nation’s most acclaimed college towns, located just 30 miles east of Los Angeles. The city’s upcoming food, shopping and entertainment events make a weekend stay in Claremont an even more enticing getaway from “busy L.A.” Discover Claremont’s “Claremont Is the Place to Stay” hotel and merchant promotion offers a tremendous savings for visitors taking this mini-vacation.

Claremont events that are “worth the drive” – or a train ride on Metrolink to the Historic Claremont Depot – include:

March 18 – Claremont Pie Festival, a day-long celebration of pies sweet and savory, organized by I Like Pie bake shop.
May 13 – The Butterfly Pavilion at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden opens for the season, through August 6. The 86-acre botanic garden is home to the largest collection of native California flora.
May 18-21 – Claremont Film Festival, the ninth annual curation of documentaries and shorts from around the world. Scheduled screenings include the documentary “Meru” about climbing Meru Peak, and filmmaker Kerry Candaele showing “Love & Justice: In the Footsteps of Beethoven’s Rebel Opera.” DoubleTree by Hilton Claremont is the host hotel for this event. Visit com for tickets.
June 4 – Mi Casa Es Su Casa wine, spirits and craft beer tasting event at Hotel Casa 425, benefitting the Claremont Community Foundation and Claremont Education Foundation. Call 909-398-1060 for tickets.
June 24 – Claremont Village Craft Beer Walk
July 13-22 – Midsummer Shakespeare Festival, held outdoors at Pomona College’s Sontag Greek Theater, welcomes patrons to bring picnic baskets and Pinot Noirs. Ophelia’s Jump will perform “Much Ado About Nothing” and “Hamlet” in repertory this year. Call 909-734-6565 for tickets.
September 9 – Claremont Village Wine Walk
October 28 – Village Venture Arts & Crafts Faire, the largest autumn street fair in the Inland Empire with over 500 arts & crafts booths, takes over the Claremont Village.

Participating Claremont hotels are offering special “Claremont Is the Place to Stay” packages, inspired by the tourism board’s award-winning short that pays homage to film director Wes Anderson. The package includes a comfortable guest room and $100 in Claremont Chamber gift cards – redeemable towards food and services at local hotels, and meals, shopping and services at more than 140 participating Claremont businesses. Guests can redeem cards at many of the city’s most popular eateries, and for nighttime entertainment including lively dueling pianos at PianoPiano, stand-up at Flappers Comedy Club, and live music at The Press Restaurant.

Claremont visitor attractions include Folk Music Center, owned by musician Ben Harper and family; Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden; the walkable Claremont Village; Claremont Packing House entertainment center; Candlelight Pavilion dinner theater; vivid examples of California architecture throughout the city and along Historic Route 66; and public walks, galleries and libraries at the Claremont Colleges.

Follow Discover Claremont’s social media channels on Facebook (DiscoverClaremont), Twitter (@visitclaremont), Instagram (visitclaremont), Pinterest (visitclaremont), and YouTube (DiscoverClaremont). A list of Claremont merchants participating in the gift card promotion can be found at http://discoverclaremont.com/giftcards.

Claremont Restaurant Week – January 16-29, 2017

Participating Restaurants and Specialty Retailers (as of Jan. 5)

Claremont Restaurant Week, the city’s showcase of its talented chefs and international cuisines, will take place from January 16-29, 2017. The annual event will run for 14 days, including two weekends, to encourage foodies from all over Southern California to relax and unwind in Claremont with an overnight stay at one of the city’s five hotel properties.

This year’s program will include both restaurants and specialty food shoppes, providing visitors with a unique opportunity to sample favorites from all over Claremont’s thriving food scene. Participating chefs and business owners will feature locally sourced #dineClaremont specials during the two-week campaign. Some restaurants will offer prix fixe lunch and dinner menus, while others will showcase customer favorite dishes, inspired seasonal specials, and housemade desserts as their #dineClaremont offerings.

PARTICIPANT	ADDRESS
Aruffo’s Italian Cuisine	126 Yale Ave.
Bardot	206 W. Bonita Ave.
Hotel + Lounge Casa 425	425 W. First St.
Il Mattone Trattoria Italiana	201 N. Indian Hill Blvd.
The Junction	1 N. Indian Hill Blvd.
Pine Haven Cafe	1191 E. Foothill Blvd., Upland
Saca’s Mediterranean Cuisine	248 W. Second St.
The Orchard at DoubleTree by Hilton Claremont	Historic Route 66 555 W. Foothill Blvd.
Tutti Mangia Italian Grill	102 Harvard Ave.
Union on Yale	232 Yale Ave.
Viva Madrid	225 Yale Ave.
The Whisper House	Claremont Packing House 502 W. First St.
Packing House Wines	Claremont Packing House 540 W. First St.
Nuno’s Bistro & Bar	2440 W. Arrow Route, Upland
The Press Restaurant	129 Harvard Ave.
Eddie’s Italian Eatery	1065 W. Foothill Blvd.

Claremont Restaurant Week, a two-week event, is presented by the Claremont Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Discover Claremont, the Claremont tourism board. The program is part of California Restaurant Month, designated by Visit California. More information on participants and menus is at www.ClaremontRestaurantWeek.com.

Claremont Joins California Restaurant Month, Annual Claremont Restaurant Week Set for January 16-29, 2017

Claremont hotels will offer visitors a “dine and stay” experience through its popular Discover Claremont package. The package includes a guest room and $100 in Discover Claremont gift cards, redeemable for hotel dining or at more than 140 Claremont restaurants, boutiques, day spas and entertainment venues. A limited number of Discover Claremont packages are available to guests who book directly through participating Claremont hotels, including DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Claremont (909-626-2411), Hotel Casa 425 (909-624-2272), Motel 6 Claremont (909-621-4831), Claremont Lodge (909-626-5654), and Knights Inn Claremont (909-626-2431).

“We welcome visitors seeking a different Southern California experience to come walk from restaurant to restaurant, explore unique shops, and enjoy a relaxing getaway from the busy urban environment,” said Maureen Aldridge, CEO, Claremont Chamber of Commerce. “Claremont is filled with family-owned restaurants and locally owned, renowned bakeries, dessert shops and specialty food stores. Claremont Restaurant Week is a great time to sample the foods that keep bringing visitors back to Claremont.”

Participants confirmed as of January 9 are:

Aruffo’s Italian Cuisine, 126 Yale Ave.
Bardot, 206 W. Bonita Ave.
Hotel + Lounge Casa 425, 425 W. First St.
Il Mattone Trattoria Italiana, 201 N. Indian Hill Blvd.
The Junction, 1 N. Indian Hill Blvd.
Pine Haven Cafe, 1191 E. Foothill Blvd., Upland
Saca’s Mediterranean Cuisine, 248 W. Second St.
The Orchard at DoubleTree by Hilton Claremont, Historic Route 66, 555 W. Foothill Blvd.
Tutti Mangia Italian Grill, 102 Harvard Ave.
Union on Yale, 232 Yale Ave.
Viva Madrid, 225 Yale Ave.
The Whisper House, Claremont Packing House, 502 W. First St.
Packing House Wines, Claremont Packing House, 540 W. First St.
Nuno’s Bistro & Bar, 2440 W. Arrow Route, Upland
The Press Restaurant, Claremont Packing House, 129 Harvard Ave.
Eddie’s Italian Eatery, Claremont Packing House, 1065 W. Foothill Blvd.

Claremont’s annual Restaurant Week program, presented by the Claremont Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Discover Claremont, was moved to January 2017 from July to coincide with the Visit California’s statewide California Restaurant Month. For more information about California Restaurant Month, visit www.DineinCa.com.

More details and a growing list of participating restaurants can be found at www.ClaremontRestaurantWeek.com. Visitor information and a listing of Claremont restaurants, hotels, boutiques, day spas, events and more can be found at www.DiscoverClaremont.com.

Bicycling Getaways to Claremont

Claremont, a silver level bicycle-friendly community, is a bike rider’s dream. An ideal destination for mountain bikers and bike-riding enthusiasts alike, the town has bike lanes on most surface streets and a bevy of bike racks. And with enchanting tree-filled streets with historical homes, stately buildings at the Claremont Colleges, and a charming downtown, there’s lots of sublime scenery to enjoy while you ride through the city. You can also ditch your car completely by arriving in Claremont with your bike via the Metrolink, which runs from Los Angeles Union Station to San Bernardino. You’ll be dropped off right in the Village.

For mountain bikers, Claremont Wilderness Park offers a winding bike trail with moderate elevation and dramatic views. At Mount Baldy, just minutes away, you can take a chair lift to bike trails at Mt. Baldy Ski Lifts. The descents on the trails are exposed and unique in Southern California – good times.

Before hitting the trails, you can grab sandwiches and salads at Wolfe’s Market for a picnic lunch.

If you need your bike repaired or are in the market for a new one, you can stop at Sunset Cycles inside the Packing House. Afterwards, you can get gourmet ice cream at A La Minute, check out the art gallery at Studio Claremont, or do some boutique shopping. There’s also Jax Bicycle Shop in the Village and Velo on Route 66 (Foothill Blvd.)

After a day of bike riding, a hearty meal is in order. At Aruffo’s Italian Cuisine, offering a menu that blends authentic Italian cuisine with a contemporary farm to table approach, you can nosh on delish dishes such as Zucca (kabocha pumpkin ravioli) or Maiale Osso Buco.

When you’re ready to rest, the resort-like DoubleTree by Hilton Claremont, with spacious, uniquely styled rooms, is just a short ride away. If your muscles are a bit sore after so much riding, you can end your day with a soak in the spa.

That way, you’ll be ready to do it all again the next day!

Claremont Weekend Getaway Itinerary Ideas

Looking to escape all the hubbub with a weekend getaway in Southern California? Claremont, a city with an overabundance of trees – and nationally renowned colleges – that just oozes charm, will make you think you got teleported to a college town back East.

Fuel Up

To kick-start your restorative weekend trip in Claremont, enjoy a cup of joe and a freshly baked croissant on the patio at Last Drop Café, located in the quaint Claremont Village. From here you can admire the historical architecture, gaze at the San Gabriel mountains and gear up for some boutique shopping in the neighboring stores.

Head Outdoors

Mount Baldy, just minutes away, makes for an excellent day-trip. Depending on the season, you can hike, mountain bike, zip-line, or partake in a wide variety of fun snow activities. Afterwards, you can take a ski lift up to Top of the Notch Restaurant & Bar, which offers a unique dining experience with amazing vistas.

Another option for nature lovers is Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, the largest botanic garden dedicated to California native plants. If you’re at the Garden during late spring or summer, the Butterfly Pavilion is a must-see.

Claremont Village Awaits

Once you’ve perused an amazing variety of plants, or walked among beautiful butterflies, you can stop at The Back Abbey for a gourmet burger and an artisan crafted beer on the patio. Or you can head over to Claremont Craft Ales (opens at 1 p.m. on weekends), where various gourmet food trucks land daily.

After lunch, you may want to check out the captivating assortment of musical instruments at Folk Music Center, expand your record collection at Rhino Records, do some vintage shopping at The Grove Vintage, or check out some of the art galleries in the Claremont Village or at the Claremont Colleges.

If you’re a serious art lover, you’ll want to plan your weekend trip around the Claremont Art Walk, which is held on the first Saturday of the month and showcases local artists at galleries throughout the Claremont Village.

Claremont Packing House

Come sundown, the Packing House offers a profusion of exciting evening activities. You can catch a live stand-up comedy show at Flappers Comedy Club, do a wine tasting at Packing House Wine Merchants, have dinner and hookah at Casablanca Bar and Grill, or enjoy hand-crafted cocktails at The Whisper House, Claremont’s first speakeasy. On Friday nights, you can shop one-of-a-kind arts and crafts at Art Mart, held inside the Packing House.

Whatever place you decide to go to or activity you choose to partake in while in town, we trust you’ll leave Claremont with shoulders softened, a smile, and effortless breath.

Dine and Stay in Claremont This Summer

Discover Claremont encourages residents and visitors to celebrate dining in Claremont! Summer is a great time to experience both indoor and outdoor dining throughout Claremont at our many bars & grills, fine dining restaurants, and other eateries.

For visitors seeking a “dine and stay” experience, Claremont hotels will be offering its popular Discover Claremont package all month long. The package includes a guest room and $100 in Discover Claremont gift cards, redeemable for hotel dining or at more than 140 Claremont restaurants, boutiques, day spas and entertainment venues. A limited number of Discover Claremont packages are available to guests who book directly through participating Claremont hotels, including Hotel Casa 425 (909-624-2272), DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Claremont (909-626-2411), Motel 6 Claremont (909-621-4831), Claremont Lodge (909-626-5654), and Knights Inn Claremont (909-626-2431).

Claremont, California, Announces “Share the Secret” Hotel Specials

Claremont, California, hotels are offering overnight and weekend specials to encourage guests to Discover Claremont and “Share the Secret” about the city’s many visitor amenities.

Home to The Claremont Colleges, the Southern California city boasts a thriving culinary scene, an active arts and music community, Fair Trade shopping and hand-curated merchandise at many of its locally owned boutiques, and more than 450 inviting guest rooms. The “Share the Secret” hotel package includes a guest room and $100 in Discover Claremont gift cards, redeemable for hotel dining or at
more than 140 Claremont restaurants, boutiques, day spas and entertainment venues.

A limited number of “Share The Secret” packages are available though March 31, 2016, to guests who book directly
through participating Claremont hotels, including Hotel Casa 425 (909-624-2272), DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Claremont (909-626-2411), Motel 6 Claremont (909-621-4831), Claremont Lodge (909-626-5654), and Knights Inn Claremont (909-626-2431). The hotel package, underwritten by the Claremont tourism board, is subject to availability at each hotel. The promotion is tied to a new tourism video, inspired by the style of film director Wes Anderson, which highlights several of the city’s hotels and attractions.

Claremont visitor attractions include the Folk Music Center, owned by musician Ben Harper and family; the 86-acre Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, the largest botanic garden dedicated to California’s native plants; the walkable Claremont Village; the Claremont Packing House entertainment center; the Candlelight Pavilion dinner theater; vivid examples of California architecture throughout the city and along Historic Route 66; and public walks, galleries and libraries at the Claremont Colleges. Visitors will also find a “food neighborhood” of more than 80 eateries, regional craft beers, and nighttime entertainment including lively dueling pianos at PianoPiano, stand-up at Flappers Comedy Club, and live music at The Press Restaurant and other venues.

Claremont offers free parking throughout the city, or visitors can take Metrolink directly to the Claremont Village for an eco-friendly or bicycle getaway.

The “Share the Secret” tourism video has been acclaimed by Adweek.com, TravelandLeisure.com and other sites for its cinematic style and homage to director Anderson’s films. The video was shot on location at Hotel Casa 425, DoubleTree by Hilton Claremont, the Claremont Wilderness Park, Bardot restaurant, and Bridges Theater at Pomona College, and features the Claremont High School marching band performing the grand finale.

Follow Discover Claremont’s social media channels on Facebook (DiscoverClaremont), Twitter (@visitclaremont), Instagram (visitclaremont), Pinterest (visitclaremont), FourSquare (visitclaremont) and YouTube (DiscoverClaremont). A list of Claremont merchants participating in the gift card promotion can be found at http://discoverclaremont.com/giftcards.