Claremont hotels

2018 Midsummer Shakespeare Festival in Claremont, presented by Ophelia’s Jump, Features Romeo & Juliet, As You Like It

Ophelia’s Jump Productions presents their Annual Midsummer Shakespeare Festival with ROMEO & JULIET: AN ASL LOVE STORY and AS YOU LIKE IT. The productions will run July 12-22, 2018 at Sontag Greek Theatre at Pomona College. The festival, co-sponsored by Pomona College, includes exhibits, arts and crafts by community businesses and organizations.

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 or by calling 909-734-6565.

This year’s Midsummer Shakespeare Festival celebrates diversity and inclusion with an adaptation of Shakespeare’s masterpiece, ROMEO & JULIET. First produced as a 45 minute version for LA Fringe Festival, the piece has been expanded to its full length and scope for the festival. Juliet and other members of her family are deaf. The rift that divides the lovers is cultural and linguistic, but their love transcends their families’ prejudices. The production will be double cast with both deaf and hearing actors. The aim is to make this timeless story accessible to all and to create a shared understanding and communal experience for all audience members. AS YOU LIKE IT incorporates the world of wrestling with humor and high energy. Both productions will take place under the stars at the beautiful Sontag Greek Theatre, an outdoor amphitheater renovated in 1997. The productions will be performed in repertory, alternating each night.

ABOUT ROMEO & JULIET
Capulet. Montague. Deaf. Hearing. Our identities tell the world who we are and shape how we interact with others. This modern production of Romeo and Juliet examines what can hap-pen when we choose to see certain groups as “other” or as our enemies, instead of finding commonality and community. Accessible to Deaf and hearing audiences in American Sign Lan-guage (ASL) and Shakespeare’s spoken English.

ABOUT AS YOU LIKE IT
Freedom to create is air to an artist – without it they would perish. But when every poet, musi-cian, comedian, and philosopher is exiled to the wilderness, and a vicious media baron re-places them with bloodsport, is art enough to survive on? Rosalind and her cousin Celia navi-gate the crazed world of wrestling, cross-dressing, and ennui-plagued men to find true love and true expression in this modern production of As You Like It.

In it’s fifth year, Ophelia’s Jump’s Midsummer Shakespeare Festival artfully presents tragedy and comedy under the stars in a beautiful outdoor setting. We invite you to bring your own picnic and don’t forget a small blanket or cushion for added comfort.

Weekend Festival

On Saturdays, arrive early and enjoy local musicians, artists, and crafts before settling in for an evening of timeless Shakespearean classics. Enjoy festival booths, crafts, and vendors starting at 5:30 p.m. Local restaurants and businesses will be offering special in-restaurant dining menus and selected take-out options to enjoy prior to all performances.

  • Title: ROMEO & JULIET: AN ASL LOVE STORY and AS YOU LIKE IT
  • Directors: Ophelia’s Jump Company Member Alexandra Easton (ROMEO & JULIET) and Founding Associate Artistic Director Caitlin Lopez (AS YOU LIKE IT)
  • Location: Sontag Greek Theatre, Pomona College, 300 East Bonita Ave., Claremont
    (located behind Seaver Theatre)
  • Opening: Thursday, July 12 (AS YOU LIKE IT) & Friday, July 13 (ROMEO & JULIET)
  • Regular Run: July 12-July 22, 2018

 Specific Show Schedule:

                        AS YOU LIKE IT – July 12, 14, 20, 22

                        ROMEO & JULIET – July 13, 15, 19, 21

Curtain Times: Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays at 8 p.m

Ticket prices: $25 General Admission. Group tickets available, contact info@opheliasjump.org or call 909-734-6565 for info.

About Ophelia’s Jump

Ophelia’s Jump is a non-profit regional theatre company based in Claremont and performing in Claremont and Upland.  Ophelia’s Jump Productions was founded by artists and educators who believe that the purpose of theatre is to create unending conversations, spark imagination, incite conscience, and elicit a visceral response. Ophelia’s Jump aims to invigorate the creativity and intellect of the community by working with local emerging artists. Additional information available at opheliasjump.org

About Pomona College

Located in Claremont, California, Pomona College is widely regarded as one of the nation’s leading liberal arts colleges. Established in 1887, Pomona is known for its quality academic programs, a challenging curriculum, close relationships between students and faculty, a range of student research and leadership opportunities, and a strong commitment to the arts.

Claremont Hotels Welcome Parents and College Visitors Back to Town

As students return to the Claremont Colleges each school year, the City of Claremont’s five hotel properties welcome parents and other campus visitors to stick around and enjoy a relaxing getaway in the “City of Trees.”

From economy to boutique, Claremont’s 449 hotel rooms provide guests with inviting rooms and peaceful nights. Staying in Claremont puts you in walking or bicycling distance to the city’s day spas and salons, locally owned boutiques, galleries and public works of art, and more than 80 pubs, grills, sandwich shops, bakeries, and fine dining restaurants.

Claremont’s attractions include the 86-acre Rancho Santa Fe Botanic Garden, the largest botanic garden dedicated exclusively to California’s native plants; and the world-renowned Folk Music Center museum and store, which is owned by musician Ben Harper’s family. The city’s nighttime entertainment boasts classical, jazz, comedy, dueling pianos, a vibrant college music scene, and performing arts at the colleges and Candlelight Pavilion.

At the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Claremont ($149-$350), elegant, contemporary guest rooms and suites offer comfort and convenience with luxurious Sweet Dreams® beds, 32-inch flat screen LCD televisions, in-room safes, refrigerators, and high-speed Internet access. Relax with friends, alumni or business associates in its lush courtyard, enjoy a cocktail or meal by the waterfall, and dine in casual elegance at The Orchard Restaurant, serving a wide selection of California Mediterranean Fusion influenced dishes. Piano Piano’s high-energy, all-request show keeps guests singing laughing into the night!

Hotel Casa 425 ($195-$400) is a stylish boutique hotel and lounge opening onto a tranquil courtyard in the heart of historic Claremont Village. The only sophisticated boutique hotel in Southern California’s Inland Empire, Casa 425 merges California mission architecture with contemporary styling and features 28 sophisticated guest rooms, an onsite lounge and full bar, a beautiful outdoor living room featuring water fountains and fire pits, meeting and event space, and more.

Claremont Lodge ($49-$80) offers unbeatable accommodations with comfortable stylish rooms, including available jacuzzi suites. Amenities include an outdoor swimming pool and free Wi-Fi.

Motel 6 Claremont ($69-$129) features one of Southern California’s finest tennis facilities available year-round with eight championship tennis courts. Guest amenities include free local shuttle and free use of its championship tennis courts; group and private tennis lessons are available for an additional fee.

Knights Inn Claremont ($55-$85) provides free Rise & Dine continental breakfast and an outdoor pool. Features include free Wi-Fi, available laundry services, and parking for vehicles of any size.

Visitor information and a complete listing of restaurants, hotels, boutiques, day spas, events and more can be found at www.discoverclaremont.com.

Claremont Hotel Specials

“Share the Secret” About Claremont

Claremont_SQ-LogoClaremont hotels invite visitors to come “Share the Secret” about Claremont with a special getaway package. 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.

Package includes:

-Comfortable Guest Room
-$100 in Claremont Chamber of Commerce gift cards

Book directly at participating Claremont hotels, based on hotel availability, from October 1, 2015, through January 31, 2016.

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.

 

Mt. Baldy Adventure Outing Package

mt_baldy_logoDiscover Claremont is partnering with Mt. Baldy Ski Lifts to provide ski lift passes and lunch vouchers as part of a Claremont hotel room package. With lift passes, guests have access to enjoying a number of activities up on the mountain, including hiking, mountain biking and disc golfing.

Package includes:

-Guest Room

-Two Sugar Pine Lift (ski lift) passes to the top of the mountain – good for any open date, including for special events

-Two $10 Lookout Lunch vouchers, good towards food at the Top of the Notch Restaurant

Book directly at participating Claremont hotels, based on hotel availability. 

“Claremont Restaurant Week” Coming July 10-19, 2015

Restaurants in Claremont, California, are gearing up for the third annual “Claremont Restaurant Week” being held July 10-19, 2015. The annual Midsummer Night’s Dine will run for 10 days, including two weekends, to encourage Southern California foodies toclaremont_restaurant_week_2013enjoy an overnight stay at one of Claremont’s five hotel properties.

Claremont Restaurant Week, presented by the Claremont Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Discover Claremont, is expected to feature more than two dozen participating restaurants offering prix fixe lunch and dinner menus that will showcase favorite local dishes and inspired summer seasonal specials. Last year, Claremont chefs highlighted locally grown vegetables, farm-raised beef and fresh fish selections in menu specials priced from $10 for lunch and $20-$40 for dinner.

Restaurants offering special Claremont Restaurant Week menus this July will include the following:

(A complete list of participating restaurants will be announced in June.)

Claremont’s reputation as a regional dining destination has been on the rise in recent years, thanks in part to the efforts of local restaurateurs Ed Inglese, Sal Medina and others, and the work of chefs like Matt Mattison, Stephen Rudicel and Jose Ruiz. With a growing number of regionally acclaimed restaurants and dozens of locally owned eateries keeping the food scene fresh, it’s no wonder that LA Weekly and NBC Los Angeles have declared Claremont a “food neighborhood” that’s “worth the drive” for foodies and tourists.

A special kickoff event for food writers and Chamber members is being planned for Wednesday, July 8, at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Claremont. Claremont Restaurant Week’s second weekend will coincide with the annual Midsummer Shakespeare Festival, presented July 16-26 by Ophelia’s Jump Productions at Pomona College’s Sontag Greek Theatre.

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.

Discover Claremont to Offer “Flitter and Frolic” Getaway Package, May 23 to July 27

Families who come Discover Claremont this spring and summer can experience a unique opportunity to walk among California native butterflies. Discover Claremont, the Claremont tourism board, is partnering with the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden for a “Flitter and Frolic” overnight package that includes garden admissions, local dining and shopping credits, and a comfortable hotel room.

Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden’s annual Butterfly Pavilion runs from May 10 through

Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden Butterfly Festival
The Butterfly Pavilion at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden opens on May 10.

July 27, 2014. The pavilion unites science education and hands-on fun for visitors of all ages as hundreds of butterflies call the temporary enclosure home this spring and summer. Visitors can walk among the butterflies and caterpillars as well as explore the 86-acre botanic garden, the largest botanic garden dedicated exclusively to California’s native plants.

Beginning Memorial Day weekend, May 23, and continuing until the butterflies are set free on July 27, Southern Californians looking for a local escape will find Discover Claremont’s “Flitter and Frolic” getaway package to be an attractive “stay and relax” option. The package includes a minimum one-night stay, separate Botanic Garden and Butterfly Pavilion admissions for up to four guests, and $50 in Discover Claremont gift cards redeemable at participating hotels and more than 130 other locally owned establishments.

A limited number of “Flitter and Frolic in Claremont” packages are available on a first-come, first-served basis to guests who book directly through participating Claremont hotels, including Hotel Casa 425 (909-624-2272), DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Claremont (909-626-2411), and Hotel Claremont and Tennis Club (909-621-4831).

Claremont’s visitor attractions also include the world-renowned Folk Music Center museum and store, owned by musician Ben Harper’s family; Fair Trade Shopping at dozens of independently owned boutiques; live entertainment at PianoPiano, Hip Kitty Jazz, Flappers Comedy Club, Candlelight Pavilion and other spots; and local and regional craft beers at Claremont Craft Ales, The Back Abbey and other pubs and eateries.

A complete list of Claremont merchants participating in the gift card promotion can be found at http://discoverclaremont.com/giftcards.

Where To Stay In Claremont

Visitors to Claremont will find a variety of hotel choices to fit most any traveler’s budget and needs. From economy to boutique, Claremont’s 449 hotel rooms serve thousands of annual guests.

Whether as a gateway to an early-morning skiing or cycling adventure, a relaxing getaway to experience local shopping and dining, or for a college visit, Claremont’s five lodging choices match the uniqueness of the town itself: Three locally owned motor inns near Interstate 10, a full-service business hotel and conference center on Historic Route 66 for business travelers and guests, and an upscale boutique property in downtown Claremont that caters to couples and business travelers alike.

The Claremont Five are the preferred destination hotels for visiting college dignitaries and students’ parents, Fairplex visitors, area skiers and cyclists, and business persons seeking a peaceful respite from Ontario and other Inland Empire cities.

Claremont Village

Hotel Casa 425 ($$$) – http://www.casa425.com/ 

Casa 425 is a stylish boutique hotel and lounge opening onto a tranquil courtyard in the heart of historic Claremont Village. Located on the town square and within steps of fine restaurants, cafes, boutiques, art galleries and the prestigious Claremont Colleges, Casa 425 is the only sophisticated boutique hotel in Southern California’s Inland Empire. The hotel merges California mission architecture with contemporary styling and features 28 sophisticated guest rooms, an onsite lounge and full bar, a beautiful outdoor living room featuring water fountains and fire pits, a fitness room, meeting and event space and more.

Casa 425 also offers a host of complimentary amenities for guests including a European-style breakfast each morning, bicycles to borrow, wireless Internet service, use of fitness room and garage-covered parking. Each of the very spacious guestrooms offers a flat-screen television, Tempur-Pedic bed, coffee maker, refrigerator with complimentary water, plush robes and an oversized tub and separate shower. The hotel has several family-friendly rooms with two queen beds or one king and one twin bed, as well as some pet-friendly rooms (fee and advance pet reservation is required).

Business travelers seeking stylish accommodations will appreciate Casa 425’s discerning service and relaxed atmosphere. Guest rooms offer up-to-the-moment amenities, including high-speed Internet access, desk with comfortable chair and same-day dry cleaning. Casa 425 also offers a sophisticated yet relaxing venue for your upcoming event whether a wedding, business meeting, luncheon, board retreat, or just a private party. The Outdoor Living Room is ideal for larger gatherings and will accommodate up to 250 guests. The beautiful and private Casa Room is ideal for an intimate dinner, luncheon or a more formal business meeting and will accommodate up to 50 guests. 

Historic Route 66

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Claremont ($$$) – http://doubletreeclaremont.com

Beautifully appointed and newly renovated guest rooms with one king or two double sized beds. The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Claremont’s elegant, contemporary guest rooms and suites offer comfort and convenience with luxurious Sweet Dreams® beds, 32-inch flat screen LCD televisions, in-room safes, refrigerators, and high-speed Internet access. Guests can stay connected and productive on the road at its fully equipped, 24-hour Business Center. Relax with friends, alumni or business associates in its lush courtyard and enjoy a cocktail or meal by our waterfall. Dine in casual elegance at The Orchard Restaurant, serving a wide selection of California Mediterranean Fusion influenced dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. After hours, Piano Piano pits two piano players face to face on baby grand pianos, performing a high energy all request show that will keep guests singing and laughing into the night! Enjoy a relaxing day at the full service Essentials Day Spa on property. And don’t forget about those famous DoubleTree cookies provided upon check in, served nice and warm! 

Near Interstate 10

Claremont Lodge ($) –http://www.claremont-lodge.com/ 

Enjoy unbeatable accommodations near the cultural and recreational center of southern California with comfortable stylish rooms, cable television, and swimming pool; some rooms with in-room spas. 

Hotel Claremont & Tennis Club ($$) – http://www.myhotelclaremont.com/.

“Come To Where The Racquet Is.” The Hotel Claremont features one of Southern California’s finest tennis facilities available year-round with eight lighted championship tennis courts. Contact the hotel for information regarding tennis package weekends for singles, couples or groups. The Hotel Claremont & Tennis Club provides guests with such amenities as free local shuttle, free use of its championship tennis courts, group and private tennis lessons available for an additional fee. Hotel guests also enjoy a daily continental breakfast, which includes fresh waffles, fruit and cereal, and free Wi-Fi. 

Howard Johnson Express Inn Claremont ($) – http://bit.ly/hojoclaremont

Enjoy “homey” accommodations at a reasonable price. Features include free Wi-Fi, complimentary continental breakfast, outdoor pool, 24-hour front desk service and free cribs. In rooms, the hotel offers a refrigerator, 25-inch color TV with cable TV service, coffee maker, iron and ironing board, hair dryer. An in-room safe is also available for a small fee. The property offers both smoking and non smoking rooms. 

Can’t Miss Reasons to Discover Claremont

  1. Claremont Village. “Discover the charm, explore the change.” A European-styled village with more than 150 unique restaurants, shops, bakeries, day spas, art galleries, entertainment venues, hotels, lounges and more. Walking these streets will immediately make you feel you’re no longer in Southern California.
  2. Local dining. American, Afghan, Argentinean, French, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Mediterranean, Mexican, Persian, Thai and more. There are nearly 80 restaurants to sample in Claremont, most with local operators, and some with top chefs, including 2011 Best Chef in the Inland Empire Jose Ruiz of Tutti Mangia Italian Grill. The variety and abundance makes this a weekend trip you want to make several times a year.
  3. The Packing House. Originally built in 1909, the College Heights Lemon
    Packing House has been recently renovated to include shops, galleries, dining and night clubs. Home to Flappers Comedy Club and Hip Kitty Jazz & Fondue, it also features vintage clothing stores, a cooking academy, and a nationally famous bookstore, Thoreau’s Bookshop, that provides donated books to inmates.
  4. A boutiquing paradise. Claremont Village is filled with locally owned stores that offer a window shopping experience second to none. Clothing boutiques including Amelie, Nectar and The Little Dress Shop, the teas of the world shop Bamboo Tea House, and even a vintage clock store, American Clock Co., are among dozens of unique gift stores and merchants that give the downtown area its unique vibe. Many stores feature locally designed clothing, jewelry and handicrafts from local artists, and locally sourced materials, as well as Fair Trade sourced merchandise. The Packing House and Old School House also feature additional galleries and artisan shops.
  5. Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden. The largest botanic garden dedicated exclusively to California’s native plants, the Garden displays about 2,000 taxa of California plants spread across 86 acres, including plants native to the California Floristic Province as a whole – from southern Oregon to Baja California. In addition to featuring a world-class botanical library and graduate-level education program, the Garden offers horticulture and community education programs to the public to encourage the use of California native plants in home landscapes.
  6. Locally baked goods and sweets. From sweets at the Some Crust Bakery and morning treats at the Last Drop Café to bagels made fresh all day long at 42nd Street Bagel Café, Claremont Village is a Sweet Tooth’s delight. Local chocolatier A. Kline’s candy shop is filled with hand-dipped treats, and creamery Bert and Rocky’s features more than 31 unique, homemade ice cream and sherbet flavors.
  7. Wine and cheese. A walking tour of Claremont’s shops finds such unique stops as The Packing House Wine Merchants. This wine bar and shop located on the western end of the Packing House offers a world of wines by the glass and varietals from growing regions all over the globe and offers light bites from a new executive chef. The Cheese Cave, a busy cheese shop on Yale Ave., offers dozens of cheeses from around the world, their own hand-pressed olive oils, and a selection of unique foods.
  8. Bike-friendly streets. Awarded a Silver Level by the League of American Bicyclists, Claremont’s streets are ideal for bicycling. For families, Claremont’s tree-lined streets offer majestic views of historic homes and the town’s college campuses, and easy rides to the Claremont Village to find an ideal eatery. Experienced cyclists can tackle the same route as the 2011 Amgen Tour of California from Claremont to Mount Baldy.
  9. Pubs and grub. Befitting a college town, Claremont features several unique pubs that feature good food, live music and televised sports. From the Back Abbey’s “Best in L.A.” pub burgers and dark ales, to the live bands that play The Press Restaurant’s stage, Claremont has a scene that’s all its own.
  10. Dinner Theater and Historic Route 66. The Foothill Blvd. corridor includes the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Claremont and the popular Candlelight Pavilion dinner theater that is housed within the gymnasium of the Old School House, Claremont’s original 1911 school building.
  11. Seven world-class colleges. A consortium of five undergraduate and two graduate schools of higher education all within walking distance. Internationally recognized for producing leaders in business, government and the professions. Check their calendar athttp://www.collegescalendar.org/ for stimulating presentations, musical productions and other events.
  12. The Village Square. Newly built in 2007, the Village Square and public plaza is surrounded by shops, restaurants and the boutique hotel and lounge Hotel Casa 425, and is home to the Laemmle 5 Claremont Theatre. A modern public art fountain meanders through the square, providing both soothing water sounds as well as space for outdoor picnicking and music.
  13. The great outdoors. In Claremont’s backyard are Mount Baldy and the majestic San Gabriel Mountains.
  14. Free parking. Indeed, there is one place in Los Angeles County where you can keep your quarters and credit cards in your pocket: Claremont offers free parking throughout the city. 

Claremont Offers Cyclists Ideal Conditions

Families and avid cyclists alike should plan a weekend in Claremont to enjoy dozens of bicycle-friendly and scenic routes with varying degree of challenges, the city’s unique European-like village atmosphere, and a broad range of hotels, restaurants, spas and nightlife.

For families and casual riders, Claremont is easily navigated on bicycle at just 14 square miles, and the city takes great pride in being a leader in providing bicycle-friendly initiatives for visitors. The League of American Bicyclists has acclaimed Claremont as a Bronze-Level Bicycle Friendly Community, noting Claremont’s funding of bike lanes, road diets (reducing the number of vehicle lanes), and intersection improvement. The Claremont Hills Wilderness Park has an additional 10 miles of mountain bike trails and five miles of shared use pathways.

For riders seeking longer, more challenging rides, Claremont is well-known as a key starting and finishing spot for a strenuous road circuit along the Glendora Ridge Road through the San Gabriel Mountains, as well as many established and safe routes to cities as far away as Long Beach.

Gaining in popularity is the ride up to Mount Baldy. Claremont hosted Stage 7 of the 2011 Amgen Tour of California, a nearly 100-mile ride from city’s historic train depot that climbed close to 10,000 vertical feet in elevation and finished at the base of the Mount Baldy ski resort. Amateur cyclists seeking to experience the same road course as the professionals will find Claremont to be an ideal wake-up-and-ride starting point or an evening dine-and-stay experience. Local cyclists usually complete the circuit by riding downMt. Baldy Roaddirectly into Claremont.

Claremont’s ever-growing bicyclist population has created many clubs willing to offer tips. Ranging from college groups to baby boomers, these groups regularly announce events, trips and other useful information. Local bicycle shops include Jax Bicycle Center near the Claremont Depot.

Getting to Claremont is easy. Metrolink’s bicycle-friendly San Bernardino line stops in Claremont, giving weekend riders a short train ride from Union Station in downtown Los Angeles or other neighboring cities. Claremont’s historic train depot is located in the heart of the Claremont Village, a short bicycle ride away from the Claremont Colleges and shopping along Historic Route 66 California. Bikestation Claremont provides bike storage facilities at the depot to members.

Claremont’s five hotel choices range from economy to upscale. Options include the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Claremont on Historic Route 66, and the Hotel Claremont & Tennis Club near Interstate 10. The budget-minded cyclist will appreciate the Claremont Lodge or Howard Johnson Express Inn Claremont south of downtown, while the boutique Hotel Casa 425 offers upscale accommodations in the heart of the Claremont Village. Casa 425 also offers bicycle rentals to its guests (the DoubleTree will be adding this service soon).

Claremont features more than four dozen cafés and restaurants across a wide range of cuisines, including many locally famous eateries that families and cyclists alike will appreciate discovering.

Just a few blocks from boutique hotel Casa 425 to Harvard and Yale avenues, early morning risers will find locally crafted pastries and coffee at popular Claremont eateries or can enjoy midday noshing at local brunch spots peppered throughout the village. Claremont is also home to a variety of international cuisines and restaurants, while nightlife reigns at numerous hotspots at the College Heights Lemon Packing House (532 W.First St.), in the Village and throughout the Claremont Public Plaza. More than a dozen day spas and salons can also help sooth sore muscles and freshen windworn skin after a day of riding.

Located just 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, the City of Claremont prides itself on being a showcase community in Southern California. Its tree-lined streets, Village shopping districts, five distinctive hotels and spas, and stately college campuses have made it a destination for tourists and locals alike. More information about dining and staying in Claremont can be found at http://www.discoverclaremont.com and http://www.thevillageclaremont.com/.

Hotel Casa 425 + Lounge Introduces New Summer ‘Farmers Market’ Cocktails, Small Plates Menu, Live Music

June 27, 2012 — Hotel Casa 425 + Lounge will introduce a new summer menu this weekend, featuring innovative small plates and cocktails emphasizing local ingredients found at the Claremont Farmers Market.

Three new drinks on the summer menu — the Berry Spicy Margarita, La Coquette and the Kentucky Rose — use house-made infused liquor as a key ingredient. “I’ve been infusing liquor with local, farmers market herbs and fruits, and it’s generated a lot of interest amongst our patrons, “ said Lounge mixologist Will Van Leuven. “Our new summer menu drinks play up our most popular infusions, like the jalapeno-cucumber tequila found in the Berry Spicy Margarita or the rosemary-orange bourbon in the Kentucky Rose.”

Small plate items added to the summer menu include Cajun Calamari and Pulled Pork Sliders. The new summer-inspired Champagne Chevre salad is large enough to enjoy as an entrée or share with two. The La Frieda Croissant, an eight-ounce chuck and short rib patty, topped with jalapeno bacon, tomato jam and marbled blue cheese sandwiched by a croissant bun, is expected to quickly become a favorite.

Along with the new cocktails and menu items, patrons will soon enjoy live music at Hotel Casa 425 + Lounge. Upcoming performers include the Brandon Bernstein trio on June 30, Lorenzo Grassi trio July 14, the Brandon Bernstein trio July 28, Joe LoPiccolo trio August 11 and Sarkis Turgutyan trio onAugust 25, 2012. All are classic guitarists with styles ranging from smooth jazz to Spanish Flamenco.

Hotel Casa 425 + Lounge is located in downtown Claremont at 425 W.First Street, in historic Claremont Village. The lounge offers a casually sophisticated venue for mingling with friends, along with signature drinks, an extensive wine and beer list and gourmet small plates. Happy hour is from 4 to 7 p.m. daily, with select small plates and drinks ranging from $5 to $10. 

Indoor seating is available, but regulars prefer to relax in the hotel’s central courtyard, which feels more like an outdoor living room with its canopy of trees, lounge furniture, fountains, and fire pits.

For more information, visit www.casa425.com.

DiscoverClaremont.com Site Launches to Provide Information on Claremont Hotels and Attractions

New Tourism Website Features Claremont Restaurants, Day Spas, Boutiques and Visitor Events

CLAREMONT, Calif. (March 27, 2012) – Travelers to Los Angeles County and the Inland Empire seeking to escape the urban sprawl will find a pleasing collection of restaurants, day spas, attractions and hotels in Claremont. The city’s tourism board has launched a new website, DiscoverClaremont.com, that provides a descriptive overview of Claremont hotel accommodations, links to the more than 80 restaurants in Claremont, and a list of the region’s visitor attractions.

Guests to Claremont will find information on DiscoverClaremont.com about the city’s many “relaxing” amenities, like its dozen day spas and salons; popular galleries in the Claremont Village and at the Claremont Colleges; its numerous unique, locally owned boutiques; local bike-friendly and outdoor activities in the San Gabriel Mountains, including nearby Mount Baldy; and Claremont’s thriving food,  music and entertainment scene.

“More and more tourists are finding Claremont is truly the perfect getaway to take time to exhale and relax,” said Andrew Behnke of Discover Claremont, the Claremont tourism board. “We strive to turn your visit into an experience that you’ll be talking about for a long time. By visiting the new DiscoverClaremont website, you’ll get an idea of what Claremont has to offer for many return visits.”

Claremont hotels will feature special shopping, spa and dining packages, as well as post last-minute getaway deals on DiscoverClaremont.com. Hotel choices in Claremont range from economy to upscale, including luxury boutique Hotel Casa 425 in historic Claremont Village and the lush garden, resort-type setting at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Claremont. Budget-minded tourists will find the Hotel Claremont and Tennis Club, Claremont Lodge and Howard Johnson Express Inn Claremont.

Tourists seeking art and culture will find details on DiscoverClaremont.com about such local treasures as the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, the Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theatre, and the museums, libraries and galleries at the Claremont Colleges. Claremont also features the only paleontology museum located on a high school campus in the nation, the newly remodeled The Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology.

An updated calendar of events for Claremont visitors will feature information about the city’s popular “Village Venture” and “Blues and Brews” events, as well as the weekly Sunday Farmers and Artisans Market in the Claremont Village. The DiscoverClaremont.com website also tells you where to find professional jazz, rising regional rock bands, Las Vegas-style piano shows and even belly dancing.

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