One of America’s top college towns, Claremont lies just 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. Foodies can walk to nearly 60 international eateries in the Claremont Village and Claremont Packing House, or find additional dining and shopping along Historic Route 66. The James Turrell Skyspace at Pomona College, Folk Music Center, Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, and Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theater are among the local music and arts attractions. And guests seeking locally made craft beer and spirits will find Claremont Craft Ales, Ironbark Ciderworks and Citrus Grove Distillers appealing stops.

Claremont visitor events that can be part of a weekend getaway to the “City of Trees” in 2019 include these favorites:

April 13-21 – Wildflower Week at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden: The 86-acre garden hosts a bonanza of color, fragrance and beauty at this week-long celebration of California’s wildflowers featuring wild-collected species, annual displays, and an art exhibition. Admission: $10 adults, $6 seniors, $4 children.

April 27 – A Taste of Claremont: Enjoy Claremont’s finest cuisine, wine, and spirits at this fundraiser as local establishments dish up their very best. Tickets: $75.

May 13 – 11th Annual Claremont Film Festival: A curated presentation of shorts from around the world. Visit ClaremontFilmFest.com for information. Tickets: $15-40.

June 8 – Claremont Village Craft Beer Walk: Claremont Village businesses will serve as craft beer tasting and food sampling sites while entertainment rocks the Village at this 10^th annual event.

July 11-21 – Midsummer Shakespeare Festival: Ophelia’s Jump Productions presents its fifth annual evening festival with “Pericles” and “Taming of the Shrew” performed in repertoire under the stars at the Sontag Greek Theatre at Pomona College. Picnicking with beer and wine is permitted at this outdoor venue. The festival includes pre-show entertainment, arts and crafts by Claremont businesses and organizations on Saturdays, and food and spirits options. Discover Claremont will once again offer a “Room and Bard” package for visitors that includes festival tickets, lawn chairs, and $50 in Claremont Chamber gift cards to secure a picnic meal for a memorable outdoor evening in Claremont. Visit DiscoverClaremont.com/specials for more information on the hotel specials; find festival tickets at OpheliasJump.org.

September 14 – Claremont Village Wine Walk: Claremont Village businesses will be serving wine and offering food tastings at more than 40 sites. Live music performances will be held throughout the Village.

October 26 – Village Venture Arts & Crafts Faire: The region’s largest annual Arts & Crafts Fair. Get your 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. This 38^th annual street fair also features a food court, beer and wine garden, and local entertainment.

Claremont’s five hotel choices range from economy to upscale. Full-service options include the 14-acre DoubleTree by Hilton Claremont on Historic Route 66, and the boutique Hotel Casa 425 in the Claremont Village. Budget-minded tourists will find Claremont Lodge, Knights Inn Claremont, and Motel 6 Claremont along Interstate 10, each featuring outdoor pools. Pets are welcome at Motel 6 and Hotel Casa 425 with advance reservations.

Inviting nighttime entertainment for adult travelers includes dueling pianos at Piano Piano (at DoubleTree), dinner theater at the Candlelight Pavilion, local bands at various restaurants, and popular and arthouse movies at Laemmle’s Claremont 5.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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.

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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).

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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:

• Lounge 425 at Hotel Casa 425
• The Orchard at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Claremont
• Bardot
• Casa Moreno Mexican Grill
• Euro Cafe
• La Parolaccia Osteria Italiana
• Nuno’s Bistro (Upland)
• Packing House Wines
• Pappas Artisanal (La Verne)
• Pine Haven Cafe (Upland)
• Rounds Premium Burgers
• Saca’s Mediterranean Grill
• Salad Farm
• The Junction
• The Press Restaurant
• Tutti Mangia Italian Grill
• Viva Madrid

(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.

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The special #Claremont100Reasons promotion shared on Discover Claremont’s social media channels will highlight the many visitor amenities the “City of Trees” has to offer, including inviting guest rooms, more than 80 pubs and eateries, bicycle-friendly streets and trails, and locally owned boutiques featuring Fair Trade and hand-curated merchandise.

For guests seeking overnight stays, special #Claremont100Reasons packages at participating Claremont hotels will include a comfortable 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 #Claremont100Reasons getaway packages are available through May 31, 2015, 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) and Claremont Lodge (909-626-5654). The hotel package, underwritten by the Claremont tourism board, is subject to availability at each hotel.

Claremont’s 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; galleries and libraries at the Claremont Colleges; and the Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology at the Webb Schools. Visitors will also find a “food neighborhood” of more than 80 eateries, and regional craft beers at Claremont Craft Ales and local restaurants. Nighttime entertainment options include lively dueling pianos at PianoPiano; musicals at Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theater; 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.

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.

About Discover Claremont

Discover Claremont is the official destination marketing organization for the city of Claremont, California. Known for its seven nationally renowned colleges, Claremont is a hidden gem in greater Los Angeles – an ideal destination for intimate, relaxing days and nights. Visitors will discover inviting guest rooms, relaxing day spas, more than 80 restaurants and pubs, dozens of locally owned boutiques, and bicycle-friendly streets and trails, all under Claremont’s beautiful urban canopy. The nearby San Gabriel Mountains offer outdoor activities including hiking, road cycling, skiing and golf. Claremont is also the first Fair Trade Town in Southern California, reflecting the community’s commitment to using ethically sourced products; many businesses carry Fair Trade Certified merchandise and foods. Whether by car or Metrolink, come find out why Claremont is “the best-kept secret in L.A.”

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