Claremont...

In various past posts I have touched upon some of the existing cycling infrastructure as well as some deficiencies; I have touched on some of the attractions here in Claremont, and in the process have mentioned some of the local businesses. For a moment, though, I am going to put on my imaginary Chamber of Commerce cap and become a city booster in order to present something of a comprehensive view of the non-cycling amenities which cyclists might find attractive and draw them to the city from points beyond.


The central area of Claremont is known as the Village, and it consists of a business and administrative district, with surrounding residential areas, and portions of the Claremont Colleges. This is also where the historic depot is located, with it's Metrolink and Foothill Transit connections, the new Bikestation, and new bike racks. Across the street from the depot is the city's one full-service bike shop, Jax (formerly Buds); the times I have stopped in there the employees have always been friendly and helpful. Most of the businesses within the Village core are located along one of two streets, Harvard and Yale, or the Main throughway, Indian Hill Blvd. In the Village, you can get your coffee fix at independents such as the Last Drop Cafe, or Some Crust Bakery, or at 42nd Street Bagel, Starbucks, or Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. These are also good places of a quick sweet treat or lunchtime sandwich. Two of my favorite breakfast places are the Grill for omelets, or 42nd Street for a "bagel con-egg-tion".
At lunch time check out Podge's for great sandwiches and smoothies, or Jamba Juice. For a more substantial meal check into Pizza n' Such, the Grill, Espiau's, or Hero's. They are all good and offer a variety of choices. For Italian, there is Aruffo's, Tutti Mangia, La Parolaccia osteria Italiana, or a very small place I recently had the pleasure of patronizing for the first time, La Piccoletta, where the menu changes weekly; try something different at these places, you won't regret it. For something totally different (at least for me) try Viva Madrid, a Spanish tapas bar and restaurant, Walter's for traditional Afghan, Yiannis for Greek, Harvard Square Cafe for continental, Saca's Mediterranean Cuisine, and the new, and quite popular, Cheese Cave. To combine food with music check into the Press, or in the Village West expansion area, the Hip Kitty Jazz and Fondue.

The Packing House, Village West

The Village West area has a number of newer restaurants including the Casa Moreno, Bua Thai Cuisine, and the Back Abbey (think Belgian beer and frittes, among other fare). The Village West area is also home to the Laemmle theatre, Casa 425 hotel, which by the way maintains a small fleet of bikes for rent to the hotel's patrons, and the new Flapper's comedy club, as well as numerous specialty shops and galleries. The Village also contains many places to pick up quicker bites when time is at a premium. Of course no trip into the Village is complete without a stop at the Folk Music store, Rhino Records, Video Paradiso, and Bert and Rocky's Ice Cream.


Don't hesitate to look beyond the Village as well. At the intersection of Foothill and Indian Hill Blvds is the Old School House with Casa de Salsa Mexican cuisine, Trader Joe's, the Burger Bar, and Roebek's Juice. Within shouting distance of this intersection is the Velo, of which I have posted on numerous occasions. Lest I should be negligent, Coates Cyclery is another 1.5 miles to the west, though just across the border in the neighboring burg of Pomona. Up at Baseline and Mills is the Euro Cafe, my walk-to favorite, a little  Portuguese place where the owner takes the time to greet everyone.


Various events take place in the Village area throughout the year including the weekly farmer's market on Sunday's, Friday Nights Live, with two stages of music each Friday evening, Family Fun Festival, each Wednesday, the Depot Jazz series in late summer / early autumn. Special yearly events include the Village Venture craft faire, Wine Walk, the Folk Music Festival, and the upcoming California Beer Festival. 

Depot Jazz series

I am sure I have forgotten something, and certainly this is not a complete list; there are many specialty shops, art galleries and installations which may be of interest. And then there are the things you might not normally think of, like the trees, Claremont is famous for it's trees (just watch out around the Eucalyptus, they have been dropping some massive branches lately), or the parks, or the fountains and historic buildings at the Colleges. Thing is, if you are passing through by bike, you can try a new place each visit, though that would require many visits. With so much within such a small area, it is no wonder so many cyclists can be seen here on the weekends, and so many rides begin and end in the Village, or nearby outlying areas of the city.