Overview
Claremont is a college town about 30 miles (50 km) east of Downtown Los Angeles in the eastern San Gabriel Valley of Southern California. It is known for the trees lining its streets and as the home of the elite Claremont Colleges, which together have given it the nickname "City of Trees and PhDs".
4 sights · 6 things to do · 12 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 4 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Claremont
Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology
John R. Rodman Arboretum
Benton Museum of Art at Pomona College
Pomona College's sleek art museum, adjacent to the Village, houses a collection of approximately items, including Italian Renaissance panel paintings, indigenous American art and artifacts, and American and European prin…
Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Gardens
The Gardens showcase native California plant life.
The Village
A popular collection of street-front small stores, boutiques, art galleries, offices, and restaurants.
Candlelight Pavilion
Offers dinner and a professional live stage musical.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jan–Dec. Summer highs reach about 89°F; winter lows dip to about 48°F. Wettest: Feb and Jan. (climate data from nearby Anaheim)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- ONT Ontario International Airport, Ontario — 8 mi away (major hub). Directions
- SBD San Bernardino International Airport, San Bernardino — 28 mi away (major hub). Directions
The Metrolink San Bernardino Line offers hourly service between the Los Angeles Union Station and San Bernardino Santa Fe Depot. Union Station offers bus, Amtrak, and Metrolink connections from many surrounding cities and the FlyAway Bus to Los Angeles International Airport. The stations nearest to Claremont are:
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $70–$140 a night (typical $115), from 4 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$110, mid-range ~$190, comfortable ~$310.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning John R. Rodman Arboretum, The Village, Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Gardens
- Lunch 21 Choices
- Afternoon Benton Museum of Art at Pomona College, City Hall
- Dinner Some Crust Bakery
- Evening The Back Abbey
Day 2
- Morning Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology, Candlelight Pavilion
- Lunch Patty's Mexican Foods
- Afternoon Claremont Colleges, Laemmle Theatres Claremont 5
- Dinner Saca's Mediterranean Cuisine
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Like many college towns, Claremont has ample fast food and cheap eateries, as well as nicer, more upscale restaurants.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By car
- San Bernardino Freeway Interstate 10 connects Los Angeles to Coachella Valley (Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Indio), through East LA, Claremont, Ontario, Ontario International Airport, and San Bernardino. Claremont is only accessed from exit 47 ("S Indian Hill Blvd").
- & Foothill Blvd serves as the section of the Old Route 66 through Claremont as a local east-west local road.
- Foothill Freeway Claremont is accessed via Towne Ave (exit 50) and Baseline Rd (exit 52).
By bus
Go Greyhound & Cruceros-USA
Greyhound operates along Interstate 10 (Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Phoenix, Tucson & El Paso); I-10/I-15 (Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Barstow & Las Vegas). Tickets are not available for purchase at this stop, however; they must be bought in advance online or at the nearest full-service station in San Bernardino or Los Angeles.
Place Las Vegas Shuttle
Connects Las Vegas to San Ysidro & Tijuana on one route and to Los Angeles on another. Their shuttles running between Las Vegas and San Diego/Tijuana stop in Hesperia and San Bernardino. Prearrangements for pick-up and drop-off at these locations may be required. Check tickets or ask to confirm pick-up and drop-off locations.
- Omnitrans operates as local public transportation between San Bernardino, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Montclair, and Upland in San Bernardino County. The #66EB,84,85,88, and 290 buses connect Montclair Transcenter (nearest to Claremont) to Chino/Chino Hills and to points east in San Bernardino County.
Go Riverside Transit (RTA) #204
Operates local buses in and around Corona, Riverside city, Beaumont, Banning (Rt #31), San Jacinto and other cities in western Riverside County. The #204 bus connects Montclair Transcenter to downtown Riverside via Ontario Mills Mall, Country Village and UCR.
- Foothill Transit connects Claremont to Montclair, Pomona, West Covina, Asuza, and other cities in the San Gabriel Valley as well as express buses to downtown Los Angeles (Silver Streak & Rt 699).
By train
The Metrolink San Bernardino Line offers hourly service between the Los Angeles Union Station and San Bernardino Santa Fe Depot. Union Station offers bus, Amtrak, and Metrolink connections from many surrounding cities and the FlyAway Bus to Los Angeles International Airport. The stations nearest to Claremont are:
Connections to Foothill Transit at both stations and to Omnitrans at Montclair Transcenter.
By plane
The nearby Ontario Airport (ONT) offers frequent connections to many major U.S. cities, and to Mexico.
Claremont is also accessible from other airports in the greater Los Angeles area including Burbank (BUR), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), and Long Beach (LGB).
Get around
On foot
The best way to explore Claremont's charming downtown (called "The Village") is on foot; it is a reasonable walk from the local Metrolink station. However, getting around the rest of the town often requires a car.
See
See Benton Museum of Art at Pomona College (the Benton)
Pomona College's sleek art museum, adjacent to the Village, houses a collection of approximately items, including Italian Renaissance panel paintings, indigenous American art and artifacts, and American and European prints, drawings, and photographs.
Do
Do City Hall
Sit down to a game of outdoor chess at the boards built into the tables on the lawn.
Do Claremont Colleges
Take a stroll through the five connected campuses of the Claremont Colleges. There are frequent events, including talks open to the public most weekday evenings at 6:45PM at the M.M.C. Athenaeum and the Scripps Presents series.
Learn
Place The Claremont Colleges
Five undergraduate colleges (Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, Scripps College, Harvey Mudd College, and Pitzer College) and two graduate institutions (Claremont Graduate University and Keck Graduate Institute) make up the prestigious Claremont Colleges consortium, serving over 6000 students.
Buy
The Village hosts a variety of independent shops. The local specialty seems to be unique ladies' clothing. Keep an eye out for antiques, chocolates, and creative gifts as well.
Shop Claremont's Farmer's Market
In the heart of the Village, local merchants offer fresh produce and unique crafts.
Shop Boon Companion
Formerly known as Claremont Toys, is a classic small-town toy shop—think building blocks, picture books, kiddie craft supplies, and stuffed animals of all varieties.
Eat
Like many college towns, Claremont has ample fast food and cheap eateries, as well as nicer, more upscale restaurants.
Budget
Eat 21 Choices
Offers a rotating selection of base frozen yogurts (be sure to sample each one before choosing!) that can be customized with candy mix-ins. A second location is at 460 West 1st Street.
Eat Some Crust Bakery
Over-sized, decently priced, and mouth-wateringly delicious, the rotating cookie selection brings customers in hordes. The bakery's impressive cakes are on display in a rotating refrigerator rack in the main entryway.
Eat Patty's Mexican Foods
Fast food Mexican with homemade tortillas.
Eat Saca's Mediterranean Cuisine
Sandwiches, salads, falafel and hummus.
Mid-range
Eat Buca di Beppo
Eclectic decor and authentic cuisine, family style portions.
Eat Aruffo's Italian Cuisine
Exquisite Italian cuisine in a convivial yet intimate atmosphere. The appetizer bread is a sure winner, and you can't go wrong with any dish. The chocolate creme brulee is a special treat for dessert.
Eat Viva Madrid
An authentic Spanish tapas bar and restaurant with great food. It gets busy quickly so if you wish to check it out, go early.
Eat Dr. Grubb's
Large portions and vegetarian friendly. You choose a protein, sauce and side and your meal is cooked fresh. Take out available.
Eat Mongolian Barbeque
Offers take-out. You fill a bowl with veggies and meat and then give it to a cook to be cooked.
Eat Le Pain Quotidien
Outdoor seating available. Light and fresh bakery and coffee shop.
Splurge
Eat Wolfe's Market
Located in a grocery store, this place offers catering and lunch. Generally considered overly expensive.
Eat Tutti Mangia Italian Grill
Italian food featuring wine tastings.
Drink
Drink The Back Abbey
Extensive beer and wine list with sitting indoors and out, slightly pricey. Also known for their burgers.
Sleep
Go next
- Victoria Gardens is a shop-a-holic's dream. A mall on the scale of a small town, including a fabulous food court, a theater, and just about any nationwide chain store you can imagine.
- For those with a shorter shoestring, Ontario Mills is the largest outlet mall in the greater L.A. area. It also includes two large cineplexes, and a huge number of restaurants.
- A short drive north will bring you to the mountains for beautiful hiking. Skiing is available at Mount Baldy during the winter months.
Nearby
La Verne
City / town · 2 listings · 3 mi away
Upland
City / town · 20 listings · 4 mi away
Pomona
City / town · 13 listings · 4 mi away
San Dimas
City / town · 5 listings · 6 mi away
Ontario
City / town · 19 listings · 7 mi away
Chino
City / town · 8 listings · 7 mi away
Rancho Cucamonga
City / town · 10 listings · 8 mi away
Chino Hills
City / town · 13 listings · 8 mi away
My experience
Write about your trip here. Notes save automatically in this browser as you type; back them up from My journal.