CLAREMONT DOES IT RIGHT!

     My latest tour visited the east LA County city of Claremont.  This college town is truly one of the prettiest and most friendly in Southern California.  Originally founded by the Santa Fe Railroad, the town benefitted from the decision by Pomona College (1880) to locate near its eastern border.  The growth of the remaining four colleges and a booming citrus industry gave Claremont an economic stimulus.  The great thing is that the city never let its growth compromise its character.

Our tour group posing at the 1927 Spanish  Colonial Depot.

Sunday Farmers' Market .

Every town needs a clock

I think Claremont's success is based on four factors: 

1) A fun, pedestrian-scale village with unique shops:  The friendly village of Claremont has wonderful specialty retail and comfortable streets.  Many little stores, good parking and super friendly store owners make a visit so much fun.  I loved the Folk Music Center with its amazing array of instruments and knowledgable employees.  I actually bought a guitar there!

Emily of Claremont Crafts Ales was so accommodating.

2) Really friendly people and a nice pace of life:  Southern Californians are nice people in general, but even nicer when their town makes them happy.  So many of the shop owners and workers just love their town and have lived there most of their lives.  For example, Emily, who owns Claremont Craft Ales with her husband, opened early just for our group (and we didn't drink that much)!

3) Great planning with a strong preservation movement:  The City of Claretmont preserves their village with careful regulations which encourage small, specialized businesses rather than franchises.  Claremont Heritage has built a strong lobby to preserve and love the City's wonderful Victorian, Craftsman and Spanish Colonial buildings.  And Claremont is hip!  They did a beautiful adaptive reuse of the 1922 packing house by preserving its major architectural elements while introducing a great restaurant, fun signage and nice shops.

Queen Anne Victorian on College Avenue.

4) The presence of five great colleges: Having these stellar institutions right next door gives Claremont consistent employment, a steady stream of shoppers and a wonderful heritage.  Not only are these colleges among the finest in the nation, some of them are drop-dead gorgeous.  Scripps College was voted the 4th most beautiful campus in the US.  Its early 20th century Spanish Colonial architecture, beautiful interior landscaping and murals make it a great stop.  The oldest college - Pomona - has wonderful auditoriums and nice shady oak trees.

Margaret Fowler Garden where Mexican muralist Martinez completed seven of the nine panels before his death

Leafy Scripps College

Adaptive reuse of the landmark 1922 packing house.

A pint-sized guitar for tours bought at the Folk Music Center on Yale.