ALONG COMES MARY

Since I grew up in Pasadena, the San Gabriel Valley is always close to my heart. I spend a lot of time in the area and nearby Inland Empire. A lesser-known gem is Pomona Valley where Claremont lies. I’ve been going to Claremont since I was a baby and it always draws me back. Why? One of the reasons besides personal nostalgia is the fact that little has changed to the Claremont Village. Several of the restaurants and shops “Baby Mary” frequented are still there. Those that have joined the tight-knit neighborhood in more recent years continue to align with the old-fashioned, “Mayberry” charm. 

Mabel and I just returned from a terrific two-day adventure to Claremont. It’s no surprise that she’s quickly loving the words “hotel” and “road trip.” It worked out well since I was looking to get a change of scenery yet not go too far. Despite the inland heat, that didn’t stop us from doing it all. Shopping, eating, treats, pool, botanical gardens, playgrounds, even an evening with Shakespeare. 

The Claremont Doubletree

We made it to town in just over an hour from Ventura County. I’ve stayed at Claremont’s Doubletree by Hilton before and each time has been wonderful. Mabel was instantly pleased with the traditional walnut chocolate chip cookies at check-in. Our third-floor king room was cozy with a bathtub and a small patio. It was very quiet overnight which made for restful sleep. The cutest part was snuggling in bed together and watching Legally Blonde before falling asleep. 

We felt right at home at the hotel pool. Given it was a weekday stay, I think we lucked out as we had it to ourselves often. After our swim the first evening, we decided to eat at the Orchard, the Doubletree’s restaurant and lounge. It was directly across from the pool and Mabel felt fancy to not go far for dinner. I decided on the halibut with bok-choy, mushrooms, and a tamari glaze. The presentation was striking and I was impressed at how fresh everything tasted. Their menu lists what is gluten-free, too. 

We also enjoyed breakfast both days at the Orchard. Select stays with the hotel include their full breakfast buffet. The vast selection includes eggs, meats, muffins, pastries, cereals, oatmeal, fruits, omelet and waffle station, pancakes, French toast, Starbucks coffee, Teavana tea, and juice. Although a lot is not gluten-free, I enjoyed eggs, potatoes, oatmeal, and fruit.

The best part of our stay was the staff. They’re incredibly hospitable and made us feel so welcome. Mabel is certainly a “diva” at times and they answered to her every request (even if mommy had to tell them no, thank you). 

The Doubletree entrance and patio dining at the Orchard. (c) Mary Farah

Exploring Claremont Village 

Just a mile away from the Doubletree is Claremont Village. There’s a plethora of locally-owned stores, restaurants, and cafes. I’ve had Crepes of Wrath on my list to visit forever. The order window-only crepe shop makes them in front of you. They have a menu divided into two categories: savory and sweet. This includes the choice to build your own for either taste. I split a build-your-own savory gluten-free with Mabel. I was impressed at how careful they were to ensure the area was not contaminated for me. They also checked a notebook of allergy listings so I knew what had gluten in it (graham crackers, gravy, and stuffing). 

Another appetizing stop just down the corner from Crepes of Wrath is Bert and Rocky’s Ice Cream. They’ve been serving their homemade scoops for over 25 years. Since it was still warm in the evening and we were in “girl’s trip” mode, we enjoyed a visit there after nine pm. Sometimes ice cream is just better before bedtime, isn’t it? 

Over at Some Crust Bakery, the locals will say it’s the best coffee in town. My iced espresso did hit the spot. The only thing that would have made it better was a gluten-free baked good. They make a limited amount of GF treats (usually cookies) that tend to sell out in the morning. 

Gluten-free savory crepe and halibut dinner at the Orchard. (c) Mary Farah

Eclectic Shops and Pop Culture Haven

Despite the old-town vibes of Claremont, their unique lineup of shops will remind visitors that it’s a college town. DeeLux and the Grove Gift Store are two of my favorites. The Grove is like returning to my childhood. Their selection of Loungefly bags is one of the best I’ve seen yet they also blend in useful houseware items, accessories, and gifts for pop culture nerds like myself. 

DeeLux is a buy-sell-trade shop (think Buffalo Exchange) with kitschy odds and ends like psychedelic sun sign magnets and tongue-in-cheek coffee mugs. Some of the items on their racks were certainly vintage. I spied a throwback (1970s, maybe?) dress with its Sears tag still on and funky pairs of Dr. Martens. 

Other highlights for us are Boon Companion Toys, Tattle Tails, A Kline Chocolatier, and A Shop Called Quest. A fun aspect of our visit was using the Claremont Village gift cards. Sold at the Chamber of Commerce, these cards come in $25 amounts and are an uncommon way to explore a city. They make for unique gifts and can be redeemed at a variety of businesses all around town. They encouraged me to check out places I had just walked by, like Nectar, a trendy shop I had thought looked too “young” for a full-time momma like myself. Turns out, they had adorable outfits that were very “me.”

The California Botanic Garden. (c) Mary Farah

California Botanic Garden 

I’m no stranger to California Botanic Garden. It’s formerly the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden but its name update fits adequately. The 86 acres are home to the largest collection of California native plants. Although each visit has found me there on a heated day, this time worked out the best. We were less than a mile away so we made a beeline in the car after breakfast. They’re open eight to eight for summertime and it’s worth going to any time of the year. 

We explored through Tonga huts, walked among a palm tree oasis, saw lizards and butterflies every which way, and zig-zagged around redwood and oak trees. It’s stroller friendly and we saw a slew of plants that were new to us. 

Between the garden and fun playgrounds at Memorial and Claremont Wilderness Parks, we managed to discover a lot of the “nature” side of town. With a slew of world-renowned colleges throughout town, exploring campuses is another fun option. We poked around Pomona College a bit as we ventured out for……

Midsummer Shakespeare Festival 

I’m a sucker for outdoor live theatre. I swoon at any chance to watch a live show outdoors during the summer. I was thrilled to spend an evening under the stars with Mabel at the Midsummer Shakespeare Festival. This has become a Claremont tradition and is produced annually by Ophelia’s Jump. The production non-profit has become vital to the community since its founding ten years ago. 

We arrived at Pomona College’s Sontag Greek Theatre early. Picnics are encouraged so we, in usual form, brought all of our Trader Joe favorites (did I mention we basically share a parking lot with a Trader Joe’s while staying at the Doubletree? Best of both worlds.) Guests can stay on the grassy lawn overlooking the intimate stadium or move to open seating closer to the stage at showtime. 

The rotating schedule this year features La Tempestad and The Knight of the Burning Pestle. We attended the opening night of the latter. An Elizabethan comedy that relies heavily on improvising, and I was impressed that Mabel “stuck” with it. We didn’t last to the very end, but she was laughing and particularly loved when cast members utilized the audience. 

Until Next Time, Claremont

Claremont turned out to be such a great “stay-cation” for Mabel and me. I’m happy it’s not far to go again for a day trip. Thanks to Visit Claremont for having us and learn more to plan a visit HERE.