What to do and see in Claremont, United States: The Best Places and Tips

December 10, 2017 Milan Banda

Just 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles is one of California's most impressive college towns, with seven prestigious colleges within walking distance of one another. Here at the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, independent boutiques and a craft brewery coexist with over 80 restaurants and pubs, soothing day spas, and bicycle-friendly streets and trails. Stroll through the Claremont Colleges' campuses, visit the Folk Music Center, or explore the sunny Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden.
Restaurants in Claremont

1. Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden

1500 N College Ave, Claremont, CA 91711-3157 +1 909-625-8767
Excellent
55%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 151 reviews

Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden

Reviewed By zippytongflockings - Claremont California

I want to say that first of all I have been a supporting member of the garden since 2009. I walk the property at least 2 to 3 times a week. I love the garden. That being said, RSABG could use much work! Especially the back half of the property. The more visited front of the property receives most of attention and is pleasant to meander through. Often there fun interactive displays and coupled with the beautiful surroundings, invites one to linger. There are ample benches to be found - I have my favorites. Sometimes I bring a book and stay for a couple hours. The garden is most crowded on weekends so I try and come during the week. While the garden does have a cohesive layout, the stressed California Plant Communities area, along its crumbling asphalt access roads and spray painted signage make if feel more ad-hock than deliberate. It is this area needs the most work. In the meantime, I will continue to support the garden and hope that someday this property's full potential can be realized.

2. Graber Olive House

315 E 4th St, Ontario, CA 91764-2709 +1 800-996-5483
Excellent
71%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 132 reviews

Graber Olive House

The central manufacturing plant of famous Graber olives.

Reviewed By SharonOregon - Oregon

We loved this gift shop!!! Beautiful displays!!! The olives we sampled were excellent and had the perfect amount of saltiness!!!

3. Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum

1101 W McKinley Ave Bldg 3A, Pomona, CA 91768-1639 +1 909-622-2133
Excellent
78%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 74 reviews

Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum

Reviewed By ChuckBrooks - Alamogordo, New Mexico

This museum provides a great history of drag racing with cars from every era and most classes. This museum is right up there with the Daytona and Indy museums.

4. Mission Tiki Drive-in Theatre

10798 Ramona Ave, Montclair, CA 91763 +1 909-628-0511
Excellent
23%
Good
56%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
3%
Terrible
7%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 26 reviews

Mission Tiki Drive-in Theatre

Reviewed By Lauriepaz - Chino Hills, California

I organized an evening at Tiki Drive-in for our "Summer Fun" group and we had a great time! Saw two movies for $9 and brought our own food and drinks, kids latex in back hatch of our navigator and adults sat in chairs outside and enjoyed our time together!

5. La Verne Brewing Company

2125 Wright Ave Ste C15, La Verne, CA 91750-5816 +1 909-596-5804
Excellent
70%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 10 reviews

La Verne Brewing Company

Reviewed By axs666 - Canberra, Australia

A modest brewery located in a small industrial area. The theme is auto racing which is appropriate for the area. The tasting bar is in front and relatively small. The brewery in back has lots of places to sit and is a great place to chill and quaff. Decent beers. An enjoyable experience.

6. Dale Bros. Brewery

2120 Porter Field Way, Upland, CA 91786-2111 +1 909-579-0032
Excellent
55%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 17 reviews

Dale Bros. Brewery

Reviewed By Eric O - Upland, California

I love this place. It's a nice place to relax with locals and drink amazing craft beers. My favorites are the Red between the lines and the Runway IPA. The staff is friendly and helpful. They have food venders on the weekend, that are always good.

7. Auto Club Raceway at Pomona

2780 Fairplex Dr, Pomona, CA 91768-1400 +1 909-593-7010
Excellent
79%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 28 reviews

Auto Club Raceway at Pomona

Reviewed By misspWestSlope_CO - WestSlope,CO

Auto Club Raceway at Pomona is located at the Fairplex. We decided at the last minute to attend Winternationals (4th visit for my husband...his favorite venue for drag racing because of the generally nice weather and layout of the track and grounds). We decided on lodging at San Dimas, as some of the lodging very close by was already booked up or else pretty pricey. (See separate review of Red Roof Inn Fairplex, San Dimas...we were well pleased and would stay again) There's plenty of parking, good variety of food choices which are tasty but expensive! and always a good car show in the pits. Nitro Alley is fun, with the typical assortment of merchandise for sale, but I also noticed quite a few displays and games to engage the race fan, and of course it is fun to see the pit crews at work. This venue advertises "Every ticket a pit pass!"
Our one beef was that the mass exodus after the races ended on Sunday was not well organized. There was no one directing traffic, or if there was, we didn't see them and they weren't in control. Actually, even going in, the parking attendants weren't really directing traffic but mostly just standing around. If we go again, we'll just take our time at the track before walking to the parking lot. We'll get some food, use the restroom, take a look around the exhibits and pits for a while. There is a "tailgate" parking lot, and it might be well worth the extra cost; or, just pack a cooler in the trunk or purchase food at the track and plan on eating supper in your car to give the parking lot a little time to clear out.

We heard a couple of complaints that they were really cracking down and checking disabled parking tags. We spoke to one disabled vet who said he didn't mind being checked, because they were having trouble with people (kids mostly) who were trying to park in disabled parking using grandpa's parking permit.

It is permissable to bring in bottled water in a backpack or small bag. I don't know if you can bring in snacks or food and was unable to locate any policy about that. Take sunscreen, earplugs or earphones (if you've never been...it is LOUD!!!), a hat or cap, and maybe a stadium seat. Wear comfortable shoes! Hubby says it is worth considering renting the headphones that allow you to hear the track commentary.

One of the review questions is whether this attraction requires advance planning, reservations, etc. While there were plenty of empty seats on the day we attended, it is advisable to plan ahead. The pit side seats closer to the starting line tend to be preferable. We like to sit about midway up.

8. Claremont Hills Wilderness Park

4031 N Mills Ave, Claremont, CA 91711-1406 +1 909-399-5490
Excellent
63%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
4%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 47 reviews

Claremont Hills Wilderness Park

Reviewed By SanMo - Malibu, California

My last day in the area after spending several days hiking up the hill at baldy-icehouse

Don't think I've ever been to a bad park! This is an excellent park and wilderness area.
It's a park that's clean, friendly and gets used!

Lotsa parking and inexpensive at $3.00.
Fun trails that can give you some distance.
Easy hiking on fire roads that old, young, in-shape and outa-shape can enjoy.
Dog friendly and no bags left on the trails.
Trash free trails.
Friendly walkers and hikers almost always greeting as we pass.

Only bummer is the usual horrible bikers---mamil---middle aged men in lycra. Don't think they know how boorish they behave while riding and how clownish they look!

9. American Museum of Ceramic Art

399 N Garey Ave, Pomona, CA 91767-5431 +1 909-865-3146
Excellent
57%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 27 reviews

American Museum of Ceramic Art

Reviewed By MoxieBoston - Boston

I love this museum. Amazing exhibitions, museum store, permanent collection, lectures, free family days AND a huge studio. They just opened up a new exhibition space (that is beautiful) with Dirk Staschke's exhibition.

Combine your visit with the museums in Claremont or a visit to Maloof.

10. Folk Music Center

220 Yale Ave, Claremont, CA 91711-4773 +1 909-624-2928
Excellent
71%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 30 reviews

Folk Music Center

Reviewed By Ulvgirl - Claremont, California

I love visiting this store when I am in the Claremont Village. It is a great place to wonder around and discover obscure and everyday musical instruments. They also offer classes.

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