People of the sun: Claremont, California
There is something about the availability of ample sunshine that sometimes transforms the way people view the world. At least in temperate climates, it seems to me that sunshine tends to encourage an active lifestyle and lingering in the great outdoors, which in turn gives people opportunities to mix. These conditions can promote greater openness and perhaps friendliness among people. Although ozone depletion and climate change are giving the sun a bad name, it still seems that this sunshine effect continues to operate in many places. (NB, I freely admit that there are many exceptions, including for example Oregon, which is grey and damp for much of the year, yet generally open-minded, outdoors-oriented and friendly).
In recent years, we have spent some time with people of the sun in Claremont, California. The Santa Fe Railroad gave the town its name and promoted its development in the late 1800s. A place in the sun! Pomona College served as a catalyst for further development. Nowadays, Claremont is an open and outgoing place, a great town to walk around, with a vibrant town center, farmers market, cafes, restaurants and delis, colleges and academic institutions, botanical garden, cinema, and more. Trees arch over the roads. There is a hint of Spanish influence in some of the architecture. Outdoor opportunities abound via nice parks and access to large nature reserves in the mountains bordering the town to the north. Claremont is not entirely a world apart, of course. It remains surrounded by the Southern California sprawl, and all of the good and bad that that entails, from excellence in the creative economy, natural beauty and cultural diversity, to frenetic freeways and seasonal air pollution. Nonetheless, inside Claremont, calm tends to reign and the good vibes win out over such troubles.
The Wikipedia entry for Claremont gives a great overview of the town:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claremont,_California.
Looking over a courtyard wall in Claremont
Recommendations for great, low-key dining around Claremont
1) Downtown Claremont
42 Street Bagels, 225 Yale Street, Claremont, CA 91711; excellent bagels, friendly atmosphere, a low key and basic set up, but does a great job of delivering on its promise. Draws a crowd of regulars.
The Last Drop Cafe, 119 Harvard Ave., Claremont, CA 91711; excellent sandwiches and soup, way good chocolate chip cookies. This is a small establishment frequented by locals and students from the Claremont area. Free wifi.
Walter’s Restaurant, 308 N. Yale Ave., Claremont, CA 91711; quality dining, relaxed atmosphere with interesting menu (including some Near East-influenced fusion dishes) and great desserts, nice selection of wines & beers
2) In nearby (by LA standards) Arcadia
Din Tai Fung, 1088 S. Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007; authentic Taiwanese-Shanghainese dumpling and noodle house, with a bustling atmosphere and great food, served by an attentive and friendly staff, without much fanfare; expect a line, but it is worth a short wait.