Claremont McKenna College - Local Atmosphere

College Prowler Take

Going to college in Southern California means that it is a drive to get just about everywhere. The only sign of life within walking distance is the Village, a small town most often described as “sleepy.” While not far off the mark, this description is slightly unfair. The Village is home to quite a few good, moderately pricey restaurants. The Press is a popular bar, but wild and crazy aren’t exactly the right words for it.

Claremont McKenna sits on one of the main thoroughfares of the Inland Empire, however, so there are many college-student-friendly establishments within an easy drive. There are bars galore, movie theaters, malls, major grocery stores, an awesome bowling alley (dollar beer nights are a must), and more Targets, Best Buys and Wal-Marts than you can shake a stick at (that’s a lot). Further afield is Disneyland, Six Flags, Joshua Tree National Park, Las Vegas, and of course, Los Angeles. Claremont students don’t head into LA every weekend, but when they do make the hour-long trip, it’s often to go to the beach, be on The Price Is Right, visit the Getty Center and other art museums, see traveling Broadway shows, or go clubbing. Las Vegas is a really popular weekend option for those over 21. Other CMCers spend the occasional weekend in Palm Springs or San Diego, both about an hour and a half away. For all the skiers and boarders, Big Bear Mountain is an hour drive. Claremont isn’t a suitcase campus by any stretch of the imagination, but its surroundings do provide nice diversions from time to time.

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Students Speak Out

CMCBH says: Claremont McKenna College 2016 Social Sciences

The town is amazing. The location... The town is amazing. The location is perfect because no farther than five minutes away are all the big stores that I can get grocery and supplies at. The town, which is just a two minute walk, is an amazing college-friendly town. I can go to LA, a beach, a ski mountain, Las Vegas, national parks, Mexico—or just about anywhere fun—in the planning of a day. 12345 Local Atmosphere: March 11, 2009 Report

CMCLM says: Claremont McKenna College 2012 Business

Claremont is a quaint, little town... Claremont is a quaint, little town with lots of nice restaurants and a good farmers market on Sunday. As soon as you drive five minutes away, you have all of your fast food and malls, so it's also easy to get In-N-Out Burger and Del Taco on all occasions. Many people either hang around on campus or go to the beach when they aren't drinking or at class, which is a negligible amount of time. There are really nice places to camp in Joshua Tree, San Diego, and Mt. Baldy, if you want to get away. Vegas is also only a three-hour drive, so impromptu Vegas trips are a common occurrence as well. There are the four other universities nearby, and there is some interaction, especially if you're on a sports team. The most interaction is between Scripps girls and CMC guys probably. 12345 Local Atmosphere: March 10, 2009 Report

CMCPK says: Claremont McKenna College 2012 Business

The town of Claremont is designed... The town of Claremont is designed for old people. There are zero fast food restaurants in Claremont, and most places are completely shut down by 9 p.m. There are very few places that will deliver, and many students spend a great majority of their time on campus. Los Angeles is only 30 minutes away, which is a bit more exciting. 12345 Local Atmosphere: March 09, 2009 Report

CMCCW says: Claremont McKenna College 2014 Other

Claremont is small with a cute... Claremont is small with a cute village, but everywhere else is not too great. There isn't a whole lot to do off campus. We do have the other colleges where you can take classes, too. There is some interaction with other students, but there is a huge rivalry between CMC and Pomona. 12345 Local Atmosphere: March 07, 2009 Report

CMCCH says: Claremont McKenna College 2013 Business

The village is small, but really... The village is small, but really cute. There are a couple of good restaurants and stores around, but people generally tend to stay on campus. Other than the other four Caremont colleges, there isn't much interaction with other schools. 12345 Local Atmosphere: March 07, 2009 Report

Facts

Did You Know?

5 Fun Facts about Claremont:

The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, an Angels minor league baseball club in the area, has dollar beer nights. Throw a couple back, and you won’t even wonder why a dinosaur is their mascot.

Ben Harper’s family owns the folk music store in the Village.
• Claremont McKenna sits in the shadow of the tallest mountain in Southern California, so in the spring, you can hit the beach and the ski slopes in the same day!
• The tallest buildings in Claremont are the seven story South Quad towers on campus.
• There is a new extension to the Village being built with a movie theater, restaurants, and more student-oriented stores.

Famous People from Claremont:
Kylie Bivens, Ben Harper

Local Slang:
The Village – The small collection of shops and restaurants near campus.

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