By Clarisse Koo ’28
So, what’s there really to do in Claremont? I wouldn’t classify Claremont as a big hustle and bustle, heart of the city vibe—far from it actually. Claremont is quiet, peaceful but definitely charming. Adjusting to life without the skyscrapers, city lights, and constant honking of cars I was so familiar with was a change—but discovering the local craft stores, friendly pet owners walking their dogs, and quaint eateries scattered around the neighborhood has definitely been worth it. Being at Pomona gives me the best access to the Claremont Village (being quite literally in our backyard). A late night frozen yogurt or ice cream run is a quick 5 minute walk from first-year dorms and I love how close everything is. I have easy access to sweet treats, and transportation is also super convenient as the bus stops are right around the corner and the Metrolink station is just two roads across. All of these things were nice upsides I quickly discovered when I came to Pomona. I advise prospective students to do some research on the surrounding area as I’ve learned that the area around your school can be a big part of student life. But, if you are searching for even more information about life at Pomona, let me introduce you to one of my favorite things about the village to hopefully seal the deal: The farmers market!
Every Sunday from 8am to 1pm, the village dedicates one main road to local farmers and artisans so they can sell their goods. I really enjoy walking down the street and seeing stalls lined with seasonal flowers, cool handmade trinkets and fresh produce like honey and cheese! The village is usually pretty quiet around the day, but the farmer’s market continuously brings a warm buzz of chatter and a sense of community. It was my first-weekend at Pomona when I walked through the market for the first time. I went with a few friends who I had only met a couple days before, but conversation flowed easily. We were soon talking about how pretty the flowers were and how cool it was that there were so many fresh fruits and vegetables. The farmer’s market is only a short walk from the first-year dorms, making it easy to watch Claremont truly come alive as families from across the area gather to visit the farmers market. It feels like a heartwarming celebration of the local community.
Though the farmer’s market is a weekly recurring event, every year in the fall, the village has a day where hundreds of stalls set up and even more vendors from all around come and set up a booth around the Village. Blocks and blocks of unique shops open up and literally everything and anything is sold. Food trucks also line the entire street. I easily spent two hours walking through all the nooks and crannies of the market, eagerly browsing through what each stall had to offer. It was refreshing to see such a large scale event with new items. It offered a delightful change of pace from the familiar shops around the village. Before coming to Pomona, I didn’t know about the farmers market or much about the village. It’s such a wonderful part of the community, and I encourage all prospective students to explore it! Exploring off campus can be just as fun as getting to know what’s on campus, and it doesn’t have to be far—there’s much to discover even in our own little Claremont Village.