By Emmanuel Coates ’27
They call Claremont the City of Trees and PhDs—a phrase that perfectly encapsulates the quaint atmosphere of this intensely academic yet reposeful environment. It’s a calm city that offers unique opportunities, but at the same time, it’s easy to grow bored of the monotony of suburbia—especially when you don’t quite know what to do. It takes a bit of time to establish a routine here, but once you do, leaving it behind feels almost incomprehensible.
I’m from downtown Detroit—which is, frankly, the polar opposite of Claremont—so it definitely took me a while to acclimate. For a time, I relied on our close, but not too close, proximity to Los Angeles as an escape from the calm ambiance. I wasn’t exactly homesick, but I craved being enveloped by the cacophonous streets of a bustling city center. I missed the people, food, and art that reflect the myriad of cultures and experiences that thrive in an industrial cosmopolitan environment.
I used to convince my friends to take the train to LA almost every weekend (back when it was free). One day it would be a game at USC; the next, a beach trip or an afternoon wandering through one of the city’s many vibrant districts. But after a while, I realized that exploring LA every weekend—however exciting—was quixotic. Not only is it expensive, but it’s also never-ending. LA is constantly changing, and after enough weekends chasing ephemeral pleasures, I realized those excursions had become insubstantial and fleeting. What I really needed were hobbies that felt sustainable and fulfilling—and I needed to find them here in Claremont.
From summer and winter programs to the regular fall and spring semesters, I’ve come to know this place like I know my own home. And yes, sometimes the humdrum of Claremont can feel banal, but there’s something about its predictability that has a certain panache. For one, I can always count on Claremont’s trees and natural beauty. With over 300 days of sunshine, you can hike Mt. Baldy year-round—or anywhere in SoCal, for that matter. The same goes for climbers, campers, and runners—the rural suburbs of Claremont are perfectly suited for anyone who enjoys being outside.
It’s almost indescribable how Claremont makes you romanticize even the menial parts of life. Walking to the Village, laying in the sun, playing pickleball with friends—the little things become deeply intimate. I don’t do things just for the sake of doing them; I do them because they bring me joy. I sew at the Hive or the Makerspace because I want to improve. My friends and I play pickleball because we enjoy spending time together. I hike because it’s invigorating. I volunteer with our senior centers because it’s fulfilling.
Claremont is nothing if not consistent—from the climate to the rhythm of its programs and events. Every Sunday, there’s a farmers market in the Village, featuring local entrepreneurs with the freshest produce, the most unique plants, and one-of-a-kind art. I can’t honestly say that I show up every Sunday, but I can definitely say that I’m there at least twice a month during the semester, and more during breaks. Additionally, the thrift stores, boutiques, cafés, and restaurants all exude that “small-town charm,” where people actually know you, and you know them. I look forward to chatting with my favorite baristas at Le Pain Quotidien when I stop by for my usual iced americano, and I like having the “inside scoop” on my favorite establishments—it makes every interaction that much more personal.
The message I’m trying to get at is this: while Claremont may seem boring at first—and you might even try to escape it—this community has a way of showing you who you want to be.