How to get there: The eastern-most city in Los Angeles County, Claremont is 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles along Interstate 10. It’s a destination quite unlike any other in Southern California: A hidden gem within the sprawling, urbanscape of the L.A. basin.  From LA: Take the 134 to the 210 exit North Towne Avenue South. Ontario International Airport (ONT) – 10 miles  Los Angeles – 40 miles

STAY:   Hotel Casa 425 is just what it claims to be: a home away from home. Located on the town square, within steps of fine restaurants, cafes, boutiques, art galleries and the prestigious Claremont Colleges, Casa 425 is a sophisticated boutique hotel with spacious rooms with clean lines and understated art.  Most of the rooms of this stylish boutique hotel open onto a tranquil courtyard in the heart of historic Claremont Village, and within walking distance of all the nightlife.  This diva recommends you grab a drink at the hip lounge or a complimentary green apple on your way out.

Hotel Casa 425 425 West First Street, Claremont, CA 91711  909-624-2272 http://www.casa425.com

RELAX: Besides being a great place to stay of Doubletree fame, this hotel houses an incredible top rated spa and salon for Claremont visitors. Essentials Day Spa & Salon claims it is specifically designed to provide a haven for your Mind, Body and Soul, so I put it to the test.  As I floated out of the salon after my spa pedicure and my full-body massage/scrub by an incredibly gorgeous Latina/Amazon goddess, I questioned my plans to keep on discovering the city, or go back inside for more pampering.  I highly recommend you spend at least half a day experiencing Essentials’ exquisite hair and nail services, full body massage, treatments, and complete skin spa menu.  Remember to thank the Amazon goddess as you float out after your massage.

Essentials Day Spa & Salon at the Doubletree Hotel Claremont 555 W. Foothill Blvd. Claremont, CA 91711 Phone: 909-626-2411 www.Doubletreeclaremont.com

EAT! La Parolaccia, in Italian, literally means “The Bad Language,” which you’ll be using if you happen to miss out on dinner at this place.  This Italian gourmet corner restaurant seems to be the all the rage in Claremont Village.  Within the fancy interiors, the first thing you notice is the smell of delicious garlic and the smile of our server.  I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed eating so much, munching on Focaccia “Forza Italia,” a thin crust focaccia from their wood burning oven, topped with goat cheese, tomato sauce, arugula, fresh tomatoes and white truffle oil.  YUM! …and while I generally like my meat well done, I have to admit to LOVING the Carpaccio di Bue con Arugola e Funghi, or as I called it, heaven in my mouth.  This appetizer of raw beef tenderloin came topped with fresh arugula, mushrooms, capers and shaved parmesan cheese. DOUBLE YUM!

La Parolaccia Osteria Italiana 201 N. Indian Hill  Claremont, CA 91711 909-624-1516 http://laparolacciausa.com/

HANG OUT! Claremont Village. This tree-lined downtown houses a myriad of mom and pop places as well as trendy favorites.  You’ll find a specialty cheese and olive oil place, The Cheese Cave, where you can try cheeses from all over the world, specialty fennel salame and hand-pressed olive oils. Definitely ask for a taste of “Snow White.” You’ll absolutely adore it. You’ll never think of the fairy tale the same way again.

Cheese Cave 325 North Yale Avenue  Claremont, CA 91711-4727  909-625-7560 http://www.claremontcheese.com/

WINE AND DINE! What a better place to start a hot date than a dimly lit place being served high quality wine and light fare, surrounded by comfy pillows? Add 1950’s standards to that equation and no woman could resist.  Packing House Wine Merchants on First Street offers excellent service with an enjoyable, relaxing, and fun atmosphere at which to shop, drink, and learn about wine. This is definitely a place of which Sinatra would approved.

Packing House Wine Merchants 540 West 1st Street Claremont, CA 91711-4618  909-445-9463  http://www.packinghousewines.com/

CULTIVATE! Fancy a romantic walk amongst the flowers?  Head to Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden.  Spread across 86 acres in Claremont, California, the Garden is located approximately 35 miles east of Los Angeles. Nestled in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, the Garden offers beautiful mountain vistas. The Garden displays about 2000 taxa of California plants and includes those native to the California Floristic Province as a whole. This region extends into southern Oregon, far western Nevada and extensively into Baja California, Mexico. Docents lead tours of the Garden periodically. 

Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden 1500 N. College Ave. Claremont, CA 91711 909-626-7670   http://www.rsabg.org

PARTY! Piano Piano is your big city dueling piano bar with some of the most amazing talent you’ve ever seen come out of a small town.  I was lucky enough to be there on a night when Susan was at one of the pianos…. I can’t say I’ve ever seen a more fabulous rocker chick who can blow your mind on the piano, drums, keytar, AND harmonica.  All while looking like Rocker Barbie. That same night, Shaun, a fantastic voice, not to be overshadowed by the sexy dances while grinding on the stage and on some of the lucky guests.  This is a place you will want to go back to time and time again.

Piano Piano (at Doubletree Hotel) 555 W Foothill Blvd Claremont, CA 91711  909-626-2411  http://www.duelingpianopiano.com

JAZZ IT UP! Hip Kitty is a swanky and intimate jazz supper club and lounge in downtown Claremont’s Village.  Located in the renovated, historic landmark Packing House, the warm and eclectic vintage décor takes you back to an era when jazz was subversive and fondue was all the rage.  Hip Kitty is classy but casual and over 21 only- a great place for a date night or a special celebration.  The retro menu features a wide selection of cheese, meat, seafood and chocolate fondues that are cooked right at your table, in addition to our lounge food menu.    Live music is featured on its stage 6 nights a week and every seat in the house has a great view.

Hip Kitty Jazz & Fondue 502 West 1st Street Claremont, CA 91711  909-447-6700 http://www.hipkittyjazz.com/

VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE! Partying not your thing?  Make sure to catch a show or two when you are Claremont.  If comedy is your style, Flappers Comedy Club’s A-list comedians like James P. Connolly perform for very thankful audiences.  The food at Flappers is also quite good. The cheese plate was unexpectedly fantastic, and even the MC and host comedians were great. Make sure you drink plenty at the Wine Merchants downstairs and the comedy and cheese will seem even better. 

Flappers Comedy Club 532 W 1st Street, Unit 218, Claremont, CA  91711 818-845-9721  http://www.flapperscomedy.com

Ben D. Bollinger’s Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theatre provides patrons with a dinner theatre and musicals for a theatrical experience the caliber of the Broadway shows in downtown LA without the freeway or parking dilemmas. Located in the center of Claremont, CA, audiences can enjoy a nice dinner and a show surrounded by locals.  This is the sort of place you’d take your parents.

Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theater 455 W Foothill Blvd Claremont, CA 91711  909-626-1254  http://www.candlelightpavilion.com

THE SCOOP! Don’t let this college town fool you.  Yes, there are plenty of youngsters, but that also brings about the hot singles and the eye candy.  Who says you can’t find a good man in LA?  Well, they’re half right… go find him in Claremont.

While it doesn’t look like a scene from an old Marx Brothers movie anymore, a day at the races is still a fun enterprise, whether you know the score or not. Recently a group of school chums from Chicago wanted to try their luck. We spent a pleasurable few hours in the grandstands trying to figure out betting techniques, while discussing long-ago prom dates. Some were more successful than others in both the racing results and prom picks. Nothing to be done about the long-past prom, but it may be worthwhile to attend the free classes offered at the track for some assistance.

Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, California, is approximately 14 miles Northwest of downtown Los Angeles, and about an hour from Orange County (location of Disneyland) and is noted for its picturesque mountain view setting. The current racing schedule runs from Wednesdays through Sundays with varied times for the first race. It’s best to check the day you want to go for the starting times. The first race can be noon, 12:30 or 1:00 p.m.

Good to know: on Thursdays seniors are admitted for free and on Fridays everyone is admitted for free – general admission – with the added incentives of $1 hot dogs, beer, soda, popcorn and coffee. There is a fee for parking.

The Park is a beauty and there’s plenty to see and do besides the actual races. The free Seabiscuit Tram Tour, which I took some years ago, was fascinating. It starts early – 8:30 a.m. and 9:45 a.m. – but is worth the effort. Reservations are required: (626) 574-6677. Tram pick up is at Clocker’s Corner and takes visitors to the stable area, receiving barn and paddock gardens. There’s a look at what is said to be racehorse Seabiscuit’s original stall and barn, and some areas used during the filming of the movie, Seabiscuit. I found the look inside the jockey’s room and silks room fascinating as “backstage” insights are always revealing. Locker rooms for any sport are utilitarian places giving a view of the working world of the athletes, not always a glamorous place.

For those who want to have a leg up on how the racetrack betting operates there are some free classes. On the day I recently visited there was “Beginners’ Seminar” at noon. The class was a 45-minute presentation covering the basics of using the facilities of the park. The class took place at the East Paddock Gardens. Weather permitting the class takes place every race day at Santa Anita.

Jim Guinn’s “Simple Techniques” classes are held every Sunday in the Baldwin Terrace from11:30 a.m. until the feature race of the day. The program includes early speed, current form, Beyer speed pars & Beyer figures, late speed on the grass, and much more. Extensive materials and free track programs are provided.Sessions are free.

“Big ‘CapDay” is Saturday, March 6, celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the race track. All fans, with paid admission, while supplies last, will receive a free 75th anniversary wall clock. There is a $500,000 guaranteed pick 4, which is billed as the payoff of a lifetime.

Santa Anita Park is a pretty place – good for reminiscing or dreaming of creating tomorrow’s fortune…good luck.

Santa Anita Park
285 W. Huntington Drive
Arcadia, CA91007
http://www.oaktreeracing.com/
http://www.santaanita.com/

Angela Rocco DeCarlo, copyright, 2010

Jazz is a very adventurous puppy.  She loves to jump like a kangaroo and has tons of energy.   Since she’s growing so fast and increasingly strong, Jazz prefers the D&T all weather, multi-purpose harness on her trips in and around the city.   Her trainers like the fact that it’s light weight, durable, and adjusts as she grows.   I like the fact that it matches with everything she wears!   And for such a strong puppy, the D&T harness gives me back the control, which lets her know I’m the master, and can handle her strength now, and years from now.
On our park excursions, we made sure to note specifics on each off leash dog park and here are our findings:
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HERMON PARK DOG PARK

5566 Via Marisol

Los Angeles, CA 90042

(323) 255-0370
http://www.hermondogpark.com/

Hermon Park in the Arroyo Seco Dog Park is located between Monterey Road and the Arroyo Seco Parkway/110 Freeway. This 1 1/3 acre fenced dog park has separate areas for large and small dogs. The park is open during daylight hours everyday dawn til dusk. It has lots of water containers for its thirsty visitors and benches and a tree for shade for the owners.  Park features include barbeque pits, children’s play area, picnic tables, lighted tennis courts, and a diva’s favorite… art in the park!  This park is unstaffed and mostly dirt, not grass, but it has plenty of friendly faces.   Make sure to visit the website for upcoming events like “Yappy Hour” this coming June 28 from 5pm-7pm.
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BARRINGTON DOG PARK

333 South Barrington Avenue,

Los Angeles, CA 90049

(310) 476-4866

www.fobdp.org/

Barrington Dog park is an unstaffed 1,5 acre park in the area of Brentwood.   Covered in woodchips, dirt and some grassy areas, this park offers pooper scoopers to its visitors.  The large dog area is large and L-shaped, and when compared to the small dog area, this place looks like the garden of Eden.  Most of the people here are friendly and will introduce themselves and say hello.   This friendly approach is carried on to their dogs, who are very well behaved during this diva dog’s visit.
Facility Hours Of Operation:  Everyday  – Dawn to Dusk
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GRIIFFITH PARK DOG PARK

North Zoo Drive  Los Angeles, CA

323-913-4688
http://www.laparks.org/dos/parks/facility/dogparks/griffithParkDogPk.htm

This 1.6 acre dog park is located 1/2 mile west of the 134 Freeway at the John Ferraro Soccer Field, next to the Autry Museum and across from the main zoo parking. There are two separate fenced areas, one for larger dogs and the other for small or timid dogs. The restroom there is portable, which, to no surprise, I wasn’t too thrilled about.  Jazz didn’t really object to this since her restroom was all over and she had someone picking up after her.  Since I didn’t have the same luxury, our visit there was not lengthy.  Park hours are from 5:30 am to 10:30 pm everyday.

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LAUREL CANYON PARK -8260 Mulholland Dr.  Los Angeles, CA 90046

http://www.laparks.org/dos/parks/facility/laurelCanyonPk.htm (818) 769-4415

This adorable dog park is located in the hills of Studio City. It is completely fenced with water and even a hot dog stand. Park hours are Saturday to Thursday 6 am to sunset and Fridays 11 am to sunset. Great space with grass, trees, benches, picnic tables, and water bowls.  Celebrity sightings are common at this park, maybe even celebrity puppies.  To get there, take Laurel Canyon Blvd and go west on Mulholland Blvd. Go about a 1/4 mile and turn left. Parking lot below.
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RUNYON CANYON PARK

2000 N Fuller (Fuller and Franklin)

Los Angeles, CA 90189

(323) 666-5046

http://www.laparks.org/dos/parks/facility/dogparks/runyonCynDogPk.htm

Ready to spot celebs while parading your snazzy pup up the mountain?  This popular hiking trail is an off-leash area where you can enjoy views of Hollywood, the Wilshire District, and the skyscrapers of downtown L.A.  It is about a 2 mile round-trip from end to end in the park and if you forget the baggies, they have plastic baggies for you at the entrance. The top of the trail is located off Mulholland Hwy (about 2 miles east of Laurel Canyon Blvd) at Desmond Street in the Hollywood Hills. The bottom part of the trail is located at the end of Fuller Ave. and parking is available on the street. The trailhead might be kind of tricky to find from Fuller, but you’ll probably see other people going to or coming from the trail. At the Vista entrance there is a unmanned stand where you can get a granola bar, or banana for a $1.   The hike combines great exercise for you and your pet, and it offers some of the best views of the city.

Diva dog Jazz, loved her trips in and around Los Angeles dog parks.  She made lots of friends and got lots of great comments on her D&T harness and fabulous leather leash.   Even the fru-fru doggies at the Bretwood location were jealous!  Aaaahhhh, the sweet life of a pampered pup!
Follow Jazz on her next adventure when we look for the puppy friendly hotels and doggie day spas in the area.  For D&T Products, check out their site at:  www.DeanTylerProducts.com