Soulful Strut

I'm always excited when I'm introduced to little pockets of life and culture anywhere between the 60 and 15 freeways. I briefly blogged some photos of Euclid Street last summer and I often pass through the area while out doing "fieldwork" for my job. I was most recently there yesterday and decided to take a detour through Historic Downtown Upland. For anyone whose lived in or even heard of the Inland Empire, you know there really isn't much going on here (unless you're into mega-shopping centers and miles of tract houses). I may be biased, but Chino Hills is on the upper echelon of IE towns (if there is such a thing). It's closer to the beach and LA than the others, there are less bros and lifted trucks, sliiiightly more diversity, but it still isn't much more than a nice suburb. Downtown Upland was very 1950s Americana to me, and not just because I got a scoop of ice cream at a place called "Pop's Cafe & Creamery". The buildings were very old but well maintained, some stores were decorated with cheesy, patriotic American flags, the sidewalks were canopied by old trees, cute bikes littered every street sign...it's one of those places where you walk around and feel like saying "hello" to any and every person you make eye contact with. OH! And there is an old red brick firehouse they are in the middle of restoring. I tried to snap a picture but the construction fences were blocking my view. Also not pictured: a store called "Garden of Beaden" that I can't wait to visit next time. I doubt you'd ever be in the area, but if you do find yourself just north of the 10 on Euclid Street, follow the signs to Historic Downtown Upland.


George Chaffey Jr. stands outside the Upland Public Library and City Hall


I think this is where the school board meets? Not entirely sure...


Old school law office..I feel like the constitution is probably framed somewhere inside.






Neighborhood restaurant, literally. This place is surrounded by houses and is also across the street from the public library. I met a very nice waiter while attempting to take pictures.

I'm noticing a trend here and here and here, so I'm thinking of adding a "Hidden Gems of the IE" feature to the blog. Haha, what do you think?

All That Jazz

Friday night, we took a short trip to the Hip Kitty in Claremont. The Hip Kitty is a fondue bar with live entertainment, and like most places in the Village, is a hub of mellow, pretension-free fun, drawing friendly vibes and diverse crowds (no hipsters--they flee the Village after American Apparel closes at 8). They feature different musical styles throughout the week, but the weekends are exclusively jazz. The Hip Kitty is open Tuesday through Sunday 6:30pm-2:00am. Check out their website for more information.

Brandon's Diner

I like to consider myself a french fry connoisseur. I am OBSESSED with them. One of my particular favorites are of the diner variety. I mean I really don't think I ever have a problem grabbing a meal at a diner. One of my favorites is Cafe 50s in Santa Monica (which I wish I had some pictures of to share), but while we're on the subject of Riverside, I thought I'd share another "gem" of the city. It certainly doesn't look like much more than a rundown, whole-in-the-wall, late-night taco shack, and it sounds pretty unusual for a diner to sell American and Mexican cuisine, but the food here wasn't bad, especially the french fries. Cheap food and a delightfully nice waitress, definitely stop in for a quick bite if you're in the area.

Hidden Gem

While waiting for my car to get serviced, Best Friend and I took a mini-road trip through Riverside. We both had a negative image of the city in our minds. Insatiable heat, "Bros" in lifted trucks, lack of entertainment, etc. While some of those assumptions hold true, we were both pleasantly surprised to find an area with so much character. I like to consider myself a country girl at heart. Though I've never actually lived or visited the countryside, I feel like I could adapt to the lifestyle very easily. After driving aimlessly through the older side of town and ooh-ing and aah-ing at every charming old neighborhood we passed, we would up in Arlington Heights. Think 1940s-California-orange-groves-palm-trees...Maybe that's a weird description but it was darling and isolated, and the closest thing to the countryside I've seen in Southern California.

*This state park consisted of huge fields full of different government-owned plants/crops/trees. I'm not sure why it says "Chino Hills" on the sign.