<p>how is the air quality in claremont? is it bad like los angeles, or is the town far enough away that it isn't affected? if the air is pretty bad, how easy is it to get away from it by going into the mountains? as an outdoorsy, asthmatic runner, this will be a major issue in deciding where i go. thanks in advance for your response.</p>
<p>the mountains come out on clear days.</p>
<p>CMC is located in a big valley where the smog from Los Angeles tends to stagnate, making it at times worse than LA downtown. Also, there is a big meat packing plant in nearby Chino, so on a bad day when the winds are blowing up from that direction the school smells like the penguin house at the zoo. Particularly bad after it has rained.</p>
<p>wow.. that.. doesn't sound.. good</p>
<p>I have never had bad problems with smog. I'm pretty sure that the smog is not nearly as bad as in LA. Some days are bad, mainly in early fall, but for the most part it's really not a big deal. The cow/penguin house smell, on the other hand, is as bad as lomsak describes (keep in mind that it only happens on occasion).</p>
<p>well yeah i keep in mind that smog there isn't persisten 24/7. I've seen beautiful pics of CMC with the _______ Mts. behind it, with some snow on top of it and the sun striking the campus.</p>
<p>kevster1001-don't be taken in by promotional brochures. People are paid big bucks to put those things together. They can make anything look good. If the school seems to fit your requirements academically and socially, go and see it for yourself. It's worth it to narrow your list down and then visit.</p>