Choose wisely. Connect locally.Add your business 
Pomona lies in the eastern San Gabriel Valley, on land that was part of Rancho San Jose, granted in 1837 to Ricardo Vejar and Ygnacio Palomares, whose adobe homes still stand. The town was laid out in 1875 and named for Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit, after a contest held by local nurserymen, a fitting name for a community that grew among citrus groves and orchards. It was incorporated in 1888.
The arrival of the railroad made Pomona a busy shipping town for oranges and lemons, and in 1922 it became home to the Los Angeles County Fair, which grew into one of the largest county fairs in the United States, held each September at the Fairplex. Downtown Pomona keeps grand early 1900s buildings, the Fox Theater of 1931 and an Arts Colony of galleries, studios and music venues.
Pomona is also a college town, home to Cal Poly Pomona with its Arabian horse center and to Western University of Health Sciences, with the Claremont Colleges just next door. Visitors can explore the historic Adobe de Palomares and Phillips Mansion, ride a classic locomotive at the RailGiants Train Museum and enjoy the Fairplex's shows and events year-round.
Fairplex is Pomona's large fairground and event center, best known as the home of the Los Angeles County Fair, one of the largest county fairs in the United States. The fair brings carnival rides, livestock, concerts and fair food, and the grounds host shows and expos all year. Check dates, as fair season has shifted.
RailGiants Train Museum at Fairplex displays big historic steam and diesel locomotives, passenger cars and railroad artifacts in an outdoor yard and a restored depot. Volunteers share stories about Southern California's rail history. It opens on limited days, mostly weekends, and is great for kids who love trains.
The American Museum of Ceramic Art in downtown Pomona is one of the largest museums in the country devoted to ceramics, with changing exhibitions of pottery, sculpture and ceramic design. It also runs a studio with classes. Exhibits change often, so there is usually something new; combine it with the Arts Colony.
The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum at Fairplex celebrates American hot rodding and drag racing, with historic dragsters, hot rods, race cars and memorabilia. Pomona has hosted major National Hot Rod Association races for decades at the dragstrip next door. Allow about an hour, and check opening days first.
The Adobe de Palomares is the restored 1850s home of Ygnacio Palomares, one of the founders of the Pomona Valley under the Mexican land grant system. Rooms show rancho-era furnishings and the grounds include gardens and old farm tools. It is run by the local historical society with limited open hours.
The Phillips Mansion is an 1870s brick home built in the Second Empire style for Louis Phillips, once one of the wealthiest landowners in Southern California. It is among the oldest brick houses in the region. The historical society runs it, and it opens only on limited days, so check the schedule before visiting.
The Downtown Pomona Arts Colony is a district of art galleries, studios, lofts and independent shops in restored historic buildings around Second Street. It comes alive during the monthly Second Saturday art walk, with open galleries and street vendors. Visit in the evening on art walk days for the best atmosphere.
The Fox Theater Pomona is a restored 1930s movie palace in downtown Pomona with a tall Art Deco tower and marquee. It now hosts concerts by touring rock, hip hop, electronic and Latin artists. Check the concert calendar online; most shows are standing room, so arrive early for a good spot.
The Glass House is an all-ages concert venue in the Pomona Arts Colony, known for indie, punk, alternative and emerging bands. It has an intimate standing room hall and a record store next door. Shows can sell out, so buy tickets in advance and check age rules for evening events.
The W.K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Center at Cal Poly Pomona continues a tradition started by cereal maker W.K. Kellogg on his ranch here in the 1920s. It holds monthly Sunday Arabian horse shows during the school year, and visitors can see the horses and stables. Check the show calendar before going.
The Farm Store at Cal Poly Pomona sells fresh produce, many items grown on the university's own farms, along with local honey, jams, meats, deli sandwiches and gifts. It is run with help from agriculture students. It is a good stop before a horse show at the Kellogg Arabian Horse Center nearby.
Ganesha Park sits on a hill in north Pomona with shaded picnic areas, playgrounds, sports fields, a public pool and views over the valley. It is next to Fairplex and is one of the city's oldest parks. It is a good spot for a picnic before or after a fair visit; weekends are busiest.
No reviews yet. Been to Pomona? Be the first to share your experience.
Share what you loved, what to skip and tips for other travelers.
Log in to write a reviewBeen to Pomona? Add your best shots to the gallery.
Log in to add photos
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
Photo: JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ, M.D., Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Los Angeles, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Los Angeles, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Unknown author, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: TheRealThummer, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Los Angeles, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: kl91711, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Houseofruthinc, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Gary Bembridge, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Morven, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Los Angeles, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Unknown author, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Unknown author, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Matthew J. Brown (User:Morven), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Unknown author, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: ATOMIC Hot Links, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: NHRA Museum, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Evan Wohrman, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Raph_PH, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Grendelkhan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Ballerlikemahler, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Every honest review and real photo earns points. Collect 100 and you're in the round.
No purchase necessary. US residents 18+. Official rules