Pomona, California
USA
Geographic Coordinates: 34.058500, -117.763000
Temperature Range: 10.0°C to 35.0°C (50°F to 95°F)
Climate: Seasonal.
Population: 151592
Language: English
Pomona is a city located in Los Angeles County, California and has a population of approximately 150, 000 people. The city is situated in the eastern part of the San Gabriel Valley and is bordered by several other cities including Claremont, La Verne, San Dimas, And Diamond Bar. Pomona was named after the Roman goddess of fruit due to its fertile land that was perfect for growing fruit trees. One of the most notable attractions in Pomona is the Fairplex which hosts the annual Los Angeles County Fair.
The fair attracts millions of visitors every year from all over Southern California and beyond. The Fairplex also hosts numerous other events throughout the year such as car shows, Concerts, Trade shows and more. Another popular attraction in Pomona is the Fox Theater which was built in 1931 during Hollywood’s golden age. The theater has been restored to its original grandeur and now serves as a venue for concerts and live performances. Pomona also boasts several parks including Ganesha Park which offers stunning views of downtown Los Angeles from its hilltop location.
Other parks include Tony Cerda Park which features playgrounds, Sports fields and picnic areas; Lincoln Park with its beautiful lake; Palomares Park with hiking trails; Phillips Ranch Community Center with swimming pools; Marshall Canyon Regional Park with hiking trails through rolling hillsides covered with wildflowers. The city also has a rich history dating back to Spanish colonization when it served as an important stop on El Camino Real (The Royal Road) that linked missions along California’s coast.
Today visitors can explore this history at sites such as La Casa Primera de Rancho San Jose where they can see artifacts from early settlers or visit Pitzer College’s Native American garden showcasing plants used by indigenous peoples. Pomona is home to Cal Poly Pomona one of two polytechnic universities in California offering degrees in engineering, Agriculture technology among others making it a hub for innovation. The university also hosts the W.K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Center which is home to one of the largest collections of Arabian horses in the world.
Pomona offers visitors a mix of history, Culture, And entertainment. With its numerous parks, Historic sites and attractions like the Fairplex and Fox Theater there is something for everyone to enjoy in this vibrant city.
- Fairplex is home to the LA County Fair and hosts various events throughout the year.
- Pomona Arts Colony is a lively arts district with galleries, studios, and restaurants.
- Phillips Mansion is a museum that showcases a Victorian-era mansion.
- Pomona Fox Theater is a historic theater that features concerts and shows.
- Cal Poly Pomona Botanic Garden covers 24 acres of land and displays over 3,000 plants from around the world.
- Auto Club Raceway at Pomona hosts NHRA drag racing events regularly.
- Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum exhibits the history of drag racing and hot rodding in detail.
- Ganesha Park is an attractive park with picnic areas, playgrounds, and sports fields for visitors to enjoy.
- American Museum of Ceramic Art(AMOCA) presents contemporary ceramics from across the globe.
- Lincoln Park provides various recreational activities such as basketball courts, baseball fields, swimming pool etc for visitors to participate in.
- Healthcare: Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center is the largest employer in the city, providing healthcare services to the community.
- Education: California State Polytechnic University, Pomona is a major educational institution that provides higher education opportunities to students.
- Manufacturing: The city has a thriving manufacturing industry with companies like Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Mag Instrument Inc., and American Red Cross.
- Retail: There are several retail businesses in the city including Walmart Supercenter, Target, and Home Depot.
- Food and Beverage: The food and beverage industry is also prominent in Pomona with restaurants like In-N-Out Burger, Olive Garden, and Buffalo Wild Wings.
- Agriculture: Agriculture plays an important role in the economy of Pomona with citrus fruit production being one of its biggest exports.
- Transportation: The transportation industry is also significant with companies like UPS Freight and FedEx Express operating within the city limits.
- Entertainment: The Fairplex at Pomona hosts several events throughout the year including fairs, concerts, car shows, and more making it a major entertainment destination for residents of Southern California.
- The founding of Pomona College in 1887 by a group of Congregationalists, including Amos G. Throop, the founder of Caltech.
- The establishment of the Los Angeles County Fair in Pomona in 1922, which has become one of the largest county fairs in the United States.
- The construction of Fairplex Park racetrack and Hollywood Park Casino in Pomona during the 1930s and 1940s.
- The establishment of Cal Poly Pomona (California State Polytechnic University, Pomona) in 1938.
- The establishment of Western University Health Sciences (formerly known as Western University College of Osteopathic Medicine) in Pomona in 1977.
- Notable people associated with Pomona include musician Tom Waits, actress Jessica Alba, former NFL player Terrell Thomas, and Olympic gold medalist swimmer Shirley Babashoff.
- In terms of historical events, there have been several significant earthquakes that have affected Pomona over the years, including a magnitude-5.9 quake that struck on October 1st, 1987 and caused extensive damage to buildings throughout the city.
- Another notable event was the Zoot Suit Riots that occurred during World War II when tensions between Mexican Americans and white servicemen boiled over into violence on the streets of Los Angeles and other cities throughout Southern California.
- Pomona was also home to one of California’s first drive-in theaters – Vineland Drive-In – which opened its doors to moviegoers back in September 1950.
- The city is also home to several historic landmarks such as Phillips Mansion – a Victorian-era mansion built by Louis Phillips who made his fortune from citrus farming; La Casa Primera de Rancho San Jose – an adobe house built around 1839 that served as an important stopover for travelers on the Old Spanish Trail; and Pomona City Hall – a Beaux-Arts style building that was completed in 1909.
- Pomona Valley Art Association Gallery
- American Museum of Ceramic Art
- Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum
- Fairplex Exposition Complex
- Phillips Mansion and Ranch House Museum
- Pomona College Museum of Art
- La Casa Primera de Rancho San Jose
- The Glass House Concert Hall and Gallery
- Cal Poly Pomona University Library Special Collections & Archives
- Lincoln Memorial Shrine in nearby Redlands
- Pomona Pitzer Sagehens: The official sports team of Claremont Colleges Consortium, which comprises Pomona College and Pitzer College. They have excelled in various sports such as basketball, football, soccer, swimming and diving.
- Ganesha High School Giants: A high school located in Pomona that has a strong tradition in football and has won numerous league championships over the years.
- Diamond Ranch High School Panthers: Another high school located in Pomona that has achieved success in multiple sports including basketball and football.
- Cal Poly Pomona Broncos: The official sports team of California State Polytechnic University or Cal Poly Pomona competing at the NCAA Division II level and winning national championships in men’s basketball and women’s volleyball.
- Western University of Health Sciences Eagles: The official sports team of Western University offering programs like osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, nursing etc., competing across various athletics programs like baseball, softball and cross country among others.
- The LA County Fair is an annual event held in Pomona that offers a wide range of activities, including carnival rides, live music performances, food vendors, and exhibits showcasing agriculture and livestock.
- The Dia de los Muertos Festival is a November celebration that honors the Mexican holiday of Day of the Dead through traditional altars, face painting, live music performances, and food.
- The Pomona Art Walk takes place on the second Saturday of every month in Downtown Pomona. This event features local artists displaying their work in galleries as well as on the streets.
- The Viva Pomona Music Festival is a two-day event that showcases emerging Latinx musicians from around the world.
- The African American Art & Music Celebration is an annual event held at Ganesha Park in Pomona during Black History Month (February). It celebrates African American culture through art displays and live performances.
- Each December, downtown Pomona hosts its Christmas Parade featuring marching bands and floats decorated with lights and holiday themes to kick off the festive season.
- In May or June each year at The Fairplex in Pomona artists compete in a weekend-long chalk art festival where they create large-scale drawings on pavement for visitors from all over Southern California to enjoy.
- The Rookery Alehouse and Grill – known for its craft beers and American comfort food.
- Dia de Los Puercos – a Mexican restaurant that serves traditional dishes with a modern twist.
- The Brick Market & Deli – a deli that offers sandwiches, salads, soups, and other deli items.
- Mi Cafecito Coffee House – serves coffee drinks, pastries, sandwiches, and breakfast items.
- Viva Madrid Spanish Restaurant & Tapas Bar – offers authentic Spanish cuisine including tapas, paella, and sangria.
- Pho Ha Vietnamese Restaurant – serves traditional Vietnamese pho soup as well as other Vietnamese dishes like banh mi sandwiches and spring rolls.
- Pomona Valley Mining Company – a steakhouse located on a hilltop with panoramic views of the city.
- Cocina Primavera Mexican Grill & Bar – offers traditional Mexican dishes like tacos al pastor, mole poblano enchiladas, and chile rellenos.
- El Merendero Salvadorian Cuisine – serves authentic Salvadorian pupusas (thick corn tortillas stuffed with cheese or meat).
- The Last Drop Cafe- has an extensive menu of coffee drinks along with pastries,sandwiches,and breakfast items.
- Mount San Antonio – Also known as Mount Baldy, this mountain offers hiking trails and stunning views of Southern California.
- Pomona Valley Mining Company – A restaurant with panoramic views of Pomona’s beautiful landscape.
- Phillips Mansion – This historic mansion offers tours and events showcasing the rich history of Pomona and its surrounding areas.
- Downtown Pomona Arts Colony – A vibrant arts district featuring galleries, shops, and restaurants.
- American Museum of Ceramic Art – This museum showcases ceramic art from around the world and hosts various exhibitions throughout the year.
- Fairplex Exposition Complex – Home to various events throughout the year including fairs, festivals, concerts, and sporting events.
- Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum – A must-visit for car enthusiasts with exhibits showcasing the history of drag racing.
- Raging Waters Los Angeles – A water park with thrilling rides and attractions perfect for a summer day trip.
