West Covina, California
USA
Geographic Coordinates: 34.055500, -117.911000
Temperature Range: 10.0°C to 35.0°C (50°F to 95°F)
Population: 109396
Language: English
West Covina is a city located in Los Angeles County, California with over 106, 000 residents. It covers an area of approximately 16 square miles and offers a diverse community with cultural experiences and entertainment options that attract visitors from all over the world. The Plaza West Covina shopping mall is one of the most notable attractions in West Covina. It features over 200 stores including major department stores like Macy’s and JCPenney as well as popular retailers such as H&M and Forever 21. The mall also has a variety of dining options ranging from fast food to sit-down restaurants.
Galster Wilderness Park is another must-see destination in West Covina. This park spans over 400 acres and offers hiking trails that provide breathtaking views of the San Gabriel Mountains. Visitors can also enjoy picnic areas, Playgrounds, And scenic overlooks throughout the park. West Covina celebrates its diverse population through several cultural institutions such as the East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center which hosts events celebrating Japanese culture throughout the year including traditional festivals like Obon and Hinamatsuri. Additionally, There are several Hispanic cultural centers in West Covina that host events celebrating Mexican heritage such as Dia de los Muertos.
For sports lovers or outdoor enthusiasts, Big League Dreams Sports Park is another popular destination in West Covina. This sports complex features replica baseball fields modeled after famous Major League Baseball stadiums like Fenway Park and Yankee Stadium. In terms of education, South Hills High School was ranked among America’s Best High Schools by Newsweek Magazine for multiple years running making it one of several top-rated schools within West Covina boundaries.
Overall whether you’re looking for shopping opportunities or outdoor adventures or cultural experiences or educational excellence – you’ll find it all here at this bustling city known as West Covina!
Important Landmarks
- Galster Wilderness Park
- Plaza West Covina
- Big League Dreams Sports Park
- South Hills Country Club
- Shadow Oak Park
- Cortez Park
- Cameron Community Center
- Lakes Entertainment Center
Primary Industries
Major Industries and Businesses in West Covina, United States
- Healthcare
- Retail
- Education
- Hospitality
- Manufacturing
- Technology
- Finance
- Real Estate Development and Construction
Healthcare:
- Hospitals
- Medical Centers
- Clinics
Retail:
- Shopping Centers
- Malls
- Retail Stores
Education:
- Public Schools
- Private Schools
- Colleges
- Universities
Hospitality:
- Hotels
- Restaurants
- Cafes
- Bars
Manufacturing:
- Food Processing Plants
- Electronics Companies
- Furniture Manufacturers
Technology:
- Software Development Companies
- IT Consulting Services
Finance:
- Banks
- Financial Institutions
Real Estate Development and Construction:
- Residential Projects
- Construction Activity
Noteable History
- The area was originally inhabited by the Tongva Native American tribe.
- In the late 1700s, Spanish missionaries arrived in the area and established a mission.
- The city of West Covina was incorporated in 1923.
- During World War II, a POW camp was located in West Covina.
- Notable people from West Covina include actress Hilary Swank, musician Tom Waits, and baseball player Mark McGwire.
- In 1956, the first shopping mall in California called Westfield Shoppingtown West Covina opened in the city.
- The San Gabriel Valley Tribune is based in West Covina and has been serving the community since 1955.
- In 1979, a major earthquake struck Southern California causing significant damage to buildings and infrastructure in West Covina and surrounding areas.
- The Eastland Center Mall was built on land that had previously been used for oil drilling operations during the early part of the 20th century.
- In recent years there have been efforts to revitalize downtown West Covina with new restaurants and businesses opening up along its main street corridor (Glendora Avenue).
Museums and Things To See
- Galster Wilderness Park
- West Covina Farmers Market
- Shadow Oak Park
- Hurst Ranch Historical Center
- Cameron Community Center and Park
- Eastland Center Mall
- The Lakes at West Covina
- Big League Dreams Sports Parks
- Plaza West Covina Shopping Mall
- South Hills Country Club
Sports Teams
- West Covina High School Bulldogs: This team represents West Covina High School in different sports such as football, basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball and soccer.
- East San Gabriel Valley Youth Soccer League: Boys and girls aged 4 to 19 years old can participate in this league’s youth soccer programs.
- West Covina Pony Baseball: Organized baseball programs are available for boys and girls aged 4 to 14 years old through this league.
- San Gabriel Valley Girls Softball Association: Girls aged 5 to 18 years old can join this league’s organized softball programs.
- South Hills Little League: Both boys and girls aged 4 to 14 years old can participate in organized baseball programs offered by this league.
- West Covina American Youth Football & Cheerleading Association: This organization provides youth football and cheerleading programs for children between five through fourteen years of age.
- The City of West Covina Parks & Recreation Department also offers various adult recreational leagues throughout the year such as basketball, softball, volleyball etc., which attract players from both within the city as well as nearby cities like La Puente and Walnut among others.
Cultural Events
- West Covina Cherry Blossom Festival
- West Covina Farmers Market
- West Covina Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony
- Cinco de Mayo Celebration at Plaza West Covina
- Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular at Edgewood High School Stadium
- Dia de los Muertos Festival at Galster Park
- Taste of West Covina Food and Wine Festival
- Halloween Spooktacular at Cameron Community Center
- Lunar New Year Celebration at the Eastland Center Mall
- West Covina Art Walk
Cuisine
- In-N-Out Burger – a fast-food chain known for its burgers, fries, and milkshakes.
- The Hat – a casual restaurant that serves pastrami sandwiches, burgers, and chili cheese fries.
- Porto’s Bakery & Cafe – a Cuban bakery that offers pastries, sandwiches, and coffee.
- BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse – a family-friendly chain restaurant that serves American cuisine and craft beer.
- Tasty Garden – a Chinese restaurant that specializes in dim sum and seafood dishes.
- Gen Korean BBQ House – an all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue restaurant with various meat options.
- Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que – a Southern-style barbecue joint famous for its ribs and brisket.
- Kaya Sushi & Grill – a Japanese restaurant that offers sushi rolls, bento boxes, and grilled dishes.
Note: Please confirm before you go as the information may not be up to date or accurate anymore after this answer is posted or there might be other places which are more popular now compared to when this question was asked initially.
Parks and Recreation
- Galster Wilderness Park
- Big League Dreams Sports Park
- Shadow Oak Park
- Cortez Park
- Cameron Community Center and Skatepark
- South Hills Country Club Golf Course
- Plaza West Covina Mall
- The Lakes at West Covina Shopping Center
- Pacific Palms Resort Golf Course and Spa