Overview
Pomona is in the San Gabriel Valley, near Los Angeles, California. Named after the Roman goddess of fruit, in the 1920s it was indeed known as "the Queen of the Citrus Belt." However, its origins preceded that epoch as an allotment given to two ranchers, Ricardo Véjar and Ygnacio Palomares, in the 1830s, when the territory was still part of Mexico. After the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and becoming part of the USA, it eventually became absorbed into the megalopolis of southern California, with perhaps its main standout nowadays being the site of the LA County Fair, or the location of Cal Polytechnic U.
7 sights · 1 things to do · 1 places to eat · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Pomona
NHRA Motorsports Museum
If you are into fast cars and loose -, okay, forget the second part, this museum is for you. All about drag racing.
RailGiants Train Museum
Museum about the iron horse, like the Big Boy Steam Dream.
Palomares Adobe
Pomona's oldest structure, owned by rancher Ygnacio Palomares in the 1830s.
Phillips Mansion
Mansion owned by Lewis Phillips, who was actually the richest person in LA for a time, owning the Phillips Block in the downtown sector of that city. After Ygnacio Palomares died, Phillips purchased the land and develope…
Cal Poly Pomona
A very prestigious and selective institution for higher education renowned for its agricultural and engineering programs, it's interesting to note that it was developed on land that was once cereal magnate WK Kellogg's r…
American Museum of Ceramic Art / AMOCA
Something distinctive if you like art.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jan–Dec. Summer highs reach about 89°F; winter lows dip to about 48°F. Wettest: Feb and Jan. (climate data from nearby Anaheim)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- ONT Ontario International Airport, Ontario — 10 mi away (major hub). Directions
- SNA John Wayne Orange County International Airport, Santa Ana — 27 mi away (major hub). Directions
Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning NHRA Motorsports Museum, Palomares Adobe
- Lunch Guasalmex Restaurant
- Afternoon Cal Poly Pomona, The African-American Museum of Beginnings
Day 2
- Morning Pomona Fairplex, RailGiants Train Museum
- Afternoon Phillips Mansion, American Museum of Ceramic Art / AMOCA
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
See
See Phillips Mansion
Mansion owned by Lewis Phillips, who was actually the richest person in LA for a time, owning the Phillips Block in the downtown sector of that city. After Ygnacio Palomares died, Phillips purchased the land and developed it as a rail stop, which eventually led to Pomona's incorporation in 1888.
See Cal Poly Pomona
A very prestigious and selective institution for higher education renowned for its agricultural and engineering programs, it's interesting to note that it was developed on land that was once cereal magnate WK Kellogg's ranch. Some things that might interest the tourist here are the
- Japanese Gardens,
- Rain Biotrek Preserve,
- and the horses ambling around in the fields or paddocks of the W.K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Center.
Do
- The Fox Theater Pomona, 301 S Garey Ave, historic theater where Hollywood films used to be tested locally for middle-class demographic likability, now a live events venue.
Buy
Shop Farm Store at Kellogg Ranch
Very popular rest stop among foodies traveling through the Pomona Valley region. Located on the outskirts of Cal Poly Pomona, the store is a short distance (less than 5 minutes) from the freeway exit. This store sells fruits and vegetables grown by the College of Agriculture at the university. Also available: honey from a tap, meats, cheeses, and other food products that you would not find in your typical big chain supermarket.
- 2nd Street Promenade, downtown Pomona. In a bygone era this zone was a mall, but it has gone through a bit of a renaissance now to become a collection of shops and cafes.
Eat
Eat Guasalmex Restaurant
Serving inexpensive Mexican, Salvadoran, and Guatemalan food in a casual environment.
Sleep
Stay La Quinta Inn & Suites
Room amenities include pillowtop beds, 32” flat panel televisions with premium cable channels, free wireless internet, and coffee makers. Hotel amenities include free breakfast (waffles, cereal, muffins, fresh fruit), 24-hour fitness center, pool, spa, business center, and Bright Side Market. Pets welcome.
- Kellogg West Conference Center and Hotel, 3801 W Temple Ave Bldg. 76. A hotel on the Cal Poly campus where hospitality students can practice their skills. With pool and breakfast buffet and refined landscaping. +1 909-869-2222
Nearby
La Verne
City / town · 2 listings · 3 mi away
San Dimas
City / town · 5 listings · 4 mi away
Claremont
City / town · 38 listings · 4 mi away
Chino Hills
City / town · 13 listings · 5 mi away
Diamond Bar
City / town · 4 listings · 5 mi away
Chino
City / town · 8 listings · 6 mi away
Covina
City / town · 2 listings · 6 mi away
Upland
City / town · 20 listings · 7 mi away
My experience
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