Overview
Pomona sits roughly 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles in the Pomona Valley, straddling the border between Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. It is one of the larger cities in the Inland Empire region, with a population of around 150,000. The city has a gritty, unpretentious character shaped by working-class roots, a diverse Latino majority, and a growing arts scene that has quietly taken hold in its historic downtown.
The city is perhaps best known nationally as the home of the Los Angeles County Fair, one of the largest county fairs in the United States, held each September at the Fairplex grounds. Beyond the fair, Pomona offers a cluster of legitimate cultural draws: a respected art museum on the Cal Poly Pomona campus, a lively gallery district downtown, and easy freeway access to the San Gabriel Mountains and other Inland Empire destinations.
Pomona is not a conventional tourist destination in the way that nearby Pasadena or Santa Monica are, but travelers who enjoy authentic urban neighborhoods, independent dining, and off-the-beaten-path art scenes will find it genuinely rewarding. It also makes a practical and affordable base for exploring the broader eastern Los Angeles metro area.
Before You Go
Visas
Pomona is in the United States. Visa requirements depend entirely on your nationality and travel history. Check TravelerPulse's Visas section for general guidance and verify current requirements directly with the U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov) or your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate well in advance of travel.
Climate
Pomona has a semi-arid Mediterranean climate. Summers (June–September) are hot, frequently reaching the mid-to-upper 90s°F (35–37°C), with occasional heat waves pushing temperatures higher. Winters are mild and mostly dry, with temperatures in the 40s–60s°F (4–16°C). Rain falls primarily between November and March. The Pomona Valley can trap smog on hot days, so those with respiratory sensitivities should monitor air quality forecasts (check airnow.gov).
Practical Preparation
- A car is strongly recommended; Pomona is built around automobile travel.
- Book accommodation well ahead if your visit coincides with the LA County Fair in September, as lodging prices across the area rise significantly.
- Download a rideshare app (Uber, Lyft) as a backup for evenings when driving may not be convenient.
- Comfortable walking shoes matter if you plan to explore downtown's arts district on foot.
Getting There
By Air
The closest major airport is Ontario International Airport (ONT), approximately 8–10 miles east of central Pomona. It serves numerous domestic routes and is significantly less congested than LAX. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is roughly 40–50 miles west but involves freeway traffic that can make journey times unpredictable. Bob Hope Airport in Burbank is another option for travelers arriving from northern U.S. cities.
By Train
Metrolink commuter rail connects Pomona to downtown Los Angeles and other Inland Empire cities. The city has two Metrolink stations — Pomona (North) and Pomona (Downtown) — on the San Bernardino Line. Travel time to Los Angeles Union Station is roughly 45–60 minutes depending on the service. Verify current schedules and fares at metrolinktrains.com.
By Road
Pomona is well served by freeways. The I-10 (San Bernardino Freeway) and SR-60 (Pomona Freeway) both pass through or near the city, as does the I-210 to the north. From central Los Angeles, expect 45 minutes to over an hour by car depending on traffic.
Getting Around
A personal vehicle or rideshare is the most practical way to get around Pomona. The city's layout is typical of Southern California — spread out and oriented toward cars, with destinations often separated by distances that are uncomfortable to walk in summer heat.
Omnitrans and Foothill Transit operate bus routes throughout the city and connect to neighboring communities including Chino, Montclair, and the San Gabriel Valley. The coverage is reasonable for key corridors but frequency can be limited, especially evenings and weekends. Check Omnitrans.org and foothilltransit.org for current maps and schedules.
Downtown Pomona itself — roughly centered on Second Street and the Arts Colony — is walkable once you are parked or dropped off. The Metrolink Downtown Pomona station is within reasonable walking distance of several downtown venues.
Where to Stay
Pomona has a functional range of mid-range chain hotel options, largely clustered near Fairplex and along freeway corridors. These serve business travelers and fair-goers well. Boutique or independent lodging options are limited within the city itself.
Travelers seeking a wider range of accommodation styles may consider staying in nearby Claremont (known for its college-town character and walkable Village district) or further west toward Pasadena, which has a deeper inventory of hotels including some historic properties. Both cities are within a short drive of Pomona's main attractions.
During the LA County Fair in September, book lodging as early as possible. Demand spikes across the entire eastern San Gabriel Valley and Inland Empire during fair weeks, and rates rise accordingly. Verify current availability and rates on standard booking platforms.
Things to See & Do
Los Angeles County Fair (Fairplex)
Held each September, the LA County Fair at Fairplex is the city's most famous event. It features agriculture exhibits, live entertainment, carnival rides, competitive exhibits, and an enormous range of food vendors. Fairplex also hosts other events throughout the year, including swap meets and concerts. Verify event dates, tickets, and hours at fairplex.com before visiting.
Pomona Arts Colony
The blocks around Second Street in downtown Pomona constitute an arts district that has developed organically over many years. Galleries, studios, and creative businesses occupy repurposed commercial buildings. The monthly Pomona Art Walk draws visitors on the second Saturday of each month (verify current schedule locally), when galleries open their doors and street vendors and performers animate the neighborhood.
Kellogg House (Cal Poly Pomona)
The historic W.K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Center at Cal Poly Pomona hosts equestrian shows periodically throughout the year. The grounds themselves — part of a former ranch — are pleasant to walk. Verify show schedules and public access hours directly with Cal Poly Pomona.
American Museum of Ceramic Art (AMOCA)
Located in downtown Pomona, AMOCA is a small but serious institution dedicated to the art and history of ceramics. It hosts rotating exhibitions and maintains a permanent collection of historical and contemporary ceramic works. Verify admission fees and hours at amoca.org.
Ganesha Park and Local Outdoors
Ganesha Park is a large city park offering walking paths, sports facilities, and green space — a practical option for outdoor time. For more ambitious hiking, the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains are accessible within a reasonable drive to the north.
Food & Drink
Pomona's dining scene reflects its diverse, majority-Latino population, and Mexican food — from taquerias to regional Mexican restaurants — is a genuine strength of the city. You will find establishments serving birria, pupusas, and other Central American and Latin American cuisines alongside the taquerias. Prices are generally lower than in neighboring cities closer to Los Angeles proper.
Downtown Pomona around the Arts Colony has seen independent restaurants and bars open in recent years, catering to a younger, arts-adjacent crowd. Several breweries and craft beer bars have established themselves in the area, consistent with the broader Southern California craft beer movement. Verify current operations locally, as the independent restaurant landscape can shift.
For everyday eating, Pomona has the full range of national chains along its commercial corridors, as well as a significant number of family-run spots in strip malls that often represent better value and quality than the chains. Exploring these informally is part of the authentic Pomona experience.
Note: Specific restaurant recommendations are best sourced from current review platforms (Google Maps, Yelp) given how frequently individual establishments change hours and operations.
Practical Information
Emergency Services
For any emergency in the United States, dial 911. This connects to police, fire, and medical services.
Tipping
Tipping is standard practice in the U.S. In restaurants, 18–20% of the pre-tax bill is the current norm. Tips for rideshare drivers, hotel housekeeping, and other service workers are customary.
Connectivity
Cell coverage from major U.S. carriers (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon) is reliable throughout Pomona. Free Wi-Fi is available at Pomona Public Library branches. Most hotels and many cafes offer Wi-Fi.
Pharmacies and Medical
Chain pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid) are present throughout the city. Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center is the main hospital serving the area — verify its address and services at pvhmc.org. Travel insurance that covers medical expenses is advisable for international visitors.
Safety
Pomona, like many mid-size California cities, has neighborhoods that vary considerably in character. Downtown Pomona and areas near Cal Poly have improved meaningfully over the past decade and feel reasonably comfortable during daylight and evening hours, especially during events like the Art Walk.
Exercise standard urban awareness: don't leave valuables visible in parked cars, be attentive to your surroundings after dark in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-lit, populated streets at night. The Pomona Arts Colony and fair grounds are generally safe during events.
Check current local advisories if you are unfamiliar with specific neighborhoods. Travelers who have spent time in mid-size American cities will find Pomona's environment broadly familiar. The city has historically had elevated property crime rates — take basic precautions with your vehicle and belongings.
Local Culture & Etiquette
Pomona is a majority-Latino city with deep roots in Mexican-American culture, and this shapes daily life in visible ways — in food, music, street art, community celebrations, and family-oriented public spaces. Visitors who approach the city respectfully and with genuine curiosity will find it welcoming.
The arts community here has a DIY, grassroots quality distinct from more polished gallery districts in wealthier California cities. Many of the artists working in the Pomona Arts Colony live and work locally, and the Art Walk has a participatory, community-centered feel rather than a commercial one.
Cal Poly Pomona brings a student population that adds some cultural diversity to the city's texture, including occasional public lectures, performances, and exhibitions that are open to the public. Check Cal Poly Pomona's events calendar for current programming.
