Pomona, California Travel Guide
City City in California with diverse communities
Pomona’s Fairplex draws crowds for the LA County Fair; downtown hosts galleries, vintage shops, the Fox Theatre and swap meets, while nearby colleges and Route 66 nostalgia keep the calendar busy.
Why Visit Pomona, California? #
An overlooked hub of Southern California culture where arts, car culture and community events come together. Visit the Fairplex for the LA County Fair and large-scale shows, wander the Pomona Arts Colony and First Street galleries for cutting-edge street art and ceramics, and spot Route 66 relics that hint at the city’s roadside past. Compact and accessible, Pomona mixes craft breweries and a diverse food scene-especially lively Mexican and comfort-food options-without the crowds of nearby L.A.
Who's Pomona, California For?
Pomona is practical for families: the Fairplex hosts kid-friendly fairs and exhibits, and downtown Pomona has museums and public parks. Nearby Claremont Colleges offer safe walking areas and easy day trips to the Claremont Hills for easy hikes and picnic spots.
Downtown Pomona and the Warehouse District have an eclectic mix of taquerias, gastropubs, and late-night bakeries. You’ll find affordable Mexican and Filipino spots alongside newer farm-to-table restaurants-expect $10-$25 main courses in most midrange places.
Pomona’s Fairplex is a regional exhibition and conference hub (LA County Fair), and proximity to Ontario and LA airports makes meetings practical. Light industrial zones and corporate offices around the 60/10 freeways support regional commerce and trade shows.
You can reach the Claremont Hills and the San Gabriel foothills in 20-30 minutes for trails and views. Local parks like Ganesha Park and nearby San Dimas Wilderness offer short hikes and cleaner, quiet green spaces away from the county bustle.
Top Things to Do in Pomona, California
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- Fairplex (Los Angeles County Fairgrounds) - Home of the LA County Fair, major events, exhibitions, and year-round attractions.
- Pomona College Museum of Art - Small but influential college museum with diverse contemporary and historical art collections.
- Downtown Pomona (First Street Arts District) - First Street's galleries, restaurants, and nightlife anchor Pomona's creative, walkable urban center.
- Fox Theater Pomona - Restored 1930s movie palace hosting concerts, comedy, and community events nightly.
- American Museum of Ceramic Art (AMOCA) - Extensive exhibitions of historic and contemporary ceramics in a dedicated gallery space.
- Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum - Compact museum celebrating drag racing history with cars, memorabilia, and informative displays.
- RailGiants Train Museum - Outdoor collection of classic locomotives and railroad artifacts popular with families and enthusiasts.
- Pomona Arts Colony (select downtown galleries) - A cluster of independent galleries and artist studios showing experimental local artwork.
- Mount San Antonio College Arboretum - Quiet campus arboretum showcasing regional plants and peaceful walking paths often overlooked.
- Disneyland Park (Anaheim) - Iconic theme park offering rides, parades, and immersive Disney experiences short drive away.
- Joshua Tree National Park - High-desert landscapes, Joshua trees, bouldering, and nocturnal stargazing roughly two-hour drive.
- Big Bear Lake - Mountain lake for hiking, boating, and seasonal snow activities about one-and-a-half hour drive.
- Santa Barbara - Mediterranean-style waterfront city with beaches, wine tasting, and historic State Street promenade.
- Palm Springs - Desert resort town with mid-century architecture, tramway, shopping, and spa options nearby.
Where to Go in Pomona, California #
Downtown Pomona
The cultural heart of the city, Downtown Pomona mixes arts venues, independent restaurants and evening gigs. Walkable streets cluster galleries, the Fox Theatre and small cafes; it’s ideal if you like local music and creative scenes. Expect a neighborhood that’s active in the evenings and full of weekend events.
Top Spots
- Fox Theater - Restored 1930s movie palace turned concert venue and cultural anchor.
- American Museum of Ceramic Art (AMOCA) - Compact museum with an impressive ceramics collection and rotating shows.
- dA Center for the Arts - Gallery and community space showcasing local painters, makers and pop-up events.
Fairplex / Fairgrounds
Home to Pomona’s large event campus, this zone is busiest around shows, swap meets and the county fair. It’s practical for families and bargain-hunters, with lots of market-style food and easy parking. Not a 24/7 nightlife area, but great on event days.
Top Spots
- Fairplex (Pomona Fairgrounds) - Regional fairgrounds with events year-round, including the LA County Fair.
- Pomona Swap Meet - Big weekend market at the Fairplex with antiques and food stalls.
- Pomona Antique Row (nearby) - Cluster of antique shops popular with treasure hunters.
Arts District
A low-key creative quarter where gallery openings and artist studios are the norm. You’ll find relaxed cafés, street art and occasional live performances - perfect for slow afternoons poking around shops and studios. It’s quieter at night but lively during gallery openings.
Top Spots
- Pomona Arts Colony - Cluster of artist-run studios and small galleries open on weekends.
- Railroad District galleries - Independent exhibition spaces and pop-up shows.
- Local cafés & bakeries - Small coffee spots frequented by students and artists.
Plan Your Visit to Pomona, California #
Best Time to Visit Pomona, California #
Visit Pomona in spring or late fall when inland heat eases and skies are usually clear-great for outdoor exploring and Fairplex events. Winters are mild with some rain; summers are hot and dry, so schedule outdoor activities for mornings or evenings.
Best Time to Visit Pomona, California #
Pomona, California's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 5°C to 33°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 19°C and lows of 5°C. Regular rainfall (86 mm).
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February
February is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 7°C. The wettest month with 89 mm of rain and mostly sunny skies.
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March
March is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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May
May is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 12°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 14°C. The driest month with just 1 mm and clear sunny skies.
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July
July is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 16°C. The driest month with just 1 mm and clear sunny skies.
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August
August is the warmest month with highs of 33°C and lows of 17°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
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September
September is mild with highs of 31°C and lows of 16°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
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October
October is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 12°C. Light rainfall and clear sunny skies.
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November
November is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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December
December is the coolest month with highs of 20°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm).
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How to Get to Pomona, California
Pomona sits in eastern Los Angeles County and is easiest to reach by flying into Ontario International (closest) or Los Angeles International (LAX) and then continuing by car, rideshare or regional rail. Los Angeles Union Station is the main regional rail hub for transfers onto Metrolink commuter trains into Pomona.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): From LAX you can take the LAX FlyAway bus to Los Angeles Union Station (fare $9.75; about 30-45 minutes depending on traffic) and then transfer to Metrolink commuter rail into Pomona (one-way Metrolink fares vary by zone - typically allow 35-50 minutes on the train). A direct rideshare or taxi from LAX to Pomona typically costs around $60-$100 and takes roughly 40-80 minutes depending on peak traffic; rental cars are also common at LAX (rates vary widely).
Ontario International Airport (ONT): Ontario is the closest major airport to Pomona. Rideshares or taxis from ONT to downtown Pomona usually run about $25-$45 and take 15-25 minutes. Public-transit connections are more limited from ONT than LAX, so many travelers prefer a short taxi/ride or a rental car for speed and flexibility.
Train: Metrolink commuter rail serves the Pomona area (San Bernardino Line connects to Los Angeles Union Station and points east). Travel time to Union Station is typically around 35-60 minutes; fares are distance-based (budget about $5-$8 one-way as a rough guide depending on zones). For long-distance Amtrak service you generally change at Los Angeles Union Station.
Bus: Regional bus operators Foothill Transit and Omnitrans serve Pomona with frequent local and regional routes connecting to Claremont, Pomona Valley, Pasadena and Ontario. Single-ride fares for local buses are generally in the $1.75-$2.00 range (exact fares depend on agency and passes); trip times vary widely by route and traffic.
How to Get Around Pomona, California
Pomona is best navigated with a mix of car and regional transit: driving offers the most freedom, while Metrolink and regional buses provide reliable connections to Los Angeles and the Inland Empire. For most visitors, a rideshare from Ontario Airport or a Metrolink transfer at Union Station from LAX will be the simplest way to reach downtown Pomona.
- Driving / Rental car (Rental $35-$90/day; parking $1-$4/hr) - A car is the most convenient way to get around greater Pomona and the surrounding Inland Empire - it gives the most flexibility for visiting spread-out neighborhoods and nearby attractions. Rental cars are widely available at ONT and LAX; expect typical daily rates that vary seasonally. Street parking and municipal lots in downtown Pomona are generally affordable but check signs for event parking and meters.
- Metrolink (commuter rail) ($5-$8) - Metrolink's San Bernardino Line provides reliable commuter service between Pomona and Los Angeles Union Station, and onward toward San Bernardino. Trains are a good option for weekday commuters and for avoiding freeway rush-hour traffic; schedules are sparser on weekends. Buy tickets via the Metrolink app or ticket machines before boarding and allow time for transfers at Union Station for connections.
- Foothill Transit (regional buses) ($1.75-$2.00) - Foothill Transit operates many routes through Pomona connecting to nearby cities such as Claremont, Azusa and Pasadena. Buses are budget-friendly for short and medium trips, though service frequency can be lower outside weekday peak hours. Check route maps and timed transfers; day passes and stored-value options can save money for multiple trips.
- Omnitrans & local buses ($1.75-$2.00) - Omnitrans and local municipal routes cover parts of Pomona Valley and provide connections to Ontario and San Bernardino County. These buses are useful for local errands and for reaching destinations not on the Metrolink corridor, but schedules and frequencies vary by route. Carry exact change or use the agency's fare app; plan extra time for trips that cross busy roads.
- Rideshare & Taxis (Uber / Lyft / local cabs) ($8-$90) - Uber and Lyft are widely used in Pomona for short hops and for airport transfers when public transit is slower or unavailable. Fares are highly time-dependent - short in-town rides are often $8-$25 while airport trips (especially from LAX) can be $40-$100+ during peak demand. Rideshares are generally faster than buses for door-to-door trips, but surge pricing can increase costs.
- Walking - Downtown Pomona (including the downtown arts district, restaurants and some campuses) is compact enough to explore comfortably on foot for short outings. Sidewalks are generally present, but distances between neighborhoods are significant, so walking is best for central areas and short errands. Wear comfortable shoes and be mindful of summer heat.
Where to Stay in Pomona, California #
Where to Eat in Pomona, California #
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Pomona, California's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Pomona, California #
Pomona’s nights center on its arts-driven downtown and a small but lively live-music scene. Downtown Pomona (Second Street and the Arts Colony) fills with gallery openings, First Friday crowds and casual bars; bigger concerts land at the historic Fox Theatre or the Glass House. If you want cocktails and craft beer, head toward Pomona’s village core or over to nearby Claremont for quieter evening options. Expect venues to wind down around midnight on weeknights and closer to 1-2 AM on weekends; casual dress is fine but some concert venues enforce bag checks and ID.
Best Bets
- Downtown Pomona / Second Street - Main cluster for bars, galleries and First Friday art events.
- Fox Theatre Pomona - Historic concert venue hosting national and local acts.
- The Glass House - Popular mid-size music venue for indie and touring bands.
- Pomona Arts Colony - Cluster of galleries, pop-ups and late-night openings on weekends.
- Claremont Village (nearby) - Quieter restaurants and craft cocktail bars a short drive away.
- Pomona First Fridays (Art Walk) - Monthly night market and gallery hop - vibrant local crowd.
Shopping in Pomona, California #
Pomona’s shopping scene mixes old-school flea-market finds with indie downtown boutiques. The Fairplex hosts large swap meets and fairs, while Downtown Pomona (Antique Row and the area around Garey/Second Street) is where vintage hunters and decor collectors spend afternoons. Expect eclectic, locally run shops; bargaining is fair at flea markets but stick to posted prices in gallery boutiques. For more variety, the neighboring Claremont Village is a short drive and worth a detour for artisan goods and specialty food stores.
Best Bets
- Fairplex (Pomona) - Home to regular swap meets, fairs and large weekend markets.
- Downtown Pomona Antique Row - Cluster of independent antique and vintage shops in downtown Pomona.
- First Fridays / Pomona Arts Colony - Monthly art walk with pop-up stalls and local makers selling goods.
- Pomona Farmers Market - Local produce, prepared food and artisan stalls on market days.
- Claremont Village (nearby) - Short drive for boutiques, homewares and specialty food shops.
- Garey Avenue & Downtown Boutiques - Independent clothing, gift and homeware stores clustered in downtown.
