Why Pomona
Pomona is the most populous municipality in California's San Gabriel Valley, situated in eastern Los Angeles County within the Pomona Valley. Located approximately 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, the city covers nearly 23 square miles of primarily land area. It shares borders with several communities, including Claremont, La Verne, San Dimas, and Chino, with the Los Angeles and San Bernardino county line shaping much of its eastern and southern perimeter. The local environment features a Mediterranean climate characterized by abundant year-round sunshine, hot and dry summer months, mild damp winters, and occasional autumn Santa Ana winds.
The area's recorded history began with the indigenous Tongva people prior to Spanish arrival and Mexican land grants during the 1830s. Following the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, the territory was integrated into the United States. In 1875, a land association organized a naming contest for the developing town, choosing an entry honoring the Roman goddess of fruit. Incorporated in 1888, Pomona expanded into a major citrus-producing hub due to water access and local rail connections. During the mid-twentieth century, prominent film studios utilized the city as a test location for movie previews targeting mid-century middle-class audiences, and a downtown pedestrian mall highlighting mid-century architecture was completed in 1962.
Visitors to Pomona can discover a broad array of cultural, artistic, and historic landmarks. The downtown district features the historic Pomona Fox Theater, art studios, galleries, and the dA Center for the Art, alongside cultural institutions like the American Museum of Ceramic Art and the Pomona Ebell Museum of History. Key historic sites include the 1875 Phillips Mansion and the Spadra Cemetery. Architecture enthusiasts can also observe mid-century modern design elements along the former Pomona Mall, parts of which are now incorporated into the campus of Western University of Health Sciences.
Entertainment and athletic facilities play a central role in the city's public life. The Fairplex complex hosts the annual Los Angeles County Fair, regular classic car shows with swap meets, and the RailGiants Train Museum. Motorsport fans can attend events at the In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, home to the NHRA Winternationals. The city also accommodates educational institutions such as California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, as well as sports venues like the Knight Riders Cricket Ground, constructed for Major League Cricket and scheduled to host matches for the 2028 Summer Olympics.
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