CONTENTS
What’s Inside
8 Serving the Business Community
10 The 411
14 Economic Development
15 College, Career & Workforce
Development Task Force
16 Exploring Pomona’s Agricultural Heritage
18 Immerse Yourself in Our Art and Music Scene
22 Exploring Pomona’s Culinary Scene
24 Discovering Our Architectural Treasures
26 Start Your Engines, Gearheads
28 Members – Alphabetical
31 Members By Category
41 Member Search
Serving the Business Community
The Pomona Chamber of Commerce: A Catalyst for Innovation, Growth and Community Prosperity
In times of economic uncertainty when cities face high unemployment, struggling local industries and
stagnant growth, the role of a Chamber of Commerce becomes more vital than ever. For
Pomona, the Pomona Chamber of Commerce stands as a beacon of leadership, innovation and
collaboration. Our mission is not only to revitalize the economy but to help position Pomona as
a forward-thinking, business-friendly city that welcomes emerging industries and fosters sustainable
growth.
At its core, the Pomona Chamber is committed to enhancing the economic vitality of the
community. Through strategic partnerships, policy advocacy and inclusive programming, we
create pathways for economic opportunity, entrepreneurship and workforce development — ensuring
that businesses of all sizes and sectors can thrive here.
Seven Key Ways the Pomona Chamber Strengthens Our Local Economy
1. Economic Catalyst
The Pomona Chamber serves as a driver of local economic
development by connecting businesses with critical resources, promoting investment and providing
strategic guidance. These efforts stimulate business expansion, attract new industries and generate job
creation — fueling a more resilient local economy.
2. Championing Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Emerging industries bring new energy
and opportunity to Pomona. The Chamber provides platforms for entrepreneurs and startups to gain
visibility, mentorship and investor connections. We foster a culture of innovation that not only
supports small businesses but also encourages technology, green industries and creative enterprises to
set roots in our city.
3. Advocacy and Policy Engagement
The Chamber actively advocates for policies that
foster economic growth, business attraction and innovation. We represent the voice of Pomona’s
business community at local, regional and state levels, ensuring that the needs of our members are heard
and that the city remains competitive for emerging sectors.
4. Strategic Networking & Collaboration
In a landscape where connection is key, we
bring businesses, nonprofits and civic leaders together. Through events, roundtables and targeted
programs, the Chamber creates opportunities for collaboration and partnership, strengthening the
ecosystem that supports business innovation and success.
5. Community and Civic Engagement
Our work extends beyond business. The Chamber is
a unifying force that brings together diverse stakeholders to build a thriving, inclusive community. We
are committed to initiatives that elevate local quality of life and make Pomona a place where
businesses, families and individuals flourish together.
6. Promoting Tourism and Economic Development
We actively promote Pomona’s
assets — from historic sites and local attractions to major venues and cultural events — to
drive tourism, increase foot traffic for local businesses and attract new economic development
opportunities.
7. Education, Training and Workforce Development
Through the College,
Career & Workforce Development Task Force, we align education with industry needs. We support
training initiatives that equip residents with in-demand skills and help build a talent pipeline that
attracts innovative companies to Pomona.
Recently, this commitment was demonstrated through the successful launch of the first-ever
Pomona Valley Job, Career & Entrepreneur Expo regional event connecting job seekers,
entrepreneurs and businesses to opportunity, resources and growth.
A Future-Focused Chamber for a Future-Ready Pomona
The Pomona Chamber of Commerce is not just supporting the present — we are building the
future. As a trusted partner to business and government alike, we are working to make Pomona
a hub for innovation, entrepreneurship and inclusive economic growth.
Our mission is clear: to promote opportunity, strengthen community and ensure Pomona becomes a model
for how cities can adapt, evolve and thrive in the 21st century.
Now more than ever, the work of the Chamber is essential. Together, through collaboration and
commitment, we can transform Pomona into a more vibrant, connected and prosperous city — for
everyone.
The 411
Abandoned Shopping Carts 909-620-2362
Alley Maintenance 909-620-2374
Animals (too many) 909-623-9777
Building without Permit/Room Additions/Roofing 909-620-2371
City Trees & Broken Limbs 909-620-3759
City Trees & Broken Limbs - Afterhours 909-282-2835
Curb & Sidewalk Repair 909-620-3665
Curb Painting 909-620-3665
Fire Prevention and Complaints 909-620-2216
Graffiti Removal 909-620-2265
Illegal Dumping 888-314-0061
Junk Storage (Public) 909-622-1241
Junk Storage (Private) 909-620-2374
Landlord/Tenant disputes 800-477-5977
Landscaping Maintenance - Public 909-620-3759
Landscaping Maintenance - Private 909-620-2374
Motor Home Parking 909-620-2374
Motor Home Parking (Permit Application) 909-620-2191
Oil/Tires/Paint 909-620-3665
Overgrown Private Trees & Broken Limbs 909-620-2374
Parking on Unpaved Surfaces 909-620-2374
Police (Non-emergency) 909-622-1241
Police (Business Line) 909-620-2155
Portable Signage 909-620-2374
Pothole Repairs 909-620-3665
Pothole Repairs - Afterhours 909-282-2835
Private Property Damage 909-620-2374
Public Sign Posting 909-620-2374
Recycling Used Oil & Filters 888-253-2652
Roaches, rats and vermin 323-881-4046
Sandbags 909-620-3665
Sandbags - Afterhours 909-282-2835
Sanitation Special Pick-up 888-314-0061
Sewer Main Back-up 909-620-2251
Storm Drains 909-620-2224
Street/Alley Potholes 909-620-3665
Street Lights 909-620-2395
Street Sweeping 909-620-3665
Traffic Signals 909-620-2395
Traffic Signs 909-620-2397
Residential Trash / Recycling 888-314-0061
Vacant Structures 909-620-2374
Vehicle Parking (Public) 909-622-1241
Vehicle Parking (Private) 909-620-2374
Water / Sewer 909-620-2241
CITY DEPARTMENTS/ DIVISIONS
Building and Safety 909-620-2371
Inspection Requests 909-620-2422
City Attorney - Best Best & Krieger, LLP
City Clerk 909-620-2341
Fax: 909-620-3710
[email protected]
City Manager 909-620-2051
Fax: 909-620-3707
Public Information Officer 909-620-2448
Mayor & City Counci 909-620-2042
Fax: 909-620-3707
Code Enforcement 909-620-2374
PomonaGo App
Community Services 909-620-2321
Fax: 909-624-8752
Development Service 909-620-2191
Fax: 909-469-2082
Finance/Revenue Management 909-620-3711
Business License 909-620-2343
Budget 909-620-2340
Accounts Payable 909-620-3622
Payroll 909-620-2349
Utility Services 909-620-2241
Fax: 909-620-2030
Fire Department 909-629-9671
Fax: 909-620-2209
Housing 909-620-2368
Fax: 909-620-4567
[email protected]
Human Resources 909-620-2291
Fax: 909-620-2295
Emergency Preparedness 909-620-3741
Library 909-620-2043
Fax: 909-620-3713
[email protected]
Planning 909-620-2191
Fax: 909-620-3702
[email protected]
Police 909-620-2156
Public Works 909-620-2261
Fax: 909-620-2269
PomonaGo App
Engineering Division 909-620-2281
Fax: 909-620-2269
[email protected]
Parks & Facilities 909-620-2223
Solid Waste 888-314-0061
Streets 909-620-3665
Successor Agency (to the
Redevelopment Agency) 909-620-2410
Fax:
909-620-3703
Vehicle Parking District (VPD) 909-620-3782
Fax: 909-620-3703
Water Resources Department 909-620-2251
Elected Officals
Michelle Rodriguez
State Assembly Member (AD-53nd
District)
Counties Represented:
Los Angeles, San
Bernardino
Web: https://a53.asmdc.org/
Email: Use form
on web page
Capitol Office:
1021 O Street, Suite 5640, Sacramento, CA 95814
P.O. Box 942849,
Sacramento, CA 94249-0053
Tel: 916-319-2053
District Office:
13160 7th Street, Chino, CA 91710
Tel:
909-902-9606
Susan Rubio
State Senator (SD-22nd District)
Areas
Represented: Azusa, Baldwin Park, Bradbury, Covina, Duarte, El Monte, La Verne, Pomona, South
El Monte, West Covina, and unincorporated communities Charter Oaks, Citrus, North El Monte, South
Monrovia and Vincent as well as San Bernardino County cities Chino, Montclair, and
Ontario.
Web: https://sd22.senate.ca.gov/
Email: Use form
on web page
Capitol Office:
State Capitol, Room 8710, Sacramento, CA 95814-4900
Tel:
916-651-4022 • Fax: 916-651-4922
West Covina Office:
100 S Vincent Ave., Ste. 401, West Covina, CA
91790
Phone: 909-430-2499
Norma Torres
U.S. Congresswoman (CD-35th
District)
Web: https://torres.house.gov/
Email: https://torres.house.gov/contact/email-me
Capitol Office:
2227 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C.
20515-0535
Tel: 202-225-6161 • Fax: 202-225-8671
Ontario Office:
3200 Inland Empire Blvd., Suite 200B
Ontario, CA
91764
Tel: 909-481-6474 • Fax: 909-941-1362
Hilda L. Solis
County Board Supervisor (First
District)
Web: https://www.hildasolis.com/
Email: Use form
on web page
Hall of Administration Office:
856 Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration
500 West
Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Tel: 213-974-4111
East SGV Office:
2245 N. Garey Avenue, Pomona, CA 91717
Tel:
909-593-9038
Mayor Tim Sandoval
Email: [email protected]
Office:
909-620-2053
Cell: 909-762-1982
District 1
Councilmember Debra
Martin
Email: [email protected]
Office:
909-620-2053
Cell: 909-298-3011
District 2
Councilmember Victor
Preciado
Email: [email protected]
Office:
909-620-2053
Cell: 909-630-3125
District 3
Councilmember Nora
Garcia
Email: [email protected]
Office: 909-620-2053
Cell:
909-630-3378
District 4
Councilmember Elizabeth
Ontiveros-Cole
Email: [email protected]
Office:
909-620-2053
Cell: 909-837-8677
District 5
Vice Mayor Steve
Lustro
Email: [email protected]
Office:
909-620-2053
Cell: 909-671-6114
District 6
Councilmember Lorraine
Canales
Email: [email protected]
Office:
909-620-2053
Cell: 909-298-3012
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The Importance of a Chamber-Led Economic Development Committee
Having an active Economic Development Committee within a Chamber of Commerce is vital for fostering
local growth and ensuring long-term prosperity. This committee serves as a driving force behind
initiatives that support business retention, expansion and attraction, while also creating opportunities
for job development and investment.
By collaborating with stakeholders, including local businesses, city agencies, educational institutions
and community organizations, the committee identifies actionable strategies that strengthen the economic
fabric of the community. Through research, market analysis and policy engagement, it helps position
businesses to make informed decisions and capitalize on growth opportunities.
Ultimately, an Economic Development Committee acts as a catalyst for progress, enhancing the overall
business climate and quality of life within the region it serves.
Pomona’s Economic Development Initiative:
A Community-Driven Approach
Born out of the 2014 Pomona’s Promise Summit, Pomona’s Economic Development Initiative is
one of five key pillars supporting the city’s mission to build “strong families, safe
neighborhoods and a healthy quality of life.” While each Health, Education, Safety,
Community Engagement and Economic Development initiative operates independently, these work in
coordination to strengthen Pomona as a whole.
The Economic Development Committee specifically focuses on business support, growth and
retention. Our initiative has worked on a wide range of impactful efforts, including:
• Collaborating with the Planning Department and business owners on Zoning Maps and
Use Code clarification
• Actively participating in the Zoning Code Update process to advocate for policies
that attract and retain businesses in Pomona
• Launching the Property Business Improvement District on East Holt
• Strengthening local supply chains by connecting large businesses with smaller ones,
beginning with PUSD
• Hosting business workshops such as the Business Watch Workshop
• Supporting businesses during COVID with up-to-date resources and policy guidance
• Participating in the City’s COVID Action Committee
• Creating the Pomona Restaurant Guide to drive local dining engagement
• Helping businesses navigate Planning Department processes and roadblocks
• Supporting the advancement of the CHIRP Project
• Developing events such as the Security Resource Expo and Local Job Fair Expo
• Assisting City Business Licensing in expanding its email database
• Improving overall communication between the business community and city departments
Our initiative is committed to enhancing Pomona’s economic vitality by building bridges between
the public and private sectors. Through strong partnerships with the Pomona Chamber of Commerce and
stakeholders of all sizes, we ensure that every voice is heard and represented.
We invite you to be part of this important work. The Economic Development Committee meets monthly and
welcomes all who are passionate about driving positive change in Pomona’s business landscape.
College, career & workforce development task force
Los Angeles County Performance & Partnership Pilot (LA P3)
The Pomona Chamber of Commerce, San Antonio Regional Occupational Program (SAROP), and
America’s Job Center of California (AJCC) serve as the core pillars of the College, Career &
Workforce Development Task Force — a collaborative initiative dedicated to bridging
business, industry and education. Together, these three anchor organizations have led the charge in
building a robust, multi-agency partnership that now includes over 450 partners at the local, regional,
state and national levels, all committed to advancing workforce development and economic
opportunity.
Launched over 16 years ago during the Great Recession, the Task Force has evolved into a highly
effective multi-agency partnership. Core partners include the Pomona Chamber of Commerce, Pomona
Unified School District (PUSD), Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity, Pomona Valley
AJCC, PUSD Adult School and the San Antonio ROP.
Purpose and Pillars of the Task Force:
The Task Force operates under three foundational pillars that guide our mission and monthly
efforts:
1. Information Sharing – Keep partners updated on programs,
services and opportunities across agencies and industries.
2. Community Connection – Learn about each other’s
services to better support community needs and expand access to education, employment and
entrepreneurship.
3. Resource Optimization – Reduce duplication of services,
improve referrals and streamline access to specialized support across partner organizations.
Over time, these guiding principles have fostered strong synergy among partners and led to increased
collaboration, innovation and resource alignment. As a result, the Task Force has been recognized as a
Partnership Performance Pilot Program and a Model Best Practice in Los
Angeles County.
Recent Milestone: Pomona Valley Job, Career & Entrepreneur Expo
In line with its mission to advance workforce development and economic opportunity, the Task Force
recently hosted the first-ever Pomona Valley Job, Career & Entrepreneur Expo. This
milestone event brought together job seekers, small business owners, educators and major employers to
explore pathways in career advancement, entrepreneurship and education. The Expo served as a dynamic
platform for connection, recruitment and empowerment — marking a major achievement for the Task
Force and the broader Pomona Valley region.
Join Us
Exploring Pomona’s Argricultural Heritage
Agritourism in the United States goes back to the 1800s when families visited farms to escape the heat
of big cities. Indeed, many of the citrus growers that gave Pomona its first taste of fame were East
Coast visitors that fell in love with Pomona’s rural charm and Mediterranean climate. In an
episode of I Love Lucy, when Fred and Ethel wanted to move to California, they dreamed of buying an
orchard in Pomona.
These days Pomona is a bustling suburb, but it honors its agricultural roots with three demonstration
farms that are oases from the LA sprawl: Spadra Farm at Cal Poly Pomona University, Lopez Urban Farm
downtown and The Farm at Fairplex. While our farms are active year-round, many of their events focus on
the spring and fall.
APRIL
Don B. Huntley College of Agriculture at Cal Poly Pomona University is a crown jewel of California
agriculture, the only ag college in Southern California and steward of “the largest tract of prime
agricultural land in the region.” Spread over more than 1,600 acres, Huntley grows more than 30
crops, from asparagus to zucchini; produces 16 types of beers and seltzers, seven varieties of wine,
wildflower honey; and even has an experimental coffee bean estate. The college grows dozens of different
types of herbs, flowers, fruit trees and landscaping plants and raises hundreds of cattle, sheep, swine
and Arabian horses.
The best way to experience this incredible resource is a Discovery Farm Field Trip presented on
multiple days every April by AGRIscapes, Huntley’s community education center. You can take the
Wagon Tour of Spadra Farm, while Ag students explain farm operations and their cutting-edge research
into organic crops, urban farming and adapting to climate change. Little ones love the Petting Farm and
get to meet the famous lamb, Oreo, and his many barnyard friends. There is also the Children’s
Garden, where kids learn about the life cycle of plants and various creepy crawlies that keep our food
chain healthy. If you don’t mind getting your hands a little dirty, you can Pick-Your-Own to take
home strawberries and vegetables. Much more is available at the Farm Store and Nursery.
Your final stop at Cal Poly is lunch at The Restaurant at Kellogg Ranch. With spectacular views of
rolling hills, it is operated by advanced students from the Collins College of Hospitality Management,
one of the country’s most prestigious culinary institutions. The menu is a true farm-to-table
experience, with many ingredients produced on campus.
MAY
Be sure to go to the LA County Fair and visit the Farm at Fairplex, a nationally recognized ag
education center. The Farm is the most popular attraction at the fair, with 5 acres of all-organic
plantings that feature more than 100 different crops throughout the year. Docents explain the food
cycle, hydroponics, aquaponics and so much more. Right next door is the Big Red Barn, where visitors can
view and sometimes interact with a wide range of chicken, goat, sheep, cattle and horse breeds. A
traditional highlight is seeing baby chicks and various newborns, some of which are born during the
fair. There’s just one last stop before you wrap up your ag adventure — a farm-to-table
dinner at Fairplex’s McKinley Grill, where you can savor many of The Farm’s crops.
SEPTEMBER
Cal Poly Pomona’s famous Pumpkin Fest lasts a month and fills every Friday through Sunday with
corn mazes, hayrides, a petting farm, duck races, pumpkin picking, etc. Time your visit right, and you
can also enjoy the Cal Poly Insect Fair weekend, where you can learn about and get up close and personal
with your favorite and not-so-favorite creepy crawlies.
NOVEMBER
Around Thanksgiving time, The Farm at the Fairplex presents a two-day ag festival, Fall Into the Farm
and the Pomona Classic Livestock Show. Fall Into the Farm is a cornucopia of olive oil, vinegar and
dairy tastings; master gardener demonstrations and workshops; activities for kids; and health and
wellness vendors. Meanwhile, at The Livestock Show, spectators can watch more than 100 breeders compete
in goat, sheep, dairy goat and beef cattle categories.
DECEMBER
The Pasadena Rose Parade is one of the world’s most famous celebrations of agricultural and
all-organic materials, and it has deep roots in Pomona! Since 1949, Cal Poly Pomona and its sister
school in San Luis Obispo have been constructing award-winning floats on the Pomona campus. This is a
year-round effort involving creative design and high-tech innovation. Students lead this effort, but
just before the parade, community volunteers of all ages lend a hand during Decorations Week, where all
the magic comes together. It’s a marvelous hands-on experience of how the agriculture industry
continues to contribute to Southern California culture.
ANYTIME
Pomona has a thriving community garden scene. There are half a dozen inspiring examples of passionate volunteers coming together to create these healing spaces where people grow their own food and improve the local quality of life. Perhaps the most impactful is Lopez Urban Farm. Sign up for the 90-minute education tour, or stay longer for bilingual yoga, herbal medicine and art classes, open mic poetry, demonstrations of Native American and African traditional crops or the El Puestecito community market every Wednesday night. Lopez Urban Farm also hosts an arts festival on their grounds every October.
Immerse Yourself in Pomona’s ART AND MUSIC SCENE
Pomona isn’t one of those places where people complain there’s nothing to do. It’s a
“little” suburb with big city fun, where more than 2 million visitors enjoy an incredible
lineup of festivals, concerts, plays, night spots and art shows. With thousands of performances and
exhibiting artists, it’s always a good time to visit, but there are ways to pack a lot of fun into
a few trips.
SECOND SATURDAY ARTWALK
The year-round center for Pomona’s creative scene is the Pomona Arts Colony in downtown. There
are more than 200 artists’ lofts, 18 galleries, a dozen live music stages, beautiful public art
and many eclectic boutiques, so plan on spending a full evening. The best introduction to the
neighborhood is the Second Saturday Art Walk, one of the largest monthly art walks in
the state, and everything’s within walking distance.
You can start your visit at the dA Center for the Arts, the oldest downtown gallery and a pioneering
cultural center. Its exhibitions celebrate emerging and accomplished artists connected to Pomona, such
as Gilbert Lujan, a revered member of the Chicano art movement. Another landmark is the American Museum
of Ceramic Arts, the first museum of its type in the United States. Its galleries display works from
around the world, highlighting the earliest roots of this ancient art form up to contemporary artists.
Dozens of professional and student ceramists work in its studios, often giving classes and
demonstrations.
There are three underground art galleries, where old basements have become hidden treasures to be
discovered. There is the historic Latino Art Museum space, whose curators present amazing group shows
from the region’s thriving Latino art scene. There is the Sasse Museum that specializes in
presenting fine arts from Inland Empire-based professionals. There are three “alley
galleries,” artist-driven passion projects that often feature artists that have never exhibited
before: Artist in the Alley, The Alley Gallery and the El Callejon Gallery. Many shops also hang their
own exhibitions during the art walk.
FOURTH SATURDAYS
The LA Times recently declared the Arts Colony’s network of independent venues “cements the
L.A. County suburb as a music destination with stages big enough to host the world’s most famous
acts.” Far away from LA gigantic arenas, it’s an intimate music experience where fans get
close to the stage and can run into performers looking for vinyl at Zoinks Records or analog
synthesizers at Noisebug.
One way to get a feel for the local music scene is to visit during the monthly Fourth Saturday Walk the
Beat, when many performances take place on the street and in clubs. Otherwise, check out the calendars
of the individual venues. At the Haven, you can mosh to punk and emo shows where rock star Beck ran open
mic nights. At the Glass House, where touring college radio bands have been jamming for almost 30 years,
you can catch the next No Doubt, White Stripes, Weezer, Arctic Monkeys, Rage Against the Machine or
Kendrick Lamar that plays on their legendary stage. The Glass House also hosts one of the most
influential Latin indie festivals each November, Viva! Pomona.
Over at the Old Opera House, Carnival Nightclub presents banda and norteña acts, while Club 340 hosts
elaborate drag shows. Fuego is a great place to dance to salsa and cumbia bands. The renovated
historical YMCA Building is now the Union on Garey and the downtown’s newest multistage music
venue, featuring everything from indie rock to theatrical plays. The biggest shows downtown play at the
Fox Theater, a glamorous Art Deco movie palace that now hosts national tours featuring everything from
classic rock to pop to hip-hop.
Another good reason to make the trip to downtown Pomona is its many seasonal celebrations. Some of the
art and music attractions are open for these festivities, but you also get craft vendors, food trucks,
community performances and a whole lot more. There is Día de los Muertos just after Halloween with its
altars and costumes. There is the Pomona Christmas Parade in December, with floats and marching bands
from throughout the Southland. There is also Lunar New Year in February, DanzArte Dance Competition in
June and La Gran Posada at the Fox in December, which celebrates folklorico traditions from throughout
Mexico.
MAY
The granddaddy of all festivals in Pomona is the Los Angeles County Fair. For more than 100 years, the
Fair has celebrated everything LA, from its agricultural heritage to its creative industries that
entertain the world. The fair attracts upwards of 1 million visitors, and the arts are at the center of
that success, from installations at the Flower Pavilion to folksy arts and crafts competitions to the
Millard Sheets Art Center, which often exhibits works from the world-famous Los Angeles County Museum of
Art (LACMA).
However, it is music that is the biggest draw. The historic grandstand has hosted some of the biggest
names in music, such as Pitbull, Willie Nelson, Selena Gomez, Demi Lavato, Rhianna, Johnny Cash, Blake
Shelton, Linkin Park, and The Weeknd. But what many people don’t realize is that the
country’s largest indie music festival is also held inside the Fair. Called Next
Fest, six different stages showcase more than 350 artists across diverse genres. It’s
impossible to see it all, but hard-core music fans love trying every year, and truly there is something
for everyone.
Entertainment at the Fairplex isn’t limited to the fair, either. The campus hosts hundreds of small and supersized events, such as Kaboom (Fourth of July) and En Memoria (Day of the Dead), to name just a few. Live performances are a big part of all of these events. Just check out their calendar and find out what’s going on during your visit to Pomona.
The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is the most influential music event in the
world. It was started by Paul and Perry Tollett, who booked punk bands to play at Cal Poly Pomona
while they were students. The success of those shows inspired them to open the Glass House Concert
Hall in the Pomona Arts Colony in 1996. When some bands outgrew traditional venues, the
Tollett’s solution was Coachella. For years, the massive event was run from a small loft behind
the Glass House. The connection with Pomona continues today with Local-chella, where bands from the
festival play intimate warm-up and fan-service shows downtown.
Exploring Pomona’s CULINARY SCENE
Thanks to Pomona’s deep agricultural roots and many waves of immigration, food has always been a
big part of the city’s identity. There are several food festivals in town that make a special
visit worthwhile, as well as a wide range of independent eateries that can be enjoyed year-round.
JANUARY
The Asian American Expo Event is one of the country’s largest Asian heritage festivities, with
more than 100,000 attendees, 1,600 vendors and seven stages for performances. There are also more than
120 food vendors offering an incredible range of Eastern and Southeast Asian cuisines.
MAY
Every year during the fair in May, news stations come to sample the latest deep-fried,
chocolate-covered, mega-sized calorie bombs, but each year the options expand to include more vegan,
farm-to-table and heirloom foods to choose from. With more than 100 food vendors, a wine pavilion and a
craft beer pavilion, the fair is a foodie’s secret pleasure.
JUNE
Cheers at The Farm at Fairplex is a celebration of the award-winning wine, spirits and extra virgin
olive oils from the Los Angeles International Competitions. The tastings are fabulous and paired with a
wide range of artisanal foods. If you aren’t into the agricultural mission of the farm, this is
the way to enjoy its beautiful, rustic setting.
OCTOBER
The Pumpkin Fest at Cal Poly Pomona kicks off with a 21-and-over Preview Night foodie festival. There
are more than two dozen vintners, brewers and restaurants that create a fun and delicious
experience.
Fairplex Presents Oktoberfest is in its 10th year celebrating Bavarian music, authentic German food and
Der Ententanz (the Chicken Dance). It’s a month-long celebration that brings people together with
good grub, dancing and cold beers.
YEAR-ROUND
Pomonans tend to bypass corporate chains to find more authentic dishes, and celebrating independent
restaurateurs starts the biggest street food scene in the area. Dozens of vendors and food trucks set up
at night, turning sidewalks into a tour of international foods and the latest creative fusions. There
are also night markets that feature food vendors, such as the 909 Open Market that takes place every
Thursday night on the lawn of the Union on Garey.
Some street vendors make the leap to brick-and-mortar restaurants, markets and bakeries. Here is a
baker’s dozen of Pomona’s quirky yet beloved establishments: Tony’s French Dip;
Tropico Mexico (get a picture under the two Kennedys commemorative towel); Kwan’s noodle house; El
Merendero Bakery; Mi Cafecito coffee house; Hoa Binh Asian market; Cachanilla Mexicali Chinese
restaurant; Hilltop Jamaican Restaurant; Donahoo’s Golden Chicken; El Jefe Mexican Cantina; Mix
Bowl Thai food; Pho Vina Vietnamese; and Day Day’s soul-inspired Barbecue and Waffle. For more
fine dining, visit Pomona’s hillside restaurants with their beautiful views of the city: Coco Palm
Cuban restaurant, Vita farm-to-table Italian, The Restaurant at Kellogg Ranch and the Pomona Valley
Mining Company steakhouse.
There are also plenty of options when you get thirsty. There are breweries ranging from Homage, one of
the 10 best craft breweries in the United States, according to Forbes Magazine, to Cal Poly’s
Innovation Brew Works, which explores the cutting edge of fermentation science. Are you into Route 66
dive bars, Irish pubs, sports bars, cigar bars, wine bars, craft beer bars, LGBTQIA+ Bars or hipster
bars? The High Brow; O’Donovan’s; The Derby Room; Mi Havana Cigar Lounge; DBA 256 Wine
House; The Rookery Alehouse; The Hookup; and V-Lounge are ready to pour!
Pomona’s history of embracing diverse cultures includes the LGBTQIA+ community.
When surrounding cities were intolerant, gay bars found a home in Pomona, where customers could build
a community. Today, the LGBTQIA+ community openly and proudly makes indispensable contributions to
every aspect of Pomona. This achievement owes a great deal to those pioneering bars and those like the
Alibi East and 340 Restaurant & Nightclub that still carry on today. To learn more about the history
and future of the LGBTQIA+ community, visit the Pomona Pride Center downtown.
DISCOVERING OUR ARCHITECHTURAL TREASURES
Pomona has preserved one of the largest collections of historic buildings anywhere in Southern
California. With more than 5,000 contributing structures and dozens of state and national landmarks,
every design trend from the last 150 years lines Pomona’s streets.
There are three 19th-century adobes; two mansions; gingerbread Victorians; craftsman bungalows; Tudor
cottages; Spanish revival estates; Art Deco offices; mid-century moderns; rambler ranch homes; and so
much more. There are organized tours for many of Pomona’s most famous landmarks.
Select Sundays
For 109 years the Pomona Historical Society has been caring for many of Pomona’s most famous
landmarks. On multiple Sundays each month, docents give tours explaining the history of these sites and
how they were preserved. Visit their website to see which of these properties is featured during your
visit.
The Adobes’ Tours
Built in 1837, La Casa Primera de Rancho San José is the oldest structure in the Pomona Valley. It was
built by Ygnacio Palomares, the last mayor of Los Angeles during Mexican rule, and his wife, Concepción.
In 1855, the Palomares family finished a second, larger home, the Adobe de Palomares, in what would
become northern Pomona. The Palomares family began the tradition of Pomona always welcoming visitors.
Their home became known as the “House of Hospitality” and it still is today.
Phillips Mansion Tour
The Phillips Mansion was built in 1875 by Louis Phillips, a prominent ranching and real estate figure
who was the richest man in LA County at the time. His holdings became the foundation of what would
become Pomona. The mansion is built in the Second Empire style, though most visitors appreciate its
“Classic Haunted Mansion style.” It is filled with innovations and luxuries that bring a
little bit of the Gilded Age to a corner of Pomona few people discover.
Fox Theatre Pomona Tour
The Fox Theater Pomona opened its doors on April 24, 1931, as an extravagant art deco movie palace.
Designed by Balch and Standberry, the Fox had a huge impact on the movie industry for decades as a place
to test screen and tinker with movies before they were released, such as The Wizard of Oz, which
famously had 11 minutes cut after its Pomona screening. Fully restored in 2009, the Fox is now a
state-of-the-art entertainment complex in the heart of the Arts Colony hosting concerts with bands like
Green Day, Duran Duran, Snoop Dogg, Tyler the Creator and Twenty One Pilots. After you take your theater
tour, be sure to explore the rest of the neighborhood’s many historic buildings.
FIRST SUNDAYS, OCTOBER-APRIL
Kellogg House Mansion
The Kellogg House was built in 1925 as the winter residence of cereal magnate W.K. Kellogg and his
family. It was designed by renowned architect Myron Hunt, who also designed the Rose Bowl and the
Huntington Library, while the grounds were designed by Charles Gibbs Adams, the genius behind the Hearst
Castle gardens. Hunt also designed the stables for Kellogg’s world-famous Arabian horses. Today,
you can visit the mansion and the stables and see a free demonstration by these amazing animals.
EVERY FALL AND CHRISTMAS
Pomona doesn’t feel like much of the Inland Empire with its sprawling tracts of generic homes and
shopping centers. Its many historic neighborhoods are smaller and more walkable, developed organically
over decades with an engaging mix of architectural styles. There are the craftsman homes of Lincoln Park
and Wilton Heights, the Spanish revival cottages of Presidents Row and Ganesha Hills, and the
mid-century neighborhood of Westmont, not to mention the Victorians, Tudors, Cape Cods, bungalows,
etc.
The best introduction to this architectural legacy is the annual Pomona Heritage Home Tour, usually
held in October or November. Up to a dozen restored properties are open to the public with docents
explaining their history. For the full Mayberry experience in Pomona, visit two annual celebrations in
its most preserved historic districts. Thousands of trick-or-treaters in their cute and creepy costumes
converge on East Jefferson for Lincoln Park’s Halloween. Homeowners go all out, creating immersive
themed attractions, special effects shows and a beloved puppet show. A few blocks away in Wilton
Heights, there is Christmas on Columbia. Arts and crafts bungalows and Spanish revival cottages are
decked out with traditional Christmas lights, while carolers stroll the streets and neighbors hand out
free hot chocolate.
START YOUR ENGINES, GEARHEADS
MARCH AND NOVEMBER
Though its streets were laid out 12 years before the invention of the car, Pomona has a love affair
with fast and beautiful vehicles. In 1951, that was a problem, when local youth were racing their cars
on public streets. A local car club, the “Choppers of Pomona,” and the police department
teamed up for a creative solution, turning a corner of the fairgrounds into a year-round dragstrip. It
was the first of its kind in the country and helped launch the new sport of drag racing led by the
National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). To this day, drag racing’s most prestigious events, the
Winternationals and the NHRA finals, take place in Pomona’s In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip. Meet
the pit crews, watch the races and bring your earplugs!
YEAR-ROUND
Fairplex has even more attractions for car fanatics. The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum is a
30,000 square feet love letter to the history of really loud racing. Check out the cars that made
history and set land speed records, from rat rods to dragsters to funny cars and beyond. Then there is
the Pomona Swap Meet & Classic Car Show, which takes place seven times a year on a couple hundred acres
of the fairgrounds and is the largest event of its kind on the West Coast. It’s a humongous pop-up
car and truck museum where many of the vehicles are for sale, and you can find that elusive vintage part
for your own restoration project. Finally, it’s no wonder Pomona also hosts the Grand National
Roadster Show and America’s Most Beautiful Roadster Award, considered the “Crown
Jewel” competition and award for professional show car builders in North America.
As a major center for Chicano culture, many community events in Pomona feature classic lowriders. (Even
the renowned Lowrider Magazine was published in Pomona for a while.) Lowrider and hot rod enthusiasts
helped grow a cluster of custom car restoration clubs and companies in and around Pomona, like Traffic
Car Club (founded 1970); Southern Car Club; Elite Car Club; Style Car Club; Cali Car Club; American
Classic Cars; and Gongora’s Body & Paint, whose creations have been featured in Motor Trend
Magazine and automotive museums. For an authentic, old-school lowrider experience, check out the free
gathering the last Sunday afternoon of every month at The Cotorreo Community Culture Club in the Arts
Colony. If you’re at the fair in May, the Motorsports Museum fills Redwood Street with some of the
most beautiful lowriders displayed anywhere.
