Pomona: Railway History, Museums and Vibrant Art

Pomona combines impressive railway history with historic homes, changing ceramic exhibitions and a vibrant arts program. Those planning a trip with cultural discoveries and activities for children will find a variety of opportunities here to create a varied daily itinerary. When choosing a vacation rental or holiday home, it is worth deciding on your personal focus: Should the trip be devoted primarily to museums and history, or should it also include art events and activities for children?

Experience Railway and Technology History

A special point of interest is the RailGiants Train Museum. Its collection includes two of the four surviving three-cylinder steam locomotives: SP #5021 and UP #9000. The museum offers a historical journey back to the heyday of American railways, providing a concrete insight into an influential chapter of technological history.

For your visit, be sure to note the opening schedule: The RailGiants Train Museum is open to the public free of charge from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the second weekend of each month, except in May. These fixed times can help determine the right place in your daily itinerary when planning your trip.

Historic Homes and Museums

Pomona’s architectural and regional history can also be explored at several locations. Phillips Mansion was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. Tours of Phillips Mansion last 45 minutes and begin on the hour. At the site of the Adobe de Palomares Museum, Ygnacio and Concepción Palomares built a thirteen-room house between 1850 and 1854. Casa Primera was the first residence of its kind built in the valley; tours there last 30 minutes and begin every half hour.

The NHRA Museum focuses on another area of American history. It is open Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you would like to combine several visits, the different opening days and tour schedules provide concrete guidance for planning, without requiring every stop to follow the same daily routine.

Ceramics, Horse Breeding and Local Products

The changing exhibitions at the American Museum of Ceramic Art may feature ceramics from various countries. This means that the focus is not only on a single historical topic, but also on the diversity of ceramic design. The W.K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Center was founded in 1925; a breeding program for Arabian horses began at Kellogg’s winter residence in Pomona. The Farm Store at Kellogg Ranch sells produce grown on campus as well as other food products. These locations complement a museum visit with topics from crafts, agriculture and animal breeding.

Art Walk and Night Market

A recurring event is the Art Walk in Downtown Pomona, in the Pomona Arts Colony. It takes place on the second Saturday of every month. At every Art Walk, Shaun Diamond Plaza at the intersection of W. 2nd St and Thomas St hosts a night market with live music, arts and crafts, jewelry, clothing and food vendors. For your trip planning, this event can be a focus in its own right, especially if you would like to experience art not only in exhibitions but also as an event featuring music, market stalls and a variety of offerings.

Ideas for Trips with Children

Those traveling with children can include the Children’s Garden and the Petting Farm at AGRIscapes among their possible excursions. Both are visited every year during school class trips. Together with museums, historic homes and the Art Walk, they create a travel itinerary that accommodates different interests without making every day the same.

An event on the second Saturday, the RailGiants Train Museum’s opening hours or the tour times at Phillips Mansion and Casa Primera can be just as important as the question of whether cultural destinations or activities for children should be the main focus.

More Destinations for Planning Your Trip

If you would like to explore other places in addition to Pomona, you can continue your search with Valencia, Del Aire, Malibu, Azusa, Rosemead, Canoga Park, Santa Fe Springs and Torrance.

For the higher-level travel overview: Los Angeles.