Vernon: Curling, Wine, and Local History

Vernon is an industrial city with an unusual founding story and specific reasons to visit: curling, wine tastings, and a layered local history. The city covers 5.2 square miles and lies southeast of Downtown Los Angeles in Southern California. In 1905, it was founded as the first exclusively industrial city in the southwestern United States.

Curling and wine as reasons to visit

The Southern California Curling Center is a purpose-built curling facility covering 42,000 square feet. Its programs include youth curling, inclusive curling, and Learn-to-Curl events. The different formats give people interested in the sport several ways to get involved. Before visiting, check its operating status and current program dates if you’re planning to include curling in your itinerary.

Wine tastings are another specific offering in Vernon. Le Vigne’s tasting room offers tastings outside regular hours by reservation. Reservation and operating conditions can change; check them in advance if you’re planning a tasting. The LVLA Tasting Room & Italian Market is located at 2325 E 55th Street in Vernon, California. Check the latest visitor information before your visit.

Specific information can also be helpful when planning your journey: a 2022 city transportation plan describes more than ten Metro bus lines with stops within Vernon and connections to neighboring cities in Los Angeles County. Check current routes before traveling. If you plan to use bus connections, factor their routes into your accommodation and travel plans.

Sports and culture in Vernon’s history

The city’s historical connections include sports venues, teams, and a designated landmark. St. Martha’s Catholic Church was designated a local landmark by a city council resolution in 1981. Vernon had a ballpark for the Vernon Tigers, who won Pacific Coast League championships multiple times. Vernon Arena was a wooden stadium with a capacity of 15,000, located at the corner of 25th Street and Santa Fe Avenue.

Craftsmanship and everyday culture are also part of this historical picture. Vernon Kilns made various types of dinnerware under the Vernon Ware name. La Villa Basque was a Basque-style business associated with Basque heritage in Los Angeles and one of Vernon’s most prominent families; the site is considered lost. Jack Doyle’s became famous as “the longest bar in the world.” These examples tell different stories about the local past, without all offering the same access or opportunities to visit.

Choose accommodation based on your travel plans

When choosing a vacation rental in Vernon, it’s worth first deciding on the specific reason for your stay. A reserved wine tasting requires different advance planning than a visit that depends on current curling dates; bus trips also call for checking current routes. This keeps your decision focused on your interests and travel plans rather than on a general impression of the place.

Discover more destinations: Valencia, La Mirada, Inglewood, Lake Los Angeles, Montebello, Lynwood, Compton, Lake Hughes.

For the broader travel overview: Los Angeles.