Pomona city feature
About this landmark
Fairplex has hosted the Los Angeles County Fair since 1922.
Fairplex is located at 1101 W. McKinley Avenue in Pomona, approximately 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. The complex has been the home of the Los Angeles County Fair since 1922, when the City of Pomona donated 43 acres to establish the fairgrounds. The property comprises 487 acres, with 421 acres deeded to Los Angeles County between 1941 and 1952, while the remaining acreage is retained in fee ownership by the Fair Association. The facility includes nearly 325,000 square feet of indoor exhibit space, parking for 30,000 vehicles, and 12 acres of carnival grounds.
A Great Depression and World War II-era landmark
During the Great Depression, the Federal Works Progress Administration constructed several buildings on the Fairplex site, including the fine arts building, administration building, and multiple exhibition halls. During World War II, the fairgrounds served as a Wartime Civil Control Administration assembly center, known as the Pomona Assembly Center. In 1984, the grounds were renamed from the "Los Angeles County Fairgrounds" to "Fairplex," with the name standing for LA County Fair, Hotel and Exposition Complex.
The property is owned by Los Angeles County, with the Los Angeles County Fair Association operating the facility under a public-private partnership, including a long-term ground lease on the county-owned portions. The Fair Association is a 501(c)(5) nonprofit organization whose stated purpose is to "advance and promote agriculture, horticulture, industrial and other interests of Los Angeles County" and to operate county fairs and expositions.
A year-round venue serving the region
The Los Angeles County Fair Association employs approximately 300 people year-round, with employment expanding to nearly 1,700 full-time-equivalent positions during the annual Los Angeles County Fair. The venue is served by Metrolink's San Bernardino Line on fair days, and LA Metro Rail's La Verne/Fairplex station opened on September 19, 2025, improving regional transportation access. The facility hosts multiple museums and cultural attractions, including the RailGiants Train Museum and the Wally Parks NHRA Motor Sports Museum. The Millard Sheets Center for the Arts on the grounds is affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution, bringing national recognition to the venue.
For general inquiries about Fairplex events and facilities, visitors can call (909) 623-3111. The complex continues to serve as a major regional venue for exhibitions, agricultural events, cultural programs, and fair-related activities, supporting both the county's agricultural heritage and its modern exposition needs.
Insurance connection: Auto insurance requirements for vehicle owners
California law requires minimum auto liability insurance with limits of $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident, and $15,000 for property damage. Every policy includes a deductible paid before coverage applies. Coverage limits cap what the insurer pays for a claim; costs exceeding limits are the owner's responsibility. Insurers must offer uninsured-motorist coverage, though drivers may decline by signing a waiver. Eligibility and coverage limits depend on the individual policy. The issued policy controls.
Primary sources: Fairplex "Who We Are" page, LA County Fair "About" page, and Wikipedia article on Fairplex.
Insurance context is general information only. The issued policy and its endorsements settle coverage.