Hello!
I am going to US on my vacation and I will arrive in Los Angeles
tomorrow.I know Pomona swap meet is on sunday and I wonder
what you all think of it? Is it good?
If you have any suggestions for places that I should visit during my stay
it will be most appreciated.
It will be me and my girlfriend and another couple and we will be staying
for three weeks.Gonna do some travelling along the coast from
San Francisco to Los Angeles and from there to Las Vegas.
Thanks.

 

I go to the Pomona Swap Meet all the time. It's probably the best swap meet for automotive. You need the better part of a morning and afternoon to see everything. It's huge! They also sell cars there. Plan on getting there early in the morning. I usually get there about 7 A.M. Where something confortable and get ready for the heat. We have temperature in the 100's right now and humidity.

As far as travel, your on the right path. The coastline is gorgeous, particularly going towards San Francisco. My wife and I love staying in Monterey, CA. You may want to stop there on the way up.

Of course we have the theme parks like Disneyland, Magic Mountain, Universal Studios that are a must see. Everyone wants to see Hollywood also. Don't know why? I avoid it. LOL... I would suggest doing a search on the internet for points of interest in CA. I'm leaving for vacation this Saturday also. Trying to find somewhere cool... LOL.

BTW- Make sure you take lots of money to Pomona Swap Meet. You'll want to but lots of toys.

 

Thank you for some great info and good advices.

 

Ed is right. Pomona is the best. Even if the heat is bad right now and the intire site is asphalt you'll like it. The cars are grouped by type. The VW group, the corvette group, the 50s group etc. I'm guessing maybe 600 cars? There is very little shade except where the picnic tables are set up. I would suggest getting there at 6:00 am. You'll prob be ready to leave by 11:00 or noon. As far as car things to do, I would also suggest the Petersen Car Museum in LA. It's supposed to be world class. Good luck, Jag

 

kallex -

Normally, that drive down the coast on Highway 1 is breathtaking and pretty wonderful. However, we are having some horrific forest fires here in California right now. Even if Highway 1 is open (which I doubt), all of Big Sur is on fire right now. You can drive south from San Fransisco to Montery, then cut inland and take highwat 101 to San Louis Obispo and points south. It will still be lovely until you get just north of Santa Barbara, where the Goleta fire is going on. Be ready for A LOT of smoke.

The Pamona Swap Meet is a great idea.

 

Man you came at the right time of the year.

Get to Pomona early. It will be hot and you get the best deals. You have to also visit some of these places a long with the F100 shops in Orange County.

1st & Last Sunday of each month - Million Dollar Breakfast Cruise - 7-11am - Enderle Center in Tustin - 55fry & 17th St. at Yorba - Info: (714) 838-8223
1st Wednesday of each month beginning in April – Twilight Cruise Night - NHRA Museum 1101 W. McKinley Ave. - 4:00pm - 8:00pm - Info: 909-622-2133
Every Wednesday - Downey - Frisco’s Drive-In - Chariot’s Car Club - 5:00pm - 8:30pm (begins in March) Info: 562-927-9514 or 562-941-7455
Every Thursday - Fullerton - Giovanni’s Pizza - Imperial Hwy. & Harbor - 4:30-7:30pm. - Info: 714-773-4044
Every Friday - Garden Grove - 12891 Historic Main Street - 4 - 8:30pm. - 714-394-1370 - $3.00 entry fee
Every Friday - Burbank - Bob’s Big Boy - (818) 843-9334
Every Friday - Ricky & Ronnie’s - 5:00pm - 11:00pm - 1301 W. Sepulveda Bl. Torrance (310) 326-1213 Ricky and Ronnie's 2004
YOU MUST DO - Every Saturday - Huntington Beach - Donut Derelicts, Magnolia & Adams in front of Adams Avenue Donuts - 6:00am - 8:30am (714) 963-2928
Every Saturday - Ford Design Center in Irvine 5 Freeway north of the “Y” - 7:00 - 9:30am - Cars & Coffee : A website dedicated to capturing the great cars at the weekly gathering in Irvine, California formerly Crystal Cove
Every Saturday - Caffine Cruisers - SE corner of Artesia & Hawthorne in Torrance - 7:00-10:00am - Welcome to Caffeine Cruisers "Haul of Fame"
Every LAST Saturday - John Force Race Station - 4-8pm - 22722 Old Canal Rd., Yorba Linda, CA 92887 - (714) 921-1651 - John Force Racing
2nd Saturday of each month - Open House at Boyd Coddington’s - 811 East Lambert Rd. - 9am – Noon - 562-691-8215
For a comprehensive listing of events in Southern California and elsewhere, log on to these great web sites:
SoCal Car Culture ○ Drive! Online - Home ○ Hotrodhotline Roddings Largest Online Magazine ○ Hotline News Home- A magazine for lovers of rods, custom, and classic Cars.

HEre are some old new letters with more places to visit
Newsletter
Have Fun!

 

Thay's a nice list Ed. When they start charging for the Downtown Garden Grove Show? Jag

 

Last year. That's a nice weekly event all the local shops participate.

 

That is a great venue if they can fit into their schedule. I was there when they moved that cruise from Giovonies in Fullerton to Garden Grove. Ahh, the memories, Jag

 

The Pomona swap meet is a neat place. My question to you is, if your coming from Sweden? What are you going to do with the parts or nice truck you will buy out here in California? Seeing that I'm not that far from Pomona, I could take care of a nice truck for you at least for a few years.....
Hope you enjoy the trip

 

Hello!

I've been to Pomona many times and I agree with everyone here that it is the best. But I would also like to add a few words of reality. If you want to come out and just look at cool cars and endless rows of parts you will have a great time.

BUT, if you are looking for Ford parts - specifiucally Ford Truck Parts in the fifties, there is a disproportionate few people selling those. I went to find parts for my 51 F-1 and I was extremely disapointed with what was there - next to nothing.

If you want Chevy parts about 70 % of the sellers will have them. Some Ford Guys will be selling kits and parts for 28- 34 Ford Roadsters. There are some Guys selling Mustang parts and lots of Volkswagen stuff.

There's plenty to see and do. There will be three dedicated 50 vintage Ford Truck Vendors (out of a couple hundred). And a nice bit of Manuals sellers, steering wheel restorers and way too many SBC everything guys.

Go with an open mind....and let me set an expectation for you. It will be fun, but if you are going to buy 50s vintage Ford Truck parts, and you can find 15 of them, write me back and I'll pay for your ticket.

Otherwise, have a fun time exploring.

J!

 

Wow, I didn't realize the amount of Ford truck groups had dropped that much at Pomona. I remember buying a complete Delux Magic Air Heater for the 1952 I use to own. About a year ago my friend and I brought back a entire front clip for his late 40's Diamond T truck he's restoring. That is one rare neat truck to see.

 

Julies, you sound pretty negative about your experience. You have to remember, vendors go there to sell. The majority buying parts there run Chevy's or own Chevy's and that is in demand. I've found tons of Ford stuff, mostly engine parts, drivetrain, suspension, etc. If your looking for hood or fenders, or a bed for an F1, you may have difficulty finding that. I go there for billet stuff, aluminum radiators, fans, high performance engine parts, rims/ tires, mufflers, bumpers, interior kits. and best of all my guy who sells stainless bolts and washers by the pound. It depends on what your looking for. I've never had a problem coming home from that swap meet with several items for my truck at really good prices. My problem isn't finding the parts, it's taking enough money with me.

 

It's always fun to see the stuff at Pomona. I personally limit myself to the LA Roadsters event on Father's Day each year. I've been going since the mid-'60s. If you haven't been before be sure to see the Museum. I think it costs 2-3 bucks and it's filled with historic Drag Racing vehicles and other items. Well worth it.

For parts at the Swap, Pomona is absurd (as in stupid) for prices. I do unload a lot of my stuff with friendly take home (get it out of my shop) prices but for the most part, the sellers are smoking dope. If you really need something it's OK but don't expect to find any real bargins. I guess the demand sets the prices. You guys in the Rural areas would fall over laughing at what these Clowns get for parts.

The Car Show part of it is Top-Drawer and you see the best California has to offer.

Dawg-A-Saurus

 

Just don't venture south past the I-10 Freeway