Translating from Spanish as “Little Hill”, Lomita is a small city south of Los Angeles. In 1784, much of the area was deeded to the Spanish soldier Juan Jose Dominguez and became known as Rancho San Pedro. Lomita was officially incorporated as a city in 1964 and is known for its beloved railway museum.
Things to do in Lomita
Train enthusiasts can visit the Lomita Railroad Museum, which was inspired by the Boston & Maine's Greenwood Station in Massachusetts. Highlights of its collection include an early 20th-century Baldwin locomotive and a Union Pacific caboose, as well as a Union Oil tank car from 1923. Also within the complex is a wooden water tower, a once integral part of steam railroading.
At the Western Museum of Flight, you can get up close to historic aircraft built in Southern California, including a Northrop YF-23 fighter demonstrator from the United States Air Force. A rare flying wing designed by Jack Northrop is also on display, together with a Douglas A-4 Skyhawk. The museum lies on the edge of the Zamperini Field, an airport named after the Olympic runner, Louis Silvie Zamperini.
Lomita makes an excellent base for exploring Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park, which centres around the waters of Machado Lake. In addition to a children’s playground and a network of walking trails, there’s a disc golf course in the park’s south. North of Los Angeles Harbor College is the Harbor Park Golf Course, which offers players nine holes and practice facilities.
Getting around Lomita
Lomita is around a one-hour drive from Downtown Los Angeles and 40 minutes from Los Angeles International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Buses connect to Lomita, although renting a car will give you greater freedom to explore the area.