Major city · United States
Los Alamitos
Skip as a base unless you have a race-night or family reason: it is a 1-night stop, 30–40 min by car from Disneyland and Long Beach.
Los Alamitos is a small Orange County city of about 11,000 people, wedged between Long Beach, Seal Beach and Cypress. Its pull is narrow: a year-round quarter-horse racetrack, a handful of long-running local restaurants, and cheap hotel rooms within reach of the Disneyland resort and the Long Beach port. Most travellers pass through on the I-605 or use it as a bed base for Anaheim. Come for one night, or for a race card, not for a sightseeing trip.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (inland heat), race nights if you want quiet
- Airports
- LGB · SNA · LAX
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Los Alamitos911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Los Alamitos Police (non-emergency)562-431-2255
- Poison control1-800-222-1222
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Los Alamitos, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyA low-crime suburban city; the real risks are traffic on the freeways and Katella Ave, summer heat inland…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 562-431-2255 Los Alamitos Police (non-emergency) · 1-800-222-1222 Poison control
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLGB Long Beach Airport (Closest airport, about 15–20 min by car; small and quick to clear.).
- Getting aroundA car is the practical default: the city is low-density and spread along Los Alamitos Blvd and Katella Ave…
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$4–6
- Sit-down mealSeafood dinner, main courseBefore tax and tip.$25–45
- Street or quick mealBreakfast plate at a local diner$12–18
- BeerDraft beer at an alehouse$7–10
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Rideshare, 5 km (3.1 mi)Rideshare, 3.1 mi (5 km)check; higher at peak and after races$12–20
- Museum or sight ticketRacetrack admissionVaries by day and seating.check the official site
- Budget bedBudget chain hotel room, a night, per roomUS$90
- Mid-range bedBudget chain hotel room, a night, per roomUS$130
- High-end bedBudget chain hotel room, a night, per roomUS$190
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$120 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LGB Long Beach Airport (Closest airport, about 15–20 min by car; small and quick to clear.) · SNA John Wayne Airport, Santa Ana (About 25–35 min by car; the main Orange County gateway.) · LAX Los Angeles International (About 35–60 min by car depending on traffic; allow more at peak.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Feb
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Mar
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Apr
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
not flagged
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Nov
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Dec
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C) low), wettest Jan (6 rain days), driest Jul (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Los Alamitos: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
6 rd
Feb
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
6 rd
Mar
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
5 rd
Apr
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
1 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
1 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
0 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
0 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
1 rd
Oct
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2 rd
Nov
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3 rd
Dec
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is the practical default: the city is low-density and spread along Los Alamitos Blvd and Katella Ave, and Orange County's sights are 20–40 min apart. Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) buses run on the main corridors, and rideshare is easy to book but can surge after races. Walking works only within the Los Alamitos Blvd cluster.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 30–40 min
Car or rideshare via the I-605 and Katella Ave
Dated tickets and park reservations are required; check the official site before you buy.
Long Beach
goDoor to door: 20–30 min
Car or rideshare via the I-605 and CA-22
Aquarium, waterfront and downtown dining; easy half-day.
Seal Beach and the pier
goDoor to door: 15–20 min
Car or OCTA bus along Seal Beach Blvd
Small beach town with a walkable Main Street; go early for parking.
Door to door: 30–40 min
Car via the I-405
Mostly shopping and business parks; go only with a specific plan.
Door to door: 25–35 min
Car via the I-405 and CA-55
Downtown arts district and the Bowers Museum make a solid half-day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Los Alamitos Blvd corridor
The main street: hotels, restaurants and the museum within a short walk; best if you have no car for the evening.
Katella Ave / racecourse side
Near the track and the Katella Ave restaurants; convenient for race nights and for driving to Anaheim.
Seal Beach and Long Beach edges
Just outside the city line; more to walk to in the evening, usually higher prices.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $70–110 excl. bed
- Mid
- $110–180 excl. bed
- High
- $180+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Budget chain hotel room1 × 1 night × US$130 | US$130 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Rideshare, Los Alamitos to Disneyland, one way1 × US$25 · check; surges after races and park closing | US$25 |
| Rental car, one day, compact1 × US$55 · check; add fuel and parking | US$55 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20 | US$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$49 |
| Trip total≈ US$270 per person per day, bed included | US$539 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; prices exclude flights and rental car. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $4–6 |
| Breakfast plate at a local diner | $12–18 |
| Mexican plate with a drink | $15–25 |
| Seafood dinner, main courseBefore tax and tip. | $25–45 |
| Draft beer at an alehouse | $7–10 |
| Rideshare, 5 kmcheck; higher at peak and after races | $12–20 |
| Racetrack admissionVaries by day and seating. | check the official site |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Distances look short on a map but traffic on the I-405, I-605 and Katella Ave can double the drive time.
- Race nights fill the Katella Ave parking and push rideshare prices up; book the ride before the last race.
- Summer afternoons inland run hot and smoggy; plan outdoor time before noon.
- Hotel rates spike around Disneyland holidays and race weekends even here, 20–30 min away.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Los Alamitos Police (non-emergency)
- 562-431-2255
- Poison control
- 1-800-222-1222
Pocket card
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Los AlamitosLos Alamitos
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Los Alamitos Police (non-emergency)562-431-2255
- Poison control1-800-222-1222
Embassy
No embassies here; consulates-general are in Los Angeles, about 40–60 min by car.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Rideshare, Los Alamitos → Disneyland: about $25, 30–40 min (check)
- Rideshare, Los Alamitos → Long Beach Airport: about $20–30, 15–20 min (check)
- OCTA local bus ride: about $2, exact fare or app (check)
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Excuse me — Excuse me
- The check, please — The check, please
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom?
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% for taxis and rideshare.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Los Alamitos. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (inland heat), race nights if you want quiet · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contracts for LGB, SNA and LAX with traffic bands by hour.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Los Alamitos Blvd, Katella Ave and the racecourse.
- Place pages with verified hours for the museum and racecourse, plus eat pages with last orders.
- Race-night and Disneyland-holiday fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialCity of Los Alamitos
- officialLos Alamitos Race Course
- officialLos Alamitos Museum
- secondaryWikivoyage: Los Alamitos, revision 4757799 (CC BY-SA 4.0)