The Los Alamitos Race Course is one of the most popular horse racetracks in all of California, especially because it holds races almost year-round.
The track survived California’s wave of horse racetrack closures, and it still offers fantastic events, races, and amenities. Had Prop 26 passed in November 2022, Los Alamitos could have offered a retail sportsbook. But the measure failed, and California sports betting is still not legal.
Here we will break down everything this historic location has to offer in case you want to stop by for a race.
Los Alamitos Fact Table
| Name | Los Alamitos Race Course |
| Year Opened | 1951 |
| Phone Number | 714-820-2800 |
| Address | 4961 Katella Ave, Cypress, CA 90720 |
| Race Schedule | January-December |
| Number of Races (est) | 30+ |
| Minimum Age to Gamble | 18 |
Popular Los Alamitos Racetrack Events
The Los Alamitos Race Course holds a number of graded events, such as the Starlet Stakes, Los Alamitos Futurity, and Los Alamitos Derby. Grades I-III are all represented at some point during the racing season. The Futurity race is particularly noteworthy since it offers a $2 million purse, which is the biggest purse in all Quarter Horse racing.
Many thoroughbred races are also offered throughout the year. Ultimately, Los Alamitos is a great track since you can almost always find one race or another coming up thanks to its year-long racing meets/seasons.
Races are held almost year-round, although big competitions and meets are held in the summer from June to July, in the winter for a few weeks in December, and most notably during the Los Angeles County Fair, which is held on the same property. The Fair takes place during September and includes a variety of other family-friendly activities like games and shows in addition to horse race spectating.
Anyone 18 and older can bet on races at Los Alamitos. Horse betting is one example of the ways to gamble at 18 in California.
Online Betting at Los Alamitos Race Course
Online betting is offered through a variety of mobile apps. TVG and TwinSpires are just a couple of the mobile apps that will allow you to place online bets for Los Alamitos Race Course races.
Each of these apps provides HD live streaming of various famous races. Since this course offers races throughout the year, online betting is a particularly good option.
As such, you’ll be able to engage with the most popular races at Los Alamitos through apps without having to attend all year round. Los Alamitos also allows you to watch various races on its home website, though you’ll only be able to place wagers using the above mobile apps.
See our Guide to Horse Race Betting in California
Los Alamitos Racetrack Information
| Max Per Race Payout | $5,000 |
| Main Track | Dirt, 5/8 mile |
| Width of Stretch | 60 feet |
| Width of Backstretch | 60 feet |
| Composition | Dirt |
| Turf | N/A |
Los Alamitos Race Course Facility
A variety of top-tier restaurants are available on the Los Alamitos Race Course property thanks to the expansions from the current owner, Ed Allred. The Vessels Club is a turf club restaurant with elegant decor and fantastic bites. Additional restaurants include Rodney’s Bars, which serves all American favorites, and Schwanie’s Grill, a grill restaurant.
The Finish Line Room is a special space within the Vessels Club that can accommodate up to 300 people. Live music offerings are sometimes available, or guests can use the venue for larger parties and get-togethers. The Grand View Terrace is also inside the Vessels Club and affords an amazing and panoramic view of the track. Each table here also gets a 20-inch flatscreen TV.
The only shop is the Los Alamitos Gift Shop. Additional concession stands are available throughout the grandstands and general property.
Beyond the actual track property, guests can enjoy the offerings of the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area. The track itself is close to a Residence Inn and Hyatt House, so finding lodging is easy if you’re only in town for a particular race. Additional restaurants and other nearby businesses offer places to eat.
See our Guide to Gambling in Southern California
Los Alamitos Race Course History
The Los Alamitos Race Course originally began as a match race course in 1947, built on a 435-acre plot of land purchased in orange county by Frank Vessels Sr. The first pari-mutuel meet at this race course was in 1951, and the track received some notoriety thanks to the performance of Bart BS during the Miss Princess Handicap race.
After this event, Vessels began investing more funds into the track and improved its infrastructure over time. The year 1952 was extremely profitable, and 1955 saw the arrival of Go Man Go — one of the most popular superstars ever to grace the Los Alamitos track.
The 1980s saw the Los Alamitos Race Course pass from owner to owner. When it was put up for sale in 1990, Dr. Ed Allred bought 50% ownership. He opened a turf club restaurant in 1995 for those looking for a more luxurious horserace watching experience. Additional clubs and infrastructural improvements like the Player’s Club and Rodney’s Bar cropped up during the late ’90s as well.
An additional championship race called the Los Alamitos $2 Million (a race for 2-year-olds) began in 1995. In 2008, the richest non-Breeders’ Cup race ever held in California took place, with an overall purse of over $2 million.
When Hollywood Park closed in 2013, the Los Alamitos Race Course expanded its track and continues to hold memorable events to this day. It has not yet built a tapeta track, although there have recently been talks to renovate the track for this purpose.
Los Alamitos Race Course FAQs
When are the horse racing post times for the Los Alamitos Race Course?
Post times are usually at 1 p.m. However, these times can vary slightly for specific races.
What types of horse racing does the Los Alamitos Race Course offer?
It offers both thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing.
Is there parking on-site for horse racing at Los Alamitos Race Course?
Yes. There are also off-track parking spaces that are only a short walk away.
Can you get a discount if you purchase tickets as a group at Los Alamitos?
Yes. Discounts are available if you purchase multiple tickets for a single season or race.
What material is the horse racetrack at Los Alamitos made of?
The track is made of dirt. Many other modern tracks use newer, synthetic materials for their courses.
Amber Hoffman
Amber is the Managing Editor of California Casinos. She writes for a variety of websites in diverse industries, including gaming and travel and is a fan of international football (not “soccer”) and Gaelic sports.