Welcome to Rossmoor and Los Alamitos

The clusters of cottonwood trees Spanish explorers saw more than 200 years ago inspired Los Alamitos’ name (“The Little Cottonwoods” in Spanish).  In 1896, the sugar-beet processing industry took root in the area, and with came the roots of a future city. 

The 85,000-acre Rancho Los Alamitos originally extended into present-day Long Beach.  Its ownership was to change and its boundaries would shrink many times.  The city was incorporated in March 1960.  It is often mistakenly thought to include the adjacent but unincorporated community of Rossmoor which uses Los Alamitos as its mailing address.  Although Rossmoor is not part of Los Alamitos, it is speculated that it may be annexed to the city, or Rossmoor, Seal Beach, and Los Alamitos will combine to form one city.  

Los Alamitos High School, which serves the communities of Los Alamitos, Rossmoor and Seal Beach, is a nationally recognized high school, whose reputation has been further enhanced by its success in sports.  Through the 1990s and early 2000s, the football team was consistently nationally ranked and at one point went over 45 games without a loss.  Its 2005 girls soccer team won the mythical national championship, and its tennis and volleyball teams have had extraordinary success – the latter having captured three state championships in 2003, 2005, and 2006. 

Other schools:
Laurel High School
McAuliffe Middle School (formerly called Pine)
Oak Middle School
St. Hedwig School, K-8 Private School
Hopkinson Elementary
Lee Elementary
Los Alamitos Elementary
Rossmoor Elementary
Weaver Elementary