Overview
Lakewood is in the Gateway Cities region of Los Angeles County.
4 things to do · 3 places to eat · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Lakewood
Summer Concerts in the Park
Free concerts held in Del Valle Park on Thursday evenings during the summer. Dinner and refreshments are sold at the concert or patrons may bring their own.
Pan American Fiesta
Arts and crafts, displays, food booths, entertainment and amusement rides
Lakewood Golf Course
An 18-hole, par 72 golf course.
Lakewood Equestrian Center
Pony rides, riding lessons and a petting zoo.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jan–Dec. Summer highs reach about 85°F; winter lows dip to about 45°F. Wettest: Jan and Feb.
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- LGB Long Beach International Airport, Long Beach — 3 mi away (major hub). Directions
- HHR Jack Northrop Field Hawthorne Municipal Airport, Hawthorne — 12 mi away. Directions
Lakewood is near the junction of California Freeway 91 and Interstate 605. Exiting the 605 at Del Amo Blvd. or South Street then going west will lead to Lakewood. Exiting the 91 at Lakewood, Clark or Bellflower Boulevards then going south will also lead into Lakewood.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $52–$52 a night (typical $54), from 2 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$100, mid-range ~$130, comfortable ~$220.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Summer Concerts in the Park, Pan American Fiesta
- Lunch El Torito
- Afternoon Lakewood Golf Course, Lakewood Equestrian Center
- Dinner Mimi's Cafe
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Restaurant Row - Candlewood Street between Lakewood Boulevard and Clark Avenue is home to several chain eateries including Chili's, Chipotle, Five Guys, Flame Broiler, Outback Steakhouse, International House of Pancakes, Luna Grill, and Red Lobster. Other options include:
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Lakewood is a bedroom community and one of the first large-scale tract housing cities built following WWII. Lakewood is officially recognized as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation for its numerous trees and its active care for them. Lakewood is also designated as Sportstown USA by Sports Illustrated magazine for its 10 major parks, nine of which have fields, two community swimming pools and two community centers.
Get in
By car
Lakewood is near the junction of California Freeway 91 and Interstate 605. Exiting the 605 at Del Amo Blvd. or South Street then going west will lead to Lakewood. Exiting the 91 at Lakewood, Clark or Bellflower Boulevards then going south will also lead into Lakewood.
By plane
Get around
Do
Do Summer Concerts in the Park
Free concerts held in Del Valle Park on Thursday evenings during the summer. Dinner and refreshments are sold at the concert or patrons may bring their own.
Buy
Eat
Restaurant Row - Candlewood Street between Lakewood Boulevard and Clark Avenue is home to several chain eateries including Chili's, Chipotle, Five Guys, Flame Broiler, Outback Steakhouse, International House of Pancakes, Luna Grill, and Red Lobster. Other options include:
Sleep
Being a bedroom community, Lakewood has very little in the way of lodging with only two motels located near the Long Beach Towne Center. Some of the communities around Lakewood, especially Long Beach, offer lodging close to Lakewood.
Stay Lakewood Inn
Stay safe
For all emergencies in Lakewood, dial 911
The majority of Lakewood is considered safe. Most crime in Lakewood is either domestic in nature or is burglary. As at any major shopping center, shoppers at Lakewood Center should be careful about leaving valuables in their cars.
Medical emergencies
- Los Angeles County Fire Department services Lakewood. All three of the stations in Lakewood have firefighters trained in basic life support on duty.
- Station 45 - 4020 E Candlewood Street (near Lakewood Center at intersection of Lakewood and Candelwood)
- Station 94 - 6421 E Turnergrove Street (east side of Lakewood near intersection of Palo Verde and Del Amo)
- Station 122 - 2600 Greenmeadow Road (south side of Lakewood near intersection of Carson and Paramount)
Law enforcement
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department provides law enforcement services in Lakewood. 5130 N. Clark Avenue, +1 562 866-9061.
Go next
- Disneyland — 15 miles east of Lakewood, about 22 minutes driving time.
- Long Beach — Just to the south of Lakewood
Nearby
Bellflower
City / town · 11 listings · 2 mi away
Artesia
City / town · 12 listings · 3 mi away
Cerritos
City / town · 17 listings · 4 mi away
Long Beach
City / town · 118 listings · 4 mi away
Norwalk
City / town · 10 listings · 5 mi away
Los Alamitos
City / town · 12 listings · 5 mi away
Downey
City / town · 19 listings · 6 mi away
Cypress
City / town · 14 listings · 6 mi away
My experience
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