LOS ANGELES AIR FORCE BASE (NOW SPACE FORCE BASE): WELCOME CENTER
By Andrew Karcher
Introduction
Welcome to Los Angeles Air Force Base (now Space Force Base)! The base is located in El Segundo, California, just outside of Los Angeles, which is the second largest city in the country. Greater Los Angeles, which encompasses five counties in the area, is home to 18 million residents. Los Angeles AFB is home to the Space Systems Center (SSC), a unit of the U.S. Space Force. Sitting on just over 100 acres, LA AFB employs about 6,300 people, including active military, civilian personnel, and contractors. We hope this guide helps you get settled in your new posting and gain some familiarity with Los Angeles AFB (now SFB).- Where Is Los Angeles AFB?
- Google Map View
- Getting There – Directions to Los Angeles
- Entering Los Angeles AFB and Base Amenities
- Check-In Procedures for Incoming Personnel
- Los Angeles AFB Visitor Center
- Los Angeles AFB Gate Hours
- Los Angeles AFB DEERS Office
- Los Angeles AFB Commissary
- Los Angeles AFB BX
- Los Angeles AFB Barber Shop
- Los Angeles AFB Post Office
- Los Angeles AFB Finance Office
- Los Angeles AFB Legal Office
- Los Angeles AFB Library
- Hotels Near Los Angeles AFB
- Where Should I Live Near Los Angeles AFB?
- Los Angeles AFB Schools
- What’s the Weather in Los Angeles
- Things To Do Near Los Angeles AFB
Where Is Los Angeles Air Force Base?
483 N. Aviation Blvd. El Segundo, CA 90245Phone
: 1 (310) 653-1110Los Angeles AFB Map
Los Angeles Air Force Base Directions
Los Angeles AFB is located 18 miles west of Downtown LA, just off I-405. Flying into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the most convenient option when traveling to base, as it sits only three miles north of LA AFB. There are several airports that are relatively close, namely Long Beach Airport and Hollywood Burbank Airport, but LAX is often the most cost-effective air travel to Los Angeles. If you choose to travel by train, Union Station in Downtown Los Angeles services Amtrak. From there, it’s a 19-mile drive to base if you catch a bus or rideshare. Or you could continue your journey via rail on the Metro C Line (formerly Green Line) to the Douglas Street station, located one block from the main gate. A Greyhound bus line also travels through this area with stops in Downtown LA and Long Beach. Both stops are 18 miles from base. The contact information for the Downtown LA station is listed below, and it is open 24 hours a day, including holidays.Driving Directions From LAX
- Head south on Sepulveda Blvd.
- In 1 mile, turn left onto W. Imperial Hwy.
- Turn right onto N. Douglas St.
- In 0.9 miles, turn left to reach your destination.
Union Station
800 N. Alameda St. Los Angeles, CA 90012Los Angeles Bus Station
1716 E. 7th St. Los Angeles, CA 90021Phone
: 1 (213) 629-8401Los Angeles Air Force Base Transportation Office
The best place to find information regarding moving your personal property and pets to LA AFB is the Traffic Management Office.Traffic Management Office
Building 272 (3rd floor) 483 N. Aviation Blvd.Phone
: 1 (310) 653-5549
Entering Los Angeles Air Force Base and Amenities
Be sure to bring a valid military ID when entering LA AFB. Visitors should check in at the Visitor Center, listed below.Check-In Procedures for Incoming Personnel
Check-in procedures vary for all military installations. For thorough instructions on LA AFB’s reporting procedures, please click here. LA AFB does not have 24-hour reporting, so try to report during business hours, between 0700 and 1600. A good rule of thumb is to make sure you have all relevant documents. This may include your orders and proper identification. If you’re moving to LA AFB with dependents, make sure you have their legal documentation on hand.Los Angeles Air Force Base Visitor Center
Visitors should check in at the Visitor Control Center (VCC). There, permanent base personnel can sign in visitors. The VCC is located adjacent to the main gate entrance on Douglas Street.Visitor Control Center
Building 260Phone
: 1 (310) 653-0548Visitor Control Center Hours
Monday-Friday
– 0800 - 1630
DEERS Los Angeles Air Force Base
At the ID/CAC Card Processing Office, you will find information regarding ID cards for you and your family. Please note the office is available by appointment only, and appointments can be booked up to 60 days ahead of time. Click here to make an appointment online.ID/CAC Card Processing
Building 272 (1st-floor lobby) 483 N. Aviation Blvd. El Segundo, CA 90245Phone
: 1 (310) 653-5114ID/CAC Card Hours
Monday-Friday
- 0800 – 1400
Los Angeles Air Force Base Gate Hours
All gates for LA AFB, including the housing area at Fort MacArthur in San Pedro, are open 24 hours a day, except for the Aviation Blvd gate. See below for details.Douglas St. Gate
– 24/7Aviation Blvd. Gate
–Monday-Friday
: 0600-0800; 1530-1730Fort MacArthur 24th St. Gate
– 24/7Fort MacArthur 30th St. Gate
– 24/7Pacific Heights Gate
– 24/7Pacific Crest Gate
– 24/7
LA AFB Commissary
Building 251 483 N. Aviation Blvd. El Segundo, CA 90245Phone
: 1 (310) 414-9001Los Angeles AFB Commissary Hours
Monday
– ClosedTuesday-Wednesday, Friday-Sunday
– 1000 - 1800Thursday
– 1000 – 1900
Los Angeles Air Force Base Exchange
Building 252 483 N. Aviation Blvd. El Segundo, CA 90245Phone
: 1 (310) 414-9404Los Angeles Air Force Base Exchange Hours
Monday-Saturday
– 0900 -1800Sunday
– 1100 – 1700
Los Angeles Air Force Base Barber Shop
Family Haircare
Building 252 483 N. Aviation Blvd. El Segundo, CA 90245Phone
: 1 (310) 616-3133Los Angeles Air Force Base Barber Shop Hours
Monday-Saturday
– 0900 – 1700Sunday
– 1100 - 1600
Los Angeles Air Force Base Post Office
The nearest LA AFB post office isn’t on base, but it is less than a mile away. 2130 E. Mariposa Ave. El Segundo, CA 90245Phone
: 1 (310) 414-0350Los Angeles AFB Post Office Hours
Monday-Friday
– 0900 – 1700
Los Angeles Air Force Base Finance Office
Finance Office
Building 272 Room C1-120 483 N. Aviation Blvd. El Segundo, CA 90245Phone
: 1 (310) 653 - 2274Los Angeles AFB Finance Office Hours
Monday-Friday
– 0830 - 1600Weekends
– Closed
Los Angeles Air Force Base Legal Office
Legal Services/JAG
Building 271 Room B1-446 483 N. Aviation Blvd. El Segundo, CA 90245Phone
: 1 (310) 653-3084Los Angeles AFB Legal Office Hours
Monday-Thursday
– 0800 - 1500Friday-Sunday
– Closed
Los Angeles Air Force Base Library
LA AFB does not have a library, but the Airmen & Family Readiness Center does have computers available for use. There are several city and LA county libraries in the area around LA AFB.El Segundo Public Library
111 W. Mariposa Ave. El Segundo, CA 90245Phone
: 1 (310) 524-2722El Segundo Public Library Hours
Monday-Thursday
– 0900 – 2100Friday-Saturday
– 1000 – 1700
Los Angeles Air Force Base Hotels
There are plenty of hotels in the immediate area around LA AFB, and that’s not even considering those in other cities in this sprawling metropolis. Below are just a few for you and your family to consider near LA AFB.1. Fort MacArthur Inn
Building 37 2400 S. Pacific Ave. San Pedro, CA 90731Phone
: 1 (310) 653-82962. Hilton Garden Inn LAX/El Segundo
2100 E. Mariposa Ave. El Segundo, CA 90245Phone
: 1 (310) 726-01003. Hampton Inn & Suites LAX El Segundo
888. N. Pacific Coast Hwy. El Segundo, CA 90245Phone
: 1 (310) 322-29004. AC Hotel by Marriott Los Angeles South Bay
2130 E. Maple Ave. El Segundo, CA 90245Phone
: 1 (310) 322-3333Where Should I Live Near Los Angeles Air Force Base?
If you’re considering living on base, check out the available on-base housing options. Otherwise, read on to find out more about living off base.Major Cities Near Los Angeles Air Force Base
Los Angeles, home to nearly four million residents, is not only the biggest city near LA AFB but the second largest city in the country. It’s a sprawling city offering many diverse neighborhoods and locales. LA is all at once a bustling metropolis, a college town, suburbia, a beach city, and almost anything else you can think of. Demonstrating how densely populated Greater Los Angeles is, two more of California’s top ten most populated cities are within a reasonable drive of LA AFB. Long Beach, home to 450,000 residents, is less than 20 miles from base. Meanwhile, Anaheim is a bit further, as it lies in the adjacent Orange County. But the drive isn’t too bad, as long as it doesn’t fall during LA’s infamous traffic rush hours.Best Places To Live Near Los Angeles Air Force Base
There are countless areas to live near LA AFB. The neighborhood you choose will largely depend on the environment you prefer as well as your budget, as many regions near Los Angeles can be quite expensive. Below are several options near LA AFB with a ranging set of populations and home prices. LosangelesAFBhousing.com is a good resource to help with your home search.El Segundo
El Segundo offers the most convenient location to base, as LA AFB is technically in El Segundo. For potential future travel needs, you can’t beat El Segundo’s proximity to LAX. A drawback of El Segundo and many other cities in Southern California is the cost of living is considerably higher than the U.S. average.Hawthorne
Hawthorne offers convenient proximity to LA AFB but more affordable housing. Per bestplaces.net, the cost of living in Hawthorne is 50% lower than in El Segundo. Hawthorne is also a substantially larger city with 87,000 residents, providing more amenities for military families who choose to live there.Inglewood
Inglewood is a bit further from base at 5 miles away. But Inglewood has undergone much development in recent years thanks to the brand new NFL stadium and the Los Angeles Clippers’s new arena that is targeted to open in 2024. In this diverse community of 110,000 people, the median home price is $760,000, according to Redfin.
Los Angeles Air Force Base Schools
If living in on-base housing at Fort MacArthur in San Pedro, students will attend schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District, the second largest district in the country. Students will begin their education at Leland Street Elementary School, then advance to Dana Middle School. They’ll complete their education at San Pedro High School. Families living off base will likely need to send their children to other schools. There are many private schools in the area with or without religious affiliations. The best way to find information for your child’s educational needs is through LA AFB’s School Liaison Officer. If your children aren’t quite old enough for kindergarten, they may need a daycare. There is a Child Development Center (CDC) on base that provides care for children ages six weeks to five years each weekday from 0630-1800. Contact the CDC for more information on their programs and registration process.Child Development Center
Building 281 483 N. Aviation Blvd. El Segundo, CA 90245Phone
: 1 (310) 653-6800 Check out our full guide to Los Angeles Air Force Base schools for a more detailed rundown.
What’s the Weather in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles has one of the most agreeable year-round climates in the country. It’s almost always pleasant and doesn’t rain all that much. The wettest month of the year, February, still only receives an average of 3.3 inches of rain. You’ll never have to worry about snowfall. It can be muggy during summer months, but if you live closer to LA AFB, you’ll be near the beach. The ocean breeze provides welcome relief during the warmer part of the calendar year. January and February high temperatures typically fall in the high 60s, and the lows sit in the mid-40s to mid-50s. Early and mid-spring can still be chilly, but by around Memorial Day, you’re probably safe ditching the jacket when you leave home. By June, the average high temperature hits a pleasant 78, and as we head into deep summer, the temperatures on a daily basis are in the mid-80s. There are yearly heat waves with extended pockets of highs in the 90s or even low 100s, so those days are best spent hitting the beach or catching a movie. Relief from the heat comes in October when the average high temperature again falls to 78 degrees. November brings chillier days and cooler nights, and December, on average the coldest month, has daily highs of 67. You won’t get a White Christmas, but you are likely to have a sun-filled holiday season from time to time.
Things To Do Near Los Angeles Air Force Base
You’ll never run out of things to do during your stay at LA AFB. If you like the beach, you’re near some of the world’s best options for surfing, relaxing, or biking the boardwalk. The popular Santa Monica Pier is a 15-minute drive from base and a great way to spend the day. The mountains aren’t too far, either, if skiing and snowboarding are more your speed. You’re also near world-famous museums, movie theaters, tourist destinations, and theme parks like Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm. When you work up an appetite, you’ll always have something new to try no matter what your preferred cuisine is. If you’re a fan of craft beer, the excellent El Segundo Brewing Company is only a two-mile drive from base. Be sure to check out our full things to do and restaurant guides for a more detailed breakdown.
Hot Tip: Connect with military-trusted businesses and deals exclusively for Los Angeles Air Force Base at MyBaseGuide.
Conclusion
Moving is often a stressful experience. We hope the information in this guide will ease your move to Los Angeles Air Force Base and serve as a reference during your stay in Southern California. El Segundo and the areas surrounding the base are a great place to live and offer many fun and unique opportunities that you won’t find in many other places in the country. Enjoy your time in sunny Los Angeles!The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
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