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Make the Optimal Choice, Call Optimal Garage Doors!

Garage Repair in Huntington Beach, CA

When your garage door is your front door—you use it every day and depend on it for convenience and safety. Repairs and inspections don’t have to interrupt your day. If your door starts making odd noises or not functioning properly when opening, don’t hesitate to give us a call.

a technician inspecting and repairing a garage door
Have a technician inspect & diagnose your garage door

Whether you need maintenance or an in-depth repair, a member of our team will provide you with options, and a detailed explanation so that you can make an informed decision. Regular inspections from professional technicians can help prevent future damage and ensure your garage door lasts for a lifetime. Find out how we can help with your garage repair needs!

Make the Optimal Choice, Call Optimal Garage Doors!

Garage Repair in Huntington
Beach, CA

Your garage is your second front door—you use it every day and depend on it for convenience and safety. If your garage is experiencing any issues, it can be a sign of larger, more dangerous problems. But repairs and inspections don’t have to interrupt your day. When your garage door starts making odd noises or becomes jammed when opening, get help from the professionals at Optimal Garage Doors.

a technician inspecting and repairing a garage door
Have a technician inspect & diagnose your garage door

Whether you need maintenance or an in-depth repair, a member of our team will provide you with options, and a detailed explanation so that you can make an informed decision. Regular inspections from professional technicians can help prevent future damage and ensure your garage door lasts for a lifetime. Find out how we can help with your garage repair needs!

Protect Your Family—Get A Garage Inspection Today

Five-Star Testimonials

“Trent did a stellar job servicing my garage door. He was very polite and professional and was able to quickly service my garage door. Highly recommend.”

Morgen Richardson

“Had to get a lube and tune done on the garage door because I kept hearing a horrible screech every time the door would open. The team rolled up within 20 minutes after my call with everything needed and finished in a snap! Optimal garage doors is the dream team you’re looking for!!”

Gigi Bolant

“A spring broke so our garage wouldn’t open. Trent came out the next day, with a two hour arrival time (others I called had a 4 hour window which isn’t as helpful). He showed us what else was worn out or not working properly and after a couple hours, everything was fixed. He spent time afterwards fixing the coded entry lock (we hadn’t been able to get it to work since we moved in). We are happy with the service that we got.”

Sabrina Gardner

“Matt called ahead and arrived right on time. He was friendly, courteous, and efficient. Matt fixed our garage door issues and convinced me to add an additional bit of repair that would extend the door’s life. I was super happy with the results, and Matt’s attention to detail. Matt also gave me a discount for seniors and for military, which was a bonus I hadn’t expected. Highly recommended.”

Gerald Fleischmann

“Hector has done a perfect repair on my garage. He is enthusiastic about his job and satisfied my expectation. Way to go Hector!”

Van Nguyen

Services Near Me

 Residential Garage Door Installation in Cerritos, California

Residential Garage Door Installation is a home improvement project that can add value to your property and make your life easier. A new garage door is also an important safety feature for your home, so be sure to invest in the latest technology.

Residential Garage Door Installation

Before deciding to install a new garage door, it's crucial to consider several factors: type of door, size and weather conditions. These will influence the time and labor costs for your project.

The most common types of garage doors include single panel, sectional and swing-out/sliding. Each type of door has its own unique features and benefits.

Single Panel

Composed of a single panel, a single-panel door is the least expensive to install. They're typically priced from $400 to $1,000, but can vary greatly depending on the style and manufacturer.

Swing-out/Sliding

A swing-out or sliding door is a more common type of garage door and usually includes a curved section that can be opened like a regular door. They can be as costly as $1,000 to $2,000, but can add significant visual appeal to your home.

Sectional

A sectional garage door is a popular choice and is the most commonly installed door in the United States. Each section of the door is connected with hinges that bend over a curved track. This allows the door to sit parallel to the ceiling when fully open and in line with the walls when completely closed.

Attach the upper and lower tracks to the wall with 5/16" x 1-1/2" lags. Ensure the upper and lower sections are parallel with the flag bracket at the top of the track. Next, secure the end bearing plate to the horizontal section with one 3/8" bolt. When tight, the flange should be even with the flag bracket and pointing away from the door.

BOTTOM SECTION

To complete the bottom section, first attach the hinges with 2 lags per stile, even with the bottom corner of the door section. Then, slip the looped cable ends onto their studs on the bottom fixtures. Once that's done, lag the rollers on each of the stiles with two lags, leaving an extra 1/2" at each end.

Winding the Springs

To wind up the springs, insert a bar into the hole on the casting and crank it out and up until you feel the cast end begin to move inward toward the shaft. Then, turn down the set screws until they contact the shaft, then 1-1/2 to 2 turns more.

When you're finished, tighten the set screws until they're snug. This will give you a good idea of how well the springs are tensioned.

If you're installing a spring-tensioned door, be sure to use the right size springs. The stronger the springs, the more force they'll require to open and close the door. Using the correct springs will save you money over time and help your door last longer.

 Opener Repair in Cerritos, California

If your garage door opener isn't opening all the way, making strange noises or not working at all, you need to have it repaired immediately. Having your opener repaired can save you money, ensure safe operation and increase the lifespan of the machine.

Garage Door Opener Repair Symptoms

If the door won't open all the way or make a loud noise, it's likely an issue with your motor or chain drive. We'll repair the motor or chain drive to restore function so you can use your garage door opener again with ease.

Usually this is an easy fix and can be done by anyone with basic DIY skills.

The most common cause of a broken garage door opener is a bad main gear drive. This is the plastic gear that comes in direct contact with the worm drive on your motor. If your garage door opener makes a grinding noise but the door won't move, it's probably time for this component to be replaced.

This is a bit more complicated than the other repairs in this article but still fairly simple to do by yourself.

Besides repairing the main drive gear, you can also fix the trolley carriage and the rail that attaches to it. You'll need to remove your opener's header bracket and disconnect the trolley from the motor and then slide off the old one and replace it with a new one.

Another simple and affordable repair to make is to replace the weather stripping around your garage door. This helps to seal the gap between your garage floor and the door, which can prevent your opener from slipping off its track.

You should have your door inspected at least once a year to make sure it's in good condition. It's also a good idea to have it serviced by a professional to ensure there are no problems with the tracks, rollers or springs that will cause damage to your door or opener.

A broken garage door opener can be dangerous. The opener's motor hoists a heavy door up and down the tracks multiple times a day, so it can exert an incredible amount of stress on the parts.

This can damage the tracks, causing them to bend or break. It can also make the door difficult to open and close.

Other possible signs that your opener needs to be repaired include a faulty keypad, remote control or wall control panel, damaged safety eyes, and a malfunctioning logic board. Having these components fixed or replaced by your Precision Garage Door Technician will help restore functionality and ensure your opener continues to operate safely.

Regardless of the type of garage door opener you have, Precision is always prepared to perform any necessary garage door opener repairs and maintenance. We have the tools and skills to provide quick and efficient service for a variety of brands, including LiftMaster, Wayne Dalton, Chamberlain, Genie, Stanley and more.

 Opener Installation in Cerritos, California

The garage door opener is one of the most important parts of a garage door system. If it's not installed correctly, it can cause damage to other components and make your garage door more difficult to open and close.

How to Properly Install a Garage Door Opener

When buying an opener, choose the right type for your home — whether it's a belt-drive, chain-drive, or electric opener. The type of opener you choose should be based on the size of your garage and the style of the door it will be opening, as well as your budget.

1. Consider a Pro Installation

For heavy doors or those with tall, steep sides, it's best to hire a professional for opener installation. They'll be able to install the opener in a safe, fast, and efficient manner.

2. Check Your Spring and Rollers

It's a good idea to have a professional check out your current opener before installing a new one. They'll be able to diagnose any issues and ensure that your door is working properly.

If your door doesn't open as easily or loudly as it should, start by checking for broken or wobbly rollers and brackets. Also, check the torsion spring (mounted on the header above the door opening) for breaks in the coils. If you find a spring that is broken, replace it as soon as possible, or else your garage door may stop working completely.

3. Adjust Your Opening Force

If you have a manual opener, take a look at the instructions to see where the opening force adjustment screws are located. If the screw isn't in its proper position, turn it just a little to the left or right until you have the force you want.

4. Check Your Safety Systems

If your opener has a safety reverse system or an electric eye, it's important to make sure they're functioning properly. It's recommended to check them every month and readjust them if necessary.

5. Change Your Wires

If the wires that run from your opener to the photo eyes and the wall button are exposed, you should replace them with new ones. These wires have probably been in your garage for a long time and they're likely to be nicked or worn. It only takes about 15 minutes to run a new wire, but it's worth the cost and inconvenience to prevent damage to your garage door.

6. Test Your Remote Control

If you have a remote opener, test it to see if the button works. If it's not working, call a technician for repair or replacement.

7. Test Your Garage Door

Once you've had your new garage door opener installed, it's a good idea to test it out by opening and closing it manually. If you notice a significant amount of resistance when the door is opened, it could be caused by your finger getting caught in the track.

If you have any questions about your garage door or opener, don't hesitate to contact us at AAA Garage Door Inc. We'll help you get your door and opener in top working condition again.

 Spring Repair in Cerritos, California

Garage Door Spring Repair Basics

Garage door springs are a major part of the operation of your garage doors. They extend and contract with the help of cables and pulleys to open and close the garage door. Unfortunately, they sometimes break, causing your garage door to either open or close improperly. If this happens, you can fix a broken spring yourself or call a professional. But before you start, it’s important to understand how they work and why they might need repair.

Torsion Springs

Torsion springs are used in most garage doors. They are mounted on the wall above the garage and extend or collapse with the help of cables and pulleys attached to the horizontal tracks that run through the ceiling of the garage. A damaged or broken torsion spring can cause the door to open or close erratically or not at all.

Depending on the size of your garage, you may have one or two torsion springs. If you have a single torsion spring, it will be attached directly to the door, while if you have a double torsion spring, it will be connected to the cable and pulleys in the track.

It’s a good idea to replace torsion springs as soon as they are damaged or break, and that includes the ones that are closest to the motor. If you do not, you could end up putting unnecessary stress on the motor and damaging it.

If you’re inexperienced with spring repairs, it’s a good idea to hire a professional. They have the proper tools and training to complete the job safely.

Compression Springs

Coil springs, which are found on many vehicles, work in conjunction with shocks and struts to maintain suspension movement. They absorb shock and force, allowing the truck to smoothly shift over bumps and dips on the road.

These springs are not only essential in a vehicle’s suspension, but they also help to prevent the wheels from rubbing together. If a coil spring is damaged or worn, it will not be able to do its job effectively, and your vehicle’s suspension will fail.

To keep your coil springs in tip-top condition, it’s a good idea to spray them with a silicone-based lubricant three or four times per year. This will keep them from rusting, which can significantly shorten their lifespans.

You should replace your coil springs in pairs—for example, both front coil springs—to ensure the entire car rides evenly. This will allow your vehicle to run at its best.

If you don’t know what type of spring your garage door requires, it’s a good idea to ask the professionals at White’s Automotive Center. They will be able to provide you with the right replacement springs for your specific model of door.

There are three common types of extension springs: open-looped, double-looped and clipped. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses, so it’s important to choose the right one for your needs. You can purchase replacement springs from your local hardware store or through a manufacturer. However, it is more cost-effective to buy them from a company that specializes in garage door springs. They will have them in stock and can easily answer your questions.

 Garage Door Panel Repair in Cerritos, California

Garage Door Panel Repair - How to Fix a Dent

Panels form the mainstay of your garage door, keeping it safe and secure while adding to its aesthetic appeal.

Garage doors come in a range of materials, such as wood. Depending on the style and material of your door, you may have several options for repairing or replacing its panels.

1. DIY: Do It Yourself

If you are experienced working with tools and can perform minor repairs on your own, fixing a damaged garage door panel may not be too difficult for you. However, be mindful of safety precautions and make sure all necessary tools are available.

2. If you don't know how to tackle it yourself, contact a professional who can take care of the task for you.

3. Repairing a Dent: When It's Possible

When your garage door panel has been dented, it may be more cost-effective and easier to repair the affected area than replace the entire panel. Dents can be caused by hailstones or other storm debris, physical objects like balls that get kicked into the door, or even just from impact from cars.

4. If you don't have access to a hammer or other tool, heating the dent may be enough to straighten it out in its upright position.

5. Metal doors with dent can be repaired using adhesive.

6. If your wooden door is older, you may need to replace the entire panel.

7. If the dent is minor, you can use aluminum foil to apply heat to it and restore its original look. This will help straighten out the area and restore your car's paint job back to new.

8. If the dent is extensive, you can hire a company to repair it for you.

9. The most frequent cause of garage door denting is accidental impact from a vehicle.

Denting in your panel can be both frustrating and irritating. It could also lead to other issues, such as the door buckling or damaging other components of the interior.

It can be challenging to tell whether your panel is actually broken or just showing signs of wear and tear, so take the time to inspect it regularly.

Once you determine how severely damaged a panel is, it's essential to get it repaired promptly in order to avoid further harm and extend the lifespan of your garage door.

Once you know how much it needs replacing, begin searching for a replacement panel that matches your garage door's size and shape. Aesthetics are usually top of mind when selecting a new garage door, so finding one that matches what you currently have can be an advantageous move.

Panel replacement costs can range anywhere from $200 to $800, so it's essential that you consider the total cost when making your decision. Include labor, setup and mobilization fees as well as any extra charges associated with hiring a general contractor to oversee the project.

 Garage Door Maintenance in Cerritos, California

Simple Garage Door Maintenance You Can Do Yourself

The garage door is an important part of your home, and it can be a safety hazard if you don't keep it maintained. If you haven't had a professional tune up your garage door in a while, there are some simple maintenance steps you can perform yourself to help improve your safety conditions and decrease repair costs for years to come.

Visual Inspection

A visual inspection of the garage door is a must every six months. Look for peeling, fading or cracking that could affect your curb appeal and cause moisture to leak into your garage. Also, check your weatherstripping for tears or rips that can allow moisture to enter your garage and encourage mold growth.

Adjust the Photo-Eye Sensors

A common problem that causes garage doors to not automatically reverse is a misalignment of the photo-eye sensors. To fix this, remove any debris and clean the sensors. Then, realign them until the indicator light no longer flashes.

Tune Up Your Spring System

The springs on your garage door help it raise and lower. Regularly checking and maintaining the springs can keep them in good condition and extend the lifespan of your door. You can do a simple test to see whether or not your springs are properly balanced by pulling the release handle when you shut the door, then lifting it halfway up. If it stays in place, it's balanced; if it starts to slowly rise or drop, the springs are worn and need to be replaced.

Grease Your Overhead Springs and Chain or Screw

Keeping your garage door parts greased up will help them last longer and prevent corrosion. You can do this by spraying a white lithium grease, available at your local garage door specialist, on the opener's chain or screw. Then, you can add some spray lubricant to the springs.

Inspect the Tracks and Lift Cables

When your garage door is closed, it rests on the horizontal tracks that are attached to the wall on either side of your opening. The tracks can be damaged from rust or other damage, and they'll affect how your door opens and closes. Inspect the tracks for bending, rust or other signs of damage and contact a professional to repair them if necessary.

Install a Weather Seal Strip

The rubber weather seal strips on your garage door's bottom help keep water and other outside elements out of your garage. They're available at hardware and home improvement stores in different sizes, and can be installed in just a few minutes. They're a simple way to save energy and keep out unwanted drafts, insects and rodents.

Inspect Your Hinges and Vertical Tracks

When the hinges on your overhead door panels bend or sag, you'll need to replace them with new ones. Inspect the jamb brackets and strut that connect the vertical tracks to the framework on either side of your garage opening for excessive wear or dents.

If you notice a gap or tear in the weather seals or weather stripping, call a professional to have them replaced. This will ensure that you're not having to pay for repairs in the future, and will help keep out unwanted insects, critters and water from entering your garage.

 Garage Door Repair in Cerritos, California

When you’re looking for a local garage door repair company, it’s important to do your research. Check their reviews, find out if they offer payment plans and look for one that has strong work guarantees.


Pros and Cons of Doing Garage Door Repair by Yourself

If you’re handy and enjoy working with your hands, do-it-yourself garage door repair might be a good option for you. It’s a great way to learn about the mechanics of your door and its parts, and you can save money on labor costs.

Some repairs are pretty easy to do, while others are more complex. Before you start, make sure your tools are the right size and you have enough time to complete the job. You should also have a list of tasks and a timeline for when you need to get them done so you can stay on top of it all.

For example, if your garage door is shaking when you open or close it, that could be a sign that the tracks are misaligned or damaged. You can try straightening them with a soft mallet, or you can call a garage door professional to do it for you.

Another common problem is that your garage door doesn’t seem to move when you press the button. You may need to adjust the limits on your opener to make it move a little more slowly when you open or close it.

This problem could be caused by a broken spring, which will need to be replaced. Replacement springs can cost anywhere from $100 to $200 depending on their size, material and weight.

If the doors of your garage aren’t properly sealed, they can let in drafts and heat that can increase your energy bill. Replacing them with insulated polyurethane panels will help keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, saving you a lot of money over time.

It’s also easier to replace a door with multiple cracked or rotting panels than it is to repair a single panel. If the damage to your garage is extensive, you’ll want to think about replacing it altogether so that you don’t have to worry about cracks spreading and compromising the structural integrity of your garage door.

Lastly, hiring a professional is always safer than trying to fix your own garage door. You don’t want to end up hurting yourself or your family. You should always follow the proper safety precautions and use the right tools when fixing your own garage door.

If you need garage door repair, don’t hesitate to give us a call here at The Woodlands Garage Door Service! Our technicians have the experience, training and knowledge to handle any type of door repair or replacement. We pride ourselves on quality work and a strong customer satisfaction rating. Contact us today to schedule a free quote!

 Garage Door Installation in Cerritos, California

When it comes to Garage Door Installation, Texas has a wide range of options for homeowners to choose from. Whether you’re looking for something fancy or functional, our team of experts will work with you to find the best solution for your home or business in a timely manner.


Garage Door Installation - Choosing the Right Garage Door for Your Home or Business

Choosing the right garage door for your home can greatly enhance the curb appeal and property value of your location. Moreover, new garage doors can dramatically increase your energy efficiency, improve safety and security, and reduce the likelihood of damage to your home or other important assets from a faulty or malfunctioning unit.

The right garage door is one of the most important investments you can make for your home. Our experts will help you determine the perfect style, material, and function to fit your practical and aesthetic needs while also ensuring a high level of durability and performance.

You can also select from a variety of other features that will make your new garage door stand out from the rest. These include openers, sensors, door locks and more.

Our experts are well versed in all the latest and greatest technology that will ensure your new door is installed correctly, safely, and effectively. Additionally, our experts are highly experienced and trained to handle the most complex and delicate tasks.

We’ll even come directly to your property, outfit you with a brand-new garage door of a make, model, and style that perfectly matches your practical and aesthetic requirements – so that you can enjoy a functional and convenient new addition to your home or business without any hassles.

Top of the line products from leading manufacturers like Lift Master and Genie are sure to be a smart investment. These products are known for their nifty features, such as wireless remote-control capabilities and intelligent sensors that can detect a vehicle’s position and automatically close or open the garage door.

The best part about our top-of-the-line products is that they are all made to last! We’ll give you a manufacturer’s warranty, so you can rest assured that your new garage door will be a durable and reliable addition to your home or business for years to come.

Our company is a family owned and operated business, so you can be sure we will always take pride in delivering the best possible customer service. Our friendly and knowledgeable technicians will work hard to answer all your questions in a timely manner.

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About Cerritos

Cerritos (Spanish for “Little hills”) is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States, and is one of several cities that constitute the Gateway Cities of southeast Los Angeles County. It was incorporated on April 24, 1956. As of 2019, the population was 49,859. It is part of the Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, California Metropolitan Statistical Area designated by the Office of Management and Budget.

Cerritos was originally inhabited by Native Americans belonging to the Tongva (or “People of the Earth”). The Tongva were called the “Gabrieleños” by the Spanish settlers after the nearby Mission San Gabriel Arcángel. The Tongva were the largest group of indigenous peoples in Southern California as well as the most developed in the region.
The Tongva lived off the land, deriving food from the animals or plants that could be gathered, snared or hunted, and grinding acorns as a staple.

Beginning in the late 15th century, Spanish explorers arrived in the New World and worked their way to the California coast in 1542. The colonization process included “civilizing” the native populations in California by establishing various missions. Soon afterward, a town called El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles de Porciúncula (Los Angeles today) would be founded and prosper with the aid of subjects from New Spain and Native American labor.

One soldier, José Manuel Nieto, was granted a large plot of land by the
Spanish King Carlos III, which he named Rancho Los Nietos. It covered 300,000 acres (120,000 hectares) of what are today the cities of Cerritos, Long Beach, Lakewood, Downey, Norwalk, Santa Fe Springs, part of Whittier, Huntington Beach, Buena Park and Garden Grove.

The rancho was divided five ways among Nieto’s heirs during the nationalization of church property by the Mexican government, with Juan José Nieto retaining the largest plot, called Rancho Los Coyotes. Nieto called the area of Rancho Los Coyotes “cerritos” or “little hills”.

After the Mexican–American War, the rancho would eventually wind up in the hands of the Los Angeles and San Bernardino Land Company, which encouraged development and rail lines to be built by Henry E. Huntington and his Pacific Electric Railway company. It was through rapid development, combined with improved transportation systems, that the modern-day city of Artesia was formed in Rancho Los Coyotes in 1875, and from it, the city of Dairy Valley.

Cranford Airport, a small general-aviation airport, was built around 1946 and consisted of two 2,300-foot runways, one oriented north–south & the other northeast–southwest. Each runway had a parallel taxiway, and a ramp along the south side of the field had two building hangars. The former airport site is on the northwest corner of the intersection of South Street & Carmenita Road. Cranford Airport closed at some point between 1953 and 1954.

The city of Dairy Valley was incorporated on April 24, 1956, as a reaction to nearby Artesia’s rapid urbanization. The city’s name symbolized the more than 400 dairies, 100,000 cows and 106,300 chickens found within its limits. The cows outnumbered the 3,439 residents by a factor of 29 to 1. The chickens outnumbered the residents by over 30 to 1. The first business license in the new city was for Walter Marlowe’s “Dairy Valley Egg Farms”.

Two years later, Dairy Valley voted to become a chartered California city. As land values and property taxes in California rose in the early 1960s, agriculture became increasingly unprofitable, and development pressures increased. In a special election held on July 16, 1963, residents voted to permit large-scale residential development. As a reflection of its newly planned suburban orientation, the city’s name was formally changed to Cerritos on January 10, 1967, after the nearby Spanish land grant Rancho Los Cerritos, which figured prominently in the region, and after Cerritos College in neighboring Norwalk.

Cerritos is a prime example of the “fiscalization” of California politics after the tax revolt of the 1970s and the passage of Proposition 13. The only way for California cities to raise long-term tax revenue in light of Proposition 13 was to create as many commercial zones as possible to take advantage of the percentage of county sales tax allocated back to municipalities as sales tax revenue. Cerritos was one of the first cities in Los Angeles County to develop large-scale retail zones, such as the Los Cerritos Center and Cerritos Auto Square, and achieved stunning success. City leaders reinvested funds into the community with large public works projects and an increasing number of community services and programs.

The current progressive nature of the Cerritos government and the unusually strong tax base is best reflected in its facilities. In 1978, Cerritos dedicated the nation’s first solar-heated City Hall complex. In 1993, the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts opened its doors. In 1994, the City unveiled the Cerritos Towne Center project, combining office, retail, lodging, fine arts and dining in an open-air location. In 1997, the city opened the Cerritos Sheriff’s Station/Community Safety Center to provide public safety services. In 2002, the City rededicated its public library. In 2006, the City celebrated its golden anniversary with memorials and the unveiling of a sculpture garden. The assessed valuation of the city is $7,177,428,066.

Between 1970 and 1972, Cerritos was the fastest-growing city in California; the population skyrocketed from 16,000 to 38,000. Since the 1980s, Cerritos has attracted a large number of Filipino, Korean, Taiwanese, Indian and Chinese immigrant families.

On August 31, 1986, Aeroméxico Flight 498, on approach to Los Angeles International Airport from Mexico City, was struck by a small Piper aircraft that had strayed into a Terminal Control Area without clearance from Air Traffic Control. The Piper crashed into Cerritos Elementary School’s unoccupied playground, but the Douglas DC-9 fell inverted (upside-down) and plowed into dense residential zones, immediately flattening four houses. The resulting fire destroyed eight more houses before firefighters could bring it under control. A total of 82 people died, including 15 people on the ground. A sculpture in the Cerritos Sculpture Garden memorializes the incident.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.9 square miles (23.05 km); 8.7 square miles (22.53 km2) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km) of it (1.48%) is water.

Cerritos lies along the Los Angeles County and Orange County border. The cities bordering Cerritos on the Los Angeles County side include Artesia in the center, Bellflower, Lakewood, Norwalk, Santa Fe Springs and La Mirada. Buena Park and La Palma border the city on the Orange County side. Other cities in the region include Cypress in Orange County, and Hawaiian Gardens and Long Beach in Los Angeles County.

The former postal ZIP code of Cerritos was 90701 and was shared with the city of Artesia; however, it was later changed to the exclusive 90703 to accommodate the increasing number of new addresses in the city during the mid-1990s.

Cerritos, as well as most of coastal Southern California, generally has a Mediterranean climate. Summers are warm to hot, and winters are mild, rarely falling below freezing. Precipitation occurs predominantly during the winter months.

Cerritos also has a unique “semi-marine” climate pattern within Los Angeles County. The fog that typically covers the beach cities rarely reaches Cerritos, but the breeze that comes along the San Gabriel River from the Pacific Ocean has a significant cooling effect. As a result, Cerritos is rarely affected by the smog, Santa Ana winds and smothering heat of the Los Angeles Basin.

The 2010 United States census reported that Cerritos had a population of 49,041. The population density was 5,537.6 inhabitants per square mile (2,138.1/km2). The racial makeup of Cerritos was 11,341 (23.1%) White (16.6% non-Hispanic White), 3,388 (6.9%) African-American, 131 (0.3%) Native American, 30,363 (61.9%) Asian, 138 (0.3%) Pacific Islander, 1,822 (3.7%) from other races and 1,858 (3.8%) from two or more races. There were 5,883 Hispanic or Latino residents, of any race (12.0%).

The census reported 48,937 people (99.8% of the population) lived in households, 86 (0.2%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters and 18 (0%) were institutionalized.

There were 15,526 households, out of which 5,724 (36.9%) had children under the age of 18, 10,843 (69.8%) were married couples living together, 1,884 (12.1%) had a female householder with no husband present and 628 (4.0%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 278 (1.8%) married couples, and 64 (0.4%) gay married couples or partnerships. 1,801 households (11.6%) were made up of individuals, and 1,005 (6.5%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.15. There were 13,355 families (86.0% of all households); the average family size was 3.40.

The population was spread out, with 10,013 people (20.4%) under the age of 18, 4,065 people (8.3%) aged 18 to 24, 11,134 people (22.7%) aged 25 to 44, 15,158 people (30.9%) aged 45 to 64 and 8,671 people (17.7%) 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.6 males.

There were 15,859 housing units at an average density of 1,790.8 per square mile (691.4/km), of which 12,711 (81.9%) were owner-occupied, and 2,815 (18.1%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.7%; the rental vacancy rate was 3.1%. 39,392 people (80.3% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 9,545 people (19.5%) lived in rental housing units.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Cerritos had a median household income of $91,487, with 5.5% of the population living below the federal poverty line. Males had a median income of $50,103, versus $37,421 for females. The per-capita income for the city was $25,249. About 5.0% of the population and 4.0% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 5.4% of those under the age of 18 and 5.3% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

The two major sources of revenue for Cerritos are a retail sales tax and interest income from its general fund.

Employment within Cerritos is primarily in two districts, Los Cerritos Shopping Center and Cerritos Industrial Park. Businesses found in Cerritos Industrial Park provide jobs in light manufacturing and assembly of electronic and automotive parts, among other things. United Parcel Service, the city’s largest employer with a staff of 6,000, is in the park. In 2010, Los Cerritos Center provided for 4,450 full and part-time positions, and the Cerritos Auto Square employs 2,160 people. Retail and industrial trades are responsible for Cerritos’ $2 billion taxable retail sales and $7.2 billion assessed property valuation.

According to the California State Board of Equalization, Cerritos residents are the second-highest retail spenders in California (second to Beverly Hills), averaging $36,544 per resident. Applied Development Economics, in a presentation for the Cerritos Economic Commission on February 14, 2006, stated total annual household spending on retail is about $365 million a year with new car dealerships, grocery stores, department stores, service stations and eating places having the strongest demands.

A business survey conducted by Applied Development Economics in February 2006 revealed the total consumer breakdown in Cerritos is: 25% from residents from other parts of Southern California, about 21.9% from Cerritos residents, 18% from commuters, 16% from neighboring communities, 13% from business to business/employee transactions, 10% from residents of Orange County, 5% from households from outside of Southern California, mainly to purchase vehicles from the Auto Square.

The Cerritos Auto Square is an auto mall combining all auto dealers within Cerritos into one large three-block center accessible through two freeways.

Since September 1971, the Los Cerritos Center has been an integral source of retail tax revenue. The total gross lease area is 1,288,245 square feet (119,682 m) and is the city’s largest tax revenue source, producing $800 per square foot in 2015.

The Cerritos Towne Center is a power center that combines offices, retail, hotel and entertainment facilities in one master planned project. The Towne Center includes the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, a 203-room Sheraton hotel and more than one million square feet (93,000 m2) of office space. The retail portion of the project includes several anchors and specialty shops. The project is bounded by 183rd Street to the south, Bloomfield Avenue to the west, Shoemaker Avenue to the east and the Artesia Freeway (Route 91) to the north.

The uncertainty of availability of electricity in California prompted the city of Cerritos on February 13, 2003, in conjunction with the cities of Anaheim, Burbank, Colton, Glendale and Pasadena, to participate in the Magnolia Power Project, which authorized the construction of a 310-megawatt power plant in Burbank. Cerritos receives 10 megawatts, or 4% of the total output, to power public facilities, park lighting, traffic signals and water wells. Excess power (approximately five megawatts) is sold to public and/or private agencies.

According to the city’s 2014 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:

The Cerritos Fine Arts and Historical Commission has an “Art in Public Places Program” whereby the city commissions artists to create sculptures and fountains to be displayed in public points of interest, commercial property and gateways into the city.

Since 2002, the City of Cerritos has participated in the Tournament of Roses Parade held every New Year’s Day in Pasadena. Floats in the parade are awarded prizes in the Tournament of Roses Parade.

The Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts (CCPA) features live performances in music, magic, comedy, dance and drama. The 154,000-square-foot (14,300 m) arts center has movable seats, floors, ceilings and stage areas, with a theater that can transform into six distinctive seating configurations, ranging in capacity from 921 to 1,800 seats. The facility also houses three additional meeting and banquet areas. The CCPA was designed by architect Barton Myers.

The cost of the CCPA had reached over $60 million by the end of construction and scheduling. It was designed to serve as a cultural icon for people in the community and formally opened its doors on January 9, 1993, with a four-day performance by Frank Sinatra.

The CCPA collected four awards for design shortly after its opening and has been named one of the top grossing theaters in its category in the United States.

The Cerritos Library originally opened to the public on September 17, 1973, with a “First Ladies” theme (in recognition of former First Lady Pat Nixon’s home in the community). Eight years later, the city made its first renovation to the library for $6.6 million. 21,000 sq ft (2,000 m) were added for $5.4 million, and the remaining $1.2 million was spent on furniture and equipment.

In the late 1990s, Cerritos recognized the ever-changing innovation in information technology and the internet, and plans for a second renovation were approved. During the reconstruction, all materials were moved off site to temporary trailers in the parking lot of the Cerritos Towne Center for two years. The second renovation and expansion was completed on March 16, 2002.

At the time of its rededication, the newly renamed Cerritos Millennium Library was the first building in North America to be coated in titanium panels. This $40 million library features an elaborate interior design with themed reading rooms in a variety of old world and ultramodern styles. A third floor was added to include several conference rooms and an outdoor terrace.

The Cerritos Library holds a Smithsonian Affiliation. It was awarded the American Library Association/American Institute of Architects “Award of Excellence” in 1989. It was also honored with Reader’s Digest’s 2004 Best Library Award.

The Cerritos Sculpture Garden was dedicated on March 11, 2006, and included a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by representatives from Cerritos’ sister city, Loreto, Baja California Sur, Mexico. It is in the Civic Center and is designed to house approximately 20 sculptures to be phased in over the coming years. At the time of the dedication ceremony, three sculptures were already in place:

  • The Air Disaster Memorial, by sculptor Kathleen Caricof, honors by name all the victims of the Aeroméxico Flight 498 disaster on August 31, 1986.
  • A replica of the Statue of Freedom that sits atop of the United States Capitol dome.
  • Elements Fountain, by artist Jane DeDecker, depicts female embodiments of the four elements allegories (earth, water, wind and fire) over a reflecting pool.

The garden was made to be able to accommodate future sculpture installations in a lush landscape.

The Cerritos Olympic Swim & Fitness Center provides year-round, indoor recreational, instructional and competitive swimming and gym.

The Swim Center was used by Olympians for swimming practices during the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

The Pat Nixon Park is a recreational park that pays tribute to the late First Lady Pat Nixon on the site of her childhood home, which was destroyed by fire in 1978. The city of Cerritos undertook the project of building a senior center in 1993 to create a state-of-the-art public facility dedicated to its seniors with social events, services, life-enriching programs and clubs.

Heritage Park, a community park in the center of the city, pays tribute to revolutionary America and the founding of the country. It re-opened to the public in 2002 with a refurbished colonial-themed play island and moat.

Liberty Park, another community park in the western end of town, underwent massive renovation and re-opened to the public in February 2005. It features an updated community center, fitness center, rubberized jogging track and children’s playground. Camp Liberty, a children’s amphitheater within Liberty Park, has also been updated.

Cerritos Regional Park houses the Cerritos Sports Complex, the skate park and outdoor swimming pools. The unique characteristic is an artificial lake complete with sporting fish. Los Angeles County maintains 75% of Regional Park and Cerritos oversees the remaining 25%.

The city also has 18 neighborhood parks near residential tracts, an executive golf course and two community gymnasiums on the Cerritos and Whitney High School (Cerritos, California) campuses.

Cerritos operates under a council–manager form of government, established by the charter of the city of Cerritos in 1958. The five-member city council acts as the city’s chief policy-making body and as members of the Cerritos Redevelopment Agency.

The mayor, selected by the council, is its presiding officer and serves a one-year term. In the mayor’s absence, the mayor pro tempore assumes his or her responsibilities. City Council elections were held on a Tuesday after the first Monday in April until the 2017 election. Effective with the 2020 California Primary election, the elections will be held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in March of even-numbered years. Council members are elected to a four-year term and at-large.

The city council, currently made up of Lynda Johnson, Naresh Solanki, and Frank Yokoyama, is directly responsible for the employment of only three individuals: the city manager, clerk/treasurer, and the city attorney.

Management of the city and coordination of city services are provided by:

The Cerritos Sheriff’s Station/Community Safety Center provides 24-hour safety services to Cerritos residents. Located in the Civic Center, the station houses the city’s Community Safety Division and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department personnel. The station was constructed by a referendum in 1996 and inaugurated in 1997. In 2006, the city council approved the construction of a 5,000-square-foot (500 m) expansion to the sheriff’s station, at a cost of $400,000.

Fire protection is provided by Los Angeles County Fire Department Station 30, the headquarters for Battalion 9, with ambulance transport by Care Ambulance Service.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department operates the Cerritos Sheriff’s Station and Community Safety Center, which was built into the Cerritos Civic Center. The 28,000 square feet (2,600 m) facility, built by the city, has a complaint/dispatch area, an 18-bed jail, administrative and detective personnel offices and a community meeting room. The sheriff’s department operates the Lakewood Station in Lakewood, serving Cerritos.

The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services operates the Whittier Health Center in Whittier, serving Cerritos.

The United States Postal Service operates the Cerritos post office at 18122 Carmenita Road.

In the California State Legislature, Cerritos is in the 36th Senate District, represented by Republican Janet Nguyen, and in the 67th Assembly District, represented by Democrat Sharon Quirk-Silva.

In the United States House of Representatives, Cerritos is in California’s 45th congressional district, represented by Republican Michelle Steel.

The majority of Cerritos is under the jurisdiction of the ABC Unified School District. A small portion on the west side of the city bounded by Palo Verde Avenue on the west, the San Gabriel River on the east, Artesia Boulevard on the north and South Street on the south is under the jurisdiction of the Bellflower Unified School District.

Children in Cerritos attend a neighborhood elementary school (kindergarten to 6th grade) before going to a middle school (7th and 8th grade) and then a high school (9th to 12th grade) unless admitted to Whitney High School, which covers 7th to 12th grade. Whitney High School is ranked as the best school in California, ahead of neighboring Oxford Academy, and 27th nationwide according to a 2012 U.S. News & World Report study.

Valley Christian High School is one of the largest private Protestant schools in Los Angeles County.

Cerritos is also serviced by Cerritos College and Fremont College.

Eighty-five percent of high school graduates go on to higher education. Ten percent of the total population have an associates degree, 26% have a bachelor’s degree and 11% have an advanced degree.

The city of Cerritos owns a fleet of federally funded buses known as the Cerritos On Wheels (or COW), which has stops throughout town. The acronym “COW” is a tribute to the city’s origins as Dairy Valley, when cows outnumbered residents. The propane-fueled COW also connects to the Long Beach Transit, Orange County Transportation Authority, Norwalk Transit and Los Angeles MTA buses at overlapping stops on the borders of the city. Wi-Fi internet access is also accessible on the buses.

In conjunction with the COW, the city also provides a Dial-A-Ride service for its disabled and elderly commuters.

Cerritos is directly served by three major California freeways:

  • SR 91 (the Artesia Freeway) cuts through the center of the city.
  • Interstate 605 (the San Gabriel River Freeway) runs along the west side between the Los Cerritos Center and Auto Square.
  • Interstate 5 (the Santa Ana Freeway) grazes Cerritos at the northeast border.

The major thoroughfares in Cerritos are Alondra Boulevard, Artesia Boulevard, Bloomfield Avenue, Carmenita Road, Del Amo Boulevard, Norwalk Boulevard, Pioneer Boulevard, Shoemaker Avenue, South Street, Studebaker Road and Valley View Avenue.

The nearby Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach are major ports of entry from the Pacific Ocean for importing and exporting goods.

Airports that serve Cerritos include Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), John Wayne Airport in Orange County, Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, Ontario International Airport and the Long Beach Municipal Airport.

  • Troy Aikman, American football quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
  • Marcelo Balboa, MLS Colorado Rapids and US national soccer team member.
  • Bret Barberie, former second baseman for the Florida Marlins, once married to TV news star Jillian Barberie.
  • Johnny Chan, professional poker player.
  • Morris Chestnut, actor.
  • Robby Gordon, a NASCAR Sprint Cup driver, was born and raised in Cerritos. He lives in Orange, California.
  • Rickey Cradle, MLB baseball player for the Seattle Mariners.
  • Ben Howland, UCLA men’s basketball head coach.
  • Jimmy Kim, taekwondo practitioner and instructor who won a gold medal in the heavyweight division at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea.
  • Eddie Lewis, professional soccer player.
  • Roger Lodge, host of the reality show Blind Date and radio sports announcer.
  • Shane Mack, former MLB baseball player.
  • Justin H. Min, actor.
  • Todd McMillon, NFL player for the Chicago Bears.
  • Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, filmmaker of Innocence of Muslims.
  • Pat Nixon, First Lady and wife of President Richard Nixon. Her family owned a truck farm formerly in Artesia, but now in Cerritos. Her childhood home was at what is now Pat Nixon Park.
  • Max Park, an expert Rubik’s Cube solver
  • Lela Rochon, actress.
  • Jorge Salcedo, NCAA soccer coach at UCLA. and L.A. Galaxy team member.
  • Renato Sobral, MMA star and Strikeforce light heavyweight champion.[citation needed]
  • José Luis Jair Soria, professional wrestler.
  • Jae Park, member of Korean band called Day6.
  • Kirsten Vangsness, actress and writer.
  • John J. B. Wilson, copywriter, publicist and founder of the Golden Raspberry Awards (also known as the Razzies).
  • Han Ye-seul, Korean actress.[citation needed]
  • Jim Zorn, former NFL coach and quarterback.

According to the Internet Movie Database (IMDB), the following productions have either been partially or entirely filmed in Cerritos:

The main setting of Star Trek: Lower Decks, the California-class starship USS Cerritos, is named for the city.

  • Mexico Loreto, Baja California Sur, Mexico
  • Taiwan Banqiao District, Taiwan
  • Brazil Itapetinga, Bahia, Brazil
  • Cerritos Auto Square
  • Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts
  • Cerritos College
  • Cerritos Library
  • Cerritos Senior Center at Pat Nixon Park
  • Cerritos Towne Center
  • Cerritos Veterans Memorial
  • Los Cerritos Center
  • The Story of Cerritos: A History in Progress by Marilyn Cenovich
  • History of Cerritos
  • A Los Angeles Times article on Cerritos
  • Images from Vestar’s website: The Cerritos Towne Center development company
  • The Cerritos 2005–2006 budget
  • The City Manager’s Letter to the City Council 2005
  • CNN Article On Wireless Network
  • Press Telegram Article On 2006 Capital Projects
  • Cerritos Sculpture Garden press release
  • Los Angeles Business Journal article on Cerritos
  • Eftychiou, Audrey. Cerritos At 50: Celebrating Our Past and Our Future. Virginia Beach, VA: The Donning Company, 2006.
  • 2010 State of the City Presentation
  • August 16, 2007 Edition of The Economist feature on Cerritos
  • Official website Edit this at Wikidata
  • Cerritos Chamber of Commerce
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