The City of Los Alamitos has announced a new citywide financial program based on the popular “Los Al Bucks” pandemic program, in which residents were given a portion of the federal stimulus funding, if it be spent inside the city limits.
“I’m excited to announce that we are coming out with a ‘Recreation Bucks’ program for the City of Los Alamitos,” said Ron Noda, Developmental Services Director.
“As you will recall, a few years ago we did ‘Los Al Bucks,’” said Noda, reminding the residents of the program initiated back during the pandemic that turned out to be popular with residents.
In that program, residents received $50 certificates from the city, which they could use to shop virtually anywhere in the city. Vendors have registered in advance with the city to become qualified to issue the certificates.
Noda said the “Los Al Bucks” program was so popular that the city did two rounds.
“And so, we’re excited to be able to bring this back,” Noda told the Council, telling them that staff had invested a significant amount of time speaking with residents and others putting this program together.
“We want our residents and our community to shop local this holiday season,” he said, and “when you shop local, you can earn bucks, right?” he added.
What makes this program different, he said, is that residents will earn “Recreation Bucks,” meaning the only value for the certificates earned will be the ability to pay for various participatory recreation programs in the city.
“They (Recreation Bucks) cannot be redeemed for cash,” he emphasized.
“So exactly what are recreation bucks?” Noda rhetorically asked. “When a person goes out there and spends money at a Los Alamitos-based business, right, all you have to do is get from that approved business right, to keep the receipt, and then, depending on how much you spend, you will earn recreation bucks,” he said.
Noda presented a table illustrating the amount residents will earn for purchases. He said the Recreation Bucks program began Dec. 1 and will run through May 17, 2026.
Spending $150 will get you $65 in Recreation Bucks, spending $30 will get you $10 in recreation bucks,” he said. Any community member can go into an approved Los Alamitos business in Los Alamitos,” he said.
Residents can keep their receipts and use their Recreation Bucks to register for various programs, activities, and events.
For instance, said Noda, if a resident brings his family to a Los Al restaurant and spends $150, they will receive 65 Recreation Bucks, which can later be used towards registration fees for sports programs, cultural events, summer or winter camps, etc., some of which cost $100 per child, per week.
“It’s a great way to save you money,” said Noda.
“It’s not restricted like the first round or the second round of Los Al bucks,” said Noda, “where we’re handing people the $50 cash. This one here, they’re spending their own money.”
Noda said residents who live in Rossmoor, Seal Beach, and other cities can participate, but the money must be spent at an approved Los Al business to receive the Recreation Bucks credit.
He said the city is scheduled to release a list of approved businesses this week.