Inspired by “Why Now Is the Time to Visit L.A., According to Angelenos”
After a string of wildfires scorched parts of Los Angeles, much of the world watched from afar. But if you ask those who live here chefs, hotel owners, artists they’ll tell you: Los Angeles needs you now more than ever.
The Reckoning & the Recovery
In January, fires erupted across Pacific Palisades and Altadena, razing homes and testing community resilience. The smoke cleared, and one fact stood out: 98% of Los Angeles County was untouched by the flames. Iconic spots Griffith Observatory, Venice, Hollywood Boulevard remained intact.
But businesses reliant on visitors took a hit. Restaurants, boutiques, and hotels in nearby zones lost foot traffic. The city faced an economic ripple across the hospitality sector.
Local Voices, Open Arms
Doug Rankin, chef-owner of Bar Chelou in Pasadena, recalls closing temporarily, then reopening to serve first responders and displaced neighbors. He insists, “We’re still here to serve.”
Hotel groups also stepped in. Proper Hotels announced that stays in early 2025 would help fund relief efforts, and rooms were made available for displaced residents.
For many Angelenos, this moment is about restoring confidence. They want visitors to see the city not as fragile, but as fiercely committed to rebounding.
What You Can Do (and See)
Stay in neighborhoods away from burn zones (which remain closed or restricted).
Explore overlooked neighborhoods like Echo Park, Koreatown, Mid-City, or the Valley supportive, vibrant, and full of character.
Eat local, shop local. Visit cafes, markets, and boutiques that are part of the city’s creative lifeblood.
Volunteer if you can. There are grassroots cleanups, community gardens, and relief efforts that welcome visitors’ hands as much as their dollars.
In short: Los Angeles is more than a skyline and celebrity tours. It’s a city with deep roots, creative energy, and the capacity to renew itself. And right now, it’s waiting to open its arms.
