David Wagner
covers housing in Southern California, a place where the lack of affordable housing contributes to homelessness.
Published February 24, 2024 5:00 AM
An early postcard image of the Wayfarers Chapel in Rancho Palos Verdes.
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Courtesy Los Angeles Conservancy
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Topline:
When heavy rainfall caused landslides that forced the closure of Wayfarers Chapel in Rancho Palos Verdes last week, congregants and couples with upcoming weddings weren’t the only ones affected. The temporary closure also blocked public access to one of L.A.’s most iconic buildings.
The context: L.A. County is home to 23 National Historic Landmarks, according to the National Park Service. Dubbed “most Instagrammable chapel in L.A” by the Los Angeles Times, Wayfarers Chapel became the newest addition to that list in December 2023.
The history: Wayfarers Chapel was built in 1951 at the behest of the Swedenborgian Church. Members commissioned Lloyd Wright — son of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright — to fulfill their vision of a small church overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
What’s next: The chapel is currently in the midst of a $250,000 GoFundMe campaign. Chapel leadership says the money will be used to refund couples with canceled weddings, and for the expensive repairs needed to eventually reopen the facilities.
When heavy rainfall caused landslides that forced the closure of Wayfarers Chapel in Rancho Palos Verdes last week, congregants and couples with upcoming weddings weren’t the only ones affected. The indefinite closure also blocked public access to one of L.A.’s most iconic buildings.
L.A. County is home to 23 National Historic Landmarks, according to the National Park Service. Dubbed the “most Instagrammable chapel in L.A” by the Los Angeles Times, Wayfarers Chapel became the newest addition to that list in December 2023.
“It's the highest level of recognition that you can achieve in historic preservation,” said Los Angeles Conservancy President Adrian Scott Fine. “The fact that this building met the criteria and has achieved that status really does speak to how special it really is.”
Wayfarers is currently in the midst of a $250,000 GoFundMe campaign. Chapel leadership says the money will be used to refund couples with canceled weddings, and to begin the expensive repairs needed to eventually reopen the facilities.
So, why is Wayfarers Chapel such a gem of L.A. architectural heritage? Read on to discover more about the chapel’s history and ongoing significance.
Wayfarers Chapel, also known as "The Glass Church," is closed due to shifting and sliding land after heavy rains in Rancho Palos Verdes.
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Patrick T. Fallon
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AFP via Getty Images
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The mid-century origins of Wayfarers Chapel
Wayfarers Chapel was built at the behest of the Swedenborgian Church of North America, a small denomination inspired by 18th century Swedish theologian and scientist Emanuel Swedenborg. The church emphasizes an infinitely loving god and personal freedom in matters of belief.
Swedenborgian church members Elizabeth Sewall Schellenberg and Narcissa Cox Vanderlip approached architect Lloyd Wright to fulfill their vision of a small church overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Construction began in 1949 and the church was opened in 1951.
Tourists visit the newly opened Wayfarers Chapel.
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Los Angeles Public Library
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A shining example of Organic Modern architecture
Upon entering the chapel, visitors are immediately struck by the large glass facade. The building’s high, transparent walls gaze out toward the serene Redwood grove surrounding the property.
Redwood beams are used to hold geometric panes of glass in place. And local Palos Verdes stones were used to make the church’s sanctuary.
This blending of natural beauty and built space epitomizes a school of architecture known as Organic Modern, Fine said.
“It's very much the connection between indoors and outdoors,” he said. “That's kind of the beauty and the magic of the space. What Lloyd Wright created here, it does feel like it's part of nature — but also something that was created.”
Wayfarers Chapel is a popular venue for California weddings. Beach Boys singer Brian Wilson married Melinda Ledbetter there in 1995.
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Los Angeles Conservancy
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A famed architect’s son, famous in his own Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright is one of history’s most well known architects. But his son Lloyd Wright also has a claim to architectural fame — especially when it comes to iconic 20th century Southern California designs.
Lloyd Wright left his mark on L.A. through visually striking projects like the John Sowden House in Los Feliz (also known as the “Jaws House” for its jagged facade resembling a shark’s gaping maw).
He also designed a pyramid-shaped shell for the Hollywood Bowl in 1927, which was deemed “too modern” by management. The next year, he tried another swooping design that could be put up and taken down within a day. But it was soon replaced by the venue’s more familiar semi-circular shell.
A version of the Hollywood Bowl shell, designed by Lloyd Wright, is seen being assembled in 1928.
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Los Angeles Public Library
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Lloyd Wright’s work as an independent architect continued from the 1920s through the 1960s. Wayfarer Chapel represents one of his later masterpieces, first opened to the public when he was in his early 60s. He died in 1978 at the age of 88.
The future of historic preservation in a changing L.A. climate
This isn’t the first time the chapel’s facilities have been affected by landslides. In 1995, the chapel’s original visitors center was removed due to extensive damage caused by land movement, according to the church’s website. A new visitors center opened in 2001.
An exterior view of Wayfarers Chapel, taken before its closure due to recent landslides.
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Los Angeles Conservancy
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But as California weather becomes more erratic in a world shaped by climate change, experts say churches and other organizations will need to prepare for more investment in preservation.
“Most places are behind the curve in terms of doing the kind of thoughtful planning about what climate change means to our historic buildings,” said Fine with the L.A. Conservancy. “How do you adapt? How do you retrofit? And how do you come up with the funding to make it happen?”
He added that Wayfarers Chapel has one clear advantage: it’s a beloved building, not just in L.A., but throughout the world.
“People know of this place,” Fine said. “So I hope people do step up to support it, because it really does need it at this point to ensure it survives.”
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 14: Max Muncy #13, Tommy Edman #25, Mookie Betts #50, Freddie Freeman #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers look on during a pitching change during the eighth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in game three of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium on October 14, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
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Sean M. Haffey
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Getty Images North America
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Topline:
Milwaukee’s brilliant bullpen slammed the door late and the Brewers rallied past the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-4 on Thursday in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series to earn their first trip to the World Series since 1982.
What happened: Shohei Ohtani’s first home run this postseason helped put the Dodgers ahead 4-0 in the second inning before the Brewers came back to complete a four-game sweep of the two-time defending World Series champions a year after getting swept by Los Angeles in the NLCS.
Garrett Mitchell hit a go-ahead homer in the sixth inning, Milwaukee’s brilliant bullpen slammed the door late and the Brewers rallied past the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-4 on Thursday in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series to earn their first trip to the World Series since 1982.
No. 9 hitter David Hamilton’s two-out solo shot off Edwin Díaz gave the Brewers a two-run cushion in the ninth. Hamilton had just four homers in the regular season.
“We got down early tonight and we were like, it’s going to be a great story,” Brewers captain Christian Yelich said. “We’re going to come back and win this. Like, stay together, start chipping away. And that’s exactly what they did.”
Shohei Ohtani’s first home run this postseason helped put the Dodgers ahead 4-0 in the second inning before the Brewers came back to complete a four-game sweep of the two-time defending World Series champions a year after getting swept by Los Angeles in the NLCS.
Milwaukee became the first major league club to complete a postseason sweep after getting swept by that same opponent in the previous postseason.
“Playing with that chip on our shoulder,” Brewers reliever Aaron Ashby said. “You don’t ever know what to expect going into a series like that last year. You don’t know how bad it can be, and then it was as bad as it was. And we came out and we survived, and we came back this year, and those guys played their tails off.”
The Brewers lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games in their only other World Series appearance, when Milwaukee played in the American League.
With the score tied 4-all, Mitchell fell behind 0-2 before reliever Tanner Scott threw three straight balls for a full count. Mitchell’s 409-foot leadoff drive to center field — the first homer of his career on an 0-2 count — put the Brewers ahead for the first time. Mitchell also homered in their 6-2 victory Wednesday.null
“I’ve always dreamt of moments like these as a kid,” Mitchell said.
The Brewers’ bullpen coolly turned away multiple threats when the Dodgers had the potential tying run on base.
Winning pitcher JoJo Romero struck out Max Muncy with Kyle Tucker at third to end the sixth.
Ashby, who worked three scoreless innings for a save, struck out Ohtani swinging before Mookie Betts grounded out with Andy Pages at third to end the seventh. Will Smith doubled to right with one out in the eighth and was safe at third when the ball got away from Sal Frelick for an error before Ashby got Tucker to fly out and Teoscar Hernández to strike out.
The Brewers tied it in the fifth, when the Dodgers bullpen issued four walks and Milwaukee stole two bases. Hamilton’s single chased starter Tyler Glasnow and scored Frelick, who walked and stole second, to pull Milwaukee to 4-3.
Alex Vesia came in and promptly walked Brice Turang and William Contreras to load the bases. Vesia then walked NLCS MVP Jake Bauers with two outs to force in Hamilton with the tying run.
Glasnow retired his first 10 batters — six on strikeouts — before the Brewers got to him in the fourth. Turang walked, Contreras hit a ground-rule double and Bauers followed with another ground-rule double that closed Milwaukee to 4-2.
Ohtani broke out of his postseason slump with a three-run homer after Pages’ RBI single in the second. The four-time MVP released weeks of pent-up frustration by raising his arms and yelling and the crowd of 49,104 joined him in celebration.
Matthew Ballinger
is the senior editor for climate and environment coverage at LAist.
Published October 15, 2026 5:52 PM
The Henderson Fire sparked Thursday afternoon at Camp Pendleton.
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Alert California
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UC San Diego
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Topline:
Parts of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton have been ordered to evacuate, and the 5 Freeway has been closed in both directions as a wildfire burns in the area. The Henderson Fire had charred more than 1,100 acres as of 4:40 p.m.
What we know so far: The 5 Freeway was closed between Harbor Drive, near Oceanside, and Basilone Road, near the Orange County line. The Camp Pendleton Fire Department was fighting the fire, according to Cal Fire.
Read on ... for more on evacuations and weather conditions.
This is a developing story. For the most up-to-date information about the fire you can check:
Parts of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton have been ordered to evacuate, and the 5 Freeway was briefly closed in both directions due to a wildfire in the area. The Henderson Fire had charred more than 1,118 acres as of 7 p.m.
CHP closed the 5 Freeway between Harbor Drive, near Oceanside, and Basilone Road, near the Orange County line, but began reopening the interstate just before 6 p.m.
The Camp Pendleton Fire Department was fighting the fire, according to Cal Fire.
The basics
Acreage: 1,118 acres as of Thursday afternoon
Containment: 0%
Structures destroyed: None reported
Deaths: None reported
Injuries: None reported
Evacuation orders
According to Cal Fire: "An evacuation order has been published for the Las Flores (41 Area). All affected personnel, please evacuate to Paige Field House, located in the 11 Area." A secondary evacuation point was set up at 21 Area gym, according to the Camp Pendleton Facebook page.
Road closures
5 Freeway between Basilone Road and Harbor Drive, but it was being reopened.
Listen to LAist's Big Burn podcast
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Jacob Margolis, LAist's science reporter, examines the new normal of big fires in California.
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Destiny Torres
covers all things SoCal, from breaking news to local government, with a focus on Orange County.
Published October 15, 2026 4:19 PM
A Costa Mesa woman who pleaded guilty earlier this year for registering her dog to vote and casting ballots in two elections has had her case dismissed
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Tiffany Ujiiye
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LAist
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Topline:
A Costa Mesa woman who pleaded guilty earlier this year for registering her dog to vote and casting ballots in two elections has had her case dismissed, according to the district attorney’s office Thursday. She won’t serve time but will have to pay for four anti-voter fraud billboards that feature her dog’s image.
Background: Laura Lee Yourex, 64, was charged with five felonies in 2025 for illegally registering her dog and casting ballots on its behalf. Yourex was facing up to six years in prison. In April, Yourex pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor charge of knowingly registering a “non-existent person to vote,” and the DA’s office dismissed the remaining four felony charges against her. LAist did not immediately hear from Yourex’s lawyer.
More on the billboards:As part of the plea deal, Yourex was required to pay $1,500 for four anti-voter fraud billboards along the 55 and 22 freeways in Orange County for the Nov. 3 General Election. The billboards read, “Don’t be a dog. Voter Fraud is a Crime. If you can’t legally vote, don’t vote. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office will prosecute.”
Laura Lee Yourex was required to pay $1,500 for four anti-voter fraud billboards along the 55 and 22 freeways in Orange County.
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Courtesy of the OC District Attorney's Office.
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Why this matters: The dog incident comes at a time of heightened debate over voter ID. In the General Election, Californians will be asked whether to require voters to show proof of ID at polling places and provide identification numbers on mail-in ballots. Currently, voters only need to provide an ID and Social Security number when they register to vote.
Wine sales have decreased by more than 20% over a five-year period.
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Kelsey Knight
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Unsplash
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Topline:
California’s wine industry is still trying to figure out how to adapt to a world with fewer alcohol drinkers, where even the most high-end wineries are fighting a losing battle. Because the state has more wine than people want to drink, some wineries are quietly selling their premium bottles under generic retail home brands like Costco’s Kirkland Signature or Kroger and Aldi labels.
Sales: Wine sales have decreased by more than 20% over a five-year period, causing grape prices to drop and prompting California growers to take roughly a quarter of the state’s vineyards out of production.
“They have way too much of it, and they haven’t been able to sell it the last few years,” said Jess Lander, wine reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle, during a conversation on AirTalk, LAist 89.3’s daily news show.
Listen
15:51
How California wineries are dealing with a high-end bottle surplus
Bargain bottles: Lander has reported that bottles that typically cost around $150 are now, in some cases, going for less than $30 under a different brand label.
How to take advantage: Lander says if you’re looking to take advantage of the surplus bargain, look at the region on the bottle and then do a little experimenting with your palate.
Listen to the full conversation above: To learn more about the wine industry’s outlook and the effects on consumers.
Topline:
California’s wine industry is still trying to figure out how to adapt to a world with fewer alcohol drinkers, where even the most high-end wineries are fighting a losing battle. Because the state has more wine than people want to drink, some wineries are quietly selling their premium bottles under generic retail home brands like Costco’s Kirkland Signature or Kroger and Aldi labels.
Sales: Wine sales have decreased by more than 20% over a five-year period, causing grape prices to drop and prompting California growers to take roughly a quarter of the state’s vineyards out of production.
“They have way too much of it, and they haven’t been able to sell it the last few years,” said Jess Lander, wine reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle, during a conversation on AirTalk, LAist 89.3’s daily news show.
Bargain bottles: Lander has reported that bottles that typically cost around $150 are now, in some cases, going for less than $30 under a different label.
How to take advantage: Lander says if you’re looking to take advantage of the surplus bargain, look at the region on the bottle and then do a little experimenting with your palate.
Listen to the full conversation above: To learn more about the wine industry’s outlook and the effects on consumers.
