Whether you’re looking to cut back on your emissions, want to connect with your neighborhood on a deeper level, or simply can’t handle another rush hour on the 405, there are a LOTof reasons to ditch the ol’ automobile. This guide is a roadmap for living car-free in L.A.
We drive to school, we drive to work. We drive to the gym, to the beach, to grandma’s house, the grocery store. But you don’t need to ditch your car completely tomorrow in order to get the benefits of going car free.
The goal isn’t to get rid of CARS; it’s to get rid of car-DEPENDENCY. This guide is meant to make that transition a tiny bit easier with steps on how you can ease yourself into exploring alternative modes of transportation, from walking to cycling to taking the bus or train.
L.A. may be the city of the car, but it doesn’t have to be.
Whether you’re looking to cut back on your emissions, or want to connect with your neighborhood on a deeper level — or your soul simply can’t handle another rush hour on the 405 — there are a LOTof reasons to ditch the ol’ automobile.
Cities built for carless travel are safer, greener, and make transportation more efficient. They make getting around cheaper, too.
But the automobile is hardwired into L.A.’s DNA. Our city is literally built around cars — neighborhoods were leveled to make way for freeways, historic buildings were demolished to build surface parking lots.
Stimson Building, on South Spring Street and West 3rd Street, before and after it was demolished and turned into a parking lot in 1963.
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Left: Arnold Hylen. Right: Google Street View
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And it’s not just city infrastructure. We drive to school, we drive to work. We drive to the gym, to the beach, to grandma’s house, the grocery store. How do you part with something that’s so embedded in your daily routine?
How I gave up my car
Before we get into the tips and tricks, I’ll share a bit of my own car-free journey. I wasn’t born with a love for public transit — far from it.
I’m a born-and-raised Angeleno who started driving when I was 17. My first regular commute was a 45-minute slog across three freeways to get from home to high school — and I never once imagined living in L.A. without a car.
A decade or so later when the lease was up on my car in 2021, I decided I may as well try to save some cash and give the car-free life a try. We made a How To LA episode about that process, and my new commute to work, which you can check out here.
#77: Lots of Angelinos live without a car – and hundreds of thousands of people here don't use a car in their daily commute. But... it is definitely NOT the norm. HTLA Producer Evan Jacoby recently joined the car-less when he switched to a bike last fall.
How To Live Car-Free — In the Car Capital of the World
#77: Lots of Angelinos live without a car – and hundreds of thousands of people here don't use a car in their daily commute. But... it is definitely NOT the norm. HTLA Producer Evan Jacoby recently joined the car-less when he switched to a bike last fall.
But the moral of that episode is: you don’t need to ditch your car completely, tomorrow, in order to get the benefits of going car-free.
Maybe you can’t give up your car for various reasons — that’s totally fine! It’s so expensive to live in L.A. that many people have to live far from where they work. Or maybe you love your 1995 Subaru too much to part with it. I get it.
The goal isn’t to get rid of CARS; it’s to get rid of car-DEPENDENCY. This guide is meant to make that transition a tiny bit easier.
Start small
Change is easiest when change is fun. If going cold turkey is more your speed, skip to Step 5. But if you’re like me, you’ll need a little more convincing before alternative transit in Los Angeles sounds exciting.
Step 1: Find foot-friendly destinations
Find a cafe, bar, or restaurant within walking distance of your home, and make a habit of walking there. Show it off to your friends and brag that you have such a great spot within such a quick walk. If you don’t have anything like that within say a mile of your home, make it a park or a library.
The idea is to train yourself to expect that walking can be exciting and productive. For your first goal, try to go to this spot at least two or three times per week.
A pedestrian crosses Olympic Blvd at Overland Ave as a vehicle turns through the crosswalk.
Even in areas known as food deserts like Lynwood or East L.A., at least 39% of residents live within walking distance of a grocery store.
Your closest market might be a lot closer than you think. Of course, not everyone can get around on foot or bicycle, or carry things long distance. But if you’re able to do so, take advantage! Though counterintuitive, it’s been proven to be cheaper and healthier to buy what you need the day you need it, and avoid shopping in bulk.
For your second goal, try buying what you need for dinner after work every day for a week. Breaking routines takes practice and repetition — but it helps when it tastes great and saves you money!
A map of L.A. County that shows the percentage of residents who live within walking distance of a grocery store.
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County of Los Angeles, Department of Public Works
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Ramping up the stakes
By now you’ve fallen in love with a spot that’s walking distance from your home, and you’ve bragged about it to your friends. Maybe you’re still buying your groceries every day or every other day. Nice!
It’s time to start experimenting with your routines.
Step 3: Discover new modes of transit
L.A. has a subway — a fact I’m not ashamed to say took 26 years of living here for me to internalize. We also have the third largest bus fleet in North America, and our flat, wide streets are excellent for bicycling.
Let’s be realistic: none of these are perfect. Bus service can be infrequent, the subway and light rail network has limited connectivity, and the safety of our bike lanes (where they exist) leaves a lot to be desired.
And we have have to be honest about safety concerns on LA Metro. Reports of violent crime last year increased about 14% over pre-pandemic levels. After the stabbing death of a woman at a Metro train stop in Studio City, the Metro Board of Directors declared a state of emergency to step up safety measures, including barriers for bus drivers.
All of this is unsettling and worth considering, depending on where you live, what time of day you'll be riding and your comfort level. And it's also worth framing these safety concerns within the context of the dangers posed by cars.
That all said, from my almost-daily experience riding either the train, my bike or the bus, I'd argue at least one of these alternative modes of transit is a better experience than you may expect.
Metro: Buses and trains
Just about everyone living in L.A. County lives within a 5-minute walk from a bus stop or train station. There are 101 train stations operated by LA Metro, including light rail and the subway network, with more on the horizon. There are also 120 bus routes that operate along nearly 12,000 stops throughout the county.
All services operated by LA Metro, and 26 other agencies across L.A. County, use TAP for fare payment. A $1.75 “tap” is a good deal for 2.5 hours of unlimited transfers throughout all of the services that accept it.
You can get a physical card for $2 at any train station, or you can use the TAP app on your phone. (From personal experience, the app is the easiest option.)
All busses are equipped with hydraulic ramps for wheelchairs, and subway and light rail trains have designated areas for people with disabilities on every car. Some subway stations along the D line (Purple) have frequent elevator outages, but the 720 Rapid bus line stops at all the same places and is only a few minutes slower, making it a viable alternative.
Find the bus and train stops nearest your home, and see where they lead. The Transit App is my top recommendation for finding nearby routes, but Google Maps works pretty well, too.
My colleagues and I also put together a story on how to ride the bus earlier this year.
Choose a spot along one of those routes for food or entertainment, and make an evening of it. Pro tip: if you’re planning to have some adult beverages on your night out, you don’t have to worry about drinking and driving if you’re riding the bus!
Bikes and e-bikes
Buying a bike doesn’t have to be a huge investment, and it's much cheaper than a car. I got a 1984 classic Italian bike for $300 on Ebay, and after a $50 tuneup at my local bike shop it rides great. If you’re patient, you can find something on Craigslist or other listing sites for even less.
If an electric bike is more your speed, it’s probably a lot less expensive than you may expect if you take advantage of available incentives.
You can get up to $2,000 back from the state of California if you make less than three times the federal poverty level, or about $45,000 a year.
Now that you have your bike, it’s time to learn where to ride it. This isn’t an extra step in many other cities around the world, where non-motorized travel is a higher priority. Unfortunately, in L.A., it’s not so simple.
More and more streets are starting to offer protected bike lanes. If you’re lucky enough to have a few of these in your neighborhood, nice!
If you’re like me, you’re not so lucky.
I live near 4th Street in Mid City, which is a “designated bike route.” In practice that means faded bicycle decals are painted onto the street and I share a lane with cars. This is the case for most of the bike routes near me.
Sometimes these streets feel safe enough, but not usually. I often find myself taking lower-trafficked neighborhood streets instead of the official bike route when the official route is also a major car thoroughfare, like Fountain or Vine.
This map shows all the different bike paths in L.A. County, with distinctions like “Bike Path,” “Bike Lane,” “Bike Route,” and “Bike Blvd.”
But I’d recommend just choosing the bicycle option on Google Maps, and plan to make adjustments when it asks you to take hop onto something that feels like an urban highway.
It’s easy to link up a bike route with a train route, which is how I get to Pasadena for work. It’s a little more stressful on a bus, but people do it.
Important note: Don’t forget to grab yourself a rechargeable headlight and taillight for riding at night, and definitely don’t forget a helmet.
The 217 Metro bus in front of the Hollywood/Vine Station in Hollywood.
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LAist
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Step 4: Identify your loops
This step is easier written than done, but it’s time to modify your routine. Most of our travel is recurring. To and from work, to and from the gym, or to and from a family member’s house.
Identify one of these loops and travel it via public transit, biking, or walking. Then do it again so you get comfortable with the idea.
Then do it again, and again.
Commit to the bit
By now you could lead a walking tour of your neighborhood, and you have a bike or have your TAP card on your phone. You’ve taken the bus for either work or play, and you’ve probably beat your car-driving peers to the destination at least a handful of times.
If that’s you, it might be time to take the final plunge.
Step 5: Sell your dang car
It’s finally time. The moment we’ve been building to all along. Maybe you, like the average Angeleno, have two cars in your household. Or maybe you, like me, finished the lease on your car and want to try out a bike before taking on another expensive lease.
Either way, it’s go time.
Selling your car is actually pretty easy. Apps like Carvana and CarMax give decently competitive prices, and people use Craigslist all the time. As a last resort you can probably sell your car back to your dealer, but that’s usually the least profitable option — especially if you have an end-of-lease purchase option.
(You could also donate your car to LAist to power local journalism!)
When the lease on my Honda Civic ended in 2021, I was able to sell it for about $9,000 more than the end-of-lease purchase price. After DMV fees and taxes, that meant a profit of about $7,000.
(Now that pandemic-level supply chain issues are easing, you might not be able to replicate those numbers. But experts still recommend taking advantage of end-of-lease purchases when possible.)
I purchased my bike for $300, and after a tune-up, some new handlebars, and two years of TAP card payments for my metro fare, I still have over $6,000 left over.
Add that to the savings of NOT having a car payment, not paying for gas or insurance, and I’ve saved a little over $15,000 in 18 months of living car-free.
Epilogue
Going car-free is L.A.’s greenest transit option, but that alone isn't always the strongest motivator. But it’s also great for your wallet, and studies show there’s psychological and economic benefits for people and cities.
If you’re not ready to go all the way and ditch your car for good, that’s OK! But maybe, as you and other Angelenos around you start weaving alternative modes of transit into your life, a less car congested city can become a reality for all of us.
The Los Angeles Department of Transportation said it would not enforce certain parking restrictions through Sept. 30 as part of a relief effort after the Lineage warehouse fire.
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Laura Anaya-Morga
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Boyle Heights Beat
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Topline:
Residents in parts of Boyle Heights may be eligible to have certain citations waived and benefit from relaxed parking enforcement through Sept. 30 following the Lineage warehouse fire.
Why now: The change comes after small business owners shared with elected officials that they’ve been struggling with low foot traffic after the fire. Councilmember Ysabel Jurado, in a statement, said she hopes the new parking guidelines can “reduce unnecessary burdens” and make it “easier for customers to continue supporting neighborhood businesses during the recovery.”
Where to get help with a citation: Residents who believe they received a citation in error may contact Jurado’s Boyle Heights field office at 323-526-9332 and ask for the small business liaison.
Read on... for a map and list on where parking relief applies.
Residents in parts of Boyle Heights may be eligible to have certain citations waived and benefit from relaxed parking enforcement through Sept. 30 following the Lineage warehouse fire.
The change comes after small business owners shared with elected officials that they’ve been struggling with low foot traffic after the fire. Councilmember Ysabel Jurado, in a statement, said she hopes the new parking guidelines can “reduce unnecessary burdens” and make it “easier for customers to continue supporting neighborhood businesses during the recovery.”
Rosie Echeverria, a representative for Council District 14, informed the Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council about the relaxed parking enforcement at its Aug. 26 meeting. She provided attendees with a map showing the original assistance area and an added expansion. (See the map below).
“You should not be getting ticketed for meters. You should not be getting ticketed for overnight parking. You should not be ticketed for limited parking. For example, if it’s a ‘two-hour parking only’ and you end up staying three hours, you should not be getting a ticket for that,” Echeverria said.
The Los Angeles Department of Transportation said it would not enforce certain parking restrictions through Sept. 30. Here’s what you need to know.
Where the parking relief applies
Relaxed enforcement applies to eligible violations in the designated fire-affected areas. Enforcement is relaxed daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Original area (eligible for violations issued July 29 to Sept. 30)
A map shows relaxed parking enforcement areas.
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Jackie Ramirez made with Atlist
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The area bounded by:
Boyle Avenue
Cesar Chavez Avenue
Lorena Street
Olympic Boulevard
Expanded area (eligible for violations issued Aug. 17 to Sept. 30)
A map shows an extended area of relaxed parking enforcement.
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Jackie Ramirez made with Atlist
)
The original boundaries, plus the area bounded by:
Soto Street
Cincinnati Street
Evergreen Avenue
Cesar Chavez Avenue
This includes Mott Street and Fickett Street, but excludes Forest Avenue
What parking enforcement is covered and what is not
Under this effort, the L.A. Department of Transportation is not enforcing parking restrictions related to:
Street meter parking
Residential street sweeping zones
Time limit restrictions, such as two-hour parking zones
Areas designating no parking between certain time frames
Overnight, oversize and preferential parking districts
The effort, however, does not suspend all parking enforcement, according to Jurado’s office. Areas that remain fully enforceable include:
Red zones
Bus zones
Handicapped zones
“No Parking Anytime” zones
“No Stopping Anytime” zones
All temporary “No parking” or “No stopping zones”
White curbs
Alleys and sidewalks
Where to get help with a citation
Residents who believe they received a citation in error may contact Jurado’s Boyle Heights field office at 323-526-9332 and ask for the small business liaison.
The L.A. Department of Transportation said that if someone believes a citation was issued in error and would like to contest it, they can contact the Parking Violations Bureau online or by phone at 866-561-9742.
L.A. Documenter Yliana Roland contributed to this story. L.A. Documenters trains and pays L.A. residents to take notes at local government meetings around Los Angeles. You can find meeting notes and audio at losangeles.documenters.org
Celebrate Orange County's Latino communities at Santa Ana's Fiestas Patrias on Sept. 12 and 13.
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Courtesy City of Santa Ana
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A play looks back on 9/11, NFL season kicks off, a Mexican Independence day celebration in Santa Ana, postcards from Ukraine and more of the best things to do this week.
Highlights
NFL season is here again, and the Rams first game of the year is taking on our neighbors to the north, the 49ers. Head to the Regent for a free watch party.
There’s still plenty of good weather for a free outdoor Americana folk concert, and that’s exactly what’s in store at Santa Monica’s Gandara Park.
Celebrate Orange County's vibrant Latino communities at Santa Ana's Fiestas Patrias in honor of Mexico’s Independence Day.
I was fortunate to get a sneak peek at the new Lucas Museum of Narrative Art last week and given how many thoughts our Best Things to Do readers had on the new LACMA Geffen Galleries, I can’t wait to hear what you think of the Lucas once it opens to the public on Sept. 22. Please share your thoughts when you go!
I was blown away by the building — it’s light and airy while feeling futuristic and somewhat imposing at the same time. The gardens are green and have plenty of places to sit and soak up the sun or the shade, and the reading room (which will be free and open to all) is definitely going on the "best places to cowork" list. The art collection is mostly organized by subject rather than era and includes works by artists from Norman Rockwell to Frida Kahlo to Banksy to Lucas himself via the many pieces of Star Wars history on display. There's truly something for everyone.
Thursday, Sept. 10, 5:35 p.m. The Regent 448 Main St., Downtown L.A. COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Courtesy The Regent Theater
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I guess summer really is over because football season is here again and the Rams first game of the year is taking on our neighbors to the north, the 49ers. Head to the Regent for a free watch party; there’s a state-of-the-art sound system and LED video wall, plus it’s free.
Americana in the Park
Sunday, Sept. 13, 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. Gandara Park 1819 Stewart Ave., Santa Monica COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Alright, kids are back in school and football season started, but is it ever really not summer here? There’s still plenty of good weather for a free outdoor Americana folk concert and that’s exactly what’s in store at Santa Monica’s Gandara Park. Put on by our friends at McCabe’s Guitar Shop, there will be performances from Albert Lee, Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca, Abby Posner & the Big Fall, Jason Luckett, the Bob Baker Marionettes.
Fiestas Patrias Festival
Sept. 12-13 Multiple locations, Downtown Santa Ana COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Celebrate Orange County's vibrant Hispanic and Latino communities at Santa Ana's Fiestas Patrias in honor of Mexico’s Independence Day. There’s a parade and street fair, live entertainment from local bands, carnival rides, food, and more.
Steel Magnolias
Thursday, Sept. 10, 7:35pm Rooftop Cinema Club 888 S. Olive St., 4th Floor, Downtown L.A. COST: $31.05; MORE INFO
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Rooftop Cinema Club
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Rooftop Cinema Club is honoring Dolly Parton’s legacy with a screening of the ultimate ode to Southern female friendship, Steel Magnolias (in both Spanish and English), with 10 percent of ticket sales benefiting Parton's Imagination Library.
Staged reading of WTC View
Friday, Sept. 11, 7:30 p.m. Celebration Theatre & LA LGBT Center The Village at Ed Gould Plaza (Renberg Theatre) 1125 N. McCadden Place, Hollywood COST: FROM $29; MORE INFO
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Los Angeles LGBT Center
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Michael Urie (Ugly Betty) directs this special September 11 anniversary reading of WTC View, Brian Sloan’s 2003 play about the weeks following 9/11 in Lower Manhattan. The story looks at a gay photographer’s struggle to find community in a time of societal and personal change. “I was just beginning my third year of drama school in New York on 9/11, and I vividly remember how raw we New Yorkers still were when we premiered the play in 2003,” said Urie. “Now Brian’s beautiful play is a time capsule of those weeks following 9/11, when we were all babies in a new world and the interactions we had with strangers were so intimate and heartfelt.”
Spotlight Arts Festival
Sunday, Sept. 13, 2 to 5 p.m. Bank of America Performing Arts Center 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Eventbrite
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The first-ever Spotlight Arts festival in Thousand Oaks brings together local artists, performers, and community organizations for a free afternoon of art, music, creativity, and connection. The festival will feature 15-minute live performances from a range of local groups, artist booths, hands-on activities, live painting, and more.
Maria Koutsogiannis in Conversation with Gaby Dalkin
Saturday, Sept. 12, 11 a.m. Now Serving 727 N. Broadway, #133, Chinatown COST: FROM $11.49; MORE INFO
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Eventbrite
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Didn’t get to the Greek Islands this summer? No problem. Greek chef, author, and Instagram favorite Maria Koutsogiannis is bringing Greece to us as her debut cookbook, Greek Out, launches at Now Serving. The book features more than 120 Greek-inspired recipes alongside personal stories rooted in family, culture and tradition. She’ll be in conversation with Gaby Dalkin at Now Serving.
Come as You Are: The Musical
Tuesday, Sept. 15, 7 p.m. The Ripped Bodice 3806 Main St., Culver City COST: $22.58, MORE INFO
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Eventbrite
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Emily Nagoski, PhD has the answers to all the things you were afraid to ask about sex – and now you can sing along. The New York Times best-selling author of Come As You Are and Come Together has packed her ukulele for a fun night of music and sex talk (what could be better?) at the best romance book store around, Culver City’s The Ripped Bodice.
Postcode Ukraine: Diary of a Volunteer
Sept. 11-30 Westwood Contemporary 1101 Westwood Blvd., Westwood Village COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Postcode Ukraine
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postcodeukraine.com
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As we head into a fifth year of war in Ukraine, the Wende Museum’s Westwood Contemporary is highlighting the work of British photographer Mark Neville, who has been documenting the lives of everyday Ukrainians through his expansive project, Postcode Ukraine. Postcode Ukraine: Diary of a Volunteer is here through the end of the month, ahead of a larger international tour.
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By Christopher Weber and Amy Taxin | Associated Press
Published September 8, 2026 5:09 PM
Emergency vehicles repond to the chemical leak in LA Habra on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026.
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Jae C. Hong
/
Associated Press
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Topline:
A slow leak from a chemical tank smeared an orange cloud across the sky of a Southern California neighborhood on Tuesday, but authorities said they quickly got it under control.
Why it matters: Los Angeles County Fire Capt. Aaron Katon said authorities responded to a La Habra business that makes cleaning products after receiving a call shortly before noon about the cloud. Police evacuated a nearby middle school as a precaution, Katon said.
The chemical: They do not yet know what the chemical was, but all shelter-in-place orders have been lifted, Katon said.
What's next: The regional air quality management district has deployed staff to the area to investigate, said Connie Villanueva, a spokesperson for the South Coast Air Quality Management District.
A slow leak from a chemical tank smeared an orange cloud across the sky of a Southern California neighborhood on Tuesday, but authorities said they quickly got it under control.
Los Angeles County Fire Capt. Aaron Katon said authorities responded to a business that makes cleaning products after receiving a call shortly before noon about the cloud. Police evacuated a nearby middle school as a precaution, Katon said.
They do not yet know what the chemical was, but all shelter-in-place orders have been lifted, he said. The regional air quality management district has deployed staff to the area to investigate, said Connie Villanueva, a spokesperson for the South Coast Air Quality Management District.
The company, Shepard Bros., could not immediately be reached for comment.
Three company employees reported minor respiratory irritation and declined further treatment, Katon said.
The leak occurred in the city of La Habra near a mix of residential neighborhoods and industrial warehouses about 10 miles (16 kilometers) north of Anaheim.
Keary Godinez, who works in a nearby restaurant, said she saw what appeared to be a dark yellow cloud spread across the sky. The 20-year-old said she watched students across the street board buses to evacuate, but police told her the eatery could remain open.
“It looked like pollen dust,” Godinez said, adding she didn’t detect a smell from the cloud. “It just kind of smeared in the sky and started going away.”
La Habra Mayor Jose Medrano had urged residents to shelter in place and said some streets were being evacuated.
Luis Gomez, who manages a nearby pickleball program, said earlier Tuesday he saw the cloud, called police and was told anyone within a mile radius of the location was under an evacuation order.
Lakers head coach Phil Jackson celebrates after defeating the Boston Celtics in Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals.
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Christian Petersen
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Getty Images North America
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Topline:
The Los Angeles Lakers will unveil a statue of former coach Phil Jackson outside their downtown arena next year. The Lakers announced the plan Tuesday to honor Jackson, who led the Lakers to five championships and seven NBA Finals appearances during two stints totaling 11 seasons as their head coach.
The backstory: After his famed tenure leading Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls to six championships, Jackson joined the Lakers in 1999 and immediately began another era of major success for the 17-time NBA champion franchise. His first three teams in Los Angeles won championships behind the dynamic duo of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, and the Lakers added two more titles in 2009 and 2010 led by Bryant and Pau Gasol. His Lakers also made the NBA Finals in 2004 and 2008.
What's next: The statue will be unveiled April 9 before the Lakers’ home game against Minnesota.
The Los Angeles Lakers will unveil a statue of former coach Phil Jackson outside their downtown arena next year.
The Lakers announced the plan Tuesday to honor Jackson, who led the Lakers to five championships and seven NBA Finals appearances during two stints totaling 11 seasons as their head coach.
The statue will be unveiled April 9 before the Lakers’ home game against Minnesota.
After his famed tenure leading Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls to six championships, Jackson joined the Lakers in 1999 and immediately began another era of major success for the 17-time NBA champion franchise.
His first three teams in Los Angeles won championships behind the dynamic duo of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, and the Lakers added two more titles in 2009 and 2010 led by Bryant and Pau Gasol. His Lakers also made the NBA Finals in 2004 and 2008.
Jackson set the Lakers franchise record for coaches with 610 victories while leading his teams to the playoffs in every year of his tenure, which ended in 2011.
“Phil Jackson defines championship basketball for a reason,” Lakers governor Jeanie Buss said in a statement. “His masterful approach to coaching brought out the best in some of the greatest athletes to ever play the game. After he accepted my dad’s invitation to join the Lakers, Phil’s unmatched creativity and commitment to excellence restored our championship legacy, bringing five titles and setting a standard of excellence for generations to come. It is a great joy to be able to mark that achievement with the statue he so richly deserves.”
Jackson will be the ninth person associated with the Lakers to be honored with a statue in Star Plaza outside their arena. He joins Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Bryant, O’Neal, broadcaster Chick Hearn and former coach Pat Riley, whose statue was unveiled earlier this year.
Jackson’s 11 championships as a head coach are the most in NBA history. The North Dakota native and former New York Knicks forward is a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame.