The Brief

As wildfires erupted in Southern California, so did a years-long feud between incoming president Donald Trump and Gov. Gavin Newsom.

On the campaign trail, Trump repeatedly threatened to cut off disaster funding for California.

He stopped short of that on Wednesday, but in a social media post, he called Newsom “Newscum” and blamed his water policies for the three fires that have destroyed hundreds of homes, killed at least five people and displaced tens of thousands of Californians.

Trump said that due to Newsom’s environmental regulations, not enough water has reached Southern California and that fire hydrants went dry as a result.

“Now the ultimate price is being paid,” he said. “I will demand that this incompetent governor allow beautiful, clean fresh water to FLOW INTO CALIFORNIA. He is to blame for this.”

The Newsom administration called Trump’s post “pure fiction.”

Update: On Thursday morning Rachel Scott, a reporter for ABC News, said she asked Trump if he was willing to work with Newsom. His response: "For California, we take care of the whole state. So what's happened is a tragedy, and the governor has not done a good job with that being said, I got along well with him, when he was governor, we worked together very well, and we would work together... I guess it looks like we're going to be the one having to rebuild it."

Fact check on causes

Wildfire and climate experts say natural conditions — including eight months of drought — are to blame.

“The issue here is that it hasn’t rained yet,” said Alexander Gershunov, a research meteorologist at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

Plus, these fires have been pushed by Santa Ana wind gusts as high as 75 mph. In those conditions, burning embers can blow miles from their ignition source and entire neighborhoods can erupt in minutes.

“You’ll never have enough water to put out a Santa Ana fire,” said Zeke Lunder, a California wildfire expert who’s been tracking and mapping the fires’ progress.

The bigger question looming over California is whether Trump’s feud with Newsom will cause him to act on his promise to cut federal disaster aid to the state when he takes office on Jan. 20.

On the campaign trail last year, Trump vowed that “we won’t give (Newsom) money to put out all his fires” unless the Democratic governor agreed to divert more water to California farmers. Two former Trump administration officials later told Politico that Trump initially withheld approval for disaster aid for California’s deadly 2018 wildfires, until aides showed him that many of the residents of the affected areas had voted for him.

A president can slow down the process of approving aid, or not declare a disaster, a decision critical to a state receiving federal relief funding. A 2021 federal report found that the Trump administration delayed $20 billion in disaster aid to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria in 2017.

Federal funding typically pays for around 75% of the costs of rebuilding public infrastructure such as roads, sewers, water systems, parks and fire stations, officials say. That means California would have to come up with billions of dollars in additional money after major disasters if Trump follows through on his campaign rhetoric.

Federal disaster funds also help those who’ve lost their homes find temporary living quarters. Federal programs can help with home-rebuilding costs not covered by private insurance.

Newsom preparing for uncertain disaster funding

Newsom has taken Trump’s threats seriously enough that, in the fall, his administration began developing plans to establish a backup emergency response fund that the state could draw from if Trump refused to make federal aid available. It’s unclear if Newsom will follow through with the idea in his formal budget proposal, which is expected Friday.

“What you see with the president-elect is, you know, fire and fury often signifying something. You see fire and fury often signifying nothing,” Newsom said at a press conference Monday, where he cautioned that California’s fiscal stability is uncertain under the incoming Trump administration. “And you have to sort of work through all of that.”

the scene Wednesday in an Altadena neighborhood as firefighters fight the Eaton Fire.

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Nick Ut

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Getty Images

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On Wednesday, the outgoing Biden administration pledged federal help and is already sending disaster aid to the state, thanks to the $100 billion Congress approved in December.

President Joe Biden, who was already in California to designate a new national monument and for the birth of his great-grandson, made a brief public appearance at a Santa Monica fire station on Wednesday morning to pledge his support for the response.

“We’re prepared to do anything and everything, as long as it takes, to tame these fires and help reconstruct and make sure we get back to normal,” Biden said. “It’s going to be a hell of a long way. It’s going to take time.”

Newsom, who joined Biden, said the president’s quick declaration of a major disaster “means the world to us.”

“It’s impossible for me to express the level of appreciation and cooperation we received from the White House and this administration,” Newsom said. “So on behalf of all of us, Mr. President, thank you for being here. And not just being here today. Thank you for being here since the minute of this incident.”

Most of California’s congressional delegation — including U.S. Sens. Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff and 47 House members, both Democrats and Republicans — signed onto a letter urging Biden to approve the declaration Wednesday.

“The severity of these wildfires requires additional coordination and a wider range of long-term federal recovery programs,” the lawmakers wrote.

When asked Wednesday about Trump’s past threats to withhold disaster aid to California, Padilla warned that “our response to these disasters cannot become a partisan issue, and I will continue fighting to secure the necessary resources for our state’s recovery.”

How federal money rebuilt Paradise, Santa Rosa

In communities such as Paradise and Santa Rosa that suffered through similar catastrophic fires within the past decade, officials there said their communities wouldn’t have been able to rebuild without federal help.

“If we hadn’t had those types of funds to do the basic infrastructure that we’ve already done and are currently doing, I don’t think we would have recovered at all. It is such a significant piece of recovery,” said Collette Curtis, the recovery and economic development director for the town of Paradise. An early morning fire on Nov. 8, 2018 pushed by powerful winds destroyed most of the town in a matter of hours. Eighty-five people died; 18,000 buildings were destroyed.

Curstis estimates that Paradise has received at least $375 million in federal aid since the fire.

A year before the Paradise fire, thousands of homes in the city of Santa Rosa and surrounding communities burned in the Tubbs Fire – another wind-driven inferno that killed 22 people.

The federal government provided at least $366 million in direct aid to communities affected by the Tubbs Fire and other fires that year, according to estimates from the office of U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson, a Democrat who represents the region. Santa Rosa alone received $218 million, said Assistant City Manager Jason Nutt.

Without that much federal help, Santa Rosa wouldn’t have recovered, said the city’s former mayor, Chris Rogers, who was just sworn in as the region’s Democratic Assemblymember.

“Without the help of the federal government, not only would we potentially not have been able to rebuild, but we certainly wouldn’t have been able to rebuild as quickly,” Rogers said.

Rogers called Trump’s threat to cut disaster funding for California communities “inhuman.”

“This is a time when people need the most support, when they’ve lost everything,” Rogers said. “That’s the time when they need government to function for them. And so, to me, it’s completely unconscionable that you would choose that as not just to make a statement, but as a leverage point to try to get other things that you want. It’s wildly inappropriate.”

CalMatters reporters Stella Yu and Alastair Bland contributed to this story.

Fire resources and tips

If you have to evacuate

• Cheat sheet: Your very short guide to getting packed up right now to evacuate
• Cheat sheet: A very short guide for how to leave your house if you need to evacuate

If you have more time:

• Every day is now fire season. Let's get you ready for the next wildfire burning near you

Things to consider

• Evacuation terms can be confusing. Here’s what they mean and how to sign up for alerts
• This is why fire officials don't want you to stay and defend your home

Navigating fire conditions

• Cheat sheet: Your very short guide to driving in high winds and fire danger
• High winds and fires mean power outages. Here's how to prep

How to help yourself and others

• Resources for SoCal fire victims, evacuees and first responders
• What to do — and not do — when you get home after a wildfire
• If you want to help fire victims, resist the urge to volunteer

Understanding how it got this bad

• Yes, wildfires are getting worse. The history that got us to this moment
  

A plan to remove nearly 200 trees from Pasadena Unified School District campuses has angered some local residents.

School district officials say 193 trees across 11 campuses need to be removed to clean up soil contaminated by the Eaton Fire.

Residents say they were not properly notified about the project, and some are pushing for ways to remediate the soil without taking down so many trees.

Pasadena resident Paloma Muñiz Ochoa spent eight hours in an oak tree slated for removal at the district’s headquarters.

“There's been a lot of destruction, and there's no reason to destroy more,” said the 17-year-old as she sat at the base of the tree on Tuesday.

At another side of the district’s administrative building, certified arborist Sabine Höppner stood guard at the base of two huge sycamore trees, also on the chopping block. She estimated them to be more than 100 years old.

Paloma Muñiz Ochoa guards a native oak tree slated for removal at PUSD's headquarters.

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Erin Stone

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LAist

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"These are so important to the whole neighborhood," she said. "They're a hub for birds. Raptors land in them, owls perch in them at night. You can find the owl droppings all throughout here.”

More than a dozen trees have been removed already, mostly at San Rafael and Washington elementary schools. Opponents of the plan say they want the soil cleaned without the removal of so many trees.

“We in Altadena lost so much of our tree canopy to the Eaton Fire that the idea of taking additional trees away, especially mature trees, is just so hard to think about,” said Ariane Vielmetter, who lost her home in the Eaton Fire.

Her son lost his school and now attends a PUSD high school, though not one of the ones affected by the tree removal plan.

Certified arborist Sabine Höppner guards two sycamores slated for removal at PUSD's headquarters.

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Erin Stone

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LAist

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Officials, however, say they’ve exhausted all other options.

“After months of consultation with [the state’s Department of Toxic Substances Control], PUSD determined that removing the selected trees is the safest and most appropriate course of action for schools to complete remediation and reopen as quickly as possible,” the district wrote in a statement.

PUSD’s superintendent and the Department of Toxic Substances Control declined to be interviewed for this story.

How we got here

Just a few weeks after the fires started, PUSD entered into a “voluntary cleanup agreement” with the Department of Toxic Substances Control, or DTSC, to address potential contamination at 15 campuses. The state agency oversees removal of such contaminants at places like schools.

Pasadena Unified then hired environmental consulting firm Verdantas to test soil at those campuses.

Last May, the school district released the results of those soil tests, which found elevated levels of toxic metals, primarily lead, at 13 campuses.

Multiple trees have already been removed at San Rafael Elementary.

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Erin Stone

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LAist

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The district said in a statement Monday that over the last year, it has “met extensively with the DTSC” to address the contamination.

“These detailed discussions encompassed review of the types of toxins identified, and site-by-site and test by test assessments were performed to evaluate various soil removal approaches,” the district wrote.

At a Pasadena City Council meeting Monday, several councilmembers and Mayor Victor Gordo said they planned to look into what the city’s role may be in approving the removal of certain protected trees.

“As far as the trees go, if there's anything that the city can do to stop this process until we have a better understanding, if they need to come through us for approval,” Councilmember Tyron Hampton said.

Pasadena Unified’s goal is to clean up the remaining campuses before students return from summer break. The estimated cost is about $6.6 million.

What’s next 

Some residents and tree advocates are urging the school district to consider other ways to remediate their campuses, without cutting down so many trees. That can include phytoremediation, which uses plants to clean up toxins in the soil.

Chris Shogren, an environmental horticulture advisor with the University of California cooperative extension, said such natural remediation strategies can be effective, but are more complex to design and can take months to years to complete.

“Remediation is just a really tough task,” Shogren said. “If you want something immediate, you really do just have to come in, remove the soil and replace it. Everything else is going to take time for it to actually work.”

Tree advocates put up a banner in front of PUSD's headquarters Tuesday.

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Erin Stone

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LAist

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Timing is short. The district said it’s required by the DTSC to carry out the bulk of the removal and remediation when students aren’t on campus “for safety reasons,” wrote the district’s Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco and facilities director Michael Dunning in a recent statement.

Shogren said that some trees currently slated for removal may be able to be saved — for example, there’s less risk of toxic exposure if they’re emerging from concrete rather than bare soil — but that ultimately it depends on testing.

“It really should be based on the soil reports, so you’re going highest exposure risk to lowest exposure risk,” he said.

The removal of so many trees would be “unfortunate,” Shogren said, but he hopes that what comes next can better serve future generations of children and wildlife.

“We’re going to have to rebuild and redo things at some point,” he said, “and the sooner we start, the sooner those trees are going to start maturing and providing all those benefits that we want from them.”

This story first appeared on The LA Local.

Property owners in Boyle Heights’ industrial corridor, near the Sixth Street Bridge, are proposing a plan to fund private security, street cleaning and landscaping, a move that could significantly change how the area is maintained.

The proposed plan would cover an area stretching from 1st to 7th streets and between Mission Road, Clarence and Anderson streets where sound stages, film studios and warehouses sit alongside the public housing complex of Pico Gardens and a residential neighborhood near Dolores Mission Church. Property owners say the city has failed to adequately provide services to keep the area clean and their employees safe. Meanwhile, some community advocates and nearby residents are wary of the area’s growing concentration of entertainment venues, just across the river from the Arts District, which have drawn crowds for electronic music festivals and special events like Olivia Rodrigo’s album release pop-up.

David DaCosta, of the 18-acre Ace*Mission Studios, is among those pushing for what’s known as a Business Improvement District, or BID, in the area that proponents refer to as the Boyle Heights Industrial Flats, which runs adjacent to the Los Angeles River. 

At a meeting at Dolores Mission Church in May, DaCosta touted the effort as a rare private-public partnership that should be cherished. “There’s a natural relationship between us all, a natural path for us all to want to work together,” he said.

Not everyone is convinced. The proposal comes as Boyle Heights continues to grapple with tensions over displacement and who benefits from development. Supporters see privately funded services as a solution to neglect and public safety. Opponents say it could eventually lead to gentrification and over-policing.

To Elizabeth Blaney, with Union De Vecinos, a local branch of the Los Angeles Tenants Union, the BID would “put control of public space in the hands of those businesses who are part of the BID.” 

Property owners in Boyle Heights’ industrial corridor, near the Sixth Street Bridge, are proposing a plan to fund private security, street cleaning and landscaping, a move that could significantly change how the area is maintained.

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Andrew Lopez

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For Boyle Heights Beat

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What is a BID?

Business Improvement Districts are self-funded associations that collect revenue through property taxes within a geographically defined area. 

In this case, the proposed BID encompasses over 160 parcels that are owned by more than 70 property owners within the so-called “flats” area adjacent to a series of railroad tracks. The proposed tax would only apply to commercial property owners within the industrial district — not residents of nearby apartments and single-family homes.

Property taxes collected through the BID would fund landscaping services, including weed removal throughout the proposed district, as well as sanitation personnel who would sweep up trash and litter from sidewalks and gutters seven days a week.

Security services may also be provided “to ensure that petty crime and vandalism are reduced” within the district, according to the BID plan. Proponents say they will work toward “minimizing the impact of unhoused individuals” within the district by collaborating with social services. 

Funds would also support marketing efforts, website development and public relations campaigns to promote business and activities within the BID.

The Boyle Heights Industrial Flats BID would operate for five years, from January 2027 to December 2031, and is projected to generate $6.9 million over that period, with about $1.2 million in its first year. If approved, the BID would be managed by a nonprofit.

Property owners in Boyle Heights’ industrial corridor, near the Sixth Street Bridge, are proposing a plan to fund private security, street cleaning and landscaping, a move that could significantly change how the area is maintained.

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Andrew Lopez

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For Boyle Heights Beat

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Residents express concerns

Residents and community members have mixed feelings about the proposal.

On one hand, Boyle Heights residents like Margarita Amador see it as a win “when someone in the community wants to invest to improve our quality of life.” 

Amador grew up in the area at a time when gang violence was at its peak. “No one would want to come into that side of town,” Amador said. Redevelopment and investments have changed the neighborhood for the better, she added. “We’re not in a position to turn away dollars,” she said.

Meanwhile, Ana Hernandez, a Pico Gardens resident, is wary of stakeholders behind the BID proposal. 

Businesses in the industrial area, she said, host late-night events, including raves, that disrupt their quality of life. Residents have complained of loud parties and music late into the night. Their dogs get scared, and they have to shut their windows, one neighbor said. 

“They don’t bring business for the community. What they want are earnings,” she said. “The ones who dominate the streets are people who are not from the community.”

Homeowners like Sylvia Sifuentes aren’t necessarily opposed to the BID. 

Instead, Sifuentes wants residents who live near the proposed district to receive clearer information about how the plan would operate and who it would affect. Sifuentes, 67, has lived near Dolores Mission since she was born and only recently found out about the proposed district.

The meeting in May was her formal introduction to the BID proposal. Initially, Sifuentes incorrectly heard homeowners like her would also be taxed. She also wondered why a tax was necessary. The city, she noted, already provides graffiti removal and trash pick-up services.

Union De Vecinos has organized a petition opposing the BID that organizers said has garnered more than 300 signatures. The petition argues the BID could contribute to rising rents and parking congestion.

Blaney, the organizer with the group, finds the BID problematic because property owners would “get to decide what goes on there” instead of the community as a whole.

“They get to decide the aesthetics of the neighborhood. They get to decide who can hang out and at what hours on the street. They can hire security on bikes and cars that patrol and enforce and harass.”

Property owners in Boyle Heights’ industrial corridor, near the Sixth Street Bridge, are proposing a plan to fund private security, street cleaning and landscaping, a move that could significantly change how the area is maintained.

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Andrew Lopez

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For Boyle Heights Beat

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Proponents respond

Alfred Fraijo, Jr., whose law firm Somos Group is helping with the BID formation process, said proponents are looking at “alternative modes” of creating public safety. Fraijo, who is from Boyle Heights, acknowledged at the May meeting that communities like Boyle Heights have suffered from over-policing.

He said providing better lighting could make the area more inviting and walkable. “Having eyes on the street is a way to do it,” he said. “We want to partner with organizations that are already doing the good work [in] Boyle Heights, creating intersection safety for children crossing the street.”

Proponents like Mark Borman of Bridge & Corner, which hosts film production in the area, said the BID could address environmental concerns impacting the well-being of their tenants.

“We suffer [from] illegal dumping, often of toxic materials,” Borman said at the May meeting. “There are zero actions, zero street services that we received. Our streets are not swept. Our buildings are tagged … on a daily basis. Our cars are broken into regularly.”

Borman said property owners call the city’s 311 system to no avail. “As a property business owner, I have tenants … who tell me that they do not feel safe going to their cars after work,” he said.

For DaCosta, the BID could make all the difference in retaining employees.

“As an employer, if you employ people and they are driving early in the morning or they are working late … and if the area is not safe and secure, it’s difficult to recruit people, and it’s difficult to keep people,” DaCosta said. “Why would anyone want to come and work in an area that’s not safe?”

Property owners in Boyle Heights’ industrial corridor, near the Sixth Street Bridge, are proposing a plan to fund private security, street cleaning and landscaping, a move that could significantly change how the area is maintained.

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Andrew Lopez

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Boyle Heights Beat

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What happens next?

The proposal’s next stop is the city’s Economic Development and Jobs Committee on Tuesday. 

Property owners in Boyle Heights’ industrial corridor, near the Sixth Street Bridge, are proposing a plan to fund private security, street cleaning and landscaping, a move that could significantly change how the area is maintained.

If approved, it would advance to the full City Council for consideration before ballots are sent to property owners within the district. After about 45 days, the city will tally those votes, and the City Council will decide whether to formally establish the district. 

Although Juneteenth has been established as a federal holiday for only five years now, L.A. has been putting on events and embracing the festivities long before. Between celebrations involving a friendly soccer tournament or even a paint and sip, communities continue to come together to acknowledge the historical prominence of June 19.

As we lay out an array of celebrations happening in Orange County and L.A. this weekend, consider how you’ll participate in this vibrant holiday.

Juneteenth (Friday)

Black Folk Juneteenth Freedom Ride

Start the festivities early by joining cyclists for a morning ride that ends in Leimert Park for their Juneteenth Celebration Festival. Participants should be over 18 years of age, although it’s encouraged to bring family, friends and even your own bike group (if you have one), according to their website.

This third annual bike ride is meant to welcome cyclists of all experience levels, with three different planned routes for beginners, intermediate riders and experts.

The City of Buena Park Juneteenth

If you find yourself in the Buena Park area, stop by at the city’s outdoor celebration that features food trucks, a guest speaker, community booths — and even a twilight swim. This community event is family friendly, with activities planned for the kids as well.

Kendrick Lamar Juneteenth Paint & Sip

If you’re looking for more of a laid back vibe and are a fan of Kendrick Lamar’s music, join The Compton Art & History Museum’s paint and sip. Attendees have to be over 21, but parking is free.

Ticket funds will go towards the creation of a new community museum, so if you’re itching to get creative on a Friday night, consider attending this unique Juneteenth event.

Afrobeats Takeover Juneteenth

People who are looking to let loose after a long week can find their way to the Melrose House for an Afrobeats celebration. Soccer fans attending are also encouraged to bring their flags, as the event is described as a “Rep your flag edition” on their website.

“In honor of Juneteenth and the FIFA World Cup season, we're bringing together music lovers from every corner of the world for a night of non-stop vibes, cultural pride and unforgettable energy,” the eventbrite post states.

There’s many more events that L.A. and Orange County residents can participate in on June 19, so be sure to scour your Instagram for flyers and keep note of your local organizations’ plans as you head into the weekend.

Continuing the Celebrations (Saturday and Sunday)

The celebrations don’t just stop there, though. People who want to continue the fun — or even those just getting started — still have plenty of options throughout the weekend.

Santa Ana Juneteenth Festival

Live music, food and family activities — these are all things you can look forward to at the city of Santa Ana’s Juneteenth celebration. The event is brought to attendees by the Orange County Heritage Council and is aimed at honoring “freedom, culture and community,” according to the event’s flyer.

34th Annual Santa Monica Juneteenth Celebration

This event is hosted by Tolliver, a funk singer, journalist and a part of the 2025 Cultural Trailblazer cohort. Visitors can expect to enjoy performances from several artists, including Eleganthippy & Butterfly, ADAAWE with support from Broadstage, the Gumbo Brothers and Kobie Dozier Quintet. Don’t forget to also try John Que’s Smokeout for a bite to eat.

Juneteenth Celebration and 5th Annual Roller Jam

Roll into the Juneteenth festivities at Pasadena’s annual Roller Jam, where attendees can appreciate a live DJ, arts and crafts and food for purchase as well.

The city of Pasadena Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is hosting the event, with hopes that people can use this day to reflect and celebrate African American culture and history, while “encouraging continuous self-development and honoring a bright future.”

Friendly: A Diaspora Soccer Experience

This “one-day cultural soccer experience” brings forth opportunities to eat, play soccer and mingle with others.

“Between matches, world-class DJs from each region command the stage, while a surrounding Culture Village immerses guests in iconic cuisine and art installations from these different communities,” according to their event website.

Black Rocks Juneteenth

At this Juneteenth event, visitors can immerse themselves in the festivities by receiving henna, tooth gems, flash tattoos and even massages by a curated array of vendors. Local small Black businesses will also be in attendance, as well as an opportunity for beginner-friendly climbing. An RSVP is recommended by clicking the link in their Instagram bio.

Manhattan Beach Juneteenth Celebration and Concert

Bring a blanket and enjoy a nice picnic on the grass while you listen to live performances at the park’s amphitheater. A variety of food vendors will be available, including Creamy Boys and Nay’s Tacos. Don’t forget to bring something to sit on if you plan on staying awhile.

No matter how you plan to celebrate Juneteenth this year, it’s important to remember the complex history of this celebration. For previous coverage on Juneteenth’s history, visit Aaricka Washington’s story on its importance in L.A.

This story first appeared on The LA Local.

With kids out of school, families across the Eastside will be looking for ways to spend longer days and warmer nights.

Whether it’s dancing with family under the stars at an outdoor music event, hitting up a nearby night market instead of cooking or watching the World Cup at a community block party, here are some fun and affordable ways to enjoy the summer.

1. Enjoy a dip at a splash pad or pool

Genesis Espinoza, 7, speaks to her father while in the Roosevelt High School pool.

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Andrew Lopez

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Boyle Heights Beat

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Stay cool this summer by visiting a splash pad, water park or public pool near you. Local spots include the splash pad at City Terrace Park and Atlantic Avenue Park, the water park and pool at East L.A.’s Belvedere Aquatic Center, the Pecan pool in Boyle Heights, El Sereno’s indoor Richard Alatorre pool and the recently revamped Lincoln Park pool. Sign up for swim lessons or take advantage of daily open swim hours. 

Hot tip: Most pools accept only cash, so make sure you carry a few bucks for entrance. If swimming is your thing, check out the youth summer swim pass and adult lap pass at city pools. More information here.

2. Eat your way through a neighborhood night market

The El Sereno Night Market offers a variety of food from local vendors.

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Courtesy of Vanessa Gutierrez

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Take a break from cooking and support local vendors at night markets on the Eastside.

The El Mercadito Night Market is open Fridays and Saturdays from 6 p.m. to midnight. The market features more than 25 vendors, plus a Michelada and Paloma bar for the adults who partake.

The El Sereno Night Market is open Wednesdays from 5 to 9 p.m. Enjoy a food fest with vegan Japanese hibachi burritos, tacos, birria, micheladas and special events like lucha libre showdowns.

Hot tip: Be strategic; you don’t want to skip out on dessert.

3. Watch a World Cup game at a block party or park

Perla Lopez, center, celebrates Mexico’s 2-0 win over South Africa during a World Cup watch party at Six Heights Bar in Boyle Heights on June 11.

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Gary Coronado

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The LA Local

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Even if your kids aren’t soccer fans, it’s hard to escape World Cup fever on the Eastside this summer. Our picks: the free Boyle Heights World Cup Block Party on June 18, featuring music, vendors and a big-screen viewing of the Mexico-South Korea match, or the “Kick It in the Park” watch parties at El Sereno Recreation Center, which will screen 21 matches and offer family-friendly activities. Check out our full Eastside watch party guide here.

Hot tip: Have your kids wear their favorite team’s gear — or let them borrow yours — to get into the World Cup spirit. If you’re planning to get their hair braided by Ponte Your Moños at the Boyle Heights block party, arrive early; the lines can get long.

4. Take a ride down the 6th Street Bridge

Jones Cheng, 5, and his brother Reggie, 4, sit on a barrier on the 6th Street Bridge during CicLAvia on Oct. 15, 2023.

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Andrew Lopez

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Boyle Heights Beat

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Bridges can be cool for kids, especially if they are as grand as the 6th Street Bridge. Take them for a walk, jog or bike ride down the three-quarter-mile span connecting Boyle Heights and downtown Los Angeles. The bridge includes wide pedestrian and bicycle pathways separated from car traffic, so it’s safe for kids with adult supervision.

Hot tip: You’ll want to plan a stop or two to take some photos.

5. Pick out fresh produce — and samples — at a farmers market

H&A Farms offers fresh produce at the City Terrace Farmers Market.

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Carol Martinez

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Boyle Heights Beat

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Support your local farmers market this summer by stocking up on fresh produce, homemade bread, honey and other goodies Wednesdays at the Lincoln Heights Farmers Market, Thursdays at The 323 Farmers Market in City Terrace and Saturdays at the East L.A. Civic Center.

Hot tip: Take the kiddos around to try samples and pick their favorite fruits and veggies before enjoying the snacks and hot foods.

6. Sing along at a musical at CASA 0101 Theater

(Left to right) Robert Felix (Papa Ogre), Joaquin Moreno (Baby Ogre) and Katherine Moreno (Mama Ogre) in CASA 0101 Theater’s Shrek Jr.

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Itzel Ocampo

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If your kids love musicals, they’ll enjoy watching other kids take the stage as Join Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat and a cast of colorful characters in Seussical JR. The musical is filled with “catchy songs, heartwarming moments, and Seussian fun,” according to the theater. Shows run from July 17 to July 26. Check for more info and tickets here.

Hot tip: Make it a night and grab tacos before the show at nearby spots like 1st Street Taquería, Guisados or the food trucks at 1st and Breed streets.

7. Catch Eastside musicians under the stars at Grand Performances

From left to right: Jose Cano, Denise Carlos and Hector Flores pose outside the Paramount Theater ahead of their sold-out show.

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Andrew Lopez

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Boyle Heights Beat

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While not on the Eastside, Grand Performances is the long-running free summer concert series at California Plaza in downtown L.A. This season includes a special Ritchie Valens 85th birthday tribute featuring Eastside artists Bryan Ponce of The Altons, Denise Carlos and Hector Flores of Las Cafeteras, and Irene Diaz.

The “Ritchie Forever” program on Aug. 22 blends live music, storytelling and archival visuals to honor the Mexican American rock pioneer.

Hot tip: Bring a picnic from home or grab food from Grand Central Market, then get there early to score a spot on the grass or in the amphitheater. We recommend hopping on the Metro E Line from Mariachi Plaza to the Grand Ave Arts/Bunker Hill station and either walking up the hill or taking Angels Flight up to California Plaza. More info here.