With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Dangerous Heat Has Hit SoCal. Here’s Where To Find Cooling Centers
The sun sets over Los Angeles last September as a heat advisory warned temperatures would climb into triple-digits.
(
Frederic J. Brown
/
AFP via Getty Images
)
Forecasters are warning of dangerously high heat Monday and Tuesday in parts of Southern California that could come close to record levels.
An excessive heat warning is in place for large swaths of San Bernardino and Riverside counties. In Los Angeles County, the heat wave is expected to be the most severe in the San Gabriel Valley and San Fernando Valley. Eastern parts of Ventura County, as well as inland Santa Barbara County, are also under an excessive heat warning.
Some areas are forecast to hit highs of 98 to 109 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.
“Extreme heat sends more people to the hospital and causes more deaths than any other climate hazard in Los Angeles,” Mayor Karen Bass’ office said in a statement Saturday announcing cooling center sites.
Sponsored message
Looking for a place to cool down? Scroll below for a list of official cooling centers across Southern California.
How to stay safe in a heat wave
Local officials encourage people to take the following steps to stay safe during high heat:
Stay cool
- Avoid being out in direct heat for long periods.
- Try to stay in air-conditioned spaces like the local library, shopping mall, or community center.
- If you have an A/C at home, set it between 75-80 degrees.
- Keep blinds closed.
- Wear loose, light-colored, lightweight clothing.
Stay hydrated: Sip water all day and consider supplementing with sports drinks. Avoid caffeine and alcohol.
Look after each other: Check in on friends and family and have them do the same for you. Never leave pets or children unattended in a vehicle.
Sponsored message
Where to find cooling centers
City of L.A.:
Click here for a list of cooling centers the City of Los Angeles is opening from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday.
Residents also can get out of the heat at all city Recreation and Parks facilities and libraries during normal business hours. For location and hours, visit the parks and rec site and the library site.
The city says it’s also opened up cooling stations in Skid Row that offer cold beverages, seating and activities:
- Towne St. (between 5th St. & 6th St.) across the street from the ReFresh Spot.
- San Pedro St. mid-block between 6th St. & 7th St.
L.A. County:
Click here for the county’s cooling center webpage that has both an interactive map and lists of cooling centers.
Sponsored message
Click here for the list of cooling centers in L.A. County.
Click here for the county’s list of “augmented” cooling centers that are operating extended hours during the heat wave.
Orange County:
Click here for the county’s list of cooling centers.
Cooling centers run by the county government are listed as “OCCR” in the list. The other sites have not had their hours and availability verified by the county since July 25, so county officials encourage residents to contact those locations for the most current info.
Riverside County:
Click here for the county’s interactive map of cooling centers.
Sponsored message
Click here for the cooling center directory in English.
Click here for the cooling center directory in Spanish.
San Bernardino County:
Click here for the county’s list of cooling centers.
Ventura County:
Click here for the county’s list of cooling centers.
What’s your experience been with cooling centers?
Have you ever been to a cooling center during a heat wave? What worked well? What didn’t? We want to hear from you. You can contact our reporter Nick Gerda by email here.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
