Explore LA

It’s officially fall, so we asked a local author for SoCal-based book recs

Rufi Thorpe’s "Margo’s Got Money Troubles" is set in Fullerton. We asked the author about her local inspirations and essential SoCal reads.

A hand reaches for a book on a bookshelf.

Uncovering women's roles in LA historical landmarks, one building at a time

Of the more than 1,300 Historic-Cultural Monuments designated since 1962, less than 2% recognize women's contributions. The new L.A. Women's Landmarks Project aims to amend that.

Wide shot of the Hollywood Premiere Motel showing a two-story building with mint green railings, a turquoise rectangular swimming pool in the foreground, and the iconic tall white and pink "MOTEL" blade sign with starburst design against a clear blue sky.

Dust off your spikes: A 'Mad Max' inspired festival is happening in the Mojave Desert

Wasteland Weekend is all about souped-up rust buckets, spikey costumes and an ‘ideal apocalypse.’

A man with long hair rides a tandem motorcycle through the desert. Souped-up cars flank him on either side.

All aboard for the Union Station Train Festival this weekend

The biannual event promises exciting trains big, small, and virtual for all locomotive fans.

13 men stand in front of the Black Santa Fe 3751 engine car and pose for a picture at the head of the engine. They are all waving "Hello" to the camera. The engine is on a rail track with another train visible right next to the Black Santa Fe 3751. The other train has a yellow car in front just out of frame and the car behind it is metallic and silver, with most of it obscured by the Black Santa Fe 3751.

I was at an audition to cast a virtual K-pop idol — and was kinda blown away

At the El Rey Theatre in L.A. on a recent day, I saw how the next generation of K-pop stars is made.

A marquee of a vintage theater named El Rey. On the marquee, it says "global virtual artist audition. Galaxy Corp in LA"

As Monrovia’s iconic Aztec Hotel turns 100. Why this ‘bad luck’ inn is so unusual

The building opened in 1925 with a lot of fanfare, but it’s faced a lot of ups and downs since.

A close up of the hotel entrance, which is surrounded by sand-colored geometric patterns on a blue background. The buliding itself is a mint green tone. The words Aztec Hotel are on the front.

When it comes to figs, it’s woman vs. squirrel

LAist senior editor Suzanne Levy recounts her life with a backyard fig tree and a squirrel with a sweet tooth.

A squirrel perched on a branch surrounded by green fig leaves, holding a half eaten fig in its paws

The Broad turns 10 — here's how the downtown LA art museum is celebrating

Check out music, pop-up tours and free admission to the Bunker Hill museum's latest exhibit.

The exterior building of The Broad with a tree on each side.

Why LA might be the best city for cumbia lovers

From avant-garde digital cumbia performances to quinceañera-style cumbia dance nights, there is something for everyone.

Listen 3:37

Concert goers dance and smile with their hands in the air, some holding drinks or phones. A bright green light shines out on the crowd and in the background are cement block walls.

This artist’s hand-drawn calendars capture a disappearing Los Angeles

In 1985, Nib Geebles needed a last-minute Christmas gift. Now he’s been making calendars for 40 years.

An arrangement of several small square illustrated calendars on a table, some of them open to various months.

How Hollywood left Black TV behind

At a moment where a number of Black TV shows have been canceled, documentary filmmaker Giselle Bailey reflects on the history that got us here and what might be next.

Listen 3:59

A Black man in a double-breasted suit has his arm around the shoulder of a Black woman in a sweater set. They're standing at a kitchen counter.

Help California clean up its coast this Saturday

Join thousands of volunteers collecting trash from California beaches and inland waterways.

People hold bags. They put trash in the bags.

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