Explore LA

An anti-smoking billboard is an LA New Year’s mainstay. What do its sponsors think?

The American Cancer Society says when it comes to raising awareness about lung cancer screening, the more the merrier.

A billboard that reads "Smoking deaths this year: 332,385 and counting." The number is shown on an electronic counter.

The story ends for a nearly century-old community paper in the Pacific Palisades

The Palisadian-Post documented everyday life of a beloved coastal paradise for 97 years.

Listen 3:12

A man in a tan hat, a dark green shirt, gray pants and brown shoes leans against a brick wall with a sign that says "Pacific Palisades Post Printing & Publishing". The man smiles at the camera. A glass door behind him has the address "839" on it.

Photographer finds his way home to Altadena, one image at a time

Kevin Cooley and his family lost their house in the Eaton Fire. The artist's post-fire photographs have again and again guided him home.

Listen 2:12

Photo of a trailer parked on a dirt or gravel lot, with a cityscape faintly visible in the distance under a deep blue sky transitioning to purple and orange near the horizon. Palm trees rise tall in the background. A man with a beard is inside the trailer.

How trailblazer Rebecca Gonzales broke through mariachi machismo in the 70's

Rebecca Gonzales’ oral history sheds light on the rewards and the pain of her breakthrough.

Listen 4:48

A young woman with black hair and medium toned skin is wearing a large red Mexican sombrero, and a red and white scarf, and is holding a violin

Does your pooch herd at the dog park? Let them try the real thing

Jerry Stewart has been training Southern California dogs to herd sheep for nearly four decades.

Listen 0:48

A man holds a shepherd's staff in one hand and a leash attached to a yellow dog in the other. He's in a pen with a small flock of sheep in the background.

Rising from the ashes, a symbol of hope at the Rose Parade

Survivors of the Eaton and Palisades Fires find healing and community working on a Rose Parade float to honor the lives and communities lost in last year's wildfires.

The Rose Parade becomes a backdrop to protest banner demanding wildfire investigation

The banner, seen on live TV, calls for a probe into the Eaton wildfire.

A rainy parade scene: Band members dressed in black and red are led by a troupe of dancers in glittery red.

Could a sewage spill and more rain cancel a beloved New Year’s Day tradition at Cabrillo Beach?

Organizers for the annual Polar Bears Plunge event say they still plan to celebrate — even if that means no swimming.

A woman wearing a gray zip-up jacket, jeans and sunglasses picks up trash along the beach shore. A red sign displays a person swimming with a line going across it to display that swimming is not allowed.

What you need to know to make the most out of the 2026 Rose Parade — despite stormy weather

Thousands of people will flock to Pasadena, with millions more tuning in on TV.

Find tranquility, beauty — and books — at these SoCal public libraries

We've handpicked these libraries to visit — for you to find peace and beauty.

a modern architectural scene featuring a large glass building and an eye-catching outdoor art installation.

We had so much fun exploring LA in 2025. Here are our favorite stories

LAist's Explore L.A. team choose our favorite stories from 2025.

A drawing with the words "LA is love" painted on the side of a display on the street.

Why is a key agreement between LA and Olympics organizers almost three months late?

The city is currently negotiating with LA28 over public resources like policing and traffic control that will be needed to put on the Games.

A white with five colored rings is lifted in the air above a crowd of people.

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