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How To LA
How To LA helped curious Angelenos connect with others, discover the new, navigate the confusing, and even drive some change along the way. Host Brian De Los Santos brought you stories about L.A., for L.A., by L.A. — with your help — from August 2022 to July 2025.
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Episodes
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Listen 50:06This week on This Old House Radio Hour—what does it mean to rebuild not just homes, but entire communities?
Sunset Magazine editor-in-chief Hugh Garvey joins us to discuss the magazine’s special issue devoted to the rebuilding of Altadena and Pacific Palisades in the wake of January’s devastating wildfires. Sunset, a voice in California architecture for over 125 years, has assembled an extraordinary coalition of architects, planners, artists, and historians. Together, they offer not just a plan, but a call to action—for fire-resilient homes, culturally grounded design, and a West that can weather what’s coming.
Then we travel from the hills of Los Angeles to the streets of Tulsa, where Danny Boy O’Connor—from House of Pain—takes us inside his remarkable second act. After bottoming out, he bought a run-down house for $15,000... and it just happened to be the house from The Outsiders. What followed was a full restoration, a pilgrimage, and a new life. We take a tour of the Outsiders Museum and meet the community that made it possible.
Later, Cheap Old Houses is back—Ethan and Elizabeth Finkelstein spotlight a dreamy 1870s Victorian in Fredonia, Kentucky and an off-the-grid cabin on federal forest land in Snoqualmie Pass, Washington, both for under $100,000.
Plus, another round of House Rules, our listener-powered game that tests your home renovation know-how. And in The Simple Fix, we show you how to find a stud in your baseboard—without breaking the wall.
And as always, we’re taking your calls. Got a house problem, project hurdle, or just need a little advice? Call us at (877) 864-7460.
All that and more, coming up on This Old House Radio Hour.
This Old House Radio Hour: Designing for Disaster: How Los Angeles Builds Back Smarter + Saving The Outsider’s House + Four DIY Fixes: Chimneys, Circuits, Ceilings, and SteamThis week on This Old House Radio Hour—what does it mean to rebuild not just homes, but entire communities?
Sunset Magazine editor-in-chief Hugh Garvey joins us to discuss the magazine’s special issue devoted to the rebuilding of Altadena and Pacific Palisades in the wake of January’s devastating wildfires. Sunset, a voice in California architecture for over 125 years, has assembled an extraordinary coalition of architects, planners, artists, and historians. Together, they offer not just a plan, but a call to action—for fire-resilient homes, culturally grounded design, and a West that can weather what’s coming.
Then we travel from the hills of Los Angeles to the streets of Tulsa, where Danny Boy O’Connor—from House of Pain—takes us inside his remarkable second act. After bottoming out, he bought a run-down house for $15,000... and it just happened to be the house from The Outsiders. What followed was a full restoration, a pilgrimage, and a new life. We take a tour of the Outsiders Museum and meet the community that made it possible.
Later, Cheap Old Houses is back—Ethan and Elizabeth Finkelstein spotlight a dreamy 1870s Victorian in Fredonia, Kentucky and an off-the-grid cabin on federal forest land in Snoqualmie Pass, Washington, both for under $100,000.
Plus, another round of House Rules, our listener-powered game that tests your home renovation know-how. And in The Simple Fix, we show you how to find a stud in your baseboard—without breaking the wall.
And as always, we’re taking your calls. Got a house problem, project hurdle, or just need a little advice? Call us at (877) 864-7460.
All that and more, coming up on This Old House Radio Hour.
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Listen 24:30Hey there! After 317 new episodes, the How to LA team is turning the page. We won't be producing weekly episodes anymore, but you'll hear our reporting on LAist 89.3 FM, on our website and on social media. Before we exited the party, we wanted to hang out with our homies, comadres and contributors one last time.
Thank you for lettings us in your homes, speakers and communities. Follow along at LAist.com/newsletters and Instagram.
Guests:
Gab Chabrán, LAist food editor
Cato Hernández, LAist reporter
Joshua Letona, LAist social media producer
Erin Stone, LAist reporter
Antonia Cereijido, LAist Studios host
Monica Bushman, LAist Studios producer
Victoria Alejandro, LAist Studios producer
Hasta luego, friends ❤️Hey there! After 317 new episodes, the How to LA team is turning the page. We won't be producing weekly episodes anymore, but you'll hear our reporting on LAist 89.3 FM, on our website and on social media. Before we exited the party, we wanted to hang out with our homies, comadres and contributors one last time.
Thank you for lettings us in your homes, speakers and communities. Follow along at LAist.com/newsletters and Instagram.
Guests:
Gab Chabrán, LAist food editor
Cato Hernández, LAist reporter
Joshua Letona, LAist social media producer
Erin Stone, LAist reporter
Antonia Cereijido, LAist Studios host
Monica Bushman, LAist Studios producer
Victoria Alejandro, LAist Studios producer
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Listen 11:01#36: Daylight Savings is almost upon us, which means the sun is gonna start setting while most of us (including our team) are still working. I know, cue the seasonal depression music... But before that, let's catch some nice sunsets together, yeah? Today we're bringing back an oldie but a goodie - our episode about where to find LA's best sunsets.
Sunsets are one of those few things that most Angelenos -- most people in general -- can agree on. When the sun goes down, and the sky changes colors, blue to orange and pink… It always makes you stop and enjoy, even if it’s just for a moment. There's a lot of beautiful spots in LA to catch it, too. We asked our listeners for some of their favorite sunset moments and they gave us these stories. It's been a wild couple of weeks so consider this your moment of zen. Enjoy!
This episode was originally produced by Kyle Chang.
Daylight Savings Got You Down? Catch LA's Best Sunsets - REDUX#36: Daylight Savings is almost upon us, which means the sun is gonna start setting while most of us (including our team) are still working. I know, cue the seasonal depression music... But before that, let's catch some nice sunsets together, yeah? Today we're bringing back an oldie but a goodie - our episode about where to find LA's best sunsets.
Sunsets are one of those few things that most Angelenos -- most people in general -- can agree on. When the sun goes down, and the sky changes colors, blue to orange and pink… It always makes you stop and enjoy, even if it’s just for a moment. There's a lot of beautiful spots in LA to catch it, too. We asked our listeners for some of their favorite sunset moments and they gave us these stories. It's been a wild couple of weeks so consider this your moment of zen. Enjoy!
This episode was originally produced by Kyle Chang.
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Listen 11:46#28: One of the first things to know about Día de los Muertos is that is NOT the Mexican Halloween. Brian sits down with Ofelia Esparza to talk about the true significance of the tradition for some Angelenos. Esparza is kinda like LA's matriarch for Day of the Dead and is the go-to artist to build an ofrenda in this town – the alter built to remember loved ones who had died.
Guests: Ofelia Esparza, visual folk artist and teacher; Rossana Esparza Ahrens, artist and teacher
This episode originally aired on November 1, 2022.
The Matriarch of Día de los Muertos in LA: REDUX#28: One of the first things to know about Día de los Muertos is that is NOT the Mexican Halloween. Brian sits down with Ofelia Esparza to talk about the true significance of the tradition for some Angelenos. Esparza is kinda like LA's matriarch for Day of the Dead and is the go-to artist to build an ofrenda in this town – the alter built to remember loved ones who had died.
Guests: Ofelia Esparza, visual folk artist and teacher; Rossana Esparza Ahrens, artist and teacher
This episode originally aired on November 1, 2022.
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From The Queen Mary to The Pasadena Playhouse, LA County Has Some Ghostly History#174: We collected more ghost stories from Angelenos to share with you this Halloween! Join host Brian De Los Santos as we hear about hundred-year-old haunts LAist listeners submitted from all over Los Angeles County, from Long Beach to K-Town to Pasadena.
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Listen 18:19#173: Marigolds – or cempasúchi as the Aztecs named them – have long been the flower of choice for Dia De Los Muertos celebrations. This time of year, you've probably seen these bright, orange flowers all around your local flower shops, farmers markets and grocery stores. But traditionally, they're used in the making of ofrendas, the alters set up to honor those who have died for the day of the day.
To learn more about the meaning behind these beautiful, symbolic flower, HTLA heads over to Boyle Heights to speak to the owner of LatinX With Plants.
Guest: Andi Xoch, artist and founder of LatinX With Plants
For The Love Of Cempasúchil ... On Dia De Los Muertos#173: Marigolds – or cempasúchi as the Aztecs named them – have long been the flower of choice for Dia De Los Muertos celebrations. This time of year, you've probably seen these bright, orange flowers all around your local flower shops, farmers markets and grocery stores. But traditionally, they're used in the making of ofrendas, the alters set up to honor those who have died for the day of the day.
To learn more about the meaning behind these beautiful, symbolic flower, HTLA heads over to Boyle Heights to speak to the owner of LatinX With Plants.
Guest: Andi Xoch, artist and founder of LatinX With Plants
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Listen 20:25#172: Día de los Muertos is right around the corner, and the traditional Mexican holiday has a LOT of representation in L.A. People gather with their families to celebrate the lives of loved ones who have passed away, and make altares y ofrendas with flowers, food, and other worldly comforts.
Today, LAist food editor Gab Chabrán is taking host Brian De Los Santos on a cultural exploration of the holiday: its special treats, flavors, and of course, history.
Check out Gab’s piece over on LAist.com for more!
Music in this episode composed by: Ben Prunty, Dexter Thomas, Haruomi Hosono, Moon Mullins, Pedro Infante, Quetzal, Yeahman
Día De Los Muertos In LA: Celebrating The Dead And Tradition#172: Día de los Muertos is right around the corner, and the traditional Mexican holiday has a LOT of representation in L.A. People gather with their families to celebrate the lives of loved ones who have passed away, and make altares y ofrendas with flowers, food, and other worldly comforts.
Today, LAist food editor Gab Chabrán is taking host Brian De Los Santos on a cultural exploration of the holiday: its special treats, flavors, and of course, history.
Check out Gab’s piece over on LAist.com for more!
Music in this episode composed by: Ben Prunty, Dexter Thomas, Haruomi Hosono, Moon Mullins, Pedro Infante, Quetzal, Yeahman
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Listen 24:08#171: Back in August, we met up with film location scout and manager Rick Schuler in downtown L.A. for a guided tour of filming locations that were either meant to stand in for other places (like New York City or Italy) or to look like Los Angeles of the past or future. Today, we’re heading out with Rick again, east of downtown, in South Pasadena and Pasadena to talk about what their neighborhoods have to offer to film location scouts. The long story short: a wide variety of single-family homes that can stand in for the midwest, or the East Coast, or a nonspecific small town. The locations we visited were used in films like 'Halloween,' 'Back to the Future,' 'Mr. and Mrs. Smith,' and 'National Treasure.'
(Our thanks to Rick Schuler for heading out with us again, even while wearing a walking boot because of an injury. Get well soon, Rick!)
From 'Halloween' To 'Back To The Future': Why Filmmakers Love Pasadena and South Pas#171: Back in August, we met up with film location scout and manager Rick Schuler in downtown L.A. for a guided tour of filming locations that were either meant to stand in for other places (like New York City or Italy) or to look like Los Angeles of the past or future. Today, we’re heading out with Rick again, east of downtown, in South Pasadena and Pasadena to talk about what their neighborhoods have to offer to film location scouts. The long story short: a wide variety of single-family homes that can stand in for the midwest, or the East Coast, or a nonspecific small town. The locations we visited were used in films like 'Halloween,' 'Back to the Future,' 'Mr. and Mrs. Smith,' and 'National Treasure.'
(Our thanks to Rick Schuler for heading out with us again, even while wearing a walking boot because of an injury. Get well soon, Rick!)
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Listen 26:46#170: Today, we’re talking about mental health — the stigma that exists around it and the barriers to accessing care for everyone, but specifically in this episode, for people who are undocumented.
Guests: filmmaker Armando Ibañez, creator of the "Undocumented Tales" web series; Aimee Hilado, assistant professor at the University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice.
*This story includes references to suicide and self-harm: If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs immediate help, call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or visit the 988 website for online chat.
Additional mental health resources:
A Love Letter To The Undocumented Community, With A Message About Mental Health#170: Today, we’re talking about mental health — the stigma that exists around it and the barriers to accessing care for everyone, but specifically in this episode, for people who are undocumented.
Guests: filmmaker Armando Ibañez, creator of the "Undocumented Tales" web series; Aimee Hilado, assistant professor at the University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice.
*This story includes references to suicide and self-harm: If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs immediate help, call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or visit the 988 website for online chat.
Additional mental health resources:
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Listen 22:10In honor of The Biltmore Hotel's 100th birthday this month, we are bringing back an episode that delves into its history. This story's got movie stars, dignitaries and a whole lot of ghosts...just in time for Halloween.
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#143: Today we’re exploring one of L.A.’s most historic landmarks: the Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.
It celebrates its 100th birthday in October, and since How to LA just turned one (!) we thought it'd be fitting to feature some of the most iconic spots in Los Angeles that are hitting the century mark (Others to come: the LA Memorial Coliseum and the Hollywood sign).
The Biltmore opened to the public in 1923 and it has such an interesting history, including becoming the place to be in prohibition-era Los Angeles, its role in the origins of the Academy Awards and its significance to the notorious Black Dahlia murder case. And that’s just the beginning.
Guest: Journalist Hadley Meares, who's written about The Biltmore's history for LAist
REDUX: The Biltmore Hotel is 100 Years Old — And It Has Some Ghost Stories To TellIn honor of The Biltmore Hotel's 100th birthday this month, we are bringing back an episode that delves into its history. This story's got movie stars, dignitaries and a whole lot of ghosts...just in time for Halloween.
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#143: Today we’re exploring one of L.A.’s most historic landmarks: the Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.
It celebrates its 100th birthday in October, and since How to LA just turned one (!) we thought it'd be fitting to feature some of the most iconic spots in Los Angeles that are hitting the century mark (Others to come: the LA Memorial Coliseum and the Hollywood sign).
The Biltmore opened to the public in 1923 and it has such an interesting history, including becoming the place to be in prohibition-era Los Angeles, its role in the origins of the Academy Awards and its significance to the notorious Black Dahlia murder case. And that’s just the beginning.
Guest: Journalist Hadley Meares, who's written about The Biltmore's history for LAist
Support & Credits
Brian De Los Santos, Host
Victoria Alejandro, Producer
Megan Botel, Producer
Monica Bushman, Producer
Evan Jacoby, Producer
Aaricka Washington, Associate Editor
Megan Larson, Executive Producer