How To LA
by LAist Studios
How to L.A. aims to drop a little knowledge about ALL the things that affect the people of Los Angeles, whether that’s something that makes our city great (tacos!) or something that we need to work on, like the alarming number of traffic collisions. We serve the curious Angeleno who wants to better connect with our city, discover the new, navigate the confusing and even drive some change along the way. Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live. This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.
Episodes
-
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 Steam
This 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...
-
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…
more -
Exploring LA's 'unique and unexpected' museums w/ Todd Lerew
#317: LAX tends to be a place that Angelenos avoid if they can help it, but today we're taking you there to check out a very cool, but not very well-known museum. It's one of 64 museums that are featured in a new book titled, “Also On View: Unique and Unexpected Museums of Greater Los Angeles.”...
-
Imperfect Paradise: LA City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson on the tape scandal fallout, homelessness, and the presidential election
Marqueece Harris-Dawson is now one of the most powerful leaders in the city, as the new Los Angeles City Council President. He stepped into the position in September, two years after the council tape scandal shocked the city and the nation. Harris-Dawson speaks with Imperfect Paradise host…
more -
We love SoCal culture, here's why musicians do too ft. Girl Ultra
#314: L.A.'s musical vibes are a mix of cultures -- stop on any street corner and you'll hear 80s radio hits, rock en Español, contemporary pop, or reggaeton blast from all sorts of cars over the roar of traffic. Join us for this episode, where we explore the history of remixing Spanish sounds…
more -
From Vampira to Judy Garland, Hollywood Forever Cemetery tour honors the greats
#315: It’s Halloween! So we’re bringing you a slightly spooky episode today. Actually, whether you think it’s spooky really depends on how you feel about cemeteries —and Hollywood Forever Cemetery isn’t just any cemetery. Today, the Hollywood Forever is probably best known as the site of…
more -
REDUX: For the love of cempasúchil — during Day of the Dead
Bringing one back from last year! Keep up with the How to LA team via our Saturday night newsletter. Sign up here. #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...
-
Imperfect Paradise: OC Supervisor Andrew Do to plead guilty to corruption charge following LAist investigation
Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do has resigned and agreed to plead guilty for a conspiracy to steal millions of dollars in COVID relief funds meant to feed needy seniors. Do’s criminal charges and plea agreement follow an LAist investigation and federal probe. The U.S. Attorney called Do’s...
-
How LA shaped this transmasculine performer's new comedy show
#314: Actor and comedian Marval Rex’s first solo show, “REXODUS: Out Of The Closet Into The Tribe,” draws on his experiences with religion, identity, gender — and this city. We had him on the show to really get into the state of transmasculine community in L.A. and how he's navigated 10 years of...
-
Cheap Fast Eats #15: West Hollywood
#313: We are back today with LAist’s Gab Chabrán for another episode of Cheap Fast Eats. This time, we’re taking you to West Hollywood. First up was Super Rad Sub Shop to sample some super tasty sandwiches that combine East Coast tradition with West Coast flavors. Later on, we got a taste of the...
-
Imperfect Paradise: District Attorney Gascón, Part 4
Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón is locked in a tough reelection battle this November against Nathan Hochman. In candid, in-depth interviews with LAist Correspondent Frank Stoltze, Hochman and Gascón make the case for their differing approaches to running the country’s largest...
-
Hot dogs bring out LA's multicultural flavors. Here's how...
#312: We know summer is over, but hot dogs are an L.A. staple year round! We all know those bacon wrapped street dogs after a concert... In this episode, HTLA host Brian De Los Santos is joined by LAist food editor Gab Chabrán as we dig into the history of hot dogs in L.A, and the unexpected...
-
Imperfect Paradise: District Attorney Gascón, Part 3
George Gascón faces backlash from inside his own D.A.’s office and from the public. He’s become a national scapegoat for right-wing media. LAist Correspondent Frank Stoltze explores how Gascón’s policies have played out for people imprisoned, like Jose Santana, and families of victims. And Frank...
-
REDUX: Food spots near LAX w/ LA Try Guy
We're working on fresh episodes, so we're bringing you an oldie, but goodie from earlier this year! Dig in and enjoy!: You know this podcast LOVES our food episodes, so we're teaming up with someone who loves LA's food scene as much as we do: Alex Cottrell, better known as LA Try Guy. In this new...
-
Imperfect Paradise: District Attorney Gascón, Part 2
George Gascón is unlike many prosecutors. His background and sweeping criminal justice policy reforms as Los Angeles District Attorney have made him a polarizing national figure. LAist Correspondent Frank Stoltze speaks with Gascón about his journey from hard-nosed LAPD cop to one of the most...
-
Angel City fans, Sparks players, and renewed interest in women's sports
#311: The 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games have wrapped, and right now in the sports world (or at least here in the U.S.) a lot of the focus is shifting to the start of football season. But today on How To LA, we’re focusing on the increased attention that women’s sports have seen in recent…
more -
Imperfect Paradise: District Attorney Gascón, Part 1
Voters elected Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón in 2020 on his promises to undo decades of mass incarceration, tackle what many viewed as excessive prison sentences, and to generally create a fairer system. LAist Civics & Democracy Correspondent Frank Stoltze explores the criminal...
-
REDUX: Digging up community — and some fruit — in front of your neighbor's garden
Hey there! We’re bringing you another episode of How to LA as part of LAist climate solutions week. Today’s episode is from 2023. It features our former associate editor and one of my favorite journalists, Aaricka Washington. She took me on a hike in Silver Lake, and we foraged for plants! And…
more -
REDUX: Growing kale in Compton
Here at LAist, it’s Climate Solutions week, and we’re focusing on the future of food. How food and agricultural systems are tackling climate pollution and adapting to a changing planet. And why Southern California is at the center of how climate change impacts the food we eat, grow, and sell. So...
-
The perfect day in WeHo ft. Drew Tillman
#310: Today, we're meeting up with one of our favorite L.A. based influencers, Drew Tillman! Drew's known online for his date ideas in different pockets of this wonderful city, and in this episode, he's joining the How To LA team to take host Brian De Los Santos on a walking date around WeHo. We...
-
Our favorite neighborhood happy hour spots
#309: Today we are back with our summer series about places to explore and discover in Los Angeles. We’ve done parks, museums, road trip, and this time we are talking about happy hour! The neighborhood spots featured include: Big Bar in Los Feliz, The Raymond 1886 in Pasadena, and Chulita in West...
-
REDUX: Catching a movie with the American Cinematheque
In honor of the American Cinematheque's "Friend of the Fest" program, we're rerunning their feature from our mini-series, Revival House! Victoria Alejandro is one of the podcasters invited to present a film this year. This Sunday, 8/25 at the Egyptian Theater, she'll be introducing the 80s…
more -
So, like, what are the origins of the "Valley girl" accent?
#308: It's like, totally wild that we haven't talked about the "Valley girl" accent yet. This week on How To LA, the team hits the streets to ask Angelenos about the origin of the accent...turns out, no one's really sure where it comes from. Except LAist reporter Caitlin Hernandez, who did a deep...
-
Our fave 'cool' drinks: Boba, tepache, and kava nectar
#307: Today we're heading out with LAist's Gab Chabrán to test some tasty cool drinks in L.A. — that's "cool" as in temperature, but also meaning something a little unique. We stopped for boba (and other tasty tea and coffee drinks) at Hey Hey on Sunset, sampled fermented Mexican drinks (tepache...
-
HTLA Live: Culinary Connections — Ice Cream Social
#306: We're publishing this on a Friday and you know what that means: we all scream for... (waiting for you to say it.) LAist food editor and Cheap Fast Eats co-conspirator Gab Chábran and HTLA host Brian De Los Santos host Culinary Connections: Ice Cream Social. It was a chat with owners from...
-
Artists, not objects, take center stage at The Brick
#305: What's the deal with the new mural on Western Avenue? A man holding a flowerpot crawling out of the sky? That's performance artist Pope L., inviting folks into the new, permanent home of the non-profit formerly known as LAX Art. They've rebranded as The Brick, and their new brick and mortar...
-
The Black and queer history (and future) of house music
#304: Today, we’re bringing you a deep dive into house music and how a music equipment lending library called Feminist Synth Lab is lowering the barriers to entry for people interested in DJing and making electronic music in L.A. This episode was reported by How To LA intern Veronica Daniel.
-
Our favorite museums: ft. LACMA jazz nights and Judy Baca
#303: We're continuing our summer series of places to explore - and this time we're heading to Miracle Mile and following the sweet sounds of jazz down Wilshire and onto the LACMA campus. As LA's county museum, LACMA is exploring all sorts of ways to make sure the public feels welcome, from free...
-
Why BIPOC-led run clubs in LA are growing
#302: Today we're talking about run clubs and how they foster community in L.A. Our associate editor (and our special resident marathon runner) Aaricka Washington looked into running clubs that were founded by Black, Asian and Latino people, the ways that they're offering inclusive, safe spaces…
more -
Our favorite parks in Los Angeles: Ft. TreePeople
#301: We're continuing our summer series of places to explore - and this time we're stepping out of the studio and into the wild. Evan's taking Brian on a tour of a park that meant a lot to him as a kid - and we're meeting the organization that acts as its steward: TreePeople. You've probably…
more -
Cheap Fast Eats #14: Fountain Valley
#300: Three hundred episodes y'all! Can you think of a better way to celebrate than with the movable feast that is Cheap Fast Eats? I'll wait... No? Okay. Well buckle in and get ready to chow down as LAist's food editor Gab Chabran takes Brian to our first location OUTSIDE of LA County... From...
-
Hit pause and rewind! VHS is making a comeback
#299: VCRs are buzzing again in the city...that's right! Watching a movie on VHS is back! But in 2024, with streaming and Blu-Ray, why watch something on tape? HTLA producer Victoria Alejandro spoke with VHS vendors, collectors, and other tape aficionados around the city (including filmmaker Vera...
-
HTLA Presents: L.A. On The Margins - Jahmark, the soul shaker
We are back with another installment of LA on the Margins — USC student produced profiles of people in our community who are working through the many challenges life in the city can throw at you. In this final episode, we meet a reggae artist who is trying to make it in this beautiful…
more -
HTLA Presents: L.A. On The Margins - Mens Central Jail
We're back with another installment of LA On The Margins, a collection of stories produced by students at USC. This time, reporter Sophie Sullivan takes us to the largest jail in LA County — a jail considered by many to be uninhabitable, and which, in 2021, was ordered closed by L.A. County...
-
Why 'kitten season’ is such a tough time for LA’s cat crusaders
#298: Did you know that we are in the middle of kitten season? It's a super busy time for shelter workers, cat rescues, and the many Angelenos who volunteer their time to help save cats. Today we are talking about those folks and what’s being done in L.A. and OC to try to improve the lives of...
-
Our favorite beaches in LA to beat the heat
#297: Looking to escape the heat this summer? Well, look no further than LA's biggest swimming pool. We've got the team here with Brian in LAist's Studio B to share our favorite coastal recommendations, whether you're looking for a place to have quiet picnic or you're learning to tandem surf with...
-
This cooking class provides support for refugees and migrants
#296: Flavors From Afar is a caterer and soon to be restaurant in East Hollywood. As part of the nonprofit TIYAA Foundation, Flavors From Afar also hosts a culinary training program for folks from all over the globe who are new to this city. Consisting of migrants and refugees resettling in L.A....
-
Kayaking Down The LA River?!
#141: Ok - no more Cheap Fast Eats... But we've still got a great holiday treat for y'all. Maybe something to do this weekend to beat the heat? Today, we're revisiting the time Brian and Evan went down the LA River in a kayak. Original episode description below: Whitewater kayaking might not be…
more -
Imperfect Paradise: ‘Free the Tee’: Fighting back against LA golf course Scalpers
LA was rocked on March 4 when Dave Fink, a golf influencer, posted a viral video on Instagram detailing how brokers - largely using a Korean messenger app- were snatching up prime time tees at Los Angeles’ public golf courses and reselling them. Here’s how an unlikely crew of golf enthusiasts’...
-
Introducing Passing The Mantle, from LAist Studios
Passing the Mantle is a new podcast from LAist Studios about family, curiosity and the things that change — and stay the same — across generations. It's co-hosted by Larry Mantle, host of LAist 89.3’s AirTalk, the longest-running daily talk show in Southern California, and his son Desmond Mantle....
-
Announcing the OFFICIAL best burger in LA
BONUS: The Tournament of Cheeseburgers is over! And we have your winner. Read alll about it here: https://laist.com/news/food/drumroll-please-we-announce-the-winner-of-the-laist-tournament-of-cheeseburgers This pop up joint along with some of the runner ups will be at Smorgasburg at The Row in…
more -
Cheap Fast Eats #13: West Valley
#284: Happy 4th of July! It's the last day of our holiday Cheap Fast Eats marathon. Whether you're hosting the BBQ for your family and friends - OR you're just kicking it solo - if you're anything like us, the summer is all about FOOD. So kick back and enjoy some fireworks, or protect your dog…
more -
Cheap Fast Eats #12: Boyle Heights
#239: Today we're continuing our holiday marathon of Cheap Fast Eats! Whether you're hosting the BBQ for your family and friends - OR you're just kicking it solo - if you're anything like us, the summer is all about FOOD. So kick back and enjoy some fireworks, or protect your dog from the big...
-
Cheap Fast Eats #11: Mid City
#193: What better way to celebrate the summer's favorite holiday than a marathon of Cheap Fast Eats! Whether you're hosting the BBQ for your family and friends - OR you're just kicking it solo - if you're anything like us, the summer is all about FOOD. So kick back and enjoy some fireworks, or...
-
Where to get outside (locally), REDUX
#134: The great thing about Los Angeles is that you can do the urban thing – go to museums, clubs, concerts and eat at good restaurants – and you can get out in nature whenever you want... or need. There are ton a beautiful parks, sunset spots and hiking trails right in the middle of the city. Or...
-
LAist & NPR present 'Inheriting' Episode 1 - Carol & the Los Angeles Uprising: Part 1
Carol Kwang Park was 12 years old, working as a cashier at her family’s gas station in Compton, California, when the 1992 LA Uprising forever changed her life. Her mom was at the gas station that day and Carol was unsure if she’d even make it home. At the time, she didn’t understand why tensions...
-
Day-trip destinations: Where to escape LA
#295: Don't get us wrong, we LOVE Los Angeles... but sometimes we just gotta get out. You know the feeling? Well, if you're looking for some inspiration for some summer day-trips, about 3 hours or less away from the city, we got you covered. From Santa Cruz Island to Idyllwild, we have some of...
-
HTLA Presents: L.A. On The Margins - Halfway Home
Today we have another story from LA On The Margins, the collection of stories produced by students at USC where every episode we profile an Angeleno struggling in some way to make it in this city. This time, a transition home that aims to help those who’ve struggled with their mental health…
more -
REDUX: Why the LA Coliseum is more than a stadium
Editor's Note: We mistakenly said in the version of this podcast that the Paris Olympics started at the end of June. It kicks off at the end of July and THAT will start the countdown until the games come to Los Angeles in 2028. During the 2028 games, the L.A. Memorial Coliseum will again host the...
-
HTLA Presents: L.A. On The Margins - Free The Land
Today we're bringing you another installment of LA on the Margins. This is a collection of pieces produced by students at USC, which profile people in our community as they work through the many challenges we face in our city. Along South L.A.’s Figueroa Corridor, activists have been calling for...
About this show
How to L.A. aims to drop a little knowledge about ALL the things that affect the people of Los Angeles, whether that’s something that makes our city great (tacos!) or something that we need to work on, like the alarming number of traffic collisions. We serve the curious Angeleno who wants to better connect with our city, discover the new, navigate the confusing and even drive some change along the way. Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live. This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.
Hosted by
LAist Studios