Los Angeles was named the third-most visited U.S. metropolis in a 2024 examine by the International Trade Administration. The town acquired 3,603,000 vacationers in line with 2023 information, following the dirtiest but happiest city in the U.S., New York City (8,890,000), and Miami (4,365,000).
The rating was broadly reported amid the California wildfires in January 2025. Whereas publications acknowledged restoration as the town’s major precedence within the subsequent months, in addition they highlighted the Hollywood enchantment that continues to drive L.A. tourism.
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Nevertheless, the 2025 “State of the Air” report, compiled by the American Lung Affiliation, cited the wildfires as elements for Los Angeles incomes the title of the smoggiest metropolis within the U.S. for the twenty fifth time in 26 years. Regardless of its polluted air, vacationers did not appear to be deterred from visiting the Metropolis of Angels, though there have been security considerations. Now, there isn’t any denying that L.A. tourism has hit bumps, particularly amid demonstrations that raised a 3-step advisory plan for travel from Canada. Here is the present state of the town’s air high quality and its affect on tourism amid rising considerations.
The Smoggiest Metropolis In The U.S.
Skyline of Los Angeles throughout sundown
In response to the 2025 State of the Air examine, Los Angeles is “the town with the worst ozone air pollution” within the U.S. L.A. has earned that spot because the American Lung Association first printed this annual report in 2000. Nevertheless, the newest report famous that L.A. residents are uncovered to 77 fewer days (2.5 months) of unhealthy ozone ranges than they have been in State of the Air’s debut version. There’s an emphasis on local weather change being an enormous impediment in defending the town’s air high quality and making certain the well being of its inhabitants.
Apparently, L.A.’s air quality has significantly improved because the 1990 amendments to the Clear Air Act. Air air pollution within the metropolis decreased by 10.6% from 2017 to 2018, and one other 11.8% between 2018 and 2019. March 2020, through the COVID-19 lockdowns, Los Angeles had its cleanest air high quality month on file. Nevertheless, after the restrictions have been lifted in late 2020, L.A. experienced one of its smoggiest periods since the mid-1990s, introduced on by “intense warmth waves” and “a bout of health-damaging wildfire smoke on file” through the fall.
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Excessive ozone days and particle air pollution spikes are attributable to excessive warmth, drought, and wildfires. However L.A.’s smog drawback is not new. It dates again to the early twentieth century when the town fought thick smoke and fumes from the commercial increase. In 1903, the smog was so heavy, people mistook it for an eclipse. Then got here the summer time of 1943, when elevated car use and World Warfare II industrial emissions led to the worst smog ranges in L.A. Residents thought it was a chemical attack, as many suffered from extreme lung and eye irritations, in addition to nausea.
Is L.A.’s Air High quality Secure?
Regardless of holding the title of the smoggiest U.S. metropolis for 25 years, Los Angeles’ air high quality is mostly protected, however delicate people could expertise minor results. As of June, Los Angeles nonetheless has an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 58—a “Reasonable” stage that claims air high quality is “acceptable” however there’s “average concern” for a couple of individuals delicate to air air pollution. These considerations peaked through the wildfires in January 2025. Throughout that point, residents were warned about the risk of exposure to ash, smoke, and poisonous chemical compounds.
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L.A. nonetheless has an alarming focus of PM2.5 particles at 12.7µg/m³ right this moment. That is 2.5 instances the World Well being Group’s annual PM2.5 guideline worth. These high quality particles are a results of energy plant combustion, smoke from wildfires and waste burning, vehicular emissions, and different industrial actions the place chemical reactions between gases happen. Delicate people are extremely suggested to put on masks open air, cut back out of doors recreation, preserve home windows closed, and run an air air purifier.
L.A. Vacationers Unfazed By Smog
Within the final 5 years, Los Angeles’ tourism ups and downs have not been immediately linked to its decades-long battle with smog. It has remained constant as California’s highest-earning metropolis when it comes to tourism. In 2019, L.A. acquired a record 50.7 million visitors, which dropped to 25 million following the pandemic in 2020. Nevertheless, an upward restoration development started in 2021 when L.A. welcomed 38 million vacationers after which 46.2 million in 2022. By 2023, the town loved a 97% restoration from pre-pandemic charges with 49.1 million guests.
- Inhabitants
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39.35 Million ( 2020)
- Based Date
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September 9, 1850
The yr 2024 was additionally promising for L.A. when total travel spending in California reached $157.3 billion, a 3% improve from 2023. Nevertheless, a couple of months after the second inauguration of President Donald Trump, L.A. tourism had again “fallen off the cliff,” per SF Gate in Could 2025. Worldwide bookings to the town dwindled by 3.5% in March 2025 following a mixture of occasions. First, the wildfires, which transformed native motels into short-term shelters for displaced residents, after which the Trump administration’s new insurance policies and tariff hikes.
“The LA Tourism and Conference Bureau is anticipating year-over-year reductions in complete worldwide guests to LA by between 25 and 30% [in 2025],” Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) CEO, John Ackerman told KNBC-TV in May 2025.
Regardless of the uncertainties going through Los Angeles, the town stays open to guests. Of their tourist FAQs, which were updated in May, they clarified that over 98% of the town is undamaged from the January fires. Guests through the June protests additionally confirmed that it’s safe to explore the city. Vacationers can nonetheless go to varied sights as demonstrations (which have subsided significantly on the time of writing) are concentrated downtown. Simply be certain that to maintain up with native information updates as you intend your go to to the Metropolis of Angels.
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