Brian De Los Santos
The City of Angels has been (mostly) good to me. Yes, I’m that friend who — sometimes annoyingly — reps L.A. hard.
And maybe that paid off?
I’m the host of the LAist Studios award-winning podcast, How To L.A. It’s a dream job for this city boy. I get to help Angelenos discover, explore, affect change and connect with our beautiful — yet complicated — city. I don’t have all the answers, but let’s find them together.
As an Angeleno via Mexico (I was born in Veracruz, Mexico and came here when I was 2), it’s important to me we tell the stories of our unique communities here in L.A., and we reflect them accurately.
Fun fact: I was an intern in our newsroom when I was 21. I returned to our news organization in 2014 — working in digital and audio — and then was back again in 2021 as editor of LAist.
I’ve spent hot summers in the 818, lived in KTown where a waft of delicious food is constant and grew up near West Adams/Mid City at a time when racial tensions were high in the 1990s. When people ask me why I love L.A., my answer is simple: It’s not the beautiful mountains, Hollywood or skyscrapers, it’s the communities and their stories that make living in the region a rich experience.
What's your favorite thing about L.A.? Send me a note. ✌🏽
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Actor and comedian Marval Rex’s new solo show, “REXODUS,” draws on his experiences with religion, identity, gender — and this city.
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Sabrina Carpenter's music at a rooftop party, food festivals, and a free museum day.
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Enjoy doggie day at a Galaxy game, a Frankie Beverly tribute and a free 'Madame Butterfly' showing.
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Avoid the touristy places and hangout in a neighborhood that’s rooted in community. And yes, brunch.
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Some neighborhood happy hour recommendations to connect with community.
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From kayaking in Santa Cruz Island to wine tasting in Ojai, here are road trips just a few hours from L.A. that can shake up your city vibes (and be a good thing).
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Merrick Morton’s exhibit “UN-REHEARSED” depicting cholo culture is on display in Chinatown.
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For Tacos 5 y 10 co-owner Daniel Martinez, serving food and community is about more than just money — it connects him back home.
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The homegrown O.C. comic left her corporate job to pursue comedy full time. Now she’s performing at the Netflix is A Joke Festival in L.A.
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Evan Lovett’s love for L.A. and news got him to launch a channel to highlight history and neighborhoods.