Yes, you should still visit Los Angeles even though there have been devastating fires. Here’s why; a cooling travel market would hurt the local service economy which is already devastated due to job losses in fire affected areas. Visiting L.A. this Spring will aid in recovery with your tourist dollars. Some may disagree with this, but they probably do not work in the service sector, and have not felt the sting of cut shifts and slow business.
With that said, currently the air quality is not great. I would wait a week or so for Mother Nature to start her recovery cycle. The fires are not out, but coming close to containment. Soon the winds and regular weather patterns will clear away the smoke and hazardous conditions, and L.A. will begin the long process of rebuilding. Your L.A. vacation spend will help with recovery. Don’t worry about taking a hotel room from a fire victim, we have plenty to go around, especially in downtown L.A.
There are some tourist draws that will not be available for a long time to come, such as the timeless drive up route 1 through Malibu. But for the most part, the residential neighborhoods of Pacific Palisades and Altadena, fire affected areas, are not on a visitor’s list of must sees, nor should they be at this time.
Maybe this is the time to venture out of your comfort zone a bit further and check out downtown LA with Handlebar Bike Tour . There is lots to see in downtown, and many visitors to LA skip right over the historic heart of our city. Olvera Street, The Broad Museum, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Grand Central Market (Our Home) and Michelin rated restaurants await you in DTLA.
In order for our local governments to help in the recovery effort, and for the workers of Los Angeles affected by these fires to stay afloat, your tourist dollars will help, and we want you to visit!