The most polluted city of America has held the title for 25 years, but tourists don’t mind

Los angeles Named the most visited by the US City in a 2024 study by International trade administration. The city received 3,603,000 tourists according to the 2023 data, following The most dirty but happiest city in the United States, New York City (8,890,000), and Miami (4,365,000).

The position was widely reported in the middle of the California forest fires in January 2025. Although publications acknowledge recovery as the city’s main priority in the next month, they also highlight Hollywood appeals that continue to drive tourism.

However, Report 2025 “State of the Air”compiled by the American Lung Association, quoting forest fires as a factor for Los Angeles to obtain a title The Smoggiest City in the US For the 25th time in 26 years. Despite the contaminated air, tourists seem to be blocked from visiting the City of Angels, despite safety concerns. Now, no one has denied that LA tourism has hit a lump, especially in the middle of the demonstration that causes 3-step advisory plan for travel from Canada. This is the current state of urban air quality and its impact on tourism in the middle of the growing concern.

Smoggiest City in the US

According to the State of the Air State 2025, Los Angeles is a “city with the worst ozone pollution” in the USLA has obtained the place since The American Lung Association first published this annual report in 2000. However, the latest report states that LA residents are exposed to 77 days less (2.5 months) from unhealthy ozone levels Instead of them in a state of air debut edition. There is an emphasis on climate change that is a huge obstacle in protecting urban air quality and ensuring the health of its residents.

Interestingly, LA air quality increases significantly Since the 1990 amendment to the Clean Air Act. City air pollution decreased by 10.6% from 2017 to 2018, and another 11.8% between 2018 and 2019. March 2020, during the Covid-19 locking, Los Angeles had the cleanest air quality month. However, after the restriction was drawn by the end of 2020, La experienced one of its smoggiest periods since the mid-1990sBrought by “intense hot waves” and “Fire smoke battle that damage health on records” during the fall.

High ozone day and particle pollution spikes due to extreme heat, drought, and forest fires. But the problem of smoke is not new. It began in the early 20th century when the city fought thick smoke and smoke from the industrial explosion. In 1903, the smoke was very heavy, People thought it was for the eclipse. Then came the summer of 1943, as the increase in car use and the industrial emission of World War II led to the worst level of smoke in LA Residents thought it was a chemical attackBecause many suffer from severe lungs and severe eyes, as well as nausea.

Is the air quality safe?

Despite holding the title of the US Smoggiest for 25 years, Los Angeles air quality is generally safe, But sensitive individuals may experience small effects. Until June, Los Angeles still have Air Quality Index (AQI) of 58-A “moderate” levels that say air quality are “acceptable” but there are “moderate anxiety” for some people who are sensitive to air pollution. This concern over the forest fires in January 2025. At that time, Residents are warned of the risk of exposure to ash, smoke, and toxic chemicals.

La still has a concentration of PM2.5 particles that are alarming at 12.7μg/m³ Today. That is 2.5 times the value of the PM2.5 Annual World Health Organization. These fine particles are the result of the burning of power plants, smoke from forest fires and waste burning, vehicle release, and other industrial activities where the chemical reaction between gas occurs. Sensitive individuals are strongly advised to wear masks outside the home, reduce external recreation, keep the windows closed, and carry out air purifiers.

LA tourists are not exempted by smoke

Over the past five years, Los Angeles ‘tourism’ rising and down has not been directly linked to the battle for decades with smoke. It remains consistent as California’s highest -income city in terms of tourism. In 2019, he received Record 50.7 million visitorswhich dropped to 25 million after the pandemic by 2020. However, the upward trend began in 2021 when LA welcomed 38 million tourists and then 46.2 million by 2022. By 2023, the city enjoyed a 97% recovery from pre-landemical rate with 49.1 million visitors.

The year 2024 also promised LA when Total travel spending in California reached $ 157.3 billionan increase of 3% from 2023. However, a few months after the second opening of President Donald Trump, La tours again “falls off the cliff,” per Sf gate in May 2025. International reservations to the city decreased by 3.5% in March 2025 following the mix of events. First, the wild firesthat turns local hotels into temporary shelter for moving residents, and then New Policy and Trump Administrative Tariff Increase.

“The LA Tourism and Convention Bureau expects a year -on -year reduction in the number of international visitors to LA between 25 and 30% [in 2025]”Los Angeles World Airports (Lake) CEO, John Ackerman told KNBC-TV in May 2025.

Despite the uncertainty facing Los Angeles, the city remains open to visitors. In their Tourist’s common questions, updated in MayThey explained that more than 98% of the city was not damaged from the January fire. Visitors during the June protest also confirm that Happy exploring the city. Tourists can still visit many attractions as demonstrations (which has diminished at the time of writing) is the center of the center. Just be sure to compete with local news updates as you plan your visit to the City of Angels.