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8 cleaner spots within a 3-hour drive

Los Angeles is breathing 4.1 cigarettes a week

12.8
PM2.5 µg/m³
58
AQI
0
Cleanest in reach · µg/m³

Where are you?

The better move within a 3-hour drive

Dates

Dates follow you into hotel searches. Live inventory is confirmed by the provider.

Palm Springs looks like the better move.71% cleaner air with a verified 2 h 5 min road trip. Rankings balance cleaner air with trip ease.

Within Los Angeles

  • Santa Monica3.1 µg/m³
  • Woodland Hills3.1 µg/m³
  • Burbank7 µg/m³
  • Venice Beach7 µg/m³
  • Pasadena12.8 µg/m³
  • Downtown12.8 µg/m³
  • Hollywood12.8 µg/m³
  • Echo Park12.8 µg/m³
  • Inglewood14.4 µg/m³
  • Long Beach20.1 µg/m³
Every town is also available in the ranked list.
Los Angeles Local readings Clean · PM2.5 0–5 Good · 5–9 Elevated · 9–15 Polluted · 15–35 Unhealthy · 35–55 Severe · 55+
Top pick
Ojai
Cel-shaded illustration of Ojai
#1OjaiPM2.5 6~1 h 45 min drivesaves 2.2 cigs/wk

California· PM2.5 6 µg/m³

Mountain-ringed Ventura County valley that draws cool marine air inland from the nearby coast, dotted with boutique inns and spas.

53% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 6 µg/m³ here vs 12.8 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 6/22 × 7 = 1.9 here; 12.8/22 × 7 = 4.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

6.8 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Los Angeles right now

53% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

Temecula
Cel-shaded illustration of Temecula
#2TemeculaPM2.5 6Checking road routesaves 2.2 cigs/wk

California· PM2.5 6 µg/m³

Inland wine-country valley in southern California, with cooler evening air pulled from coastal gaps.

53% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 6 µg/m³ here vs 12.8 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 6/22 × 7 = 1.9 here; 12.8/22 × 7 = 4.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

6.8 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Los Angeles right now

53% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

Santa Barbara
Cel-shaded illustration of Santa Barbara
#3Santa BarbaraPM2.5 7~1 h 55 min drivesaves 1.8 cigs/wk

California· PM2.5 7 µg/m³

American Riviera coastal city where steady onshore Pacific breezes and open beaches keep marine air moving, backed by ample hotels and inns.

45% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 7 µg/m³ here vs 12.8 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 7/22 × 7 = 2.2 here; 12.8/22 × 7 = 4.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

5.8 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Los Angeles right now

45% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

San Bernardino
Cel-shaded illustration of San Bernardino
#4San BernardinoPM2.5 9.1~1 h 10 min drivesaves 1.2 cigs/wk

California· PM2.5 9.1 µg/m³

A major California city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

29% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 9.1 µg/m³ here vs 12.8 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 9.1/22 × 7 = 2.9 here; 12.8/22 × 7 = 4.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

3.7 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Los Angeles right now

29% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

Lake Arrowhead
Cel-shaded illustration of Lake Arrowhead
#5Lake ArrowheadPM2.5 9.1~1 h 45 min drivesaves 1.2 cigs/wk

California· PM2.5 9.1 µg/m³

Wooded mountain-lake community high above San Bernardino, where elevation and open water keep the air cleaner than the basin below, with resort lodging on the shore.

29% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 9.1 µg/m³ here vs 12.8 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 9.1/22 × 7 = 2.9 here; 12.8/22 × 7 = 4.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

3.7 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Los Angeles right now

29% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

Still smoky
Anaheim
Cel-shaded illustration of Anaheim
#6AnaheimPM2.5 10.4Checking road routesaves 0.8 cigs/wk

California· PM2.5 10.4 µg/m³

A major California city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 10.4 µg/m³ here vs 12.8 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 10.4/22 × 7 = 3.3 here; 12.8/22 × 7 = 4.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

2.4 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Los Angeles right now

19% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

Still smoky
Riverside
Cel-shaded illustration of Riverside
#7RiversidePM2.5 11.1~1 h 10 min drivesaves 0.5 cigs/wk

California· PM2.5 11.1 µg/m³

A major California city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 11.1 µg/m³ here vs 12.8 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 11.1/22 × 7 = 3.5 here; 12.8/22 × 7 = 4.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
13% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

Still smoky
Avalon (Catalina Island)
Cel-shaded illustration of Avalon (Catalina Island)
#8Avalon (Catalina Island)PM2.5 11.4Checking road routesaves 0.4 cigs/wk

California· PM2.5 11.4 µg/m³

Island town 22 miles off the Los Angeles coast, wrapped in open-Pacific air, with hillside hotels.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 11.4 µg/m³ here vs 12.8 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 11.4/22 × 7 = 3.6 here; 12.8/22 × 7 = 4.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
11% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 8:27 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

Still smoky
Wrightwood
Cel-shaded illustration of Wrightwood
#9WrightwoodPM2.5 15.3~1 h 30 min drive

California· PM2.5 15.3 µg/m³

Small mountain town in the San Gabriels near 6,000 feet, a cool forested reset above the LA basin, with cabins and a compact main street.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 15.3 µg/m³ here vs 12.8 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 15.3/22 × 7 = 4.9 here; 12.8/22 × 7 = 4.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Los Angeles

20% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

Still smoky
Westmont
Cel-shaded illustration of Westmont
#10WestmontParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 4.1 cigs/wk

California

California community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

Still smoky
Montebello
Cel-shaded illustration of Montebello
#11MontebelloParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 4.1 cigs/wk

California

California community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

Still smoky
Universal City
Cel-shaded illustration of Universal City
#12Universal CityParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 4.1 cigs/wk

California

California community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

Idyllwild
Cel-shaded illustration of Idyllwild
#13IdyllwildPM2.5 0~2 h 15 min drivesaves 4.1 cigs/wk

California· PM2.5 0 µg/m³

Pine-forest village perched high in the San Jacinto Mountains, elevated far above Inland Empire smog, with cabins and small inns.

100% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 0 µg/m³ here vs 12.8 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 0/22 × 7 = 0 here; 12.8/22 × 7 = 4.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

12.8 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Los Angeles right now

100% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

Bakersfield
Cel-shaded illustration of Bakersfield
#14BakersfieldPM2.5 2~2 h 10 min drivesaves 3.4 cigs/wk

California· PM2.5 2 µg/m³

A major California city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

84% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 2 µg/m³ here vs 12.8 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2/22 × 7 = 0.6 here; 12.8/22 × 7 = 4.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

10.8 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Los Angeles right now

84% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

Palm Springs
Cel-shaded illustration of Palm Springs
#15Palm SpringsPM2.5 3.7~2 h 5 min drivesaves 2.9 cigs/wk

California· PM2.5 3.7 µg/m³

Desert resort city below Mount San Jacinto where dry air sits apart from the coastal basin's smoke, with abundant hotels and rentals.

71% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 3.7 µg/m³ here vs 12.8 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 3.7/22 × 7 = 1.2 here; 12.8/22 × 7 = 4.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

9.1 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Los Angeles right now

71% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

Solvang
Cel-shaded illustration of Solvang
#16SolvangPM2.5 4Checking road routesaves 2.8 cigs/wk

California· PM2.5 4 µg/m³

Danish-styled village in the Santa Ynez Valley, cooled by marine air drawn inland from the coast.

69% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 4 µg/m³ here vs 12.8 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 4/22 × 7 = 1.3 here; 12.8/22 × 7 = 4.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

8.8 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Los Angeles right now

69% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

Big Bear Lake
Cel-shaded illustration of Big Bear Lake
#17Big Bear LakePM2.5 5.1~2 h 15 min drivesaves 2.5 cigs/wk

California· PM2.5 5.1 µg/m³

Alpine lake resort at nearly 6,800 feet in the San Bernardino Mountains, where forested elevation sits well above the Inland Empire's haze, with cabins and lakeside lodges.

60% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 5.1 µg/m³ here vs 12.8 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 5.1/22 × 7 = 1.6 here; 12.8/22 × 7 = 4.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

7.7 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Los Angeles right now

60% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

Markleeville
Cel-shaded illustration of Markleeville
#18MarkleevillePM2.5 1Checking road routesaves 3.8 cigs/wk

California· PM2.5 1 µg/m³

Alpine County hamlet near 5,500 feet in the eastern Sierra, remote and thinly populated with cabins.

92% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 1 µg/m³ here vs 12.8 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1/22 × 7 = 0.3 here; 12.8/22 × 7 = 4.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

11.8 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Los Angeles right now

92% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

South Lake Tahoe
Cel-shaded illustration of South Lake Tahoe
#19South Lake TahoePM2.5 1Checking road routesaves 3.8 cigs/wk

California· PM2.5 1 µg/m³

Alpine resort town on the south shore of Lake Tahoe above 6,200 feet, where mountain air and open water pair for a clear reset, with extensive lodging.

92% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 1 µg/m³ here vs 12.8 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1/22 × 7 = 0.3 here; 12.8/22 × 7 = 4.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

11.8 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Los Angeles right now

92% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

Stinson Beach
Cel-shaded illustration of Stinson Beach
#20Stinson BeachPM2.5 1Checking road routesaves 3.8 cigs/wk

California· PM2.5 1 µg/m³

Marin County beach town below Mount Tamalpais, swept by onshore ocean wind, with cottages.

92% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 1 µg/m³ here vs 12.8 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1/22 × 7 = 0.3 here; 12.8/22 × 7 = 4.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

11.8 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Los Angeles right now

92% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

Bad week ahead? Check the 7-day outlook — if it won’t clear, book the trip

7-day outlook

Plan the next seven days

Pick a day, or compare the whole week. Weather is forecast; air quality is the latest available reading.

Loading the week…

Finding the nicest days and reachable cities.

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDTLast scan Jul 27, 8:27 p.m. EDT · 53 min ago

Why live rankings? Smoke plumes are patchy and shift with the wind, so no direction is reliably cleaner. This list is recalculated from live PM2.5 every hour — and if everything nearby is smoky, it says so.

How we work this out →

Browse all 200 cities by province & state →

All 54 Canadian cities →
All 145 U.S. cities →

What this means · Los Angeles

Phew.

4.1cigarettes

per week, if this air holds

Act two · The scale

Where today lands

From a crisp horizon to smoke you can taste — here’s your reading on it.

12.8 µg/m³
CrispSome smokeHeavy smoke

Act three · The ladder

What each rung feels like

  • 0–3µg/m³Natural. About as clean as outdoor air realistically gets.
  • 3–5µg/m³Clean. Crisp, destination-worthy air.
  • 5–9µg/m³Good. Clean city air; most people will not notice anything today.
  • 9–15µg/m³Elevated. Usually no big deal today; sensitive lungs may notice hard exercise.
  • 15–35µg/m³Polluted. Smoke or traffic pollution is now worth acting on.
  • 35–55µg/m³Unhealthy. Symptoms become more likely, especially with asthma or heart disease.
  • 55+µg/m³Severe. Everyone should reduce exposure and clean the indoor air.

Act four · The fine print

The receipts

What is PM2.5?

Fine particles about 30× thinner than a human hair — small enough to slip through your lungs and into your bloodstream. We measure them inµg/m³: micrograms of particle mass in a cubic metre of air.

The math

PM2.5 here is 12.8 µg/m³.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at this level: 12.8/22 × 7 = 4.1 cigarettes.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →