As displaced residents scramble to find short-term lodging, local tourism organizations are updating lists on what’s available at what cost.
The Hotel Assn. of Los Angeles, which has compiled the largest list, said its members have taken in thousands of Angelenos evacuated from the path of the Palisades and Eaton fires, often at discounted rates, along with many nearby residents seeking better air quality. Many of the hotels are waiving pet fees or changing policy to accept pets.
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The Hotel Assn. of Los Angeles list, updated daily, includes more than 250 hotels, most in L.A. County but also many in Orange and San Diego counties.
Separately, tourism organizations throughout Southern California are updating their own lists.
The city of West Hollywood has a list with about 20 hotels.
The city of Anaheim has a list with more than 30 hotels.
The San Diego Tourism Authority has a list with more than 70 hotels.
Visit Greater Palm Springs has a list with about 40 hotels.
A Santa Barbara list includes about 25 hotels with evacuee rates.
Authorities estimate that more than 150,000 L.A. County residents have been displaced by the fires. The hotels on these lists range from Motel 6 chain locations to luxury properties. Some of these lists include detailed rate information, and all are subject to change as rooms fill.
Meanwhile, Airbnb is teaming with the group 211LA to provide free emergency housing to many people who have been displaced and to first responders.
Like many retailers, hoteliers and short-term rental landlords are also bound by the state’s anti-gouging law, which limit prices hikes to 10% beyond the rates that were in place before a local or state emergency was declared (in this case, Jan. 8). That limit is in effect for 30 days after the emergency is declared.
Even if an emergency is in one county and a hotel is in another, that law may apply, officials at the California Hotel & Lodging Assn. have said.
By the Los Angeles hotel association’s count, there are 412 hotels in the city of Los Angeles, 1,305 in the county. Through the first 10 months of 2024, the city’s hotels posted average daily rates of about $205, with a 75% occupancy rate.
In typical years, industry veterans say January is usually one of this region’s slowest months.
