L.A.'s Westside once bragged about not needing air conditioning. This year's heat changed that

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Set us as preferred Longtime Santa Monica resident Lori Woods used to love the one-bedroom apartment she and her husband shared.The second-floor unit had large, west-facing French doors that let in plenty of afternoon sunlight.It didn’t have built-in air conditioning, but Woods was not too worried given its location seven blocks from the beach.

The ocean breeze would keep temperatures moderate, she thought.And it did, for nearly four years.

However, this year, Woods, an ADHD coach who works from home, found herself “holed up” in the bedroom.It was so hot that she had to run a portable A/C unit around the clock to avoid feeling dizzy and nauseated.Global warming has been increasing temperatures for decades.

But the summer of 2026, with its endless heat waves and unprecedented humidity levels due to El Niño, may be a tipping point for those in Southern California who thought they could survive without air conditioning.Air conditioning has long been a necessity in L.A.-area hot spots such as the San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys as well as part of the L.A.Basin, but people who lived within a few miles of the ocean used to boast they didn’t need it.

Sure, you suffered for a few miserable days, but the ocean breeze and cloud cover were a form of air conditioning.Especially at night.Not anymore.This summer was notable for the number of heat waves that offered no relief to coastal areas, with temperatures sometimes topping 100.

Moreover, nighttime did not bring the usual cooldown, prompting forecasters to warn that the lack of overnight recovery could cause physical stress.Many Angelenos can remember the days when living west of the 405 meant heat was not a major concern.But this might be the year the Westside, South Bay and other coastal areas realize that A/C is now mandatory.

Making matters worse for tenants, gett...