Tips for Finding a Cooling Center in Southern California During This Week’s Heat Wave

Southern California Braces for Extreme Heat Warning

Southern California is set to experience an Extreme Heat Warning from 10 a.m. Tuesday until 8 p.m. Friday, with potentially record-breaking temperatures expected across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties.

The National Weather Service has issued the warning, highlighting the need for residents to take precautions as the heat settles in. In Los Angeles County, officials have established numerous Cooling Centers to provide relief during this intense heat wave.

The Cooling Centers will operate under extended hours from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, allowing residents—and their pets—to escape the sweltering conditions. For those seeking a nearby Cooling Center, the county offers an interactive map that can be accessed to locate facilities marked with green snowflake icons. The centers are primarily situated in libraries and senior centers, with varying hours by location. Residents can also call 311 for more information.

Among the Cooling Centers available in Los Angeles County are:

• Little Tokyo Branch Library
• Chinatown Branch Library
• Felipe de Neve Branch Library
• Pico Union Branch Library
• Malabar Branch Library
• Robert Louis Stevenson Branch Library
• East Los Angeles Service Center
• Los Feliz Branch Library
• Wilshire Branch Library
• Atwater Village Branch Library

In addition to the general centers, the city has highlighted several locations in the San Fernando Valley and Downtown LA, including:

• Canoga Park Senior Citizen’s Center
• North Hollywood Senior Citizen Center
• Pecan Recreation Center
• Algin Sutton Recreation Center

Orange County Cooling Centers

For residents in Orange County, an extensive list of Cooling Centers is available, featuring locations throughout cities such as Anaheim, Irvine, and Santa Ana. Among these centers are:

• Downtown Anaheim Community Center
• East Anaheim Branch Library
• Brea Senior Center
• Buena Park Library
• Cypress Community Center

Riverside and San Bernardino County Facilities

Riverside County activates Cooling Centers when temperatures exceed 97 degrees. A list of designated sites can be found, with highlighted centers including:

• Joyce Jackson Community Center
• La Sierra Senior Center
• Ruth Lewis Community Center
• Dales Senior Center
• Arlanza Library

In San Bernardino County, various locations offer relief during extreme heat, such as:

• Big Bear Lake Branch Library
• Adelanto Branch Library
• Chino Branch Library
• Joshua Tree Branch Library
• Yucaipa Branch Library

Ventura County Library Services

Ventura County has designated several library branches as Cooling Centers during heat waves, including prominent locations:

• Avenue Library
• Fillmore Library
• Oak Park Library
• Ojai Library
• Piru Library

Heat Safety Guidelines

As temperatures soar, Los Angeles County has advised residents to utilize several heat safety tips. Recommendations include avoiding sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., staying hydrated by drinking two to four glasses of water hourly, wearing lightweight clothing, and never leaving children or pets in parked vehicles.

The city’s preparedness resources also provide information in multiple languages to assist diverse communities during this heat wave.