LA Times: Essential California

California news for readers who want local context

LA Times: Essential California is a news app for people who want reporting focused on Los Angeles, California and the West, with coverage that also reaches national and international stories. It suits readers who follow local politics, breaking news, food, culture, entertainment, sports and major events in the region.

What you can read and watch

The app combines a curated news feed with longer-form reporting and opinion. It also includes coverage of dining, arts, pop culture and entertainment, along with reporting on Los Angeles sports teams. A video area adds short documentaries and other newsroom-produced clips. Readers who prefer a newspaper layout can browse the eNewspaper rather than the standard article feed.

• Top news: A focused view of important stories as they develop.
• Alerts: Push notifications for breaking coverage.
• My Library: Save stories and return to recent reading activity.
• Sharing: Send articles through common social and email options.

Best for regular Times readers

This is a better fit for someone who wants one publication to follow California closely, rather than a general-purpose headline reader. The strongest reason to choose it is the combination of local reporting and specialist sections covering the subjects that shape life in Los Angeles. If you mainly want quick headlines from everywhere, the app may feel more focused than necessary.

Access and user signal

The app offers a limited selection of stories each month, while full digital access requires a subscription. Existing digital subscribers can sign in for broader access. It has passed 500,000 installs and holds a 3.1 rating from 3,722 reviews. That score suggests a mixed experience, so the app makes the most sense when the Los Angeles Times’ reporting is specifically what you want.