L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti believes city will 'jump back' post-pandemic: 'The glitz and glamour of Hollywood will return'

Despite new coronavirus cases falling in Los Angeles County, it’s unlikely that tourism in the region will return to pre-pandemic levels anytime soon.

But Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti is optimistic about the city’s future. He tells Yahoo Life how the City of Angels will bounce back from the pandemic and shares a few ways to virtually enjoy some of the city’s unique cultural offerings from home — no matter where you live. He even lent his born-and-raised Angeleno expertise to an augmented reality experience of the iconic Hollywood Sign.

Listen to Mayor Garcetti tell the tale of the Hollywood Sign. Just click on the below image to explore further.

“I know that the glitz and glamour of Hollywood will return. In fact, it’s never left,” Garcetti says. “But it’s more than just glitz and glamour. Hollywood truly shines when we tell our stories, our challenges, our triumphs, especially now as we face a global crisis.”

Nearly every facet of the entertainment industry has struggled to adapt to a new normal in terms of safety protocols. And while the coronavirus pandemic is a wholly unique problem, Garcetti notes that L.A. has triumphed in the past, including following the 2008 recession.

“We bounced back in 2009 and I'm confident we’re going to bounce back in 2020,” he says. “We’ve got the Super Bowl [in 2022] coming. We've got the Olympic and Paralympic Games [in 2028] coming. We’re investing in 15 new rail lines and rapid transit lines.”

Garcetti calls the Hollywood Sign “a symbol of our creative spirit” and now that creativity is on full display. While visitors wanting a slice of SoCal life might have to forego the year-round sunshine, there’s still plenty of sights to see online.

For example, The Broad from Home’s online collection includes music, poetry, and Up Close curator talks. Art fans can also explore the Getty from home, and for those craving a taste of DTLA, Broadway for Families has a unique virtual walking tour of the downtown district.

Of course, those options are in addition to Tinseltown’s most prolific output these days: streaming video content.

“While you've been at home, you’ve been streaming what Hollywood produces: The stories of the entire world,” Garcetti says.

2021 remains a looming question mark in terms of a return to normalcy but Garcetti thinks that once L.A. can safely do so, “this city is poised to not only come back but to jump back.”

For the latest coronavirus news and updates, follow along at https://news.yahoo.com/coronavirus. According to experts, people over 60 and those who are immunocompromised continue to be the most at risk. If you have questions, please reference the CDC’s and WHO’s resource guides.

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• Glossary of public health terms to stay informed

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• COVID-19 and pregnancy: What we know so far

• How to find a job, unemployment insurance

• Q&A with Dr. Kavita Patel: How to keep your family safe and maintain your mental health

• Opening and cleaning delivery packages

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• How to do your laundry safely

Read more from Yahoo Life:

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