Sir, – Like any resident of Los Angeles, I do not discount its problems, including its unhoused population. However, Keith Duggan, in what seems to have been a brief visit, repeats the usual tropes about the city’s apparently untenable decline (“Los Angeles, the city created by an Irish vagabond visionary, licks its wounds in 2026”, June 12th).There is a lot more to LA than the areas he elected to highlight. Perhaps on a future visit he might like to visit one of the many world-class museums, including the newly opened extension of LACMA which has gained favourable comment around the world. If his schedule permits, he could stroll around the beautiful campuses of local academic powerhouses such as UCLA or USC. If he feels like some more fresh air I would recommend the boardwalk along the Pacific Ocean or a hike in one of the stunning trails in the Santa Monica Mountains that Los Angeles backs up against.In the evening, perhaps a concert by the highly regarded LA Philharmonic in its iconic concert hall, or even better at the Hollywood Bowl, would be of interest.Finally, he could enjoy the endless dining possibilities in this dynamic, multiethnic city. Sounds like time for another trip here away from the summer heat in Washington. – Yours, etc,PAUL MARTIN,Pacific Palisades,California.