Words by Kalifa Madden
Photos by Amanda Holmgren
Los Angeles hasn’t always been the most obvious place to experience the Caribbean.
L.A. doesn’t have the same connection to the islands as cities on the East Coast, with their deep-rooted expat communities and easy access to quick flights back home. But it doesn’t take long to discover that the Golden State does have a deep appreciation for reggae music. And the city is a no brainer for islanders who yearn for the beaches and warm weather of home, with the glamour and opportunity of Hollywood.
If you know where to look, it turns out there are plenty of places to find yourself in a Caribbean frame of mind right in L.A. You need to get your island vibes when the stars come out, no worry. Several clubs host long-running reggae and dancehall nights. When you take a step back, island culture is thriving in the city of Angels. We wanted to express our love for Caribbean culture and help fellow islanders cure the homesick blues, so we rode through the city from the beach to the east, to give you our top 10 ways to experience the Caribbean in L.A.