A Very Hot Month, in 21 Photos

To call L.A. a superficial town is in and of itself a superficial comment. This town is brimming with soul — assuming you know where to look.

A good place to start: Instagram.

With that in mind, we bring you 21 ‘Grams, a review of the month that was in our fair city, as told by 21 of our favorite social media-savvy shutterbugs.

A firefighter rushes out from one of the burning buildings in the Art’s District and drops to his knees as he takes off his gear. Shout out to the Firefighters for risking their lives and for all their hard work, especially during the summer (fire season) by @jasperdejesus. #artsdistrictla #lafire #downtownla #dtlawanderer #wheream_i_la #latimes

A photo posted by DTLA Arts District (@dtlaartsdistrict) on Jul 24, 2016 at 8:40am PDT

Because they are the heros we should never take for granted.

A photo posted by letmeeatcake |ms.letmeeatcake (@letmeeatcake) on Jun 28, 2016 at 8:29pm PDT

Because you haven’t experienced an L.A. summer until you’ve had a McConnell’s ice cream sando on a truly dog day.

This sky. #losangeles #sandfire #smoke #sky #wildfire #California #skyonfire #chateaumarmont

A photo posted by Linling (@linlingtao) on Jul 23, 2016 at 5:50pm PDT

Because there are so many reasons to love the Chateau, and this is one of them.

A photo posted by TheTraveLins (@thetravelins) on Jul 26, 2016 at 6:50pm PDT

Because the Rain Room provides respite from the heat. 

A photo posted by JOANNA HALPIN (@joannahalpin) on Jul 25, 2016 at 9:48am PDT

Because yes, we would like to stay in bed all morning.

A photo posted by Chuck Pebenito (@chuckpea) on Jul 25, 2016 at 12:41pm PDT

Because Sound in Focus was a damn good time.

A photo posted by Jenny Parry (@onthe_wayout) on Jul 20, 2016 at 2:20pm PDT

Because we too love drinking from the tap at the Viper Room.

A photo posted by Los Angeles County Museum of Art (@lacma) on Jul 24, 2016 at 11:52am PDT

Because Get Shorty’s Ray Bones was right: the f*cking smog is the f*cking reason we have such beautiful f*cking sunsets.

A photo posted by Joel Shearer (@joelshearer) on Jul 11, 2016 at 9:28am PDT

Because it’d been too long since we’d seen Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.

A photo posted by Ryan Tanaka Photography (@rydka) on Jul 18, 2016 at 11:37pm PDT

Because you need to go dance in the streets in Chinatown.

A photo posted by ｂｅａ (@beaignacio) on Jul 18, 2016 at 9:23pm PDT

Because there are some things we miss about New York, and Smorgasburg was one of them.

Yesterday’s outtake with beauty @louisenvlln in the Helen Tee. Turban x @beatricevalenzuela Panties x @pansyco @mobscura Styled x @sagemm #calderblakewoman #calderblake #madeinla #losangeles

A photo posted by Calder Blake (@calderblake) on Jul 26, 2016 at 8:37am PDT

Because sometimes the outtake is the best picture you take all day.

A photo posted by LOST LOVE (@teetime7) on Jul 26, 2016 at 7:35am PDT

Because reggae in Topanga Canyon is the highest of privileges.

A photo posted by Campfire Adventure Co. (@campfireadventure) on Jul 22, 2016 at 2:27pm PDT

Because it’s Tuna Canyon, and you need to go hike it.

A photo posted by LDMG (@ligeiadiosita) on Jul 25, 2016 at 10:03pm PDT

Because we can’t wait for the L.A. River to return to its natural state.

A photo posted by Wolf & Man ® Menswear Label (@wwolfandman) on Jul 26, 2016 at 6:29pm PDT

Because Venice Beach in July, man.

A video posted by The Broad (@thebroadmuseum) on Jul 27, 2016 at 9:32am PDT

Because blue-tinted sunnies are a great use of The Broad’s Infinity Room.

So this just happened. And we couldn’t be happier. Thank you @popeyethefoodie for being the star of DineLA.

A photo posted by Terrine LA (@terrinerestaurant) on Jul 26, 2016 at 7:58pm PDT

Because he thinks he’s people.

A photo posted by fakelegphotography (@fakelegphotography) on Jul 27, 2016 at 11:38am PDT

Because the US Open of Surfing comes one time a year.

united we stand, divided we throw down. happy 4th of July! #originalbrexit #4thofjuly

A video posted by roobonics (@reubenbrody) on Jul 4, 2016 at 11:00am PDT

Because this was the best 4th of July Party ever.

Roll Forever Photo by @swainstagram, our best friend who got into a skateboarding accident and is stuck at the hospital with no health insurance. To know him is to love him! We can’t live without him! Please contribute to his recovery fund by clicking the link in our bio #loveswainston

A photo posted by Live FAST Magazine (@livefast_mag) on Jul 24, 2016 at 7:56am PDT

Because Chris Swainston is a talented photographer who could use the positive vibes during his recovery.