KQED's Forum What Does California Smell Like to You?
Mar 21, 2025
Maxwell Williams, an olfactory artist and assistant editor at the Los Angeles Times, joins Aashish Manglik, a UCSF professor specializing in the science of smell. They discuss how scents like sequoias and ocean spray evoke vivid memories of California. Personal stories highlight how diverse aromas can transport individuals back to significant life events. The conversation also covers the neurological links between smell and memory, including the challenges of scent loss post-COVID-19 and the artistry involved in perfume making.
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Unexpected LA Smell
- LA Times readers shared their most memorable L.A. smells with Maxwell Williams.
- Unexpectedly, many cited See's Candies, located near the 405 freeway.
Jasmine by the LA River
- Maxwell Williams' personal LA scent is jasmine.
- He associates it with walks along the LA River, where it blooms every spring.
Redwood Memories
- Aashish Manglik's California scent is the smell of redwood trees.
- He associates it with camping trips to Samuel P. Taylor State Park.