Every year, as summer ends and fall begins, California’s black bears prepare for hibernation by seeking out high-calorie foods. Traditionally, they foraged for acorns, ants, and pine nuts, but in recent years, human trash and food waste have become a major draw. This shift is especially noticeable in Los Angeles, where expanding communities are bringing people and bears into closer contact. Bears are now frequently seen near homes, pools, chicken coops, and fruit trees, often searching for easy meals. Black bears are known for their adaptability and ability to eat a wide variety of foods, including what humans eat. According to Wilson Sherman, a PhD student at the University of California, Los Angeles, who studies human-wildlife interactions, the number of encounters between humans and bears has increased since the 1990s. With an estimated 50,000 to 70,000 black bears in the state, and several hundred living in the Angeles National Forest near Los Angeles, these interactions are becoming more common. Brian Gordon and his partner, who moved to Monrovia — a town known as the "bear capital" — four years ago, have become part of this growing trend. Their home is located right on the edge of the Angeles National Forest, and they’ve learned to live alongside the bears that roam their backyard. They even created an Instagram account called PoolBearLife to document their experiences with the bears, including videos of cubs playing in their pool and climbing trees. Initially, Gordon thought bears were dangerous, but after living with them, he realized they were more curious than threatening. He and his partner now advocate for safe coexistence, keeping trash secure and giving the bears space to roam without interference. Experts like Sherman and Alex Heeran, a research scientist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, emphasize that reducing human food sources can help minimize conflicts. Bears are attracted to items like pet food, koi ponds, fruit trees, and swimming pools because they provide more calories than natural foods like acorns. Climate change also plays a role, as warmer temperatures and wildfires can disrupt natural food sources, pushing bears into urban areas. September is a peak time for bear-human encounters, as bears finish their pre-hibernation eating phase, known as hyperphagia. While most conflicts can be avoided, some may escalate, leading to relocation or, in rare cases, euthanasia. As fall moves into winter, bear-human interactions in Los Angeles will likely slow down, but the challenge of coexisting with these wild neighbors will return in spring. For residents of the city’s foothill areas, living with bears, mountain lions, deer, and coyotes is becoming part of life. While the initial experience can be daunting, many people eventually grow accustomed to the presence of these animals. Sherman notes that the popularity of bear videos on social media can foster empathy and awareness, but it also carries the risk of romanticizing bears as overly cute, rather than recognizing them as wild animals that need space to thrive.