From Santa Monica Close Up:

"On Friday, July 26, 2024, Santa Monica firefighters and Harbor Patrol officers swiftly responded to a fire call beneath the Santa Monica Pier. Upon arrival, the fire engine found that a smaller fire truck from the beach station had already managed to extinguish the blaze by covering it with sand. Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire was started by homeless individuals loitering underneath the pier."

Santa Monica Close Up is a photo blog by Santa Monica based Photojournalist/Press photographer Fabian Lewkowicz. Fabian is the former staff photographer for the Santa Monica Daily Observer Press, Santa Monica Mirror, Santa Monica and the Santa Monica Corsair.

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"Hundreds of people gathered at Santa Monica Beach on Thursday, July 25, 2024, to celebrate the release of Mexican music superstar Fuerza Regida's new album, "Pero No Te Enamores." Fuerza Regida announced on social media that he would be hosting a release party at Santa Monica Beach, drawing hundreds of fans eager to see him perform live from a balcony on Ocean Front Walk. The impromptu performance delighted the crowd, who gathered on the beach to enjoy the music.

The Santa Monica Police Department, alerted to the spontaneous gathering, dispatched several officers to manage traffic around the Santa Monica Pier and beach, as the event caused significant gridlock in the area.

The album "Pero No Te Enamores," released today, represents a new direction for Fuerza Regida while retaining the essence of their signature sound, complete with distinctive lingo, guitars, and summer party vibes."

Santa Monica Close Up is a photo blog by Santa Monica based Photojournalist/Press photographer Fabian Lewkowicz. Fabian is the former staff photographer for the Santa Monica Daily Observer Press, Santa Monica Mirror, Santa Monica and the Santa Monica Corsair.

The area by Ballona Creek is now open, but other beaches still have Warnings:

July 24, 2024


BEACH AREAS NOW CLEARED:

Warnings have been lifted for the following beach areas where recent sample results identified water quality levels within State standards:

· Dockweiler State Beach, one mile south from Ballona Creek

· Venice Beach, one mile north from Ballona Creek

BEACH AREA WARNINGS:

· Las Flores Creek at Las Flores State Beach

The entire swim area.

· Walnut Creek at Paradise Cove

The entire swim area.

· Solstice Creek at Dan Blocker County Beach

The entire swim area.

· Marie Canyon Storm Drain at Puerco Beach

100 yards up and down the coast from the public access steps.

· Sweetwater Canyon Storm Drain at Carbon Canyon Beach

The entire swim area.

· Castlerock Storm Drain at Topanga County Beach

The entire swim area.

· Ramirez Creek at Paradise Cove

100 yards up and down the coast from the Paradise Cove Pier.

· Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro

The entire swim area.

· Escondido Creek at Escondido State Beach

The entire swim area.

· Topanga Canyon Beach in Malibu

100 yards up and down the coast from the lagoon.

· Malibu Lagoon at Surfrider Beach

100 yards up and down the coast from the public restrooms.

· Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica

100 yards up and down the coast from the pier.

· Ballona Creek at Dockweiler State Beach. Near Dockweiler Tower 40

100 yards up and down the coast from the creek.

These warnings have been issued due to bacterial levels exceeding health standards when last tested.

Use the map below to obtain the current water quality status of your favorite beach location. Use your mouse wheel to zoom into a particular location. Click on the marker to identify the sampling location. This map is updated as conditions change.

Mike, aka German in Venice, vlogs about daily life in Venice Beach, and the nearby communities.

"Crime has increased the past three years in Santa Monica. There are lots of homeless people hanging out in the local parks and beaches. I walked around on third street promenade, and I had to find out that lots of stores are out of business. Even in the streets around third Street the city is definitely dying. How can Santa Monica be saved?"

This month’s Last Thursday concert series will have The Brobots outside on the main stage at Dudley Avenue and Ocean Front Walk from 6:30 to sunset.

For more info, Click Here.

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.

Event Details:
Tuesday, Aug 6th 5pm – 7pm
Forest Cove Park

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.

July 08, 2024

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has issued an ocean water closure for the following area due to the release of approximately 15,000 gallons of untreated sewage:

· One mile north and one mile south of Ballona Creek.

Public Health officials are advising residents or visitors planning to visit Los Angeles County beaches to avoid contact with ocean water and wet sand in the areas noted above.

According to LA City Sanitation, a sewage discharge occurred on July 20th around 4:00pm near 2700 S Cresta Pl, Los Angeles CA 90064, resulting in an estimated 15,000 gallons of sewage entering Ballona Creek. The cause of the sewage discharge was a broken water main that pushed sand into the sewer causing the blockage.

The affected beaches will remain closed for at least 48 hours and until two water quality tests indicate that bacterial levels meet health standards. The Department of Public Health will conduct water sampling beginning on July 22nd.

Recorded information on beach conditions is available 24- hours a day on the County's beach closure hotline:

1-800- 525-5662.

Use the map below to obtain the current water quality status of your favorite beach location. Use your mouse wheel to zoom into a particular location. Click on the marker to identify the sampling location. This map is updated as conditions change.

According to RMG News, a pedestrian was killed after being struck by two vehicles, one of which dragged him down the street in a Venice neighborhood.

The person was crossing the street in an unmarked crosswalk in the 700 block of Venice Boulevard at 11:19 p.m. when he was hit by a vehicle. That vehicle took off after striking the pedestrian.

Then a second vehicle hit the pedestrian dragging and pinning the victim under the car. Police said the car stopped not too far from the collision.

Firefighter arrived and raised the BMW off the victim and the paramedics pronounced the victim dead.

Police currently are investigating the incident.

Following the successful conversion of restrooms at several city parks, the city of Santa Monica is set to complete all-gender restrooms at the beach and Pier this month.

The effort is in partnership with the Santa Monica Pier Corporation and is partially supported by a $40,000 grant from the office of Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Lindsey P. Horvath.

Santa Monica beaches and Pier are among the top-visited destinations in the region. Now, visitors will have expanded access to a basic life necessity, regardless of their gender identity. The all-gender restrooms also benefit those who need to assist someone of a different gender, such as a caregiver or parent.

“Santa Monica embraces people of all gender identities. The all-gender signage is a significant advancement in our work to ensure our spaces are accessible to everyone. Moreover, the all-gender signage sends the important message that Santa Monica’s spaces are welcoming spaces for all genders and gender identities,” Deputy City Manager and LGBTQ+ Liaison Christopher Smith said. “Everyone should feel welcome while enjoying our beautiful Santa Monica beaches and I want to thank L.A. County Board of Supervisors Chair Lindsey P. Horvath for her support.”

All-gender restrooms are increasingly commonplace, found in restaurants, cultural venues and academic institutions.

“Santa Monica is known around the world as a welcoming place where anyone can be free to be themselves,” said Santa Monica Mayor Phil Brock. “As we take this meaningful step, I encourage everyone to take part in enjoying our Pier and beach and spending the day in our beautiful city."

The majority of Santa Monica’s existing beach and pier restrooms were constructed using an individual toilet stall and locking mechanism design with common areas for hand washing. Phase I of the conversion project includes installing new door signage on the existing restrooms, with expected completion by August. Phase 2 includes installing new wayfinding signage, set to be completed by spring 2025.

Santa Monica has long been a leader in fostering equity and inclusion. The 2022 Santa Monica/West Hollywood co-sponsored legislation Senate Bill 1194 paved the way for local agencies to expand access to inclusive all-gender restroom facilities within their jurisdictions. In 2023, the Santa Monica City Council unanimously adopted an ordinance requiring all-gender, multi-stall public restrooms for all newly constructed buildings and the city began the process of converting existing public restrooms at its beach and parks.

“The city of Santa Monica’s transition to all-gender restrooms on our beaches is a meaningful act of inclusion for both local communities and visitors who enjoy our beautiful coastline,” Horvath said. “This investment puts Santa Monica’s values into action and is part of their longstanding commitment to equality and creating a welcoming community for all. My office is proud to support this effort.”

The all-gender restroom project advances the city’s key strategic priority of Justice, Equity & Inclusion. n we feel that unity, awareness and visibility is needed more than ever. This car show is necessary to celebrate our region’s cultural diversity that is at risk of extinction,” stated Oscar de la Torre, Santa Monica City Councilman.

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.