A Waymo vehicle struck a child on Friday, January 23. According to the NHTSA, the incident occurred within two blocks of a Santa Monica, CA elementary school during normal school drop off hours and that there were other children, a crossing guard, and several double-parked vehicles were in the vicinity. The child ran across the street from behind a double parked SUV towards the school and was struck by the Waymo AV. Waymo reported that the child sustained minor injuries.

At the time of the incident, the Waymo AV was operated by Waymo’s 5th Generation Automated Driving System (ADS). No safety operator was present in the vehicle.

Waymo released a statement:

"At Waymo, we are committed to improving road safety, both for our riders and all those with whom we share the road. Part of that commitment is being transparent when incidents occur, which is why we are sharing details regarding an event in Santa Monica, California, on Friday, January 23, where one of our vehicles made contact with a young pedestrian. Following the event, we voluntarily contacted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that same day. NHTSA has indicated to us that they intend to open an investigation into this incident, and we will cooperate fully with them throughout the process.

The event occurred when the pedestrian suddenly entered the roadway from behind a tall SUV, moving directly into our vehicle's path. Our technology immediately detected the individual as soon as they began to emerge from behind the stopped vehicle. The Waymo Driver braked hard, reducing speed from approximately 17 mph to under 6 mph before contact was made.

To put this in perspective, our peer-reviewed model shows that a fully attentive human driver in this same situation would have made contact with the pedestrian at approximately 14 mph. This significant reduction in impact speed and severity is a demonstration of the material safety benefit of the Waymo Driver.

Following contact, the pedestrian stood up immediately, walked to the sidewalk, and we called 911. The vehicle remained stopped, moved to the side of the road, and stayed there until law enforcement cleared the vehicle to leave the scene.

This event demonstrates the critical value of our safety systems. We remain committed to improving road safety where we operate as we continue on our mission to be the world’s most trusted driver."

A parent posted this statement online:

"Happened in my kids school, grant elementary. From everything I heard, it’s the kids/parents fault for sure. They let the child out on the opposite side of the street ad the kids ran behind a car to cross the street. There is a crossings guard just next to him but they still ran. I hope they will charge the parents for negligence. I’m not here to protect a corporation but I believe that if it was a human driver the kid would had it worse."

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Big Blue Bus honors Rosa Parks’ birthday and Transit Equity Day, with FREE RIDES on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 To honor the legacy of Civil Rights Activist Rosa Parks, Transit Equity Day is celebrated nationwide as a day of action supporting equitable, affordable, accessible, reliable, and safe transit for all. This year’s theme, “Transit Moves Democracy”, highlights the work being done by community leaders, environmentalists, and social justice advocates fighting for equitable, accessible, and fully funded sustainable public transit systems in our communities. Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.

Construction of the new Santa Monica Pier Bridge is underway. Work will take place near the intersection of Ocean Avenue and Colorado Avenue and extend to the Pier entrance on weekdays from 5 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

In preparation for the demolition and reconstruction of the Pier Bridge later this year, crews are constructing a temporary pedestrian bridge and temporary vehicle ramp to maintain access to the Pier and its attractions.

Two-Week Closure of Moomat Ahiko Way Off-Ramp Crews will perform an extended closure of the Moomat Ahiko Way off-ramp from southbound PCH from Monday, Feb. 9 through Friday, Feb. 27. This closure is necessary to construct the foundation of the temporary pedestrian bridge.

Originally constructed in 1939, the 86-year-old bridge no longer meets modern structural or seismic standards. To improve long-term safety, access, and mobility, the city is moving forward with a federally funded replacement project that will deliver a new, seismically sound structure with improved features, including a 15-foot-wide sidewalk to enhance the experience for pedestrians and bicyclists.

The replacement bridge will preserve the character and scenic views of the historic route while addressing critical structural deficiencies. Construction is scheduled to begin in late-2025 and is expected to be completed before the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Construction activities will take place near the intersection of Ocean Avenue and Colorado Avenue, extending to the entrance of the Pier. The city will implement traffic management strategies and work closely with stakeholders to minimize disruption throughout the approximately two-year construction period.

The City of Santa Monica appreciates the public’s patience and cooperation as it invests in this vital infrastructure improvement to ensure continued safe access to the Pier for generations to come.

Bridge Improvements

Replace the existing 86-year-old bridge with a seismically sound and structurally safe bridge.
Improve safety and accessibility for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles traveling to and from the Santa Monica Pier.
Increase pedestrian access with a wider sidewalk to accommodate the high volume of foot traffic.
Preserve the visual character and aesthetics of the surrounding area, including views from Palisades Park.
Maintain vital access for Pier businesses, residents, and emergency services.
Complete construction prior to the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympics to support regional mobility and tourism.

Santa Monica Police activity: Homeless Man with a large pet rat threatens a street Performer on the pier , a woman collaspes from the heat, and another homeless man is arrested for an outstanding warrant.

Santa Monica is partnering with Goldenvoice, a division of AEG Presents and one of the nation’s leading producers of large-scale music events, to produce a new music and cultural festival on Santa Monica’s coastline in fall 2026.

"Partnering with the city of Santa Monica to bring a yearly music festival to the Pier is a true honor for us,” said Melissa Ormond, Goldenvoice COO and COO of Festivals for AEG Presents. “We can't wait to bring world class music and artists to one of the most beautiful urban locations in the state."

The inaugural festival concept envisions a single-day event with an estimated capacity of 30,000 to 35,000 attendees. Programming would include 12 to 15 musical artists, curated food and beverage offerings, festival and artist merchandise, art installations, partnership activations, and guest services such as restrooms, lockers, and water stations.

Goldenvoice has indicated its intention to design a festival that aligns with the character of Santa Monica, encourages attendance by residents, and drives economic activity for local hotels, restaurants, and retail prior to and during the event.

The concert would return in fall 2027 and fall 2028 as an annual event.

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

It's time for Santa Monica's 8th Annual Polar Bear Plunge!

Saturday, January 10, 2026, 10am-2pm Looking for a bold way to get 2026 started? The Annual Polar Bear Plunge at the Beach House is a great way to refresh, reset, and have some fun. If you have never been part of a Polar Bear Plunge, it’s time to see what you’re missing.

The morning starts with a 10 a.m. check-in at Guest Services before heading to the shoreline in front of the Beach House. The first plunge takes place around 10:15 a.m. The most stalwart Polar Bears can take part in the 300-yard swim around a buoy. At this no judgement zone, whether you stick your toes in the ocean, take a quick dip or round the buoy, it’s a great experience that gets the blood pumping and the skin tingling. After the invigorating ocean plunge, warm up in the heated Beach House pool. Gather with friends and family, enjoy a cup of hot chocolate, and grab a photo with our very own Pat the Polar Bear mascot.

Pool admission will be charged for Polar Bears and others entering the pool deck to visit, soak, swim in the heated pool, or take a hot shower.

In-person registration will be available but may be limited on the day of event. Parking is $3 per hour or $8 per day.

Pool Admission: $10/adult, $5/senior adult age 60+, $4/youth age 1-17.

Regular Pool Rules apply while swimming at this event. Youth under age eight and under four feet must be accompanied by an adult in the pool at all times.

For more info, Click Here.

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HomeState is a Texas Kitchen in Southern California sharing breakfast tacos, queso, brisket, house-made flour tortillas and genuine hospitality. In 2013, Briana “Breezy” Valdez founded HomeState in Los Angeles with the dream of sharing her Texas identity through food and hospitality.

We’d originally planned to host our Santa Monica Grand Opening Celebration last coming Sunday but it rained. So instead, join us on Saturday, January 10 for sunny skies and good times.

• The first 50 guests will receive a festival-style wristband that lets you + a friend come back for one free taco every day for a week! We open at 7am!

• Our friends @amigoroasters are popping up and will be sharing complimentary pours of iced lattes and their signature OG blend.

• Limited-edition HomeState Santa Monica tees will be available for purchase.

Most importantly, it’s an opportunity for us to come together and officially celebrate the opening of our new home at the corner of Lincoln and Wilshire.

Until then, we’re open daily from 7AM-9PM for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and everything in between. Happy Hour is from 3-6pm, Monday through Thursday. FREE PARKING IN THE BACK

Thank you for the warm welcome so far 💛💛💛

Team HomeState

720 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 101
Santa Monica, CA 90401

For more info, Click Here.

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Project Save Our Surf returns to Tower 26 to clean the beach. Buckets, gloves and light snacks will be provided.

SUNDAY January 17th



While we are usually on the second Saturday of the month - were doing this one big on Sunday for plastic free July with amazing sponsors - cant wait to see you out soon!

Come join Project Save Our Surf for a fun afternoon of music and refreshments cleaning the beach. Buckets and gloves will also be provided for the cleanup. Connect with others in Los Angeles working to support our environment.

Supported by Beryl Foundation you can donate by choosing a donation ticket and choosing an amount

We have also partnered with Project Pop Drop to collect items for the homeless that we will be delivering to a homeless shelter on the last Saturday of the month (each month is a different shelter and details will be available at the cleanup for those who want to attend that event as well). We are collecting non- perishable foods and new toiletries, new socks, new underwear, new clothing etc.

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

On January 6, 2026, at approximately 11:54 a.m., the Santa Monica Police Department was notified by UCLA Police that an adult female had been detained on the UCLA campus after making statements indicating she had harmed her child and left the child inside an apartment in the 2000 block of Broadway.

Officers responded to the residence where an infant was located inside an apartment with significant injuries. Santa Monica Fire Department personnel responded and transported the infant to a local area hospital, where the child was later pronounced deceased.

The adult female was taken into custody in connection with this incident and transported to the Santa Monica Jail. The identities of those involved are not being released at this time.

The cause and manner of death will be determined by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.

Detectives from the Santa Monica Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division are actively investigating this case. Based on preliminary information, this appears to be an isolated incident and there is no ongoing threat to the community.

No additional information is available at this time. Further updates will be provided as appropriate. Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.

Kicking off the Route 66 Centennial by hosting the first official caravan of 2026 at the Santa Monica Ice Rink on Friday, January 2. Come on by and see the cars on display. Music and Mocktails till 10:00.

1324 Fifth Street, Santa Monica

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

From the late 1920s through the late 1940s, gambling racketeers operated a series of floating casinos three miles off the Southern California coast – just outside the state’s jurisdiction. Crime historian J. Michael Niotta, the great-grandson of Los Angeles Mafia boss Jack Dragna, will discuss the men who ushered in the floating casino era and how some of them found their way to Las Vegas.

This program is presented by The Mob Museum and includes views and opinions of independent panelists and/or interviewees that do not necessarily reflect or represent the stance of The Mob Museum. Factual statements made by panelists/interviewees have also not been vetted by the Museum, and the Museum does not assert that such statements are truthful. All statements should be understood as the individual’s perspective rather than a view expressed by The Mob Museum.

Santa Monica's Third Street Promenade comes back to live with a huge block party featuring live dj sets, lasers, open container drink policy, ballerinas, and more..This happened on Saturday night, December 20th. One of many events that the Third Street Promenade is having in thier eforts to revitalize the place.

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

Santa Monica's iconic 20-foot Shopping Cart Tree returns to Main Street with a festive lighting celebration..

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

The best Daisy the Venice Healer moments of 2026, along with some of the worst moments.

Click Here for more Stories about Daisy the Venice Healer

Construction is officially underway on the long-anticipated project to replace and upgrade the 86-year-old Santa Monica Pier Bridge. Construction crews are mobilizing onsite and staging equipment this week and next week to begin early fieldwork and site preparation for the Pier Bridge Replacement Project. Initial activities will include potholing and utility work, as well as widening and strengthening portions of the Pier in advance of bridge demolition and construction. Pier restaurants, shops and entertainment, as well as parking and visitor access, will remain open and accessible throughout construction, ensuring residents and visitors can continue to enjoy the Pier with minimal disruption. Approximately one-third of the parking lot area at Beach Parking Lot 1 North, adjacent to the Pier, will be used as the construction staging area. Approximately 726 parking spaces will remain available at Beach Parking Lot 1 during construction. Wayfinding signage is being installed to direct drivers to multiple alternate parking locations near the Pier. Construction is expected to continue through the end of 2027.

Locals’ Night is taking a holiday spin. This month, Holiday Cheer on the Pier wraps up with a special Locals’ Night: Sandy Cane Lane x Art Mart on Thursday, December 18. Enjoy live music, photos with Santa, a festive sand sculpture, and the return of our fan-favorite car decorating contest (Sandy Cane Lane), where car enthusiasts deck out their rides in holiday spirit for a cash prize. Celebrate the season seaside with lights, laughter, and holiday cheer.

Shop unique art, handmade goods, and festive finds from local artists, then explore Sandy Cane Lane: a glowing lineup of decked-out cars, holiday décor, and festive surprises.

What to Expect:

🎶 Sounds by local DJs

🛍️ Winter Art Mart featuring local artists and vendors

🚗 Sandy Cane Lane car decorating contest with cash prizes

🎅 Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus

🏖️ Festive holiday sand sculpture

📚 Books & Cookies musical storytime

🎨 Paint:Lab art station

✨ Holiday lights, ocean views, and more!

December’s Lineup!

Inside the Merry Go-Round Building:

3:30pm - 7:00pm — Paint:Lab

4:00pm - 7:00pm — Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus

Patio 66 at Pacific Park (next to Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf):

3:30pm & 4:30pm — Books & Cookies Musical Storytime

5:00pm & 6:30pm — Bob Baker Marionnette Theater

Main Stage:

5:00pm - 10:00pm — DJ sets from Jamma Dee, Xica Soul, Tavish DJ, Aiden Ramos, and DJ Proper

Pier’s Parking Deck:

5:00 - 9:30pm — Shop the Winter Art Mart from local artists/vendors (curated by Lisa Goldman)

5:00 - 8:00pm — Sandy Cane Lane (Festive Car Show + Competition)

Free to enter | Arrive at Pier Parking Deck by 4pm

Winner announced at 7pm ($400 CASH PRIZE)

For more info, Click Here

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

Another collection of scenes from Santa Monica of people that are acting abnormal. From wild screaming and dancing in the street to fire fighters having to put out a smoldering traffic cone, Santa Monica never fails to amaze. All of these scenes were filmed in November.

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The Largest Charity Crawl on the West Coast Returns...

Join thousands of Santas, Elves, and Naughty Reindeer at the 17th Annual SANTA Monica Pub Crawl on Saturday, December 13, 2025 from 5pm-2am!

Over 20 of the city’s best bars and restaurants come together to help raise money for the Westside Food Bank and those in need for the Holidays.

So throw on those Santa hats, shine those menorahs, grab your friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues, and Crawl for a Cause at the 17th annual SANTA Monica Pub Crawl.

Since 2008, the SANTA Monica Pub Crawl has raised enough for HALF A MILLION MEALS for the Westside Food Bank, and we couldn't have done it without you! Every $5 raised feeds 20 people, so every little bit counts.

For more info, Click Here

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

Santa Claus is coming to town with Santa Monica's police officers & firefighters leading the way. Santa and his public safety helpers will be distributing good cheer and thousands of candy canes as part of this year’s 33rd Annual "Candy Cane Drive.”

Everyone is invited to join in the festivities sponsored by the Santa Monica Police Officers Association and Santa Monica Firefighters, Local 1109 .

To ensure everyone has the opportunity to visit with Santa, this year’s scheduled stops include one per police beat.

Saturday, December 6, 2025:

10:00 – 10:45 am Douglas Park - 2400 California Ave (Beat 4)

11:00-11:30 am Christine Reed Park California Ave & 7th Street (Beat 1)

1:00 – 1:45 pm Virginia Avenue Park - 2200 Virginia Ave (Beat 3)

2:00 – 2:45 pm Clover Park - Ocean Park & 25th St (Beat 2)

Santa Monica children are encouraged to look and listen for the lights and sirens of the public safety vehicles, while parents are encouraged to bring their cameras.

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

Holiday Walk in Santa Monica — street closed to cars! FREE fun for all with Santa, Grinch, train & more!

The Holiday Walk & Marketplace transforms Santa Monica’s Montana Avenue into a festive outdoor celebration with local merchants, live music, carolers, and appearances by the Grinch, Cindy Lou, and Princess Elsa!



Shop, dine, and explore special in-store events and street booths from your favorite Montana Avenue businesses — the perfect way to celebrate the season and support local!

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