From Santa Monica Close Up:

"The City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works carried out a cleanup operation of homeless encampments at the Venice Beach restrooms on Friday, May 19, 2023. Sanitation workers were donned in white hazardous materials suits as part of the safety protocol for the cleanup. LAHSA (Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority) was on site and provided homeless outreach during the cleanup operation."

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.

Support Santa Monica Closeup/Fabian Lewkowicz with Venmo or PayPal to help earn money to make these videos:

https://venmo.com/u/santamonicacloseup

https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/fabianlewkowicz

LA’s beloved grassroots LGBTQ+ Pride celebration returns with FREE party in the street!

Be who you are at the Venice Pride Block Party on Friday, June 2, 2023 from 5 PM to 11 PM at 99 Windward Ave, Venice, CA. Featuring community booths, food trucks, queer market, and more! Celebrate Pride at the beach, it’s open to the public—and all ages!

Special Pride month edition of everyone’s favorite westside queer dance party, @gaywatchparty (21+) to follow Block Party at Baja Cantina from 10 PM to 2 AM. Proceeds from the Block Party will benefit Venice Pride, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit aimed at saving lives through the acceptance of diversity by giving back to the local community through volunteerism, partnerships and events throughout the year.

For more info and tickets, Click Here

Here's surfing photos from Monday, May 15th at the Venice Breakwater.

This set of surf photos was shot by Six12 Media and brought to you by Bodyglove.

These are just a few of the 100+ photos from this session. If you were out there, you probably got some surfing shots, probably multiple photos, they will be in the complete photo galleries for this day, check them out, the links to the complete galleries are down below.

















You can find 100+ more photos from this session, all full size and in high-resolution, in this photo gallery:

Venice Breakwater - Monday 5-15-2023 Gallery


If you were out there, we probably got some cool surfing shots of you, go check them out!

Wanna see photos from previous days at this and other local surf spots from this photographer?
Click Surf Spot Galleries and look for the spot and then the date.

Kick off Summer at the Venice Summer Fest

Saturday, June 24th, 2023. 12pm - 8pm in downtown Mar Vista, on Venice Blvd.

Explore the Fest Grounds as you enjoy a day filled with Local Bands, Activities for the Entire Family, Shop Local Artists & Designers, Dog Adoptions, Yoga, Games, Food trucks, Beer Gardens, Classic Cars & so much more! ☮️🎶

The Fest will be located in between Centinela & Inglewood Blvd. The city has closed Venice Blvd. for this event. The event will be held in the street. This is a free community event.

Dog Friendly

12257 Venice Blvd Los Angeles CA, 90066

For more info, Click Here

The Venice Beach Games is a sun soaked celebration of sports and fitness in the world’s greatest beach front recreation center.

The entire park and its glorious amenities are full of organized activity put on by the fantastic groups of people playing here. It is a day where the public can join 25+ sports groups running free activities, clinics, contests, games, and tournaments. Our Fitness Village and Main Stage also facilitate guest interaction with the best in local gyms, group workouts, personal training, athletic brands, recovery, nutrition, and more.

The Venice Beach Games is Venice Beach’s premier summer sports festival. With thousands of participants and tens of thousands of spectators, it is not to be missed.

Date: Saturday, July 29, 2023.
Time: 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
Admission: Free
Who can participate: You can! And everyone else too!
Location: Venice Beach Recreation Center.
1800 Ocean Front Walk. Venice, California 90291

The 2023 event will included:
- Battle of the Bars presented by World Calisthenics Org.
- Calisthenics Reps competition by United Nation of Gains
- Skate park competition: snake run, big bowl, highest ollie by Skateparks Intl.
- Fitness Zone with local gyms hosting workouts and challenges including: Camp L.A., and Deuce
- Muscle Beach Stage group fitness classes with Fit Girl Club featuring Camp L.A.
- Martial Arts grappling area with wrestling by Mat Monsters
- Jiu Jitsu by Rey Diogo and Ocean Grown
- Sambo by Justin
- Boxing Classes by Box Union and Santa Monica Strikers
- Capoeira clinic and demo
- Soccer clinics and organized games by Venice Beach Football League
- Handball tournament by USA Handball
- Paddle tennis clinics and tournament by Street Paddle and Pop Paddle
- Pickle ball clinics and tournament by Venice Pickle Ball
- Beach volley ball games by Westside Volley Ball
- Basketball clinics and games and dunk contest by Venice Ball
- All Wheels Welcome Jam: Long board, flat land, scooter, blades, and more, competition, lessons, and open dance jam
- Roller Skating open dance and lessons with Venice Beach Skate Dance Assoc.
- Kids Zone with arts and crafts, featuring Sunny Side Chalkers
- Beach clean up contest by Venice Community Cleanups and Spogomi.
- Ping Pong with Venice Pong Club
- Teq Ball area with Legacy Teq Ball
- Vendor village and resource fair
- and more!

For more info, Click Here

Kanya Sesser's story is one of resilience and inspiration. Born without legs and abandoned as a baby, Kanya refused to let her disability define her. At the age of 9, she discovered skateboarding, and it became a life-changing moment for her. Skateboarding gave Kanya a newfound sense of freedom and independence, allowing her to overcome physical barriers and societal misconceptions. Her unwavering spirit and determination have propelled her forward, and she has become an advocate for inclusivity in the skateboarding community and beyond.

Kanya's courage and determination have not only helped her find freedom in skateboarding but have also made her a role model for others facing challenges in their lives.

Video by Carver Skateboards. .

Here's surfing photos from Friday, May 12th at the Venice Pier. This set of surf photos was shot by Six12 Media and brought to you by Jack's Surfboards.                                                                

Here's surfing photos from Friday, May 12th at the Venice Pier.

This set of surf photos was shot by Six12 Media and brought to you by Jack's Surfboards.

These are just a few of the 30+ photos from this session. If you were out there, you probably got some surfing shots, probably multiple photos, they will be in the complete photo gallery for this day, check them out, the link to the complete gallery is down below.











You can find 30+ more photos from this session, all full size and in high-resolution, in this photo gallery:

Venice Pier - Friday 5-12-2023 Gallery


If you were out there, we probably got some cool surfing shots of you, go check them out!

Wanna see photos from previous days at this and other local surf spots from this photographer?
Click Surf Spot Galleries and look for the spot and then the date.

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"On Tuesday, May 9, 2023, skaters assemble at Venice Beach to participate in the Vibe Ride LA meet-up. This event encourages individuals to learn and ride various wheeled devices such as longboards, skates, one wheels, bikes, and more, fostering a sense of community. Join us for a delightful cruise amidst the beauty of nature. The Vibe Ride LA skateboard meet-ups take place every Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. and every Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m."

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.

Support Santa Monica Closeup/Fabian Lewkowicz with Venmo or PayPal to help earn money to make these videos:

https://venmo.com/u/santamonicacloseup

https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/fabianlewkowicz

Who’s ready to dunk on 'em? Catch us at the White Men Cant Jump x Hoop Bus tomorrow, May 10.

Venice Beach Courts
1708-1798 Ocean Front Walk

Here's surfing photos from Saturday, May 6th at the Venice Pier. This set of surf photos was shot by Six12 Media and brought to you by Jack's Surfboards.                                                                

Here's surfing photos from Saturday, May 6th at the Venice Pier.

This set of surf photos was shot by Six12 Media and brought to you by Jack's Surfboards.

These are just a few of the 100+ photos from this session. If you were out there, you probably got some surfing shots, probably multiple photos, they will be in the complete photo gallery for this day, check them out, the link to the complete gallery is down below.

















You can find 100+ more photos from this session, all full size and in high-resolution, in thisphoto gallery:

Venice Pier - Saturday 5-6-2023 Gallery


If you were out there, we probably got some cool surfing shots of you, go check them out!

Wanna see photos from previous days at this and other local surf spots from this photographer?
Click Surf Spot Galleries and look for the spot and then the date.