Explore the restored dune habitat and life cycle of the small, white snowy plovers that make this stretch of beach their winter home!

Revel in this guided walk exploring the restored dune habitat and life cycle of the small, white snowy plovers that make this stretch of Santa Monica beach their winter home. Binoculars will be provided, or bring your own!

The Snowy Plover Beach Walk with Santa Monica Audubon and Nature Nexus Institute is a free event. Recommended for adults, though all are welcome. Reservations are requested. In-person registration will be available.

Comfortable clothing and sun protection are recommended. Gather at Guest Services.

The Annenberg Community Beach House is wheelchair accessible and ADA compliant. Two beach wheelchairs will be available for this activity. To reserve a wheelchair or inquire regarding disability related accommodations please call Guest Services at (310) 458-4904 or email beach.house@santamonica.gov.

Getting Here: The Annenberg Community Beach House is located at 415 Pacific Coast Hwy. Parking is available for $3 per hour or $8 per day. Please pay for parking at the machine upon your arrival. Cash and credit card accepted.

Sunday, December 10 · 9 - 10:30am
415 Pacific Coast Highway Santa Monica, CA 90402

For more info and to register, Click Here

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

Come celebrate the completion of the Safe Streets for 17th Street and Michigan Avenue project on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 9 a.m. at 1610 Colorado Avenue (Metro E line parking lot). We will have donuts, activities, and remarks from the Mayor.

On Saturday, Dec. 2, the city will celebrate the completion of the newest addition to its protected bike network with a ribbon cutting ceremony and a morning full of free, family-friendly activities.

The celebration kicks off at 9 a.m. and goes until noon at the 17th St./SMC Metro E Line parking lot at 1610 Colorado Ave.

By improving bike and pedestrian safety and promoting sustainability to combat climate change, the completion of the Safe Streets for 17th Street and Michigan Avenue project marks a crucial step towards advancing the city’s key strategic priority of fostering a Sustainable & Connected Community.

In line with this priority, the project builds upon foundational city initiatives rooted in deep community engagement and feedback including the adopted Bike Action Plan Amendment, Pedestrian Action Plan, the Michigan Avenue Neighborhood Greenway (MANGo) Plan, and the city’s Land Use and Circulation Element.

“I’m thrilled to see such a robust, thoughtful and important multi-modal project come to completion,” Mayor Gleam Davis said. “By increasing separation from moving traffic and connecting neighborhoods, this project helps make walking and biking easier, encouraging sustainable practices that lead to healthier communities.”

The Dec. 2 event will feature music, performances and workshops, including:

- Santa Monica High School marching band
- LA Jugglers performing with vintage bicycles
- Academia de Danza Ballet Folklorico Flor de Mayo
- Guided bike rides
- Free bike repair and tune ups from Santa Monica College Bike Maintenance Class
- Helmet decorating with Santa Monica Spoke
- Bike basket and accessories workshop with reDiscover Center
- Remarks from Mayor Gleam Davis, Police Chief Ramon Batista, and Department of Transportation Director Anuj Gupta - Remarks from Cynthia Rose of Santa Monica Spoke
- Free donuts, coffee and hot cocoa

For more info, Click Here

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

From Nate, "The waves were a little flat but the weather was very nice."

From Nate, " this is the surf footage I shot from my other camera on Saturday November 18th, 2023. We went to the Venice Pier and Venice Breakwater."

Another RV got fire and burnt up in Venice. This one happened on Thanksgiving on Main Street by Rove Ave.

Top photo from Fight Back Venice. Bottom photos from Surf Venice.

Enter our CAN THE TRASH! Clean Beach Poster Contest for a chance to have your message shared with millions of beachgoers!

To enter the poster contest, draw a picture with a message about how we can keep our oceans and beaches pollution-free and healthy. Be creative!



Contest winners will have their artwork displayed around trash barrels on the beach. Simply submit your artwork online, in person, or by mail. The contest is open to students in grades 3 – 5 who reside in the County of Los Angeles. Online submissions must be entered by an adult.



2024 Summer Contest: We are now submitting submissions for summer 2024.

For more info and to enter, Click Here

Here's surfing photos from a lovely day at Bay Street and the south side of the Santa Monica Pier.

This set of surf photos was shot on Saturday, November 18th by Six12 Media and brought to you by Body Glove.



These are just a few of the 250+ 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 about 200 more photos from this session, all full size and in high-resolution, in these 2 photo galleries:

Bay Street - Saturday 11-18-2023 Gallery #1
Bay Street - Saturday 11-18-2023 Gallery #2


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:

"In the early hours of Thursday, November 23, 2023, participants gathered along the scenic Ocean Front Walk for the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot & Half Marathon. This popular event, set against the picturesque backdrop of Santa Monica's beach path, offered a range of distances to accommodate various fitness levels, including 5k, 10k, 15k, and the half marathon.

As runners took to the course, they were motivated not only by the competitive spirit but also by the prospect of indulging in Thanksgiving festivities post-race. Each participant, regardless of the distance covered, was rewarded with a finisher's medal and a goodie bag, adding to the festive atmosphere of the event."

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

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