From "The Californians"", a surf film by Jamie Budge.

Very high tides end this evening at 7 to 7.4 feet. Minor coastal flooding of sidewalks & parking lots will be possible. Stay alert to incoming surf and rising water when at the beach. Strong rip currents may occur.

"After careful consideration, we are closing some stores in locations that have experienced a high volume of challenging incidents that make it unsafe to continue to operate, to open new locations with safer conditions," a Starbucks spokesperson told the press. The incidents that workers have reported involve customers and other members of the public using drugs in the stores.

The newly opened Starbucks at the Santa Monica Pier is one of those 16 locations set to closed by the end of July.

A former employee at a different Santa Monica Starbucks has commented, "I was working at a different starbucks in Santa Monica when they were talking about opening the new one at the pier and remember the district trying to recruit partners for that store and NO ONE wanted to go. Almost like everyone knew a Starbucks at the pier would automatically be a shit show."

The Starbuck just opened this location 2 years ago. Starbucks, which has been known for opening its bathrooms to everyone, whether they are paying customers or not, is rethinking its policy due to safety concerns.

"They just re-opened on Main St. in Santa Monica, they had a nice green balloon arch and were giving away free samples. My girlfriend and I went early AM; we watched a homeless guy tear down the balloon arch and smash the door glass within about an hour of its grand opening. The employees had a look like, yeah, we figured that was coming." recalls a customer about the nearby Starbucks on Main Street.

Come make history with us at the First Annual: Venice Classic, the first dedicated car show to ever be held at the world famous Venice Boardwalk

Come join The DogTown Devils Car Club on August 27th for an event unlike any other in the Venice Boardwalks 100 year history as we celebrate Surf, Sounds and Southern California's Car Culture.

All Classics, Kustoms, Lowriders, Street Rods, Rat Rods, Pre-80's Trucks and Pre-80's Muscle Cars, WELCOME!

This family event will feature Vendors, Food Vendors, a Beer Garden, DJ, Giveaways and an Awards Ceremony presented by The DogTown Devils Car Club and the City of Venice.

The The DogTown Devils Car Club,

For more info and to register you vehicle, Click Here.

The MLB All-Star game will return to Dodger Stadium in July — the first time since 1980. Santa Monica will host one of the free MLB fan events.

MLB All-Star Week opens with its first-ever beach event on Friday, July 15, 2022, when Capital One All-Star Oceanfront begins at the Santa Monica Pier & Beach.

Running through Sunday, July 17, 2022, with no admission charge, the Oceanfront will feature casual and instructional youth baseball & softball activities on the beach directly south of the pier. In addition to baseball and softball, the SoCal sand will also be home to a daily All-Star Yoga class with the Pacific Ocean offering a picturesque backdrop and baseball-themed sand sculptures.

On the pier deck above, fans can shop for Official All-Star merchandise, participate in batting and pitching cages, and play any number of interactive games and promotions in a baseball-themed setting.



Make a day of it by coming in early and staying late to enjoy Santa Monica restaurants or stay overnight at any of Santa Monica’s hotels.

All-Star Beach Cleanup
On Saturday, July 16, 2022, MLB will also partner on a beach clean-up in Santa Monica with Heal the Bay, a local nonprofit dedicated to making the coastal waters and watersheds in Greater Los Angeles safe, healthy, and clean. This MLB Green Team Event is part of the league’s continued efforts to promote sustainability and environmental awareness while also giving opportunities to take direct action through volunteerism. Click below for more information and to register as a volunteer. For more info and to register, Click Here.

From Kalvin Love:

From Green Cloud Art Org:

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"Technicians from Megahertz Electric Signs install the Hot Dog on a Stick sign on Monday, July 11, 2022."

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.

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