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From Santa Monica Close Up:

"In an unusual spectacle, Venice Beach witnesses were treated to the sight of three individuals dressed as gorillas on horseback on April 22, 2024. The striking display is part of a promotional event for the upcoming film "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes," the latest entry in the iconic "Planet of the Apes" franchise, set to premiere on May 10, 2024."

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.


Queen Of The Point - Malibu 2024, the crown jewel in the celebration of women's longboarding. This event, set against the iconic waves of Malibu's First Point, is not just a competition; it's a movement, elevating female surfers in a sport where their presence continues to inspire and grow.

Queen Of The Point, the distinguished all-ladies longboard surfing competition, is excited to announce its return to the legendary First Point Malibu from June 28 to 30, 2024. Established in response to the need for a more prominent platform for women in the male-dominated sport of surfing, QOTP stands as a testament to empowerment, skill, and community within women’s surfing.

As the fastest growing population of surfers, female longboarders are not only taking over lineups, but they represent the beauty, flow, and art of the sport.

The mission of QOTP is to acknowledge and show respect to the women who came before, to give a platform for the current class, and to encourage girls of the future to embrace longboard surfing.



The event includes AMATEUR divisions.

Registration Details

Early registration will available to 2024 members on Monday, April 1, 2024.
Registration to non-members will open on Monday, April 29, 2024.
Pro division will be invite only. Please contact for inquiries.
Cancellations are non-refundable unless otherwise noted.

To register Click Here

Empowering Female Surfers

Founded in 2021 amidst challenges, QOTP’s mission has been unwavering: to elevate female surfers and inspire future generations. By highlighting the grace, athleticism, and spirit of female surfers, QOTP aims to ensure women’s significant presence in surfing. The event is open to both amateur and professional surfers, fostering inclusivity and the joy of surfing.

A Weekend of Surfing Excellence

The event kicks off with an opening party on Friday evening, setting the stage for a weekend filled with exceptional surfing. Competitors will showcase their talents on Saturday and Sunday at First Point Malibu, known for its perfect longboarding waves. Participants are required to ride longboards at least 9 feet long, competing in a pro division with a prize purse and several amateur divisions based on age. The weekend will culminate in a closing ceremony on Sunday evening, with the location to be announced.

Overcoming Challenges

The journey of QOTP has been marked by the challenge of securing sponsorships to cover event necessities. Despite these hurdles, the dedication to creating a platform for female surfers has never wavered, with the series looking to expand and evolve. The support of partners and sponsors remains crucial to the success and sustainability of the event.

For more info and to register, Click Here

*Subject to change without notice


Click Here for more Stories about the Venice Safe Team



The Santa Monica Pier Ferris Wheel will be lit red on Wednesday, March 27 in recognition of Giving Day.


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

"Today there was a car show on the Santa Monica Pier lots of old-timers, classic cars you name it. Live bands were playing and we enjoyed the beautiful sunset. It was an incredible day."

Click Here for more Stories about Venice Healer Daisy


Click Here for more Stories about Venice Healer Daisy

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:

"This Thursday, April 18, 2024, the Santa Monica Pier turned up the heat with the Local's Night Car Show, turning the iconic spot into a buzzing hive of classic car mania. As part of the pier's hype Locals Night series, this event was tailor-made by and for Santa Monicans, dishing out a killer mix of activities that had everyone from toddlers to grandparents vibing."

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.


Caltrans estimates the massive landslide at postmile 1.8 on Topanga Canyon Blvd (Route 27) in Topanga Canyon will be cleared by fall 2024 if all things go well.

Water continues to seep out from under dirt, mud and rocks, indicating mass may move. The last rainstorm (April 13 - 14) further saturated the unstable hillside.

• Due to present geological conditions and instability of the slope, material must be removed from the top down. Removing the "toe" of the slope will bring down the unstable earth and large boulders above as water is still percolating under the surface.

• A boulder that is about 10 feet high that is visible from the south side of the landslide is a safety concern. A crack has formed behind it that is about 5 to 10 feet wide, with the weight of the hillside pushing down on the boulder. A rough estimate of the landslide - just the visible face — is about 80,000 cubic yards and 9.2 million pounds. This is enough material to fill 5,500 dump trucks.

• SR-27 is closed from Grand View Drive to SR-1 (PCH). Temporary signal lights have been installed at Tuna Canyon Road and State Route 1 (Pacific Coast Highway). The signal provides a measure of safety for Topanga Canyon residents who need to access southbound PCH while SR-27 is closed.

• A major landslide occurred adjacent to the current landslide in the 1940s. It's unknown how long the roadway was closed at that time. The landslide that occurred March 9, 2024, is twice as large - the visible face is about 300 feet above the roadway but extends about 200 feet beyond that point into the brush.

Caltrans is working with the county and elected officials to mitigate impacts to the community. The public can submit questions to Topanga@dot.ca.gov.

The landslide is about 9.2 million pounds.





This is the Pup Cup division of the Skate Contest from the Venice Beach Games.

Check out the photos from this contest, Click Here