Malibu is the most iconic and revered break in all of longboard surfing. Housed in history, it’s the perfect spot to host the deciding event on tour - the Original Sprout Malibu Longboard Championships presented by Tractor Beverage Co. With the title on the line, the top eight men and eight women descend on First Point for a one-day battle to decide the 2023 Longboard World Champions.

The Original Sprout Malibu Longboard Championships is taking placein Malibu on October 3rd - 13th.

Big changes coming this weekend, with rain chances on the rise and temperatures falling fast.

Some visuals from the National weather Service on what to expect during your cool, wet, and breezy weekend:

For the first time ever, Montana Ave. will be closed to cars making room for 150 artists, wine garden, live music, kid paint station & more!

Spanning from 9th to 17th Street, Santa Monica's, Montana Ave. will host the city's most anticipated art event of the year, showcasing 150 visual artists, live music, painting station for kids, and new event wine garden. Free & all ages! Presented by Engel+Volkers & Waymo



Pence Hathorn Silver Live Music Stage 🎸

1PM - 2PM: Hibiscus Awakening, Live Painting & Opera
2PM - 4PM: Natalie Jacob, Jazz Quartet
4PM - 5PM: Herway to Hell, the Female AC/DC
5PM - 7PM: Run for Cover, in partnership with Santa Monica Music Center

Bottled Poetry Wine Garden 🍷

Wine Garden tickets available for $20 and include exclusive red, white and rosé tastings, live music from Argentinian guitarist, Guillermo Marigliano from 2pm-4pm and DJ Mozo from 4pm-7pm. Art display by Desert Moonrise. Charcuterie boxes available for purchase.

Beverage Tastings from:

Rescue Rosè
Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits Collection
St. Hildie's Spiked Tincture Tonic
Handcrafted Vodka by Vintage Distilling
*MUST BE +21

Paint : Lab Art Workshop 🖼️

Acrylic painting lessons for kids
Uninstructed abstract adventure painting stations
Speed portraiture drawing
Pet portraiture painting
*ALL AGES

The Saturday Dog Club with WUF World 🐾

Dog adoptions by Yogis House and Yari
Professional dog photos from a top portrait photographer
Dog art Installations and Instagrammable moments
Treats and refreshments from our curated selection
Connect with fellow dog lovers and share stories, tips, and tricks.

Engel & Völkers Face Painting & Soft Play Zone 🎨

And Exclusive offerings from food and beverage partners:
~Art's Table
~Caffe Luxxe
~Margo's



For more info, Click Here

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

A homeless man is spotted on the beach iin Santa Monica with what appears to be a rifle, he points it around, and starts marching, scaring some nearby beach-goers.

A guy mad at a homeless man who he claims spit on his girlfriend the day before, see the homeless man at the top of the Santa Monica Pier acting up, cursing at everyone, and decides to go after him for it. The homeless man , armed with a bottle of barbecue sauce, starts to flee sprayong the sauce everywhere.

Learn about the diverse and interconnected world of watersheds while shopping fresh produce, gourmet goodies, and artisan crafts.

Drop into the Malibu Watershed Fair while shopping fresh produce, great artisan crafts and yummy treats at Malibu Farmers' Market!

Discover the diverse and interconnected world of watersheds from 12 participating organizations.
Learn how you can help protect our local watersheds' beaches, creeks, aquatic/land habitat, and cultural history.
Activities for all ages, walk tours, nature journaling, volunteer opportunities and more!
Sign up for a free guided Audubon-led walking tour with your requested time to guarantee your spot - space is limited!

Sunday, October 1 · 9am - 2pm
Legacy Park
23500 Civic Center Way Malibu, CA 90265

For more info, Click Here

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

September 27, 2023
Ocean Water Use Warning for Los Angeles County Beaches

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:

Windward storm drain at Venice Beach (Venice Breakwater)

100 yards up and down the coast from the drain.

· Mothers Beach in Marina Del Rey

The entire swim area.

· Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica

100 yards up and down the coast from the pier.

BEACH AREAS NOW CLEARED:

· Topanga Canyon Beach in Malibu

Recorded information on beach conditions is available 24- hours a day on the County's beach closure hotline: 1-800- 525-5662.

Use the map below to obtain the current water quality status of your favorite beach location. Use your mouse wheel to zoom into a particular location. Click on the marker to identify the sampling location. This map is updated as conditions change.

For nearly a decade, the Women’s Surf Film Festival has been honoring the women of the surf community who make their impact felt through film, art, and photography. The Women’s Surf Film Festival makes its debut in California for the first time.

The Women's Surf Film Festival honors women in the surf community who work in filmmaking, art, and photography. Attendees will be able to meet well-known surfers, artists, and community leaders, The Women's Surf Film Festival is an amazing opportunity for attendees to immerse themselves in the world of surfing while supporting gender equality.

The festival consists of 4 event over 3 day. The first 3 are in Venice Beach and the closing day event will held be in Ventura.

Here are all the events:



October 11th, 6-10pm // Waterfront Venice
Venice Beach, CA
Opening Night Celebrations & Screenings

Waterfront Venice | $25 | 6pm -10pm
Women's Surf Film Festival Presents: Opening Night Celebrations & Film Screenings at The Waterfront, Venice.

Get ready the 10th Annual Women's Surf Film Festival is making its California debut, and we're thrilled to announce that we'll be screening at The Waterfront, Venice. This is a momentous occasion, and we can't wait to bring the excitement of women's surf cinema to the West Coast for the very first time. Films start at 7pm (runtime 1 hour & 50 mins) Tickets are limited so get your’s before they all go!

Film Program:
Riding the Rhythms (40 mins)
Wahine & Waves (27 mins)
REBORN (10mins)
WOMP (10 mins)
Emergence (6 mins)
Jamaica (5 mins)
Momento (4 mins)
Synchronism (3:36 mins)

For more info on this event and tickets, Click Here



October 12th, 5-6pm // Deus Ex Machina
Venice Beach, CA
Wellness Session: Authentic Self-Care With Lia Avellino (free event)

Deus Ex Machina | Free event | 5pm -6pm

Join us for a free event with limited space—please RSVP to secure your spot. Afterward, stay for a captivating panel discussion and screening while enjoying complimentary tacos and drinks.

ELEVATE YOUR SURFING: BY ENHANCING YOUR MENTAL STRENGTH

Explore Lia Avellino's unique insights into transcending conventional self-care methods and discovering sustainable ways to nurture yourself. Learn how prioritizing self-care is the cornerstone of cultivating a positive mindset.

Many of us strive to lead healthier, fuller lives through self-care, yet often feel dissatisfied and burnt out. Join us for a Spoke Fireside Chat where we'll delve into why these efforts may leave us unfulfilled. Discover strategies to find internal flow and ease that align with your individual rhythms and passions. Connect with fellow travelers on a journey to authenticity and a lighter, more liberated self.

What to Expect: This 1-hour experience, hosted by Lia Avellino, blends mindfulness, body sensation awareness, self-reflection, and group discussion. You'll leave feeling more alive and equipped with new approaches to life's challenges.

For more info on this event and to RSVP, Click Here



October 12th, 6-9pm // Deus Ex Machina
Venice Beach, NY
Reception, Panel Discussion: Surfing Narratives: Art & Empowerment & Film Screening (free event)

Deus Ex Machina | Free event | 6pm - 9pm

Secure your spot by RSVPing for our free event, where we delve into the intriguing crossroads of surfing, art, and empowerment. Join our esteemed guest speakers, including Ivana Bajic, a multimedia innovator known for her immersive surf projects, and Natalie Small, the founder of Groundswell Surf Therapy, who integrates counseling and the great outdoors for transformative experiences. Dive into Shelby Stanger's captivating work in "Will to Wild," inspiring outdoor exploration, and gain insights from Davina Grincevicius, the founder of the Women's Surf Film Festival. Enjoy live DJ music, complimentary tacos and drinks, and the CA premiere of two engaging films, including "With the Tide: A Yakutat Surf Club Story" and "Unplugged." This event promises a dynamic fusion of surf culture, artistic expression, and empowerment narratives.

For more info on this event and to RSVP, Click Here



October 13th, 5-9pm // Topa Topa Brewing
Ventura, CA
Closing Night Celebrations & Screenings

Topa Topa Brewing Co. | $25 | 5pm - 9pm

Get ready the 10th Annual Women's Surf Film Festival is making its California debut, and we're thrilled to announce that we'll be screening at the fantastic Topa Topa Brewing Co. This is a momentous occasion, and we can't wait to bring the excitement of women's surf cinema to the West Coast for the very first time. Local vendors and artists will be showcasing their offerings for the evening, and you can also look forward to the convenience of Game Over Catering's food truck on-site. Tickets are limited so get your’s before they all go!

For more info and tickets, Click Here

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

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"On a recent Wednesday, September 27, 2023, the Downtown Santa Monica Ambassadors demonstrated their unwavering commitment to maintaining a safe and welcoming environment in the heart of the city. Responding to a potentially precarious situation on Santa Monica Boulevard, their swift and empathetic response averted a potentially dangerous scenario.

A concerned citizen had discovered a man asleep on the sidewalk, with his legs extending onto the street. The situation posed a risk, but the Downtown Santa Monica Ambassador Street Outreach Worker took prompt action. Demonstrating empathy, they roused the individual from slumber and supplied him with essential provisions—an act of kindness that could not be understated. The man was provided with a bottle of water and a bottle of electrolytes, safeguarding his well-being.

However, their assistance did not conclude there. These diligent Ambassadors, committed to ensuring the welfare of the community, encouraged the individual to rise, stand, and ultimately relocate from his potentially hazardous location. Their actions likely averted an impending accident, given the presence of an almost empty 40-ounce bottle of malt liquor beer next to the slumbering man."

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

Join SoCalTrail and MSAR on the beautiful trails of Malibu Creek State Park nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains – home turf for the Malibu Search and Rescue team. Hike, run or race either the 5k or 10k distances (or 1k Run/Walk for the Kids) on fire road and single track trails. Celebrate your finish in the beer garden (21+), get a post-race massage and stick around for prize raffles, awards and festival exhibitors. A variety of food trucks will be on-site as well, including plant-based options.
For more info and to register, Click Here

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