SMPD is heading to Junior Cookies on Main Street for an evening of cookies and conversation with our Santa Monica community.

Stop by, say hello, ask questions, and meet members of your Santa Monica Police Department in a relaxed, family-friendly setting.

📅 Monday, May 4, 2026
⏰ 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 Junior Cookies, 2726 Main Street

All are welcome. No RSVP required.

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The Venice Cinco de Mayo Parade happened on Saturday morning, May 2, 2026. Unlike the previous years, there was no street closures this time. Ipast years, the city had traffic officers and barricades closing off the parade route to traffic. There were no traffic officers or LAPD officers anywhere. Also, the city of LA and Council Woman Traci Park were usually featured as supporting the parade, neither had their names on anything promoting the parade.

The Brown Berets, some locals, and a vehicle from Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus helped to hold traffic for the parade.

Samba Los Angeles brings the rhythm of Brazil to Venice Beach .

Saturday, May 2 • 9 AM - 11 AM

A 7.5-mile ride from Marina del Rey to the Playa del Rey. The ride rolls through shopping boulevards, residential streets and scenic views.

We’re back at the beautiful Marina del Rey for the Pedal to the Playa Community Ride. Join us for this ride by the coast on an easy, no-drop pace starting at Venice & Abbot Kinney Station. The 7.5-mile round trip will take us from a vibrant shopping boulevard through welcoming residential neighborhoods and protected bike lanes on the waterfront.

Designed to be supportive and beginner-friendly, this ride is perfect for new riders, families, first-time city bike users, or anyone looking for a practical and enjoyable way to access coastal destinations and waterfront paths.

Throughout the ride, we’ll practice safe biking practices and connect with fellow riders. We'll highlight Metro Bike as a reliable option to enjoying scenic coastal bikeways, public spaces, and natural areas along the Westside shoreline.

For more info and to reserve a spot, Click Here

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FREE COMIC BOOK DAY is coming and we’re bringing the PRIZES!

Join us for a fun-filled day where you can score free comics AND get a chance to win awesome giveaways all day long including a $100 gift certificate!

FREE comics for all Prize raffles & giveaways Fun for fans of every age

It's happening at: Santa Monica Comics Company May 2nd, 11am to 4pm 11870 Santa Monica Blvd., #204, Los Angeles

Bring your friends, come celebrate comics and you might walk away a winner! Free Comic Book Day

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Rizzbot, the world's first robot menace, tour the Venice Beach Boardwalk interacting with people, getting into a breakdance battle, and more..

The Santa Monica International Jazz Festival kicks off at Third Street Promenade on May 3 with a FREE event focused on jazz’s future, as high-quality young L.A.-based musicians – including Grammy nominated bassist Billy Mohler, magnetic KNOWER frontwoman Genevieve Artadi, and pianist, vocalist and producer Elijah Fox – take the stage. Also set to perform are emerging artists including players mentored by BroadStage Artist in Residence and Festival Artistic Director Stanley Clarke.

The Festival celebrates 100 years of John Coltrane,100 years of Miles Davis and 100 Years of Route 66.

Admission to the Promenade gig is absolutely free of charge

WHERE: Third Street Promenade, 1300 Block (between Arizona Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard),

WHEN: Sunday, May 3, at 1 p.m.

LINEUP:

1 p.m. Samohi Jazz Combo
1:35 p.m. Varad Sahasrabudhe
2:20 p.m. Aidan Farrell
3:05 p.m. Duffy x Uhlmann
3:50 p.m. Billy Mohler
4:35 p.m. Instant Alter
5:20 p.m. Elijah Fox
6:05 p.m. Genevieve Artadi

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The City of Santa Monica is launching Automated Bike Lane Enforcement to improve bike lane safety. Keeping bike lanes clear of illegally stopped vehicles is essential to protecting people of all ages who bike, scoot, and roll throughout Santa Monica. This effort supports the City’s broader commitment to safe, sustainable, and accessible multimodal transportation options for residents and visitors alike.

Vehicles stopped or parked illegally in bike lanes create serious safety risks, forcing bicyclists into active traffic lanes and increasing the likelihood of collisions. In May 2024, Santa Monica piloted automated bike lane enforcement technology on two parking enforcement vehicles and identified nearly 1,700 violations in just six weeks—highlighting the scale and urgency of the issue.

The Automated Bike Lane Enforcement technology uses advanced, forward-facing camera systems mounted on City Parking Enforcement vehicles to automatically detect parking violations in bike lanes. When a vehicle is identified blocking a bike lane, an evidence package is generated and reviewed by a Parking Enforcement officer before a citation is issued.

What Drivers Need to Know:

Warning Period

Starting May 1, 2026, registered vehicle owners of vehicles stopped or parked illegally in bike lanes in Santa Monica will receive warning notices in the mail.

Automated Enforcement Begins

A $93 citation will be issued to violators starting July 1, 2026. Payment plans are available to individuals with low income.

The City of Santa Monica anounnanced the return of COAST Open Streets Festival, July 19 – a free, all-ages, car-free, pedestrian-focused culmination of Santa Monica’s World Cup activations featuring art installations, cultural programming, interactive experiences and food vendors. COAST will link key destinations along and near Ocean Avenue, including the Santa Monica Pier, Tongva Park, Palisades Park, Arizona Avenue, Third Street Promenade and the Fourth Street Metro E Line terminus.

From 2016 - 2019, Community Arts Resources (CARS) produced COAST, the City of Santa Monica's Open Streets Event, transforming the streets of Santa Monica into a giant park for a day.

For two miles COAST brought the streets of Santa Monica to life with arts and cultural programming and installations, community outreach by city departments, engaging and active workshops, as well as small business outreach.



COAST was Southern California's most pedestrian-centered open streets event, with more than 80% of participants walking the route. With over 50,000 locals and visitors in attendance each time along parts of Ocean Avenue, Colorado Avenue and Main Street.

Until the pandemic, this project was the City of Santa Monica's signature event, inviting the local community and visitors from across greater Los Angeles to experience car-free streets in Santa Monica every fall. The event included live music and performances, curated art installations, interactive workshops, food, and more! CARS produced COAST in collaboration with the City of Santa Monica's Cultural Affairs Division, the Office of Sustainability and the Environment, and Transportation Planning Division.

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