Latest News

Polluted Santa Monica Storm Drains After Winter Storm



2 storm drains on the beach in Santa Monica after the storms on Christmas Day.



Taking A Dump On Malibu Sidewalk



Photos via Drew Newman.

PCH Traffic Accident In Malibu



Eastbound and #1 westbound lanes of PCH were closed at El Matador Beach on Tuesday due to a traffic collision.

Surf Video - Surfsgiving At Sunset



Thanksgiving Day surfing at Sunset Point in Pacific Palisades. Featuring Mason Brown of the Mason Brown's Surf Report.

All clips come from our Instagram Stories of this session.



Wade in the Water Screening at Patagonia Santa Monica



Join Surfrider LA on February 22nd for a special private screening event from 6:30PM-8:30PM of Wade in the Water at Patagonia Santa Monica highlighting Black Surfing and Aquatic Culture.

Event Details:
- Wednesday, 2/22/23 from 6:30PM-8:30PM (Film starts at 7:00 SHARP)
- DJ, Screening, and Q&A Panel
- Light Snacks and Drinks Provided
- Seats are first come first served; more standing room available

Film Description:
Wade in the Water: A Journey into Black Surfing and Aquatic Culture (2023) reclaims the 1,000-year-old tradition of Black surfing. Braiding historical accounts with modern-day testimonials, the film dismantles the racial barriers of conventional surf culture, delves into the overlooked history of Black surfing's legacy, and honors its current movement—inspiring the next generation of Black surfers. Purpose

Screening a documentary and hosting a Q+A panel that reclaims the 1,000-year-old tradition of Black surfing and aquatic culture—inspiring the next generation of Black surfers.

Wed, Feb 22, 2023
6:30PM-8:30PM PST

For more info and to register, Click Here

Netflix OBX x SFLA Santa Monica Beach Cleanup



Join us for our second public cleanup of the year at Tower 20, Santa Monica from 1pm-3pm! We will be keeping our coastlines clean with a team of committed volunteers just like you for an afternoon of fun and sun. Select OBX cast members are expected to be in attendance.

Sun, Feb 19, 2023
1:00PM-3:00PM PST

For more info and to register, Click Here

Sunset Surf Spot Clean Up



Join us for a morning of sun and fun at Sunset Point from 10am-12pm! We will be picking up trash along our beloved California shorelines and keeping it out of our marine environments for generations to come.

Sun, Feb 26, 2023
10:00AM-12:00PM

For more info and to register, Click Here

Wheels And Waves Malibu Re-Launches



Fireball Tim's WHEELS AND WAVES Malibu is coming back and will be set up at the Zuma Shopping Center EVERY FIRST SUNDAY across from Zuma Beach and Sponsored by SEA N’ SOUL Surf Cafe at 29575 E Pacific Coast Hwy suite J, Malibu, CA 90265. Cars, Coffee, Dogs & Diecast!

Police Out Of Traffic - Venice Beach Protest



"Police Out Of Traffic!" protest in Venice Beach held on Sunday Afternoon at the corner of Venice & Lincoln.



BLM Protest Shuts Down Venice Intersection



Black Lives Matter held a "Police Out Of Traffic!" protest at the corner of Venice & Lincoln on Sunday afternoon.





Photos from Aryeh Cohen.

Photos from Jodie Evans.




Venice Healer Daisy Lovengulfs Sanitation, Outreach Workers & LAPD



Click Here for more Stories about Venice Healer Daisy

Ballona Creek Cleanup



Roll up your sleeves to help clean up the last coastal wetland in Los Angeles. Did you know that 130 square miles of storm drains flow into Ballona Creek? Gutter trash from as far away as North Hollywood can end up right here! The time and effort you put in to clear out debris means less trash in the wetlands, on our beaches, and in the open ocean.

Saturday, February 11, 2023
9:30 AM 12:00 PM
Meet us in the dirt parking lot behind Gordon's Market / Alka Water:
303 Culver BoulevardPlaya del Rey, CA

For more info and to register, Click Here.

Homeless Man Confronted For Lewd Behavior On Venice Boardwalk



A couple people get fed up and confront a homeless man who was said to be half naked pleasuring himself on the boardwalk in Venice Beach. Some security guards are they trying to keep the peace, LAPD shows up, but does not want to get involved.



Update On Santa Monica Shooting - 2 Individuals Arrested for Attempted Murder



SMPD released an update on the Santa Monica Road Rage Shhoting.

On January 24, 2023, at approximately 3:42 PM, Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) Officers were flagged down by several people, who heard gunshots near 6th and Broadway. Officers located two vehicles, an SUV and a van, both were involved in a collision. The driver of the SUV, Emilio Reyes, appeared to have a gunshot wound to his upper arm.

SMPD Officers learned that the driver of the van, identified as Manuel Jaramillo, shot several rounds at Reyes. In response, Reyes intentionally rammed his SUV into Jaramillo’s van twice, while he was still inside. Reyes and Jaramillo are known to each other and were involved in an argument prior to the incident.

Reyes was transported to a local hospital with a non-life-threatening injury and has subsequently been discharged. The handgun used by Jaramillo was recovered, and both vehicles were towed to be processed by Forensics. There are no outstanding suspects.

Manuel Jaramillo-Heredia, a 52-year-old male from Inglewood, and Emilio Reyes a 43-year-old from Los Angeles were both booked for Attempted Murder. The case will be presented to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office on January 26, 2023, for filing consideration.



Anyone with any additional information pertaining to this subject or incident is strongly encouraged to contact SMPD Detective George Burciaga at 310-458- 8932 or the Watch Commander (24 hours) at 310-458-8426.

Surf Video - Sunset - Wednesday 11/23/2022



Surfing at Sunset in Pacific Palisades on 11/23/2022.

All clips come from our Instagram Stories of this session.



Surf Video - Topanga - Tuesday 11/22/2022



Surfing at Topanga , November 22, 2022.

All clips come from our Instagram Stories of this session.



19 Tons Of Garbage, Toxic And Hazardous Waste Removed From Ballona Wetlands



News from The Friends and Ballona Wetlands Conservancy:

Last Monday, several City of Los Angeles departments and agencies came together for a long-awaited comprehensive cleanup to remove debris and hazardous materials on Jefferson Blvd at the Freshwater Marsh.

More than 19 tons of debris was removed, including 200 + lbs of toxic and hazardous materials and dozens of needles. LAHSA and St Joseph’s offered housing to every person dwelling in the encampment.

This effort was no small feat. The Friends and Ballona Wetlands Conservancy invested thousands of hours to find solutions to protect and repair the Freshwater Marsh.

Special thanks to Councilwoman Traci Park and her team. We look forward to the day when wildlife will not be endangered, and public access can return to the Ballona Freshwater Marsh. To read more about the comprehensive cleanup, see thier latest blog post: The Freshwater Marsh Comprehensive Cleanup - A Step In The Right Direction






Venice Beach Closed

Due to a recent significant sewage discharge in the Marina Del Rey area, the following beaches are closed: Mother’s Beach in Marina Del Rey, Venice Beach: ½ Mile North of Marina entrance, Dockweiler State Beach: ½ Mile South of Ballona Creek.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has issued beach closures for the following areas due to the release of approximately 64,000 gallons of untreated sewage:

Mother’s Beach in Marina Del Rey
Venice City Beach, ½ Mile North of Marina entrance
Dockweiler State Beach, ½ Mile South of Ballona Creek



Public Health officials are advising residents or visitors planning to visit Los Angeles County beaches to avoid contact with ocean water and wet sand in the areas noted above. The cause of the sewage discharge was a blocked main line which resulted in sewage entering the storm drain system at the corner of Admiralty Way and Palawan Way. The blockage has been cleared at this time, and the immediate area cleaned.



Lifeguards are patrolling the affected beaches posting signs to warn the public. Please stay out of the water in these areas until further notice.





Beach Closures
A beach is closed anytime there is a known sewage or chemical spill impacting ocean waters. Water contact may cause someone to become ill. When a beach is closed, the Department of Public Health advises beach users to avoid all contact with ocean water in the closure area and where closure signs are posted.

Surf Video - Sunset Tuesday 11-22-2022



Sunset Surf Spot on November 22, 2022.

All clips come from our Instagram Stories of this session.



Earthquakes Off Coast Of Malibu



An 4.2 Magnitude earthquake off the coast of Malibu shook the west coast at 2:00 AM on Wednesday morning.

The USGS reports a second earthquake of a Magnitude 3.5, 11 miles from Malibu, CA at 2:03 AM. Followed by 2 more quakes of 2.8 and 2,6 magnitudes.

The NOAA reports there is NO tsunami danger from these earthquakes.


High Surf Strong Winds This Week



A long-period west swell will bring high surf to local beaches.

- LA Coast/S SBA Coast 3-6 ft

Strong and dangerous rip currents will be main risk.

Shooting At A Car Crash In Santa Monica



Update on Police Activity Near 6th and Broadway: At approximately 3:42 PM officers were flagged down by an individual reporting shots fired near 6th and Broadway. Officers located two vehicles involved in a collision and one victim with a gunshot wound to the shoulder.

Witnesses report that the driver of a SUV involved in the collision exited the vehicle and shot at the other car. The victim was transported to a local hospital with a non-life-threatening wound.

No motive at this time, however it appears both individuals involved are known to each other. The shooter has been taken into custody and the gun is recovered. This remains an active investigation.

Here's a screen cap of the notes a witness took down:



And some photos of the scene, including the people invovled:



Photos via Colin Hellbut

LAPD & Venice Healer Daisy Patrol Venice Boardwalk



From Santa Monica Close Up:

"Los Angeles Police Officers patrol Venice Beach on foot on Tuesday, January 24, 2023. The Officers talked with the unhoused at the Ozone Homeless Encampment. Making an appearance during this video is the 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.

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

The Story Of Grind King Trucks



The absolutely insane back story of Grind King Trucks. It's a story of success, failure, wealth, power, drug dealers, murder, and so much more.

Surf Chats with Topanga Lou - Johnny





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