Latest News


Another PCH crash.



From Santa Monica Close Up:

"The Santa Monica Mounted Police Officers took to the shores on Sunday, May 28, 2023, as part of their patrol duties during the bustling Memorial Day weekend."

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:

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A vegan rally/protest at Ocean Park in Santa Monica.



Visit Topanga Lou Surf Videos for Topanga surfing videos.



On Saturday, June 17, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Cardboard Yacht Regatta kicks off a bucket list of summer fun at the Annenberg Beach House!

SAIL, ROW, PADDLE OR SINK YOUR WAY INTO SUMMER! Be a part of the 11th Annual Cardboard Yacht Regatta!

Have you ever dreamed of setting sail across the waters in your very own yacht? Now you can build your own cardboard yacht and test its seaworthiness in a race across the Beach House Pool. Build a yacht using just corrugated cardboard and duct tape, decorate it, cross your fingers and hope you can make it to the other side.

Two people must be in the yacht during the race. All boats must be human-powered (no motors).People's Choice Awards will be given in a variety of categories, including "Most Likely to Sink", "Best Use of Theme", and "Most Spirited". The Beach House Courtyard will open for yachts to be on display beginning at 9am. Races will launch beginning at 11am. Please read attached information sheet for more details on the Cardboard Yacht Regatta, including appropriate yacht building materials, regatta rules and an event timeline.

For questions or more information, call the Beach House at 310-458-4904.

Preregistration required to race your yacht. Register early and enjoy building your boat with friends and family! $20 entry fee per yacht. Payment is NOT required for each sailor who will be in the yacht. This is a team registration. Please register once per yacht that will be entered in the event.

You will be asked for the names and ages of sailors in the registration process.

For more info, Click Here


From Santa Monica Close Up:

"Santa Monica Beach was transformed into a mesmerizing display of lights on Saturday, May 27, 2023, as Sky Elements Drone Shows, the leading drone light show provider in the United States, orchestrated a breathtaking aerial performance. This stunning event was organized to celebrate the highly anticipated release of Warner Bros. Pictures' upcoming film, The Flash."

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


From Santa Monica Close Up:

"A tragic incident unfolded today at Santa Monica Beach as authorities responded to a distress call concerning an individual in distress near Tower 17. Santa Monica Police Officers and the Santa Monica Fire Department rushed to the scene after receiving the report shortly after 11:00 a.m., May 27, 2023. Sadly, despite their swift arrival and efforts, the woman was declared deceased upon their arrival.

Preliminary investigations conducted by the authorities did not reveal any visible signs of drowning or physical trauma, leading them to suspect that the woman's passing may have been the result of an accidental overdose. In accordance with established protocols for public deaths, the Santa Monica Police Department requested the expertise of the Los Angeles County coroner, who arrived at 2:40 p.m."

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


City of Malibu Prepares for Busy Summer Season with Annual Messaging Campaign to Help Keep PCH, Canyons and Beaches Safe and Clean for All to Enjoy.

With the upcoming Memorial Day weekend signaling the start of the busy summer season, Malibu can expect large numbers of visitors, and the City is working with partner agencies to help keep Pacific Coast Highway, (PCH), canyon roads, beaches and trails safe and clean for all to enjoy.

“We urge all visitors who come to enjoy Malibu’s natural beauty to help keep our roads and beaches safe and clean and honor our efforts to protect our community’s safety, peace and quality of life,” said Mayor Bruce Silverstein.

The City encourages residents and visitors to help keep PCH, canyon roads, beaches and trails safe and clean with these messages on social media, with the hashtag #SafeSummerMalibu:

- Don’t drink and drive - designate sober drivers and use rideshares or taxis.
- Keep your eyes on the road - don’t text and drive.
- Slow down and watch for pedestrians and cyclists on PCH and cars pulling in and out of beach parking.
- Pack it in, pack it out – dispose of your trash in trash containers, and if you see litter, please pick it up and throw it away in a trash container.
- Alcohol, dogs and fires are prohibited on beaches in Malibu.

The City coordinates every annually with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD), Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors, California State Parks, Mountains and Recreation & Conservation Authority (MRCA), and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to prepare for summer crowds.

The City funds the LASD Beach Team every year from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The beach patrols are an important way to address alcohol consumption on the beaches, which is illegal, and contributes to drunk driving on PCH and canyon roads. Extra traffic officers are also in place to address safety issues on the road.

The MRCA double patrols in its parks from Memorial Day to Labor Day. State Parks will have seven-day coverage and will put extra effort into addressing litter. Beaches and Harbors will increase staffing to assist with parking, maintenance, and trash on the beaches and beach parking lots.

Every summer, the City also requests additional patrols by LASD and the Sheriff’s Volunteers on Patrol (VOPs). The VOPs are crucial for parking enforcement to ensure beach access and keep the roadways safe, they monitor and report crime and emergencies, and they help direct traffic and ensure safety at accident sites.

Although the City does not control access to the state and county beaches in Malibu, the City wants to reassure the Malibu community that it is working with its partner agencies on messaging to visitors to Malibu about the importance of keeping PCH, canyon roads and beaches safe and clean for all.

Residents can request assistance from CHP with street racing by calling 323-259-3200. Report suspected intoxicated drivers by calling 9-1-1. Residents may sign up for the City’s emergency and traffic alerts (scroll down to “Alert Center”).

In an effort to streamline its emergency communications processes, and in light of the abundance of traffic news and information readily available to the public, the City will now be providing traffic alerts only during business hours for full road closures (not lane closures); in case of emergencies; or in case of planned or extended closures (such as road or utility projects).

The City will also discontinue the Nixle alerting service, which is redundant since Nixle was bought by Everbridge, the system that Malibu uses for disaster notifications. All Nixle subscribers have been merged into the Everbridge system, and will still receive alerts from the City. Eliminating the Nixle system will reduce the time and number of steps it takes to put out emergency messaging.

The City will continue to use the website alert system for lower-level emergencies, traffic incidents, utility advisories, and beach advisories by text and email to subscribers when necessary. To sign up for website alerts, or add or remove alert subscriptions, visit the webpage and scroll to “Alert Center.”


Call for local artists to submit original, surfing-themed art for City of Malibu's next exhibition by June 7. The Arts Commission will host a free opening reception Sun, July 16, 12PM at City Hall w/food, beverages & live music.

For more info & submissions, Click Here


The festival was a celebration of our planet and a powerful demonstration of love and unity.



A drunk driver hits a pole on Speedway early in the morning in Venice Beach, then proceeds to blast his car horn complaining about the pole needing to be removed.



From Santa Monica Close Up:

"In an effort to tackle the persistent homeless encampment issues along the Ocean Front Walk and Venice Beach, Councilwoman Traci Park's office has announced the establishment of a dedicated multi-department task force. Councilwoman Traci Park herself made a special appearance at a recent cleanup operation to extend a warm welcome and express gratitude to the task force members. The occasion was marked by the provision of donuts and coffee as a special thank you gesture by Park's office. Notably, Los Angeles Park Ranger Chief Joe Losorelli was also present at the event."

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


Body Glove is having a sale, 25% Off sietwide. Use code:SUMMER25



The American Shore & Beach Preservation Association raises the first-ever Blue Flag on the West Coast today at Westward Beach!

The Blue Flag is an international symbol of clean and well-maintained beaches; this is the first year that any beach in the U.S. has received a Blue Flag.

Malibu Councilmembers & City Manager were on hand as Westward Beach was 1 of 2 beaches in the US to get the Blue Flag Award for environmental education, info & management; safety & services; social responsibility & responsible tourism. were toild what happened). Also, another witness said a man who seemed like he was the apartment manager came out and spoke to the parents, telling them the owner wants them gone. Good riddance, they were stealing from all over the neighborhood. F'em.

For more info about the award Click Here:






Larger waves bringing stronger rips are expected at south facing beaches beginning Sat evening.
As with all upcoming holidays, LA County issues thier usual health warning about the beaches, this 3-day weekend is no exception.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is warning residents who plan to visit local beaches to avoid swimming, surfing and playing in the ocean water due to high bacteria levels. The ocean water warnings are for the following beaches:

Topanga Canyon Beach in Malibu
Malibu Lagoon at Surfrider Beach
Escondido State Beach
Dan Blocker County Beach
Marie Canyon Storm Drain at Puerco Beach
Las Flores Creek at Las Flores State Beach
Las Tunas County Beach
Solstice Creek at Dan Blocker County Beach
Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica
Santa Monica at Pico Kenter Storm Drain
Santa Monica Canyon Creek at Will Rogers State Beach
Mothers Beach in Marina Del Rey
Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro

Laboratory results from three local agencies are displayed on the map. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH) Environmental Health Recreational Waters Program, collects ocean water samples from the mainland, once a week throughout the year. DPH collects an additional five samples from Avalon on Santa Catalina Island beginning in April through October. The Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts (SD) collects ocean water samples at selected sites on the mainland, once each week throughout the year. The Beach Cities of Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach, Palos Verdes Estates and Rancho Palos Verdes (BC) jointly collect water samples within their cities, once a week throughout the year. DPH, SD, and BC also resample sites that have exceeded State Standards for bacteria in ocean water. The City of Los Angeles, Environmental Monitoring Division, LA Sanitation (HYP) collects water samples from various sites, one to five times per week, all year round. LA City also collects samples at some DPH sites as required by their State NPDES permit.

The public is notified when a site has exceeded State Standards for bacteria in ocean water on this website, by telephone hotline, and by signs posted at the impacted beaches.

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.




LAPD Pacific reports that on Thursday, Patrol Officers arrested one Assault with a Deadly Weapon suspect armed with this firearm in the suspect’s possession. The 50-round drum magazine was fully loaded.

No info on whether or not this was connect to the Possible Shooting involving a Surfer at Venice Beach yesterday..