Latest News


Main Street, Santa Monica is having a Block Party this weekend with live music, beer garden, kid corner & a whole festival for pets!

Plus much, much more....

For more info, Click Here

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


Live from the LA Opera Stage to the Big Screen at Santa Monica Pier

Lights, camera, action: Gather your blankets and lawn chairs, pack your picnic, and come experience the music and drama of Madame Butterfly under the stars. This Madame Butterfly gets a stunning and cinematic twist, taking place on a 1930s film set transforming the look of this beloved opera classic. An American officer in turn-of-the-century Japan wants a bride, and a greedy marriage broker obliges, assuring him that the union can be easily dissolved.

Saturday, September 21, 2024
Broadcast begins at 6:00pm

Arrive early and explore your artsy side, enjoy family friendly crafts with LA Opera Connects. Get a balloon animal before the show starts or have your face painted by Work of Heart face painting, a biodegradable glitter bar. Be amazed by Magic Castle magician Dana Pleasant and don't miss our gift basket giveaways, LA Opera merchandise giveaways, and more!

Food & Beer available for purchase.

Bring your own blankets, low lawn seats, and cushions. Don't forget your sweaters and jackets. Outside food and non-alcoholic beverages are allowed.

For more info, Click Here

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



Northern La Boardriders (NLAB) is pleased to announce Tamarack Global as our Title Partner for the 2024/2025 season. Tamarack Global is a prominent early-stage venture capital fund, known for investing in exceptional founders who are building transformative companies across some of the world’s most significant markets: Climate and Energy Transition, Artificial Intelligence, Advanced Manufacturing, Defense Technology, and the rapidly expanding Space Economy.

“We’re excited to see the venture capital community support competitive surfing and our community,” said NLAB co-founder John Wander. “Jamie Lee, co-founder of Tamarack Global, is not only a visionary investor but also a passionate surfer. We’re incredibly grateful for their commitment and support.”

NLAB co-founder Dillon Perillo added, “We believe this partnership with Tamarack Global will not only elevate our Northern LA Boardriders Club, but also help drive awareness around the innovative and paradigm-shifting work that Tamarack is doing. We look forward to a great season together.”

“The community that Northern LA Boardriders has built is nothing short of extraordinary. The families and supporters all coming together around their shared love of surfing is something that Tamarack Global is incredibly proud to stand behind. At its very core, our work at Tamarack is to make this world a better place, and NLAB is doing precisely that”, said Jamie Lee, Tamarack Global Co-Founder

For more info on the NLAB Seurf Series, Click Here

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


Speed limits on more than 30 miles of Santa Monica streets will be lowered, following unanimous approval by the Santa Monica City Council on Tuesday.

These reductions are the results of a speed survey conducted earlier this year to ensure the speed limits remain valid. The survey, conducted from Jan. 27 through Jul. 29, includes measurement of vehicular speeds along roadway segments to determine the speed of a majority of drivers, which is the most effective attribute in establishing speed limits.

The study recommended only one increase in speed limit, from 25 to 30 miles per hour, on a 0.3-mile segment of California Avenue. A full list of approved speed adjustments, recommended in consultation with the Santa Monica Police Department, is included below.

The city will begin rolling out new signage exhibiting the updated speed limits this fall.

The proposed speed limit changes support the city’s Vision Zero goal of eliminating fatal and severe injury crashes on city streets by improving safety for all roadway users.

Council adopted Vision Zero in February 2016. Unsafe speed is the second most common violation cited in fatal and severe crashes in the city, at 14 percent of the total. Crashes at slower speeds are less likely to result in fatalities, and the application of reasonable and safe speed limits allows for effective enforcement of speed limits throughout the city.

“Reducing vehicle speeds on our roads is vital to create safer conditions for getting around in our city,” Department of Transportation Director Anuj Gupta said. “It is one of the many ways Santa Monica is creating a street network that is more safe, connected and attractive for all roadway users.”

The ordinance will be adopted 30 days after the second reading, which is anticipated for Sept. 10. For more information, view the staff report here.

Reduction to 35 mph

1. Olympic Boulevard between 11th Street and Centinela Avenue – from 40 to 35 mph

Reduction to 30 mph

2. Lincoln Boulevard between I-10 Freeway and Pico Boulevard – from 35 to 30 mph

3. Ocean Park Boulevard between 23rd Street and Centinela Avenue – from 35 to 30 mph

4. Pico Boulevard between Lincoln Boulevard and Centinela Avenue – from 35 to 30 mph

Reduction to 25 mph

5. 2nd Street between Wilshire Boulevard and Colorado Avenue — from 30 to 25 mph

6. 4th Street between Colorado Avenue and Pico Boulevard — from 30 to 25 mph

7. 11th Street between San Vicente Boulevard and Marine Street — from 30 to 25 mph

8. 14th Street between San Vicente Boulevard and Ashland Avenue — from 30 to 25 mph

9. 20th Street between Wilshire and Pico boulevards — from 30 to 25 mph

10. 26th Street between San Vicente and Cloverfield boulevards – from 30 to 25 mph

11. Colorado Avenue between Ocean Avenue and 17th Street — from 30 to 25 mph

12. Dewey Street between Robson Avenue and 23rd Street — from 30 to 25 mph

13. Main Street between Colorado Avenue and Pico Boulevard — from 30 to 25 mph

14. Marine Street between Lincoln Boulevard and 17th Street — from 30 to 25 mph

15. Montana Avenue between Ocean Avenue and Stanford Street — from 30 to 25 mph

16. Neilson Way between Pico Boulevard and Marine Street — from 30 to 25 mph

17. Ocean Avenue between the north city limit and Pico Boulevard — from 30 to 25 mph

18. Ocean Park Boulevard between Barnard Way and 23rd Street — from 30 to 25 mph

19. Pico Boulevard between Appian Way and Lincoln Boulevard — from 35 to 25 mph

20. Stewart Street between Colorado Avenue and Pico Boulevard — from 30 to 25 mph

21. Wilshire Boulevard between Ocean Avenue and Lincoln Boulevard — from 30 to 25 mph

Reduction to 20 mph

22. 6th Street between Pico Boulevard and Pier Avenue — from 30 to 20 mph

23. 20th Street between Pico and Ocean Park boulevards — from 25 to 20 mph

24. Appian Way between Pacific Coast Highway and Bay Street — from 25 to 20 mph

25. Ashland Avenue between Neilson Way and Lincoln Boulevard — from 25 to 20 mph

26. Barnard Way between Hollister Avenue and Neilson Way — from 25 to 20 mph

27. California Avenue between Ocean Avenue and Lincoln Boulevard — from 25 to 20 mph

28. Michigan Avenue between Lincoln Boulevard and 19th Street — from 25 (statutory) to 20 mph

29. Washington Avenue between Ocean Avenue and Stanford Street — from 25 to 20 mph

Increase to 30 MPH

1. California Avenue between Pacific Coast Highway and Ocean Avenue (also known as the California Incline) — from 25 to 30 mph


Pico Youth & Family Center (PYFC) presents the 4th Annual Westside Unity Classic Car Show on the Santa Monica Pier. Lowride for a Cause!

Lowride for a Cause. All proceeds will benefit youth services and after-school programming for underserved youth in Santa Monica and Los Angeles County.

Last year, more than 3,000 people attended this family-friendly event. The event is free for all spectators and guests on foot. This year, over 200 classic cars of various makes and models, some dating back to 1930’s will be on display.

All Solo Riders and Classic Car Clubs can register now for $50 or for $60 at the Pier (Day of event).

Roll-in Time: 7am to 9am, will be strictly enforced.

For more information, please email us at carshow@picoyouth.org

Call us at (310) 804-3965 or (424) 480-8716.

More Background:

We are hosting this Classic Car Show to bring unity and awareness to the community that lowriding culture still thrives in the Westside of Los Angeles. Through this family-friendly event we plan to educate and inspire everyone, but especially our youth, to have pride in our culture and to contribute to the continuation of this beautiful art form that we know as low rider culture.

“At a time when low-income residents of all backgrounds, especially Latino and African American residents, are being pushed out of Westside communities due to gentrification we feel that unity, awareness and visibility is needed more than ever. This car show is necessary to celebrate our region’s cultural diversity that is at risk of extinction,” stated Oscar de la Torre, Santa Monica City Councilman.

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



friday, September 6, 2024

Celebrate over a century of fun and community at the Santa Monica Pier's 115th Birthday Bash! Partnering with Street Food Cinema, we're throwing a party you won't forget, packed with a FREE outdoor screening of the Barbie Movie, live entertainment, and nostalgic moments.

What to Expect

FREE, Family-Friendly Outdoor Movie:
Grab your blankets and enjoy a free movie under the stars on the pier deck! We’re showing the fabulous Barbie Movie for all ages to enjoy.

Live Music & Performances:
Get ready to dance and sing along to an amazing lineup of local musicians and entertainers. The pier will be buzzing with incredible performances!

Birthday Cake & Ice Cream:
What’s a birthday without cake and ice cream? Enjoy these tasty treats as we celebrate this special milestone.

Kids Activities:
Games, face painting, and more – there’s something for every kid (and kid at heart) to enjoy!

Delicious Food, Drinks & Treats:
Feast on a variety of yummy goodies from our local food vendors, offering everything from classic pier treats to gourmet delights.

Surprise Birthday Spectacle:
We’ve got a surprise in store that will leave you in awe – you won’t want to miss it!

Picnic on the Pier Deck:
Bring your blankets and set up a cozy picnic on the pier deck. Enjoy the festivities with family and friends in the beautiful ocean breeze.

Furry Friends Welcome:
The whole family is invited, including your furry pals! Bring them along for the fun.

Exclusive Merchandise:
Don’t forget to stop by our merchandise booths to pick up exclusive Pier merch! From t-shirts to hats, take home a piece of the Pier.

Interactive Photo Booth:
Capture the memories of this special day at our interactive photo booth. With fun props and instant prints, you’ll have a keepsake to remember the celebration.

Community Spotlight:
We’re highlighting local businesses and organizations that have been part of the pier’s journey. Learn more about our community partners and their contributions.

For more info, Click Here.

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



From Santa Monica Close Up:

"Santa Monica Police officers arrested two individuals at Santa Monica Beach on a busy Sunday, September 1, 2024, following an incident involving an open container of alcohol. The situation unfolded when officers noticed a man drinking from an open container, a violation under Santa Monica Municipal Code 4.08.200, which prohibits the possession and consumption of alcohol on public properties, including parks and beaches.

Upon approach, the man became uncooperative and aggressive, resisting the officers' attempts to detain him. During the altercation, the suspect allegedly assaulted one of the officers. He is expected to face multiple charges, including resisting arrest under California Penal Code (CPC) §148(a)(1) and public intoxication."

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:

"Venice Healer Daisy sings with the band on this Holiday Sunday.

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.


Taking a tour of the 2024 Venice Classic Car Show with Oscar from Hecho En Venice.