There’s little public discussion of Santa Monica hosting its own Open Streets event again, the last Santa Monica Coast was years before the pandemic; but CicLAvia returns to the Westside and Santa Monica’s backyard later this month.
For the uninitiated, open streets events are fun family-friendly festivals that close streets to driving and open them up to folks on bike, on foot, on skates, etc. These events are not a race, but a chill way to explore and enjoy. Ride, walk, jog, skate as much or as little as you like.
CicLAvia will return on Sunday, April 21 on Venice Boulevard – from Venice Beach to Culver City – from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The east end of the nearly six-mile route will be at the Metro E Line Culver City Station and the west end is literally right at the beach. Santa Monica residents can ride the beach path south and meet up with the west end of the route for a car free straight-shot to Culver City.
Prior CicLAvia events on Venice Boulevard were massively popular, and sometimes downright crowded in a really good way.
This CicLAvia includes four (4) Hubs filled with plenty of activities and programs along the route. Hubs are walking zones (mandatory bike dismounts) and meeting points along the route with the Venice Beach Hub located at Windward Circle; Mar Vista Hub located on Venice Blvd near Beethoven St; Palms Hub located on Venice Blvd near Huron Ave; and the National Hub located on Venice Blvd west of National Blvd.
Hubs offer family-friendly activities, restrooms, free water refilling stations, free basic bike repair, bike parking, and first aid. Free pedicab rides are available at each information booth. Use the CicLAvia digital map to plan which businesses, local gems, activities along the route, and Hubs to check out during the event.
“It’s always a thrill to return to Venice Blvd, where the diversity of neighborhoods is celebrated on this 5.75-mile route, between National and the beach,” says CicLAvia Executive Director Romel Pascual. “While Venice Boulevard will be closed to cars, like with all CicLAvias, we encourage participants to learn about and experience local gems along the way. Of note are the protected bike lanes that are available all year round, and we hope people will use and revisit the area after participating on Venice Boulevard car-free.”
Find CicLAvia Venice Boulevard event details at the CicLAvia event page.
