Local Rents Climb, But Santa Monica Isn’t the Biggest Beneficiary of Wildfire Driven Increases: In the post-Palisades housing economy, Santa Monica’s rental market is showing strong growth in early 2025, with median rents increasing by 1.1% in February, according to the latest Apartment List March 2025 Rent Report. This growth has pushed the overall median rent in the city to $2,527, marking a 2.9% increase year-over-year. More details here.
An Ode to ZJ Boarding House: This SMDP opinion column bids adieu to the Main St. staple. as it prepares to close its doors for good after 37 years.
LA County Supervisor Proposes Consolidating Homeless Services Under New Department: Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath proposed creating a new county department to consolidate homeless services beginning July 1, 2025, following a scathing report detailing the failings of the current system. More details here.
Provide Input on Development of the 2025-29 Five-Year Plan: Santa Monica will hold a public hearing to receive community input to inform the development of the 2025-29 Consolidated Plan and the 2025-26 Annual Action Plan. Thursday, March 20 6pm @ City Council Chambers. Check agenda at www.smgov.net/rpc for more details.
Art for Renewal is a benefit sale supporting local artists impacted by the recent LA wildfires. Now until Sunday, May 18 at the 18th Street Arts Center, small artworks will be available for purchase to give back to our resilient creative community. All proceeds will go to the LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund, helping artists rebuild their lives and continue their vital contributions to our rich cultural landscape.
Love Notes to Santa Monica: “As part of a unique collaboration with Downtown SaMo and Buy Local SaMo, we want to know what residents, locals and travelers love most about SaMo. From a go-to dish at a favorite restaurant to a special memory on the Pier with a loved one, we’re encouraging locals and travelers to show their love for Santa Monica by sharing a love note to our one-of-a-kind city. All submitted love notes have the opportunity to be featured on our website or social media accounts. Be sure to stop by our art installation pop-up by local artist Parisa Parnian AKA Savage Muse featuring vibrant shades of pink and red on the Third Street Promenade at 1222 3rd St. to see these love notes on display. Be sure to submit your love note here!
Refractions: Contemporary Indigenous Art: On view now through Friday, June 27 at Annenberg Community Beach House, REFRACTIONS: Contemporary Indigenous Art highlights powerful works by Native Indigenous artists from or connected to the LA region. Curated by Joel Garcia and Kenneth Lopez of Meztli Projects, this thought-provoking collection highlights the present-day experience of Native and Indigenous communities, influenced by pop art, graffiti, nostalgia and the beauty found within “the in-between” spaces of identity.
Things To Do This Weekend:
- Locals’ Night at Santa Monica Pier (Thursday 3:30 – 10pm): Expect live performances, a special photography exhibition, Books & Cookies musical storytime for kids, a car show, local DJs, and more. https://www.santamonicapier.org/localsnight
- March Madness at Jameson’s Pub (Thursday – Sunday): Enjoy 2-for-1 Happy Hour from 3-7pm everyday paired with their spicy buffalo wings or their Game-Time Burger starting at $8.99. 2702 Main St. santamonica.jamesonsirishpub.com
- Venice Art Crawl (Thursday 6 – 10pm): This event showcases local talent and transform this section of Venice into a colorful and creative showcase. Meet inspiring artists, discover hidden gems, and experience the magic of this iconic neighborhood stretch. https://www.veniceartcrawl.com/
- Venice Love Fest (Saturday 11am – 7pm): This free community event features live music, food trucks, over 400 locally made brands and artists, beer gardens, games, and fun-filled activities for kids and families. 12257 Venice Blvd. More details here.
- Westside Repair Café (Saturday 10am – 4pm): What do you do with a toaster that no longer works? Denim pants with holes and tears? Or a computer in need of a little TLC? You can bring those items and more to the Marine Park Auditorium Building (1406 Marine St.) where there will be repairers for bikes, clothing, small appliances, electronics, and much more. More details here.
- Citrus Circus – Orange you Gard you Found This? (Saturday 9 – 11am @ Marine Park Community Garden): Come explore the Marine Park Community Garden as the team celebrates citrus in a variety of ways. Rumors of heavenly lemonade, experiments with citrus batteries and some citrus art have been circulating among the gardening crowd. @ 1406 Marine St.
- Compost Co-op Training at Marine Park Community Garden (Saturday 10am): After training, you may choose to join the Community Compost Co-op and support the garden by regularly contributing your fruit & vegetable scraps to the compost. Feel free to stop by the garden from 9-11 A.M. for our Citrus Circus event, which is also taking place on March 22nd. We will be celebrating all things citrus with fun crafts. @ 1406 Marine St. If you are interested, please sign up for training here.
- Open House for Santa Monica’s Aging and Disability Action Plan (Saturday 9am – 12pm): Join for an open house and community conversation on how Santa Monica can become even more age- and disability-friendly. @ SMC Emeritus Campus, 1227 2nd St. More details here.
- Loveweld Makers Market (Saturday 11am – 4pm): Join celebrate thie birthday by bringing together a collective of talented female makers and our own creative welding community for a day of connection, craftsmanship, and of course—shopping. @ Loveweld Studio, 2665 Main St. More details here.
- Main St. Farmers Market (Sunday 8:30am – 1:30pm): Special surprise guest musician at 10am followed by local favorite Sophia Vandenberg from 11am-1pm, the Sunnyside Chalkers at 9am and the Laura Jean Music Academy at 11am and at noon! Non stop fun! We are also excited to announce that the Santa Monica Fire Department, Providence and LAphd Hands Only CPR will be joining us with life saving tips for a more resilient community!
- Perry’s Beachside Benefit (Sunday 12 – 6:30pm): This fundraiser for fire relief includes volleyball with Paris Olympian Miles Partain, live music, DJs, drinks, food, raffles and more. 2400 Ocean Front Walk More details here.
