MAINopoly This Weekend (Sunday 1-5pm): Experience the best restaurants, bars & eateries by joining us for the 10th Annual “MAINopoly: A Taste of Main Street” in Santa Monica. This all-ages community event is a fun take on the classic board game, giving players access to tastings at over 20 participating businesses. Stop at every location for a chance to win a “Taste of Main Street” Prize Package. There is also beer garden featuring craft cocktails, food, games, DJ & more tastings. Monopoly-themed attire is encouraged! $30 for advanced tickets. More details here and here’s NBC Channel 4 covereage on the event, which is one of my personal favorite days on Main St. every year.
4th of July Main St. Parade Registration Now Open! Participate in this year’s parade as we celebrate a historic milestone: 150 years of Santa Monica cityhood. OPA members are eligible for special discounted rates. Register NOW to secure your spot! More details here.
Santa Monica Turns 3rd St. Promenade into Entertainment Zone with Open Alcohol Rules:
- The Entertainment Zone will initially operate Friday through Sunday from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. starting in early June, with the official launch set for the city’s annual Pride on the Promenade celebration on June 21.
- The approved zone will cover the 1200-1400 blocks of the Promenade, between Wilshire Boulevard and Broadway.
- Participants must be 21 and over and must have special wristbands and cups. Only drinks purchased from licensed Promenade businesses will be allowed to be consumed outdoors. Additionally, alcohol must be in non-glass containers and consumed before entering another bar.
- The new rules have gotten A LOT of media coverage, including this detailed Fox11 report, this LA Times report, and this SMDP report.
Large Concerts Possibly Returning to the Pier: “After months of working with stakeholders on the Pier, in City Hall, and in the community, I’m proud to bring this item forward for Council discussion on Tuesday,” writes Dan Hall in a message to Next. “It’s part of a larger strategy to shift our Downtown and Pier away from retail and toward experiences—ones that draw tourists and create lasting memories.” More details here.
Community Input Sought for New Recreation & Parks Master Plan: Provide your feedback on a plan that will shape Santa Monica’s parks for the next 20 years. Take the survey here before May 31.
Pasjoli Closing, but “plans to reopen with a new look and menu”: On May 31, Beran will close Pasjoli, with plans to reopen with a revamped dining room and an entirely new menu two weeks later. “It was starting to become this thing that maybe wasn’t the restaurant that I was trying to shape it into,” Chef Beran says. “In my head, I’d always had a vision for it. Over time, the neighborhood evolved one way, I evolved one way and the restaurant evolved one way. And the visions weren’t really aligned.” More details here.
The Street Seen: 437 Ashland Ave: In 1912, a 1-story Craftsman bungalow with clinker brick chimneys and porch columns is constructed on the north side of Ashland Ave at 4th St. More details here.
Swim, Paddle & Lounge at the Annenberg Community Beach House Summer of Fun: An underwater listening session, cardboard yacht regatta, Pride events, special adults-only swims and the historic pool summer hours are set for a season of fun at the Annenberg Community Beach House. More details here.
Community Corp. Opening New Apartment Community at 711 Colorado Ave. Residents will enjoy convenient on-site amenities such as a community room, laundry facilities, and resident services through WISE and Healthy Aging for senior residents. Apartments are ideally located in Downtown Santa Monica, and just steps from the Expo Line, Third Street Promenade, and the beach, with the perfect blend of comfort, connection, and coastal living. This opportunity is now open to the general public. Anyone in need of housing and that has a qualifying income meeting 100% Area Median Income (AMI) can apply. More details here.
Things To Do This Week:
- Superbloom laundrynite (Monday 6 – 9pm): “We’re re-imagining nightlife in LA with unique experiences for music, dancing, and connection. Join us for a community laundry experience with live DJs, games, free tea, and more! BYO Laundry.” @ Wash & Dry Laundromat (2626 Lincoln Blvd.) More details here.
- Samohi Bands POPS Concert and Senior Celebration (Tuesday 6:30): More details here.
- SaMo Democratic Club Monthly Meeting: Our gubernatorial candidate series continues On May 21, we will be joined by former state Controller and California Democratic Party Vice Chair Betty Yee followed by California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. Both are candidates for Governor in 2026. Date: May 21, 2025 Time: Doors Open 6:30pm, Program Start 7:00pm Location: Church In Ocean Park (235 Hill Street) OR via Zoom RSVP and get More details here.
- From Euclid to Moomat Ahiko: How Santa Monica Streets Got Their Names (Wednesday 6pm): Join creator of lastreetnames.com, Mark Tapio Kines, as he presents the origins of the streets we call home. Snacks and beverages will be provided. @ Ocean Park Branch Library, 2601 Main St. More details here.
- Zona Little Italy Weekly FREE Community Music Events (every Wednesday @ 6pm through summer): The entire community is invited to enjoy different artists each week in their parking lot in front of their store (same lot at Shoops). Last week featured Grammy award winning artist Jon Varto and more great performers are scheduled throughout the summer. They have plenty of chairs available but people are also welcome to bring their own. @ 2400 Main St. More details here on their Insta page.
- #BreakTheStigma with NAMI Westside LA (Thursdat 2pm @ Pico Branch Library, 2201 Pico Blvd.): Find out about NAMI’s free programs to provide education, stigma reduction, and support for people with mental health conditions and their loved ones. Stop by for information on handling stress, anxiety, and depression. Connect for support groups and resource navigation for low-cost counseling services, housing, and legal aid/conservator information.
OPA & City Meetings:
Commission on Sustainability, Environmental Justice, and the Environment (Monday 7pm): More details here.
Free Walk-In Legal Clinic (Wednesday 4:30 – 7pm): Santa Monica residents can meet one on one with a lawyer from Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles for help with HOUSING issues. More details here.
OPA Connects Meeting (Wednesday 12pm): Here is the Zoom link.
Future Affordable Housing Development – Notices of Availability for City-Owned Land Session 1 (Thursday 6 – 7:30pm): Learn about the Surplus Land Act Notice of Availability process for future affordable housing development, to be released for three city-owned sites (Bergamot Art Station, 4th/5th and Arizona, and Parking Structure 1). @ Main Library 601 Santa Monica Blvd. More details here.
- Rent Control Seminar for Property Owners and Managers (Thursday 10:30 am): More details here.
- Rent Control 101 Seminar for Tenants (Thursday 6pm): More details here.
