| Meet the Mayor Tonight at the April OPA Monthly Meeting (Monday April 13): The meeting is at the Ocean Park Library @ 2601 Main St. starting with food and mingling at 6:00pm. We will also be hybrid on Zoom. Click here to add the OPA monthly meeting and Zoom link to your calendar. Here’s the zoom link, and here’s the schedule: |
| 6:00 – 6:30: Food, refreshments and mingling6:30 – 7:30: Guest Speakers:Mayor Caroline TorosisSaMo Police DepartmentSaMo Fire Department“Meet the Merchant”: Andrew @ Bike Merchant Santa Monica7:30 – 8:30: Board business, including the upcoming calendar of events, & more) |
| Blow Me Closes Main St. Store: This SaMo Mirror report details how the “Cheeky Santa Monica Candle Shop Relocates, Transitions Operations to Workshops and Events. The business will no longer operate a traditional retail shop but will continue offering in-person candle-making workshops, private events, team-building sessions and other experiences on a more limited basis.” |
| Trader Joe’s files application for Venice store at former Fox theater site: A Los Angeles City Planning application for 620 S. Lincoln Blvd. lists Trader Joe’s as seeking permission to sell a full line of alcohol for off-site consumption in connection with a proposed 12,585-square-foot grocery store. More details here. |
| Santa Monica Posts Sharpest Rent Decline in Los Angeles Metro: Rents in SaMo have fallen faster than in any other city in the Los Angeles metro area over the past year, dropping 8.1% annually as of April 2026, according to the latest data from several sources — a dramatic reversal from just 12 months ago, when a devastating wildfire was pushing Westside rents sharply higher. More details here. |
| Senate Bill 79 Updates: The City published this post: Senate Bill 79 (SB 79), the Abundant and Affordable Homes Near Transit Act, was signed by Governor Newsom on October 10, 2025. The new legislation establishes minimum guaranteed development standards for qualified housing projects located near specified transit stops in urban transit counties. SB 79 will go into effect July 1, 2026 and will establish new minimum floor area ratios, heights, and density standards for properties located within 1/2 mile of a “transit-oriented development” (TOD) stop. The City has published a new webpage with information on the local effects of SB 79, including a draft map of affected areas in the City of Santa Monica. For more information, click here to view the City’s SB 79 website and/or learn more about SB 79 on April 15, 2026 at the Planning Commission meeting. |
| Christopher Dishlip appointed director of Public Works: Dishlip has been with the city for nearly 17 years and has served as assistant director of Public Works since 2022. He previously led both Santa Monica’s Facility Maintenance and Architecture Services divisions and served as the city’s capital program manager. Dishlip will take the helm from Director Rick Valte, who announced his retirement this year after nearly 26 years of service to the city. More details here. |
| Crudo e Nudo 5th Anniversary Guest Chef & Winemaker Series: Chef/Owner Brian Bornemann is bringing together his dear chef and winemaker friends for a series of delicious takeovers at his acclaimed sustainable seafood restaurant and biodynamic wine bar along Santa Monica’s vibrant and beachy Main Street. Some of California’s best chefs and winemakers are partnering up for fun seafood-driven specials and perfect pairings. It’s all about celebrating great fish, great wine and community, which means party vibes and no prix-fixe menus. April 13-19, 12 – 9p.m., 2724 Main St. resy.com/cities/santa-monica-ca/venues/crudo-e-nudo |
| The Street Seen: White Star Pier Hollister Ave. (@ Ocean Front Walk): Did you know there was a pier at Hollister in OP??? The developers of the Wadsworth & Hollister Tract build the White Star Pier at the foot of Hollister Ave in 1904. The pier receives scant patronage, and the financially distressed pier is sold at a foreclosure auction in 1906. More details here. |
| Santa Monica Conservancy Community Events Calendar: Click here to learn more about their upcoming calendar, including historic downtown and Main Street walking tours, 10th Birthday of the Shotgun House Celebration, and more. |
| Santa Monica Mirror Complete Summer Camps Guide: https://smmirror.com/summer-camp-guide-2026/ |
Things to Do at the Pier
- Mahjong Mondays at Zinque Venice: Join either a beginner-friendly night where you’ll learn the fundamentals or if you. already know the basics, skip the lesson & join for guided play. If you’ve been looking for a reason to leave the house on a Monday, this is it. Come solo or bring a friend! 🀄Mondays, 1440 Lincoln Blvd. More details here.
- Annual Soundwaves Concert Series – House on Fire: Enjoy the piano-centered multi-instrumental trio of Andrew Anderson, Wells Leng, and Richard An, and the Feedback Wave Riders: guitarist Michael Jon Fink’s improvising group with guitarists Alan S. Tofighi and Primoz Sukic and saxophonists Ulrich Kreiger and Vinny Golia. Tuesday, April 14, 7:30p.m., 12424 Wilshire Blvd. soundwavesnewmusic.com
- Weekly Western Wednesdays Line Dancing at Santa Monica Place: No prior dance experience is required, and attendees are encouraged to bring enthusiasm and comfortable shoes. FREE. Every Wednesday through April 29, 6 – 8 p.m., 395 Santa Monica Place, Center Plaza.
- Springtime at the Pier: ‘Locals’ Night’ Returns Thursday with Live Music, Art, Salsa, and ‘Save the Pier!’ Play: Enjoy two stages of live music, Spring art mart, salsa dancing, classic cars, and live theater come together for one night at the Santa Monica Pier. Starting at 4p.m. santamonicapier.org/localsnight
- “Be” the Change @ Ishihara Park Learning Garden (Saturday 9am): To celebrate Earth Month, we encourage our communities to, in the words of Mahatma Gandhi, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Join us at our monthly community breakfast where we will have fun activities for all ages. Be kind to others, be respectful of the planet, be the best version of you, and let’s continue to grow Santa Monica. @ 2909 Exposition Blvd.
- Healthy Kids Day (Saturday 10am-1pm @ Santa Monica YMCA): It’s a free event. There will be plenty of fun activities for families, including a bouncy house, rock climbing, and face painting. The goal is to promote healthy habits and positive lifestyles for youth in an engaging and interactive way.
- SaMo City Preservation Justice Workshop (Sunday 2-5pm): Learn about Santa Monica’s Landmarks process, discuss different ways to recognize history in Santa Monica, and connect with neighbors over food and drink. More details here.
- SMC Planetarium Offers Deep Space Series Throughout April: Enjoy live-hosted shows on Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons throughout April, featuring its weekly “Night Sky Show” alongside three “Deep Space Deep Dive” programs exploring nebulae, the Milky Way, and galaxies. Each roughly 40-minute show is followed by a Q&A with Planetarium Lecturer Sarah Vincent. Friday evening shows begin at 6 p.m. with “The Night Sky Show,” followed at 7 p.m. by a feature program. Children under 3 are not permitted at Friday evening shows. Sunday Family Matinée shows begin at 1 p.m., with the feature program at 2 p.m. smc.edu/planetarium
OPA and City Meetings
- City Council Meeting(Tuesday 5:30 pm): Meetings are hybrid and can be viewed on this YouTube channel. Click here for agenda.
- OPA Connects Meeting (Wednesday 12pm): Here is the Zoom link.
- Planning Commission Meeting (Wednesday 6pm): More details & agenda here.
- Recreation & Parks Commission Meeting (Thursday 6pm): Click Here for agenda.
Upcoming Calendar of Events
- City Council Meeting(Tuesday 5:30 pm): Meetings are hybrid and can be viewed on this YouTube channel. Click here for agenda.
- OPA Connects Meeting (Wednesday 12pm): Here is the Zoom link.
- Planning Commission Meeting (Wednesday 6pm): More details & agenda here.
- Recreation & Parks Commission Meeting (Thursday 6pm): Click Here for agenda.
Upcoming Calendar of Events
- Upcoming OPA Book Club Meetings: Planned dates are May 6 (Demon Copperhead), June 3 (Remarkably Bright Creatures), July 8 (Trust), Aug 5 (The Night Watchman). Email alexabarrett@gmail.com for more info. All meets are at 6pm at the Ocean Park Library (2601 Main St.).
- OPA Monthly Meeting: Monday, May 11, 6pm @ Ocean Park Library
- Family Earth Day Party hosted by Neighbors Victoria & KseniaSaturday, April 18th at 10am at Hotchkiss Park. RSVP HERE
- Want to Volunteer for Future OPA-Sponsored Heal The Bay Adopt-A-Beach Clean-Ups? Contact Dave Tann at dogtowndave@yahoo.com. He is the coordinator for the OPA/Heal The Bay events, always meeting at Tower 26. Dates this summer are 6/28, 7/26, & 8/30.
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