| This Sunday (Aug 23): First Ocean Park Farmer’s Market is moving ON TO Main Street: Yes! It’s True! This Sunday, the Main Street Farmers Market hits the Street for a very special Sunday Fun Day event! See you there! More details: |
| Main St. will be closed to traffic from 6am-4pmMore than a dozen food vendors are expectedThe Entertainment Zone will be activated for people who want to enjoy an adult beverageThe Sunnyside Chalkers will be on the driveway at 9am. Enjoy local musicians starting at 9am with singer songwriter, Alex Chaiet, followed by the GM Jazz Quartet from 10am-1pm. Special Farm to Glass Cafe pop up in front of the lions with farmer inspired mocktails and mid-morning cocktails.Check out the Kid Zone on the lawn hosted by Super Dope featuring City Council Members. Lana Negrete with activities for the kids and Natalya Zernitskaya with kid crafts and catch up on the latest at the Santa Monica Fire Department pop up!Don’t miss the After Party on the lawn where the fun continues after the market until 7pm. |
| Ocean Park Social Club Summer Picnic Series (TODAY/Thursday): Join your neighbors every other Thursday in Hotchkiss Park from 5:30 – 7:30pm. Next one is TODAY/Thursday (Aug 20), followed by the finale on Sep 3. Email Tess with any questions. |
| Today is the first day of SaMo School Year: This SMPD post details some tips for drivers, ebikers, parents, walkers, etc. |
| The Blue Notebook – A Weekly SMPD Recap – July 26- August 1: Here is the Police Dept’s recap of activity, that “included an attempted residential burglary arrest, the recovery of a firearm and thousands of rounds of ammunition during a stalking investigation, a fugitive arrest, and multiple arrests involving weapons, narcotics, outstanding warrants, and violations of supervised release.” |
| La Diperie Update: They posted this cute Instagram video update on their progress. |
| Santa Monica rents edge up in July but stay below year-ago levels: The median rent in Santa Monica rose 1.4% over the course of July to $2,405, according to Apartment List’s August 2026 rent report. The increase came in a market that has spent much of the past three years in retreat. Even with the gain, rents are down 2.7% from a year earlier, leaving Santa Monica behind both the state and the nation. Rents across California climbed about 1.5% over the past 12 months, while the national median slipped 1.1%, the report said. By unit type, Apartment List pegged the median one-bedroom in Santa Monica at $2,276 and the median two-bedroom at $2,729. More details here. |
| The LA Luxury Market Is Showing Signs of Strength According to Raphael Barrgan’s LA Real Estate Report (OPA Platinum member): Recent national data shows an important trend: luxury home prices are continuing to outperform the broader housing market. During the three months ending May 2026, the median U.S. luxury home sale price increased 4.7% year over year, compared with 1.5% for non-luxury homes. Pending sales of luxury homes also increased, signaling continued demand from affluent buyers. Los Angeles remains one of the country’s most important destinations for high-end residential real estate. More details here. |
| Property Owners in Santa Monica Can Lease Units to the City for Homeless Housing: The city of Santa Monica is seeking property owners interested in participating in a new Master Leasing Program designed to expand interim housing options for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Under the program, the city or a nonprofit partner would enter into master lease agreements for vacant residential units, multifamily buildings, hotels or similar properties. More details here. |
| NEXT WEEK: Community Meeting Regarding Senate Bill 79 Updates and Proposed Amendments to Zoning Ordinance: (Tuesday Aug 25 6:30pm) The City invites people to attend an Join us for an informational community meeting on implementation of Senate Bill 79 and proposed amendments to the City’s Zoning Ordinance to increase development standards for 89 R1-zoned parcels north of the I-10 Freeway and east of Dorchester Avenue. @ City Council Chamber, Second Floor, Santa Monica City Hall 1685 Main St. |
| Councilmember Lana Negrete Newsletter: Here is her weekly newsletter with updates on Public Safety, Economic Development, Education, Around Town & Community Highlights, Election & Voting, and more. |
Things to Do This Weekend
- Dine LA Restaurant Week Continues (Now Through Aug. 28): LA’s premier dining event is back for two full weeks of culinary exploration. Dozens of Westside and Santa Monica favorites are rolling out special multi-course lunch and dinner menus at fixed price points ranging from $15 to $65+. Whether you’re looking to revisit an iconic neighborhood staple, check out a newly opened concept, or splurge on a Michelin-starred tasting menu, it’s the perfect excuse to skip cooking and sample the city’s best kitchens. Here are some SaMo offerings and you can browse menus and make reservations directly at discoverlosangeles.com/dinela.
- Cheers to 80 Years! Hot Dog on a Stick Celebrates National Lemonade Day with 80-Cent Lemonade (Thursday) 🍋🎉 Guests who purchase any Original Hot Dog on a Stick or Cheese on a Stick on Thursday can get a 16 oz. Original Fresh Hand-Stomped Lemonade for just 80 cents. 1633 Ocean Front Walk hotdogonastick.com
- Venice Art Crawl (Thursday 6pm): Experience the eclectic soul of Venice as local galleries, studios, and pop-up spaces open their doors for this quarterly community tradition. This volunteer-run sunset tour celebrates the neighborhood’s historic status as a creative haven, offering everything from large-scale murals and fine art to experimental performance pieces and live music. veniceartcrawl.com
- Bombas Venice Store Opening (Friday): To celebrate the opening, Bombas will give its first 150 customers a pair of exclusive Sushi Socks. 🧦 1140 Abbot Kinney Blvd. instagram.com/bombas
- Sunset Swim at the Annenberg Beach House (Friday): Spend your evening poolside at the historic Annenberg Community Beach House, home to the iconic 1920s Marion Davies estate built by media mogul William Randolph Hearst. Sunset Swim invites adults to enjoy an evening of swimming, relaxing, and connecting by the sea at their historic and heated pool. Float under the evening sky, unwind with friends old and new, and enjoy complimentary s’mores and pool floaties while taking in the ocean air and sunset views. @ 415 PCH More details here.
- Introduction to Mahjong with Mahjong Mistress (Saturday 2:30pm): Santa Monica Public Library launches a new monthly Mahjong series with an afternoon of guided play, community gathering, and cultural learning hosted by Mahjong Mistress. @ Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd. More details here.
- SaMo Forward Block Party (Saturday from 10am – 2pm at Washington Avenue between 14th and 15th St.): Join for a day of food 🍕, music 🎶, kids/adult activities 🏀, partner tables ☑️, a bingo game 🎲, and raffle prizes 🎫. This block party is our way of showing the community how much better the neighborhood looks when we reclaim the street for people, not cars. No matter where you in live Santa Monica, we hope that you will join us. More details here.
- Dog Daze of Summer on Montana Ave. (Saturday 10am): The event encourages you to “Bring your furry best friend for a day of shopping, treats, and giveaways as you explore the charming boutiques and restaurants along Montana Ave.” instagram.com/montanaavesm
- Blockprint Music & Arts Festival (Saturday starting at 3pm): A full-day 21+ street festival taking over Abbot Kinney with live dance music, art, and food while keeping local storefronts open. tixr.com/groups/blockprint
- Butterfly Brawl Returns to Santa Monica Pier (Saturday 4pm): Local boxing returns to the oceanfront as Westside Boxing Club hosts the 2026 Butterfly Brawl directly on the iconic Santa Monica Pier deck. This outdoor amateur boxing showcase features a full card of competitive local bout matchups, food vendors, and ocean views. @ Santa Monica Pier deck southerncaliforniaboxing.com
- New Outdoor Music & Movie Series Saturdays at Tongva Park (Saturdays, through Sept. 12, 7 – 10pm): Spend your Saturday nights under the stars at TONGVA TWILIGHT: Sounds & Cinema, a free outdoor series blending live music, iconic films, and summer vibes in Tongva Park. Grab your friends, pack a picnic and enjoy complimentary popcorn on movie nights while supplies last. This week, Son Mayor will bring its high-energy salsa orchestra to Tongva Park, complete with a complimentary salsa lesson before the performance. @ 1615 Ocean Ave. More details here.
- Wellness on the Westside (Sunday 10am – 3pm): Spend the day exploring fitness classes, yoga, mindfulness, meditation, sound baths, and recovery treatments. Sip healthy bevs and bites, discover new self-care favorites, and collect stamps in your Wellness Passport for prizes and giveaways. You’ll also receive complimentary professional beauty portraits and enjoy a mindful flower market. @ Santa Monica Place More details here.
- Coffee with a Cop at the Santa Monica Pier (Tuesday 11am-1pm): This is a collaboration with Pacific Park and SMPD will be in the space next to Coffee Bean. Hope to see you there!
Upcoming Calendar of Events
- OPA Book Club: Next planned dates are 9/2 (Agent Sonya), 10/7 (The Big Sleep), 11/4 (James), and 12/2 (The Year of Living Danishly). Email alexabarrett@gmail.com for more info. All meets are at 6pm at the Ocean Park Library (2601 Main St.).
- OPA Monthly Meeting: Monday, Aug. 10, 6pm @ Ocean Park Library
- Ocean Park Social Club Summer Picnic Series: Mark your calendars for our bi-weekly summer evening picnics at Hotchkiss Park on the following Thursdays 5:30-7:30pm: Aug 20, and Sep 3. Email Tess with any questions.
- 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. Next date this summer is 8/30.
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