OPA BEACH CLEAN-UP THIS SUNDAY: The event is 10AM until noon, we meet at Tower 26, Ocean Park Blvd at the beach, supplies are provided and there will be a Heal The Bay speaker to coordinate the cleanup. Parents, students, families and neighbors are all welcome. Email Dave Tann with questions.
Councilmember Dan Hall’s Quarterly Update: Here is his update that includes bottom line, up front” summary of key matters, an update on the Council’s three strategic priorities, the Third Street Promenade’s Entertainment Zone launch. Some highlights:
- Dan will be joining OPA at this weekend’s clean-up, so come on out to say say hi.
- Council approved entering negotiations for national hospitality houses and live broadcast zones for the LA28 Olympics. Exploring these opportunities was previously blocked by our agreement with LA28 as a host city. Now, instead of losing money on the Olympics, we will bring in profits!
- We launched the Promenade Entertainment Zone Pilot — a first in SoCal! Since June, Promenade businesses have offered live music and DJs to activate public space, boost sales, and build community. Read the FAQs and news coverage!
- Music festivals are returning to the Pier! Following my motion co-sponsored by Mayor Negrete and Councilmember Zwick, we’re bringing music, business, and foot traffic back to our iconic waterfront.
Mixed City Homeless Numbers Update:
- This city issued this statement that says “This year’s data indicates that the number of unhoused individuals moving into shelters in Santa Monica increased from last year, with a slight decrease in people living on the streets and in makeshift shelters outdoors. In total, the LAHSA survey identified 202 people living in shelters, compared with 173 in 2024, while the unsheltered population decreased to 475 people, down by four.
- However, this SMDP report details that homeless are increasing if we account for people living in vehicles and shelters. “While homelessness decreased throughout LA County last year, the City of Santa Monica failed to keep up with the regional trend, instead reporting an increase in homeless individuals found within city limits. The local count showed homelessness increased by 5% in 2024 rising from 774 to 812. The population growth was driven in large part by car campers with an increase of 21 people living in vehicles (to a total of 84 last year). The City also saw the number of people living in local shelters increase by 29 to a total of 202. Four fewer people were found living outside dropping that total to 475 and there were 10 fewer tents/camps throughout the city.”
Santa Monica Police Department Holding DUI Checkpoint July 25: More details here.
2025 State of the City – Speech by Mayor Lana Negrete: The city of Santa Monica hosted the annual State of the City on July 17 in a new format. This year’s event was a community gathering, with a reception in the newly revived and reopened Miles Memorial Playhouse and performances, interactive city booths, activities, and giveaways in Christine Emerson Reed Park. It also marked the kickoff of the community’s 150th anniversary celebration, which includes city and community events through December 2025. More details here along with the video and transcript of the speech.
The Street Seen: Paloria Building (2708 Main Street @ Hill St.): Osborn’s 1898 grocery store on Main Street south of Hill St. serves as Ocean Park’s first Post Office. In 1926, the 1-story wood-frame building is demolished to accommodate the widening of Main St. The extant 1-story brick building is constructed in 1927. More details here.
Dine LA Restaurant Week(s) Returns July 25–Aug 8: Here is a list of the 47 SaMo eateries participating, including:
- Citrin: They are offering 5 courses (amuse, starter, 2 mains, dessert) for $99. Highlights include Vermillion Rockfish “ikejime”, Snake Farms Sirloin and Yellow Peach and Yuzu “Pie”. 1104 Wilshire Blvd.
- Edgemar: Here is their $25 lunch/brunch menu and $45 dinner menu featuring shrimp toast, chili wontons, chili crab noodle, short rib rendang, and more. 2435 Main St.
- Fitoor: Here is their $45 lunch/brunch menu and $65 dinner menu featuring sweet chili broccoli, open fire chicken kebab, Alleppey fish curry (soak it up with some naan), and finishing off with the rich Chocolate Nemesis. 1755 Ocean Ave.
- Lunetta: The market-driven restaurant has a $35 Lunch and $65 dinner, with such items as a Greek wedge, Summer corn chowder, Maine lobster, rock shrimp roll, and a nectarine & blueberry Crumble with vanilla ice cream. 2420 Pico Blvd.
- Orla by Michael Mina: the new Egyptian-Mediterranean restaurant located inside the Regent Santa Monica, is offering a multi-course prix-fixe lunch for $35 and/or dinner starting at $65. 1700 Ocean Ave.
- Papille Gustative: Here is their $35 lunch menu and $45 dinner menu featuring summer minestrone, avocado egg toast, salmon, a chocolate berry cake and more. 2823 Main St.
- Sushi Roku: Enjoy a sushi plate for $45 featuring Tuna, Salmon, Albacore, White Lotus Roll, shrimp tempura, and more. 1401 Ocean Ave.
Sundays Made Special: $35 Omakase at Edgemar: Indulge in a thoughtfully prepared selection of shareable dishes alongside family and friends every Sunday between 4 – 9pm. Reservations Recommended or Just Walk In. www.edgemar.la
Things To Do This Weekend:
- Su Casa Coffee x Juneshine: A new café concept arrives at 2914 Main St. as local coffee brand Su Casa takes over JuneShine Santa Monica during the day, transforming the popular kombucha tasting room into a daytime gathering spot for all to enjoy. The café residency welcomes guests Wednesdays – Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering a low-key and relaxed environment serving expertly brewed Su Casa coffee by day and refreshing JuneShine hard kombuchas each evening. https://www.instagram.com/sucasacoffeeclub/
- Ocean Park Summer Picnic Series (Thursday 5:30 – 7:30pm (drop by anytime)): While this is not an OPA event, it is organized by Tess, who is a super engaged OPA member who is spearheading creating community events.
- Where: Hotchkiss Park – closer to 4th Street (to the left of the bathrooms if you’re coming from 4th).
- What you bring: Your own food/drink and something to sit on (chair or blanket)
- What we’ll bring: As always, we’ll have name tags!
- Why are we doing this: We are looking to build an increased sense of community and connection in Ocean Park.
- Optional Icebreaker: Meeting a new neighbor? Ask if they had any traditions growing up that made them feel connected to their community.
- Future Dates: Aug 7, Aug 21
- The Spazmatics LIVE (Friday 8pm): They are bringing their signature ’80s new-wave spectacle to The Venice West, promising high-energy covers, nerd-chic theatrics, and crowd-pleasing nostalgia. @ 1717 Lincoln Blvd. More details here.
- Westside Chamber Orchestra Free Summer Series (Saturday 7pm): Join The Westside Chamber Orchestra this summer at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Santa Monica for these terrific free programs. @ 958 Lincoln Blvd. More details here.
- When the City Speaks (Saturday 5-7pm): The Santa Monica History Museum is hosting this FREE book and photo exhibit, and community conversation with refreshments. @ 1350 7th St. More details here.
- Main St. Farmers Market (Sunday 8:30am – 1:30pm): Hello farmers market community! There’s a lot going on at the Main Street Farmers Market this Sunday starting with jazz singer/fiddler, Chloe Resler at 9am followed by local favorites DJ and the Main Street Jam 10am-1pm! Laura Jean Music Academy is back with performances at 11am and noon! Special guests include PBS SoCal, Kindness 4 Kids activities on the lawn and the LAPHD Hands Only CPR. Buon Gusto olive oil pop up, Hasi Bread & Brandon’s Ice Cream are back! See you there!
- Santa Monica Mosaic series returns with A Cultural Landscape – The Treasured Trees of Pacific Palisades (Sunday 5pm): This free livestream event will explore the region’s horticultural history—from its Methodist founders to the contributions of visionaries like Abbot Kinney and Will Rogers. More details here.
