| Tree Trimming, Pressure Washing and Street Cleaning to Expand Across Santa Monica’s Major Corridors (Including Main St.): The changes include adding 12 positions across Public Works and expanding contracted services for cleaning and landscaping, including at public libraries. The Santa Monica City Council has approved a reorganization of the city’s Public Works Department that officials say will expand street cleaning, maintenance and landscaping services beyond the downtown area to commercial corridors across the city. The changes are part of the city’s broader “Realignment Plan Update,” adopted this week, and extend a maintenance model introduced in downtown Santa Monica last year to other areas, including Montana Avenue, Wilshire Boulevard, Main Street, Pico Boulevard and Ocean Park Boulevard. More details here. |
| Rent Control Board Releases 2025 Annual Report: The Report (pdf here) highlights a year of notable policy updates and programmatic changes aimed at strengthening tenant protections and improving oversight. Among the key accomplishments, the Board adopted new rules to limit large, banked rent increases, a shift from prior years that allowed landlords to accumulate and apply significant rent hikes at once. The agency also expanded monitoring of deed-restricted affordable units and increased outreach efforts to better inform tenants and landlords about their rights and responsibilities. More detailed summary here and full PDF of the report here. |
| Gunfire erupts near 4th Street and Olympic Drive, leaving one man dead after an apparent road rage confrontation: Detectives are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred Saturday night near the intersection of 4th Street and Olympic Drive following an apparent road rage altercation. Santa Monica Police Department officers arrived at the scene at approximately 10:30 p.m., where they discovered an adult male with a gunshot wound. Preliminary evidence suggests the shooting stemmed from a confrontation between the occupants of two vehicles. During the dispute, a suspect reportedly opened fire, striking the victim at least once before fleeing the area in a vehicle. No suspects are in custody. More details in this SaMoMirror report and this SantaMonica.gov post. |
| Berkeley Station opens as Santa Monica’s first modular affordable housing development: Offering 13 affordable apartments for low-income families and young adults facing housing insecurity, the project — a partnership between the city of Santa Monica, nonprofit developer Community Corporation of Santa Monica and social services provider St. Joseph Center — represents a new approach to building affordable housing faster and at lower cost through factory-built, prefabricated construction. More details and pics in this SMDP post and this Urbanize LA post. |
| Inside the Viral ‘Barbie’ Home in Santa Monica, Now on Market for $38.5K a Month: Here is a fun video report of the neon pink beach home inspired viral memes comparing it and its dark painted neighbor to everything from Barbie vs. Batman to “Barbenheimer”. |
| April is Arts, Culture & Creativity Month in California, as well as National Poetry Month: It’s a chance to celebrate the many ways creativity shapes our communities – from exhibitions and live performances to programs at libraries, in classrooms, and at neighborhood gatherings. This City post lists a variety of events planned throughout the month. |
| Pacific Park Spring Break Annual Pass Sale: Now through 4/12, get $50 off an annual pass to Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier! Pass holders receive 20% off food & beverage and retail inside the park. Get your pass online here today or at any available Pacific Park ticket booth window. |
| Councilmember Lana Negrete Newsletter: Here is her weekly newsletter, with public safety and homelessness stats, council meeting recap, economic development updates, and more. |
| CatCafe Lounge Opens in Venice Beach, Expanding Its Life-Saving Rescue Mission: This video report details their goal to rescue as many of the estimated 3 million LA cats that need homes. |
| Carrot Cake Cookie at Levain: Their signature six-ounce cookies get packed with freshly grated carrots, sweet apricots, white chocolate chips, and crunchy pecans, delivering classic carrot cake flavor in Levain’s signature rich, indulgent texture. Also back for spring is the fan-favorite Lemon Cookie. 1661 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice levainbakery.com |
Things to Do This Weekend
- Pop-Up Pool Day (Saturday and next Thursday 11am-5pm): Pop-Up Pool Days are here for Spring Break! Annenberg Community Beach House is opening the pool for three special days—just in time for sunshine, splashes, and a perfect day at the Beach House. More details here.
- Abbot Kinney First Friday Food Truck Fest (starting at 5pm): About two dozen food trucks are expected to line the street for the monthly event. abbotkinneyblvd.com
- Wellness & Waves Returns to the Santa Monica Pier with Free Saturday Morning Fitness Classes: With the Pacific Ocean as its backdrop, Wellness & Waves offers a welcoming, energizing way to start the weekend—no membership required. Each Saturday morning begins at the top of the Santa Monica Pier at the intersection of Colorado and Ocean with an easygoing group run from 8 to 9 a.m., open to all levels. Guests can then head to the west end of the Pier for yoga and yoga-pilates fusion classes from 9 to 10 a.m., led by top local instructors. Saturdays, April 4 through October 17, 8 – 10 a.m. More details here.
- Venice Spring Eggstravaganza (Saturday 10am): Meet the Bunny, enjoy an Easter egg hunt, fun outdoor games, arts and crafts, and win prizes. @ Venice Recreation Center. 1800 Ocean Front Walk, Venice More details here.
- Juneshine’s 5th Anniversary Party (Saturday 12 – 6pm): Enjoy a new flavor launch, special guest DJs all day, a free custom tote for the first 100 guests, raffles, birthday bingo, and cake of course! @ 2914 Main St. More details here.
- Main St. Farmers Market (Sunday 8:30am – 1:30pm):Looking for a really chill place to hang out this Sunday? Main Street Farmers Market will be open with special guests Team Chris and the Southern Remedy 10am-1pm. Help bunny find the basket of tangerines he left at the market and take a tangerine as a thank you when you find it. 🙂 GSFF is back with their dry-farmed organic almond and heritage grains, granola and bread! See you there.
Easter Brunch/Lunch Options
- Celebrate Easter in Style at Regent Santa Monica Beach: Orla by Michael Mina, the resort’s signature restaurant, will host an Easter Brunch experience, pairing classic dishes with special holiday and coastal Californian and Mediterranean fare. The celebration continues for the whole family with Regent Santa Monica Beach’s Easter Celebration that features a traditional Easter Egg Hunt overlooking the ocean, an appearance from the Easter Bunny, a champagne toast for the adults, and live music for everyone to enjoy. 1700 Ocean Ave. More details here.
- Easter Brunch at Terrazza at Hotel Casa Del Mar: Ocean views, time-honored favorites, fresh seasonal additions, and an indulgent dessert buffet—Easter brunch at Terrazza is a tradition worth savoring. Start with appetizers like Oysters & Caviar, Dry Aged Bluefin Tuna Crudo, Lobster Benedict, Smoked Salmon Tartine, and Roasted Carrot Soup. For the main event, savor Grilled Dorade, Roasted Prime Rib, Rack of Lamb, Dungeness Crab Fettuccine, or Crispy Mushroom Rice. And don’t forget dessert! The Chef’s dessert table offers a curated selection of seasonal sweets that are sure to delight. More details here.
- Fig’s Easter Brunch: Enjoy a decadent tasting menu inspired by the season including a selection of oysters with yuzu pearls, Lobster Benedict, a smoked salmon plate with dill cream cheese and caviar, a giant cinnamon roll, and more. Brunch and hotel guests are invited to take part in Easter Egg Hunts in the Miramar Gardens. The Easter Bunny will also make special appearances throughout brunch, offering festive photo opportunities for the whole family. 101 Wilshire Blvd. instagram.com/figsantamonica
- LouLou’s Easter Day Brunch: Celebrate Easter with friends and family…. DJs and live performances starting at 11:30 am with a special brunch buffet at $75 per guest. Easter specials include: “Le Gigot D’agneau.” a 7-hour roast leg of lamb, dauphine potato flageolet beans, Deviled Eggs, and Easter-themed cocktails. 395 Santa Monica Place instagram.com/p/DWAdAz7CeSI/
- Easter Brunch at Chelsea: Enjoy a 3-course brunch beginning with breakfast breads for the table and a glass of champagne to toast the occasion. 2460 Wilshire Blvd. More details here.
Upcoming Calendar of Events
- Upcoming OPA Book Club Meetings: Planned dates are April 8 (The Maid), May 6 (Demon Copperhead), June 3 (Remarkably Bright Creatures). Email alexabarrett@gmail.com for more info. All meets areat 6pm at the Ocean Park Library (2601 Main St.).
- OPA Monthly Meeting: Monday, April 13, 6pm @ Ocean Park Library
- WILDFLOWER MIXER AND PLANT SWAP: Spring is officially here, and it’s time to get our hands a little dirty! Whether you have a lush garden or just one lonely succulent, come hang out and meet the people of Ocean Park. We’ll have a ‘seed bomb’ making station (perfect for your own window box or guerrilla gardening around town) and a casual plant swap. Bring a cutting to share, or just come to grab a new plant friend and a snack. No green thumb required, just good vibes! Stay tuned for the DATE and LOCATION!
- 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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