News from Santa Monica.
The Santa Monica City Council has proclaimed May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, celebrating this year’s theme, “Power in Unity: Strengthening Communities Together.” Celebrate with events across the city: One Book, One Coast: “They Called…
For decades, many of us who are sci-fi fans have seen increasing fictional speculation, in books and movies, depicting the use of drugs, cyber augmentations, gene swaps and body sculpting to artificially increase human strength and senses beyond those of…
The following is a submission from the Santa Monica Conservancy. All first person references refer to them. Photo: Carol Lemlein, Former Councilmembers Kevin McKeown and Ted Winterer, and State Senator Ben Allen at the Preservation Resource Center grand opening at the Shotgun House. In 2016,…
It may still be a few months until candidates can “pull papers” and officially begin their campaigns for City Council, but the past week has seen a few developments that are shaping the race. The city will decide three of…
The Santa Monica Police Department has officially launched a new high-tech policing hub, the Santa Monica Analytical Real-Time Center (SMART Center), backed by more than $6 million in state funding and framed by city leaders as a key piece of…
Assemblymember Rick Zbur’s (D-Santa Monica) legislation to give greater local permitting powers to a handful of cities in areas where the California Coastal Commission has authority has been watered down and narrowed in scope, but for the one city it…
Photo of 1934 golf tournament at the original park. Credit UCLA Archives provided by Great Park Coalition. Santa Monica residents will have a chance to celebrate the city’s past—and its future—this weekend at a community picnic hosted by the Santa…
Alan Minsky is the Executive Director of Progressive Democrats of America and a resident of California. If and when oil once again moves freely through the Strait of Hormuz, there is little doubt that global energy prices — and America’s…
Every week, Santa Monica Next reprints a story from City Manager Oliver Chi’s newsletter. If you spotted red lifeguard uniforms and slow-motion beach sprints along our coastline this past week, your eyes weren’t deceiving you! Baywatch – yes, that Baywatch!…
More Earth Day! In celebration of Earth Day 2026 and this year’s global theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,” Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier will illuminate its iconic solar-powered Ferris wheel with vibrant green and blue lighting, highlighted by a striking 90-foot-tall spinning…
Earth Day Things To Do (Wednesday 4/22): Earth Day Boogie & Bloom with [OPA Gold Member] Superbloom and SPY (Wednesday 5:00-7:30pm): Is there a better way to celebrate Earth Day 🌍 than hands in the soil and a disco in a local community…
In the coming months and years, the city will see thousands of visitors swarm several high-profile events surrounding the World Cup, the 2028 Olympic Games, and a signature music festival that may become an annual staple. As part of Santa…
Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade Entertainment Zone (EZ) has completed its first six months, with early results suggesting it has become a useful tool for boosting activity downtown. According to a staff report to City Council (link to report here),…
The following is a submission from SMMUSD. Image: From left to right, Brandon Kirbyson, Landon Kummer and Tobin Palmer Three Santa Monica High School (Samohi) students have been named finalists in the prestigious 2026 Conrad Challenge, an international innovation and…
There’s a handsome new photo book out that belongs on L.A. urbanist shelves. Wilshire Subway documents the history of what is now known as the Metro D Line. The 80-page paperback is written by historian India Mandelkern (one of the writers behind…
