News from Santa Monica.
Since May 1, the city of Santa Monica has been using AI camera technology to ticket drivers parked in bike lanes. Starting today, the program shifted from issuing warnings to issuing actual $93 tickets. Santa Monica is the first California city…
Both images by Matthew Stevens. Image above was construction on the north side earlier this week. Image below is the north side yesterday afternoon after work had completed. Ocean Park resident Matthew Stevens has been asking the city to improve…
When we launched Santa Monica Next in 2013, we had a simple idea: create a news site that focused not just on what happened today, but on how today’s decisions shape the future. To do that, we recruited young journalists,…
Back in April, our editor gave an interview to the city of Santa Monica about his experiences bicycling in the city and his excitement for the coming AI enforcement of bike lane laws. Given both that there’s a certain irony…
Learn more about plans for the proposed 1435 Fifth Street affordable housing development at a community open house tomorrow night, Wednesday, July 1, at 6:00 p.m. The project would bring new affordable homes to downtown Santa Monica, replacing a city-owned…
The following is a submission from the City of Santa Monica. Santa Monica’s World Cup fun continues this week as both the Mexico and U.S. teams advance to the Round of 32. WHAT: Enjoy a drink, grab a bite and watch…
Despite ongoing controversy surrounding scheduled passenger service at Santa Monica Airport, JSX is expanding its operations with new nonstop flights to Oakland beginning this fall. The public charter carrier announced this week that it will begin offering up to three…
Culver City recently upgraded its two-way protected bikeway along Elenda Street. Elenda was already a comfortable safe place to ride since the city installed armadillo-type bikeway protection back in 2021. See that bikeway in Streetsblog L.A.’s armadillo-spotting video.
(This week’s OPA Update was sent after our publishing day ended yesterday and has been lightly edited to remove events that have already happened.) OPA Membership Drive: If you enjoy this newsletter and all the events and community work OPA is leading (like this…
The following is a submission from the City of Santa Monica. The city of Santa Monica invites residents to attend the State of the City 2026 on Thursday, July 23, from 4 to 7 p.m. This free community event will…
The following is a submission from the Pier Corporation. Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier will celebrate Independence Day and kick off America’s 250th birthday commemoration with a special patriotic lighting program on the iconic Pacific Wheel Ferris wheel.…
The city council passed a balanced budget last night that appears forward-looking and optimistic about better times ahead for Santa Monica. The combined city operating budget and capital improvements budget that was adopted nets out at $908.8 million, after reimbursements…
The following is a submission from the City of Santa Monica. Santa Monica is celebrating two weeks of successful events and activations and gearing up for even more to come as both the U.S. and Mexico teams finish their final…
OPA Membership Drive: If you enjoy this newsletter and all the events and community work OPA is leading (like this past weekend’s SOULstice street festival), please help our efforts by becoming a member or making a donation. Most memberships are $20/year but there is…
Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier will commemorate Juneteenth on Thursday, June 19, with a special lighting program on the Pacific Wheel. The nine-story Ferris wheel will showcase vibrant red, white, and blue patterns inspired by the official Juneteenth…
