In partnership with
OPA is Looking for 2027 Board Nominations: November 6 is the deadline for 2027 OPA Board Nominations: Reply to this email asap if you're interested in joining the board and want to learn more about it and/or want to nominate someone else.
Seven Santa Monica Spots on New LA Times 101 Best Restaurants List: Dave Beran's Seline (#13) and Mélisse (#22) lead the local contingent. Also making the list are Pasjoli, Holy Basil, Rustic Canyon, Cosetta and Jade Rabbit, giving Santa Monica a mix of destination dining and more casual neighborhood favorites. latimes.com/food/list/101-best-restaurants-los-angeles
Halloween & Día de los Muertos Safety Tips from SMPD: This SMPD post gives tips on walking and driving safely, planning activities, and more.
Halloween - The Streets Belong to the Kids: 🎃 On Saturday the City will have a record number of street closures to help foster festive and safe Halloween Trick or Treating. Here are are the planned closures for Saturday night:
Yale St between Washington Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard
Cedar St between 10th and 11th Streets
24th St between Pico Boulevard and Pearl Street
21st St between Pico Boulevard and Ocean Park Boulevard
Pearl St between 20th and 25th Streets, since the 21st and 24th closures cut across it; 23rd Street and Cloverfield Boulevard stay open with traffic control so you can still cross
Georgina Ave at 16th Street, home of the Halloween spectacular that draws thousands, where SMPD will close sections for public safety as in past years
RAND Now Counting Homeless Every Month, not once a year: For years, the City’s only regular data point on homelessness was the annual one-night Point-in-Time Count, which showed encouraging movement this year: homelessness down 11.6 percent and unsheltered homelessness down 18.7 percent from 2025. But RAND's own research found the regional count has significantly undercounted unsheltered populations, so starting this month, RAND begins an independent monthly count of unsheltered homelessness in Santa Monica using the same rigorous methodology it has applied in Hollywood, Venice, and Skid Row, plus 200 voluntary, anonymous surveys a year to understand what the annual count alone cannot determine. Here is City Manager Oliver Chi’s newsletter addressing the partnership.
The Blue Notebook - A Weekly SMPD Recap - October 4-10: Here is that week’s recap of police activity.
Big Blue Bus Launches Ride, Shop, Save Holiday Discount Program: Beginning November 1, through December 31, riders can enjoy special promotions when they enroll. From holiday shopping to dining at local restaurants and exploring new businesses, Big Blue Bus helps riders enjoy more of what Santa Monica has to offer—while saving BIG. More details here.
Message from OPA Business Member Mishkon Temple - Art & Sensory (Baby and Me) Classes Start Next Week: Art & Sensory is a warm, playful introduction to art, sensory exploration, music, and movement for babies and their grown-ups. Each week features a simple art or sensory invitation, familiar songs, movement, and time for caregivers to connect. Classes will be hosted on Mondays from November 2 to December 14 with the exception of Monday, November 23, 11 - 11:50 a.m. @ The Preschool at Mishkon (201 Hampton Drive, Venice, CA 90291). Learn more and RSVP here.
Introducing Fair Game from Vanity Fair
Join Mark Guiducci for a series of wide-ranging conversations with cultural leaders from the worlds of Hollywood, Politics, Style, Silicon Valley, and beyond.
On every episode, Vanity Fair pulls back the curtain on how some of the most interesting and powerful minds in our society work – and where they see us going. On Fair Game from Vanity Fair, no subject is off limits.
Things to Do This Weekend
Día de los Muertos at the Pier: The Santa Monica Pier celebrates with a free, family-friendly two-day celebration honoring loved ones and the Mexican tradition of remembrance. The historic Merry-Go-Round will be transformed with colorful ofrendas, marigolds and papel picado, with face painting, an Aztec blessing and procession, Ballet Folklórico, mariachi and live music. Guests can also contribute a photo to the community altar honoring someone they’ve lost. Saturday, Oct. 31, 11 a.m.–7 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 1, noon–5:30 p.m. santamonicapier.org/diadelosmuertos
Montana Avenue Halloween Hop (Saturday 2–5 pm): Bring the kids for an afternoon of trick-or-treating, family-friendly activities, shopping deals and costumed characters along Montana Avenue. It's a chance to fill the candy bag while supporting neighborhood businesses — a win-win, assuming the kids let you keep any of the candy. @ Montana Avenue instagram.com/montanaavesm
Santa Monica Halloween Bar Crawl (Saturday 4pm–midnight): Round up your boo crew for a Halloween crawl through six Santa Monica bars, with 2–3 drinks or shots included, drink and food specials, no cover charges during the crawl and an after-party at Jameson’s Irish Pub. Costumes encouraged; dignity optional. Check-in at Cabo Cantina, 1240 Third Street Promenade. More details here.
Met Her at the Disco Party (Saturday 10pm – 1:30am): Trade the usual Halloween soundtrack for a trip back to the ’70s, with disco beats, dancing and spooky-season fun. Break out the bell-bottoms, platform shoes or whatever passes for your best Studio 54 look. @ 2651 Main St. More details here.
Lula Halloween Party - Masquerade & Margaritas (Saturday 6:30pm): Lula Cocina Mexicana celebrates Halloween with a costume contest, prizes, food and drinks, plus celebrity hosts Matthew Moore and Mindy Sterling. Come dressed to impress — or at least dressed as something other than yourself. @ 2720 Main St. lulacocinamexicana.com
Halloween at AJA (Saturday): Spooky Sangria, Halloween specials and costume-friendly vibes make AJA a festive stop for a Halloween drink. Because sometimes the best costume accessory is a glass of wine. @ 1417 2nd St. ajavineyards.com/events
Día de los Muertos Celebration at Santa Monica History Museum: Celebrate Día de los Muertos with mariachi music, Aztec dancers and student-created altars honoring loved ones and cultural heritage. Free programs feature students from five local high schools. Altars are on view Oct. 29–Nov. 7. Sunday, Nov. 1, 1:30–5 p.m., and Monday, Nov. 2, 5:30–7:30 p.m., 1350 Seventh St. More details here.
Westside Food Bank's 36th Annual 5K Hunger Walk (Sunday 12pm): Get ready for a fun afternoon by the beach for a great cause! Join Westside Food Bank’s 36th Annual 5K Hunger Walk at Ocean View Park (2701 Barnard Way). Whether you walk, run, or stroll with your kids and dog, every step you take helps feed local families in need who rely on WSFB's services. More details here.
Main St. Farmers Market (Sunday 8:30am - 1:30pm): This Sunday at the Main Street Farmers Market we will celebrating the Halloween/ Dia de los Muertos weekend with special guests School of Rock LA 10-11am and Gabo and Sabine playing music in the Ibero tradition 11:30am-1pm! Special pop up GSFF organic almonds and heritage grains, granolas and bread. See you there!
Día de los Muertos Returns to Woodlawn Cemetery (Sunday 11 am–4 pm): After a six-year hiatus, this beloved community tradition returns with a free celebration honoring culture, remembrance and loved ones who have passed. Enjoy live music, traditional altars, art, food and family-friendly activities at historic Woodlawn Cemetery. @ 1847 14th St. picoblvdsm.com/diadelosmuertos-pico
Sunset Club Returns to Ocean View Park (Sunday 3pm to sunset): Wind down the weekend with a casual community gathering to watch the sunset, meet neighbors and hopefully catch the elusive green flash. This month features an exclusive preview of Melo Kava, a nonalcoholic drink, plus snacks from Baobao. Bring friends, blankets and jackets, and stay awhile. @ Ocean View Park, 2701 Barnard Way. RSVP here.
Upcoming Calendar of Events
OPA Book Club: Next planned dates are 11/4 (James), and 12/2 (The Year of Living Danishly). Email [email protected] for more info. All meets are at 6pm at the Ocean Park Library (2601 Main St.).
OPA Monthly Meeting: Monday, Nov. 9, 6pm @ Ocean Park Library
Resources
Police non-emergency Phone #: Call 310-458-8491 or click here for more info.
Santa Monica 311. Submit non-emergency requests to the City.
Santa Monica Alerts. Sign up for emergency text and email alerts.
SaMoNews. Subscribe to the official newsletter of the City of Santa Monica.
Board and Commission Openings. Volunteer to serve the community!
City of Santa Monica Career Opportunities. Get paid to serve the community!
Santa Monica Animal Shelter. Support our municipal Animal Shelter!
Locals Discount Program is Back! OPA has partnered with the SaMo Public Library to launch a Community Discount Program. Local Ocean Park participating businesses include Junior Cookies, Crudo e Nudo, Kafe K, and Bike Attack. Check out the full list here and expect more to come!
Have News to Share? Email [email protected] anytime you have news you think we should share
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