Scenes from the OPA Holiday Party
End of Year President's Message:
Thank you to the 75+ people that made it out to our holiday event on Sunday at the Edgemar! And to the many people who supported OPA by buying raffle tickets and donating to the organization...sorry if you didn't win, but your support is greatly appreciated as it helps us put on events like that.
We are tabulating our 2026 Board of Directors votes and will be posting results on our website & sharing via our newsletter shortly.
We've had a great 2025 and I'm looking forward to an even better 2026!
Sean Besser, OPA President
Holiday Party Thank You's: We couldn't have done it without the generosity of these people and companies:
We want to say a special thank you to the sponsors of the event:
Raphael Barragan: OPA Diamond Sponsor (click here to learn more about his real estate work)
Patty & Dave Tann
Jeff Jarow
Another sponsor who asked not be named
A big thank you to all these amazing neighborhood businesses who donated raffle prizes. Please say thank you to their managers when you frequent them.
AJA Vineyards
Alfalfa
Ashland Hill
Beach House Coworking
Broadstage
Divine Vintage
Dolcenero
DMN8 Gym
Edgemar Restaurant
Jameson's
Library Ale House
Little Bean Cold Brew Coffee
Love for Pilates
Lula’s
Museum of Illusions
Mystic Journey
Papille Gustative
Pasjoli
Pilatesmith
The Pump Station
Rabano
Shore Hotel
Ten Women Gallery
Triple Beam Pizza
OPA 2026 Board Election Now Open: Dues-paying OPA members should receive their ballots on-line today for the 2025 Board Election. Click here to join or renew your membership today.
Consider OPA for End of Year Charitable Giving: We're proud of the year we've had that included multiple “Open Main St.” street closure festivals, our 4th of July Parade, publishing about 100 newsletters, expanding our newsletter reach to nearly 3000 community members, advocating to the city on a variety of neighborhood issues, and much more! And we've done it all on a shoestring budget with all the work being done by community volunteers. As you make your end of the year donations, please consider joining and/or donating to YOUR neighborhood organization. OPA is a 501(c)(3) and all donations are tax deductible. CLICK HERE TO GIVE OR JOIN
Street Closure for Venice Christmas Run: On Saturday, Dec. 13, Barnard Way from Ocean Park Blvd to Neilson Way will be closed to traffic from 5am – 10am. christmasrun.com
OCEAN PARK & OPA SPONSOR EVENTS THIS WEEKEND:
DMN8 on Ice Holiday Party: ⛸️❄️Join them for an evening of holiday cheer 🎄, community, and charity - all with a little taste of winter magic at the rink at Ice at Santa Monica. Food and drink will be available for purchase. 🍔🍺 🎟️ Cost of entry is a toy donation and admission includes skate rental. 🧸 All donations go to Children's Hospital of Los Angeles. Friday, December 12, 4 - 7p.m., 1324 5th St. instagram.com/dmn8_gym
Ocean Park Holiday Caroling Event (Friday, Dec. 12, 8-9pm)📖 Join neighbors Erik and Karen as they gather singers to do a four-part harmony, walk around the neighborhood, and carol to four houses! If you would like carolers outside of your house or apartment building, contact [email protected] or 530-574-2125. Or, if you would like to join them in caroling, email/text Erik to find out how to join!
Ocean Park Social Club Holiday Potluck and Cookie Exchange (Sunday, Dec. 14, 3:30-5pm): Location is TBD, but the idea is that attendees mix and mingle while assembling a box of assorted cookies made by your neighbors! Attendees should bake and bring at least 1 dozen cookies, a tupperware, and an ingredient list for your cookies. RSVP to [email protected].
AJA Vineyards Candle Making & Wine Tasting (Sunday 2-5pm): Join owner of Glassed Over Taylor for a fun candle making class. Sip on AJA wines while you create one of their classic up-cycle candles with your selected scents. Includes workshop, candle and 2 glasses of wine. @ 1417 2nd St. More details here.
Caroline Torosis is the New Mayor of Santa Monica: Santa Monica doesn’t elect a mayor directly. The role rotates by seniority on the Council, and this year Caroline Torosis is stepping into it. Even through our mayors don’t govern with executive power, the best ones have shaped the city through coalition building, calm leadership, and the ability to bring people together across neighborhoods and priorities. This @onlyinsantamonica Instagram video explains the process and and highlights some great mayors in the City’s history, including OP’s own Gleam Davis.
The Blue Notebook - A Weekly SMPD Recap - Nov. 23- 29: Here is the weekly police activity report.
Santa Monica PD Focuses on the Dangers of Distracted Driving: During the month of December, the Santa Monica Police Department will conduct an enforcement operations focused on drivers suspected of violating the hands-free cell phone law. More details here.
SaMo Business Climate Report: The City published this report as an "overview of the citywide economy with additional information on the City’s leading economic sectors, top employers and top sales tax producers." It’s filled with some interesting data, including the fact that #1 employer in the City is UCLA Medical Center with 4,010 employees, a list of the Top 25 Sales Tax Producers, and more.
Find the perfect gift and support businesses impacted by the wildfires with the LA County Shop Local Gift Card Program: If you're shopping for a last-minute gift your recipient will love, consider a gift card through the LA County Shop Local Gift Card Program. And for a limited time, you can buy a gift card and get a bonus gift card equal to 50 percent of the amount of the original gift card. More details here.
Ocean Park Photo Exhibition Open to Public on 12/11: OPA member Martin Makaryan is pleased to invite you to his photo exhibition honoring the history of Ocean Peak through portraits and street photography on Thursday, Dec. 11, at the Bruce Lurie Gallery in downtown Santa Monica (608 Santa Monica Blvd). More details and RSVP here.
Rents at New Santa Monica Complex Raise Eyebrows: This SaMoMirror video report highlights that "The sleek building is finally open, but it’s the sky-high price tags that have people talking."
You're Invited! REALM Open House: A School Where Students Lead Learning: Explore REALM’s Open House Friday, 12/19, 2-5PM! Meet our teachers, tour our classrooms, and discover how student-designed schedules empower K-12 students to thrive academically and socially. More details here.
Things to Do This Weekend
Viceroy Debuting Après Surf Lounge (Starting Thursday): The seasonal pop-up transforms the hotel’s palm-tree-surrounded outdoor terrace into a stylish winter escape. The destination will celebrate its public opening on with a live DJ and a retail pop-up. Kicking off from 6p.m., hotel guests and visitors alike will be able to enjoy coastal-inspired beats as they discover an edited collection of vintage books, surf coded luxury, and other covetable vintage pieces that blur the lines between beach culture and high fashion. @ 1819 Ocean Ave. instagram.com/viceroysm
Ocean Park Photo Exhibition Open to Public on Thursday: Martin Makaryan is pleased to invite you to his photo exhibition honoring the history of Ocean Peak through portraits and street photography on Thursday, December 11, at the Bruce Lurie Gallery in downtown Santa Monica (608 Santa Monica Blvd). luma.com/zqbip92h
Gnarwhal After Hours Party (Friday 6:30 – 9pm): Come join an exclusive after hours at Gnarwhal Coffee with wine (& more) by their sister shop, companion, paired with a curated set of holiday music that is sure to keep you moving! Wear your favorite holiday sweater or santa hat to receive 50% your first glass of vino, or 25% off a bottle! 🍷 @ 3101 Main St. More details here.
SaMo Venice Christmas Run (5K/10K): The 48th annual Christmas Run is the “jolliest run in SoCal,” inviting thousands of festive runners, many in costume, to dash from Santa Monica down the Venice Beach boardwalk and back. All participants receive holiday swag, nisher medals and enjoy a nish-line holiday bash with treats and beverages. Saturday, Dec. 13, 7 – 10a.m. christmasrun.com
Virginia Avenue Park Mini Winter Festival: Pico Farmers Market and Virginia Avenue Park are hosting a mini winter festival featuring artist booths, face painting, live music, Pico merchants, and a glass art sale from Santa Monica College art studio. Saturday, Dec. 13, 9 a.m. – 12p.m., 2200 Virginia Ave. instagram.com/p/DR2xFGSCWrr
Bergamot Station Annual Winter Open House: This is a free event focusing on community engagement with live entertainment, a sustainable car free zone with fine art gallery exhibitions, receptions, curator walk throughs, artist talks, food, entertainment, and Wine Garden. Saturday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., bergamotstation.com/bergamot-open-25
SaMo 150th Anniversary Grand Finale Celebration: The City closes out its 150th anniversary year with a grand finale community festival and cultural celebration on the Third Street Promenade. The free event will bring residents, partners, and visitors together for an afternoon of live entertainment, local art, history exhibits, and family-friendly activities celebrating the city’s past, present, and future. Saturday, Dec. 13, 12 – 5 p.m. celebrating150.com
Juneshine X Vino Y Vinyl X Heavy Handed Pop-Up (Saturday 5 - 9pm): A unique collaborative event featuring craft hard kombucha from JuneShine, vinyl music, and food from the acclaimed Main St. burger spot. @ 2914 Main St. More details here.
Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade: This year’s theme is “A Nightmare Before Christmas” and approx 25,000 people are expected for the 63rd Annual Boat Parade, with festivities at various viewing spots like Fisherman’s Village and Burton Chace Park. Saturday, Dec. 13 mdrboatparade.org
Annual Santa Monica Pub Crawl (Saturday Night): Crawl for a Cause at the Largest Holiday Crawl on the West Coast! Join Thousands of Crawlers and Help Those in Need for the Holidays with visiting over 20 of the best bars and restaurants in Santa Monica. https://santamonicapubcrawl.com/
Main St. Farmers Market (Sunday 8:30am - 1:30pm): Got the holiday blues? Come join us for a super chill Sunday with local favorites the GM Jazz Trio from 10am-1pm. Also at the market this Sunday, the Adventures of Doc JC and back by popular demand, Border Grill with special brunch items. Running out of ideas for that special someone on your list? We have lots of healthy gift ideas! See you there.
Meet Me Under The Fig Tree (Sunday 1 - 4pm): Expect photos with Santa under the Fig Tree, Cookie decorating, arts & crafts, bounce house & snow machine, live tunes & special performances by the SaMo High Orchestra + master pianist Jason Pelsey, eats from FIG, Emporium Thai, BOA Steak, Sushi Roku, Chef Luigi Fineo, Michael’s & Shake Shack, meet the SMDP horses and check out the fire truck showcase. FREE. @ Fairmont Miramar Hotel, 101 Wilshire Blvd. More details here.
Mishkon's Hanukkah Candle Lighting Party (Sunday, December 14 5 - 9 pm): You're invited to celebrate with Mishkon’s welcoming community as we share latkes and enjoy award-winning Kosher brisket, vegetarian dinner options, and sufganiyot, with song and spirit at our beautiful synagogue, located a few blocks from the beach. Other activities to look forward to include competing in Jewpardy (Get it? Jewish Jeopardy!), making Hanukkah decorations and cards, and playing bingo and Pin the Candle on the Menorah! 206 Main St, Venice. Learn more and RSVP here.
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Upcoming Calendar of Events
Upcoming OPA Book Club Meetings: Planned dates are December 3, January 7, February 4, March 4, April 1. Email [email protected] for more info
New Year's Brunch Potluck and Square Dancing (Jan. 4):🕺 Details to follow
Ocean Park Library Reopening Celebration (1/21)
