OPA April Monthly Meeting Recap: Here is the full meeting recording and here are some highlights:
Click here to watch Mayor Caroline Torosis’ talk that included a discussion of the Entertainment Zone expansion and these major events:
September Goldenvoice Beach Concert: The event is planned to take place just to the south of the pier on the beach and is target 35,000 attendees per day for 2 days and featuring a wide range of artists; The City is targeting making it a “no car, no parking festival” with parking centered at the airport with shuttles between parking and venue; Priority for tickets will be given to locals and people staying at SaMo hotels.
Super Bowl: Working on a deal with ESPN/Disney for a major activation event.
Olympics: Club France has announced Annenberg will be their hospitality house and the City is in talks with multiple other countries to use SaMo as their base.
Click here for the talk from SMPD about all things SaMo law enforcement and including an interesting walk through of the SMPD Crime Dashboard that we all have access to.
SMPD Blue Notebook Review: Here is the weekly video recap of police activity.
OPA Volunteer Opportunity - Fire Service Day is Saturday May 9 from 10am – 1pm at Fire Station 1 (1337 7th St.): OPA will have a table at this event and it is a great opportunity to represent OPA and meet and greet community members. No previous volunteer experience is needed…it’s really just a great way to lean in on community engagement. Reply to this email to volunteer.
New Downtown Parking Rates and Validation Programs Went Into Effect This Week at City Lots: This repost of City Manager Oliver Chi’s explanation of the rates details that the “Updated Cost Means $1 Hour for First 90 Minutes.” Here are other key notes:
New parking rates are in effect at all downtown parking structures (PS 1–9 and the Ken Edwards Center), along with two new pilot validation programs for fitness / wellness businesses and schools.
The new rates represent a meaningful recalibration from the structure that took effect in January, when a citywide rate overhaul reduced the initial free parking period in downtown structures from 90 minutes to 30 minutes. After hearing community and business feedback, the City Council acted in March to extend the initial discounted window back to 90 minutes at just $1, a change designed to keep downtown accessible and encourage visitors to stay, shop, and dine.
Rates increase at the 3-hour and 5-hour marks, with slight differences between weekday and weekend pricing.
123 Ocean Park Blvd. ARB Meeting Monday: The ARB will review of the design, colors, materials, and landscape plans for a two-story and roof deck addition to a single-unit residence designated a Structure of Merit in the Low-Density Housing and Beach Overlay (R2-BCH) Zoning District. The proposal also includes rehabilitation of an attached Multi-family Dwelling Unit located in the rear. Monday, April 20, 2026 7:00 p.m. City Hall Council Chambers Agenda Item: 6C More details here.
Councilmember Dan Hall Newsletter: Here is his weekly newsletter, with his thoughts on Vacant Property Task Force updates, Urban Forestry tree pruning efforts, new downtown parking rates, new major Santa Monica Place tenants, and much more.
NBC4 Video Report on "Crudo e Nudo celebrates 5 years of sustainable seafood in Santa Monica": This video report “visits Crudo e Nudo to meet chef-owner Brian Bornemann and learn how the restaurant highlights responsible seafood practices. Plus, get an exclusive preview of the restaurant’s week-long anniversary celebration featuring collaborations with top chefs and winemakers from across California.”
LA Business Journal Highlights Santa Monica: This article, entitled "Santa Monica Bets Big" details how "The city of Santa Monica sets out on its most ambitious plan to boost an economic recovery."
Eight-Story Housing Project Headed to Virtual Community Review TONIGHT/THURSDAY: This article details "a significantly expanded vision for 1318 Lincoln Boulevard, replacing the previously approved five-story plan with a new eight-story residential development, according to a new website. The New York-based firm, which acquired the site from WS Communities roughly five years ago, is now proposing a 110-unit market-rate complex on the property currently used as a parking lot." A community meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 16, at 6:00 p.m., where representatives will present the Lincoln Boulevard project, followed by a separate proposal for 1325 6th Street at 7:00 p.m.
Stand Up for Democracy Comedy Fundraising Show: OPA Board Member Tony Dimond is helping put on an unforgettable night of stand-up comedy packed with big laughs and even bigger impact. Every donation supports Field Team 6 — a volunteer-driven, grassroots organization registering Democratic voters in battleground states and flippable districts where it matters most. And every dollar turns into another Democratic vote. So you're making a huge difference. Thursday, April 23, 7:30pm, Unurban Café, 3301 Pico Blvd. secure.actblue.com/donate/ft6i-standupfordemocracy
The City of Santa Monica is hosting an Extreme Heat & Resilience Community Workshop (Tuesday, April 21): It’s a great chance to learn, share ideas, and connect with fellow community members who care about making Santa Monica cool and safe. The Office of Sustainability and the Environment will be using your input to inform a future Extreme Heat & Resilience Action Plan. Watch presentations from city staff, join round-table discussions, eat complimentary food, participate in engagement activities, and compete in a raffle for heat-related prizes. The workshop is free and dinner will be provided, but all attendees should register at this link.
Adventures led by women designed to make a difference.
Trek the Andes with an all-female crew in Peru. Join a women-run tuk tuk tour in Cambodia. Enjoy a traditional hot stone bath experience at a women-owned farmhouse in Bhutan. Intrepid’s new small-group Women’s Expeditions in Peru, Cambodia and Bhutan provide immersive local experiences for travellers while supporting women-run businesses.
Things to Do This Weekend
Springtime at the Pier: 'Locals' Night' Returns Thursday with Live Music, Art, Salsa, and 'Save the Pier!' Play: Enjoy two stages of live music, Spring art mart, salsa dancing, classic cars, and live theater come together for one night at the Santa Monica Pier. Starting at 4p.m. santamonicapier.org/localsnight
"Be" the Change @ Ishihara Park Learning Garden (Saturday 9am): To celebrate Earth Month, we encourage our communities to, in the words of Mahatma Gandhi, "Be the change you wish to see in the world." Join us at our monthly community breakfast where we will have fun activities for all ages. Be kind to others, be respectful of the planet, be the best version of you, and let’s continue to grow Santa Monica. @ 2909 Exposition Blvd.
Healthy Kids Day (Saturday 10am-1pm @ Santa Monica YMCA): It's a free event. There will be plenty of fun activities for families, including a bouncy house, rock climbing, and face painting. The goal is to promote healthy habits and positive lifestyles for youth in an engaging and interactive way.
Main St. Farmers Market (Sunday 8:30am - 1:30pm): Back by popular demand, School of Rock will be taking the stage at the Main Street Farmers Market at 9:45am followed by the Laura Jean Music Academy at 11am and noon and Alex Chaiet 11:30am-1pm! On the lawn Beyond us and Them community building activity and the Tutu School with kid activities. St John's with CalFresh and nutrition information will join us. Plus, special pop up GSFF with organic almonds and heritage grains! Something for everyone as we continue to celebrate Earth Month!
Free Bike Rodeo and Bike Skills Workshop for All Students (Sunday 9am-12pm): In preparation for National Bike Month in May and Bike It! Walk It! Bus It! Week (May 4–8), the city of Santa Monica and Walk ’n Rollers are hosting the free workshop at Lincoln Middle School. This fun, hands-on event will give students the opportunity to practice important biking skills in a safe and supportive environment. Participants will rotate through interactive skill stations where they can practice starting and stopping, signaling, maneuvering around obstacles, and learning basic traffic safety tips for riding in their neighborhood. More details here.
SaMo City Preservation Justice Workshop (Sunday 2-5pm): Learn about Santa Monica’s Landmarks process, discuss different ways to recognize history in Santa Monica, and connect with neighbors over food and drink. More details here.
Third St. Historic District Walk (Sunday 12pm): Learn about the evolution of Santa Monica’s very first historic district, established in 1990. The neighborhood contains 27 original bungalows built between 1903 and 1915, as well as four structures from the late 1800s. @ The Shotgun House 2520 2nd St. https://smc.givecloud.co/items/third-street-walk
Yom Hashoah Film Screening of “The Stamp Thief” Followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers (Sunday 3:30pm @ 206 Main Street, Venice): Mishkon will be screening the 2025 film “The Stamp Thief,” followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers. The documentary investigates a tale dating back to the Holocaust: A mysterious Nazi stole priceless stamp collections from concentration camp victims and buried the stolen stamps in a small town in Poland. RSVP here.
SMC Planetarium Offers Deep Space Series Throughout April: Enjoy live-hosted shows on Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons throughout April, featuring its weekly "Night Sky Show" alongside three "Deep Space Deep Dive" programs exploring nebulae, the Milky Way, and galaxies. Each roughly 40-minute show is followed by a Q&A with Planetarium Lecturer Sarah Vincent. Friday evening shows begin at 6 p.m. with "The Night Sky Show," followed at 7 p.m. by a feature program. Children under 3 are not permitted at Friday evening shows. Sunday Family Matinée shows begin at 1 p.m., with the feature program at 2 p.m. smc.edu/planetarium
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Upcoming Calendar of Events
Upcoming OPA Book Club Meetings: Planned dates are May 6 (Demon Copperhead), June 3 (Remarkably Bright Creatures), July 8 (Trust), Aug 5 (The Night Watchman). Email [email protected] for more info. All meets are at 6pm at the Ocean Park Library (2601 Main St.).
OPA Monthly Meeting: Monday, May 11, 6pm @ Ocean Park Library
Family Earth Day Party hosted by Neighbors Victoria & Ksenia
Saturday, April 18th at 10am at Hotchkiss Park. RSVP HERE
Want to Volunteer for Future OPA-Sponsored Heal The Bay Adopt-A-Beach Clean-Ups? Contact Dave Tann at [email protected]. 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.
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 Fitoor and Junior Cookies. Check out the full list here and expect more to come!
