June 20 & 21 Main St. Summer Soulstice & Make Music LA Events: Next weekend is going to be a big weekend!

Epic World Cup Drone Show at the SaMo Pier: The Michelob ULTRA experience at the pier launch festivities included appearances by Kevin Hart, Ludacris and this impressive Drone Show Over the Beach featuring 2500 drones. More details here.

Senate Bill 79 Updates - Proposed Exclusion Ordinance: SB 79, the Abundant and Affordable Homes Near Transit Act, was signed by Governor Newsom on October 10, 2025. The new legislation, which goes into effect this July 1st, establishes minimum guaranteed development standards for qualified housing projects located near specified transit stops in urban transit counties. On April 28, 2026, City Council directed staff to prepare amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, including but not limited, to an exclusion ordinance that will delay implementation of SB 79 provisions to eligible sites until one year following the adoption of the 7th Cycle Housing Element. City staff has prepared an Exclusion Ordinance pursuant to SB 79 and it is now available for public review online at the Planning Commission meeting webpage. Click here to view the ordinance and staff report.

Santa Monica Pier Bridge Replacement Project Construction Update: Visitors can now access the Santa Monica Pier from a new perspective, with the opening of a temporary pedestrian bridge that will serve as the primary entrance to the historic Pier for the remaining duration of the Pier Bridge Replacement Project. The temporary bridge is located about 30 feet south of the original pedestrian access point and will keep the Pier and its businesses and attractions fully accessible throughout the replacement project, which is slated to conclude in late 2027. More details here and here is City Manager Oliver Chi’s comments on the work.

Back to back openings bring new options, and renewed hope, for Santa Monica's restaurant scene: The City welcomed two new restaurant openings in as many days this week, with Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers cutting the ribbon on the Third Street Promenade and The Win~Dow burger concept debuting at 930 Montana Ave., adding more than 100 jobs and fresh dining energy to a city actively working to revitalize its economic core. More details here.

Santa Monica to Spend “Up to” $650,000 on Rose Parade Float as Part of Economic Revitalization Push: City Council voted to move forward with plans for a city-sponsored float in the 2027 Tournament of Roses Parade, approving a budget of up to $650,000 and launching a fundraising campaign intended to offset much of the cost. The float will mark Santa Monica’s official participation in the internationally televised New Year’s Day parade and is being framed by city officials as part of a broader effort to promote economic recovery, tourism, and civic pride ahead of a busy stretch that includes hosting ESPN’s Super Bowl broadcast in 2027 and the 2028 Olympic Games. More details here.

Santa Monica Secures $10.5 Million for “Great Park” Planning and Development: The funding includes a $10 million grant from California’s Proposition 4 Climate Bond program and a $499,149 Measure A Competitive Grant from the Los Angeles County Regional Parks and Open Space District. According to city documents, the Measure A funding will support feasibility studies and pre-design work for the first 20 acres of the future park, helping move the project from long-range planning toward implementation. The much larger Proposition 4 grant will fund land restoration and environmental improvements as the city prepares for the airport’s closure at the end of 2028. More details here and in this City press release.

Santa Monica Changes Map on Neighborhood Website, the Facts Behind the Conspiracy: This SaMoNext article details the changes in neighborhood organization recognition and what it would take for new orgs to get funding.

The Street Seen: Gold Claims (2434 Main Street @ Hollister St): From 1912 to 1924, Edward Kunze lives in a 1-story wood frame residential building on the west side of Main Street between Hollister and Ocean Park Blvd. After Kunze dies, there is speculation that an iron box containing $50,000 in gold is buried under his house. The building is demolished in 1926 to accommodate the widening of Main St. More details here.

June 2026 SMMUSD Wave: Here is the monthly newsletter of all things going on in the school district. Maybe not all things, because yet again it is completely silent about the Ocean Park school (or lack thereof).

Santa Monica accepting applications for new Restorative Justice Commission: Commission members will be appointed by the City Council and must be a Santa Monica residents. Each appointee should have subject matter expertise relevant to restorative justice or have lived experience representing communities impacted by past and present inequities. Applications are due by July 8. More details here.

Councilmember Dan Hall Newsletter: Here is his weekly newsletter, with his thoughts on news in and around the city over the past week, upcoming calendar of events, and much more.