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OPA Membership Drive: If you enjoy this newsletter and all the events and community work OPA is leading (like this weekend’s Main St. 4th of July Parade), please help our efforts by becoming a member or making a donation. Most memberships are $20/year but there is also a $10/year option. CLICK HERE TO JOIN OR DONATE.
OPA Meeting Monthly is July 13 (Monday): Guest speakers include State Senate candidate John Erickson and a Farmers Market move onto Main St. discussion. Hope to see you at the Ocean Park Library at 6:00!
Ocean Park Social Club Summer Picnic Series Kicks Off Tonight: While this is not an OPA event, it is organized by OPA Board Member Tess, who is spearheading creating community events. More details:
When: Thursday, July 9, 5:30 - 7:30pm (drop by anytime)
Where: Hotchkiss Park - Look for our group wearing name tags up on the Southeast corner of the park.
What you bring: Your own food/drink and something to sit on (chair or blanket)
Why are we doing this: We are looking to build an increased sense of community and connection in Ocean Park. So what's the inspiration for this event? When I grew up, families in my neighborhood held a weekly potluck after swim practice. In retrospect, I loved the recurring gatherings, the number of different parents that looked after us kids, and the savoring of summer nights.
Optional Icebreaker: An optional conversational prompt as you meet others: what was your favorite event of the last year? Or if it's your first event, what would make Ocean Park feel more neighborly? Feel free to shoot me an email if you have any questions!
If you can't make this one, we hope you'll join us one week this summer: July 23, Aug 6, Aug 20, and Sep 3
2026 Most Loved Businesses in Santa Monica: SMDP recently published its annual list and Ocean Park was well represented, including the Dolcenero • 2nd Street Retailers • Aesthetic Ambition, Apollo Tattoo Studio, Augie’s on Main, Cobi’s, Heavy Handed, Jameson’s, Jinya Ramen, Pump Station & Nurtury, Shoop’s, Surf Liquor, Ten Women Gallery, Thai Vegan, and VCA. See the full list of winners here.
City Issues First Fines in Automated Bike Lane Enforcement Program: The City of Santa Monica last week began issuing $93 tickets to the owners of vehicles that were caught on camera stopped or parked illegally in bike lanes..."Vehicles stopped or parked illegally in bike lanes create serious safety risks, forcing bicyclists into active traffic lanes & increasing the likelihood of collisions." More details here.
City Publishes New Housing Data: City Manager Oliver Chi published this report detailing that "The City has approved a total of 6,449 new units. Of those, 4,082 units have been completed. Another 2,311 units are in the pipeline moving towards construction and completion." The report has a lot more granular data.
Profile of New "Alpha School" Opening on Main St.: "AI-powered Alpha School in Santa Monica has no ‘teachers,’ claims to outperform Harvard-Westlake." More details here.
Santa Monica adopts water plan, says supplies secure through droughts: The City Council has adopted a long-term water blueprint that officials say ensures the city will have enough water to meet demand through 2045, even in a drought. More details here.
SMDP Publishes A LOT more Main St. 4th of July parade 2026 pics: Click here to check them out.
Councilmember Lana Negrete Newsletter: Here is her weekly newsletter with updates on Public Safety, Economic Development, Education, Around Town & Community Highlights, Election & Voting, and more.
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.
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Things to Do This Weekend
Golden Hour at Third Street Promenade: Designed to complement the Pier fan experience with free pre- and post-match activities, Golden Hour features exhibitors, fan experiences, local vendors and more. July 10 santamonicacup.com/events/golden-hour
World Cup 26 Fan Zone at Venice Beach: Enjoy two days of quarter-finals on the beach with Live match viewing, food, music, and Venice Beach summer. There are both free and premium options. Friday & Saturday, July 10 to 11, Windward Plaza More details here.
Sunset Swim at the Annenberg Beach House: Spend your evening poolside at the historic Annenberg Community Beach House, home to the iconic 1920s Marion Davies estate built by media mogul William Randolph Hearst. Sunset Swim invites adults to enjoy an evening of swimming, relaxing, and connecting by the sea at our historic and heated pool. Float under the evening sky, unwind with friends old and new, and enjoy complimentary s’mores and pool floaties while taking in the ocean air and sunset views. Friday, July 10, 415 PCH (also July 24 and Aug. 7 and 21) More details here.
Open Air House Music Fest at Tongva Park: Enjoy specialty coffee, multiple bars, local vendors, and a lineup of house music led by internationally acclaimed German DJ Cinthie. Saturday, July 11, Tongva Park, 1-9p.m. More details here.
Santa Monica Block Fest: What started as a single-block community event is now a city co-produced, multi-stage, full scale production in the Entertainment Zone with pop-up bars, local vendors, VIP gardens all across three iconic blocks of Third Street Promenade, and a night market, bringing more than 20 top-tier food and merch vendors into the movement. Saturday, July 11, 5 p.m. - Midnight, all 3 blocks of the 3rd Street Promenade (Broadway to Wilshire) More details here.
Main St. Farmers Market (Sunday 8:30am - 1:30pm): It's definitely summer! Looking for a cool place to beat the heat? There's a lot going on at the Main Street Farmers Market this Sunday with local favorites the Sunnyside Chalkers at 9am and the GM Jazz Trio, 10am-1pm. On the lawn is the My Gym Obstacle Course. Also joining us are special pop ups GSFF with organic almonds and heritage grains and Something Good pet treats! Grab a melon, berries or stone fruit for brunch at the market or on your way to the beach!
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Upcoming Calendar of Events
Upcoming OPA Book Club Meetings: Next planned date is 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, July 13, 6pm @ Ocean Park Library
Ocean Park Social Club Summer Picnic Series: Mark your calendars for our bi-weekly summer evening picnics at Hotchkiss Park on the following Thursdays 5:30-7:30pm: July 9, July 23, Aug 6, Aug 20, and Sep 3.
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 7/26 & 8/30.
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 Fitoor and Junior Cookies. 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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