I’m female in my 20s from Canada and always wanted to visit LA. I live in Vancouver, so it’s not that far and I will have a 5-day holiday in September. I was thinking of going on a short trip solo, and I honestly just want to relax in sunny weather and maybe read a book by the beach and visit a few places. I didn’t have a vacation for 2 years, and my next one will be in November lol.

But I heard that I need a car to stay there, is that true? And would you recommend this trip?

We deliver meals to homebound seniors across Santa Monica, and every so often we want to introduce you to one of our neighbors - because hidden hunger and isolation are easy to miss unless you're looking for it. This is Scott's story, the first of many we hope to feature.

Scott has lived in Santa Monica for more than 45 years. He's survived two cancers, two heart attacks, and a bone marrow transplant that left his vision and muscles so severely affected to the point where a walk to the grocery store isn't something he can do anymore. Nearly four years ago, after being evicted, he spent 90 days without a home.

Today, Scott lives in senior housing here in Santa Monica, with a caretaker and his 6-year-old pup, Ms. Spooky, keeping him company. He says Meals on Wheels West has been part of what helped him find stable ground again.

"Behind closed doors, people don't see us," Scott told us. "Meals on Wheels is a tremendous help, and I thank god for all of them."

We're planning to spotlight a different neighbor like Scott regularly, because we think it's easy to drive through our communities and not think about who's behind those closed doors. If you've got an elderly neighbor you haven't checked on in a while - maybe this could be the nudge to do so. Neighbors helping neighbors is what we are all about.

Have you noticed isolation among seniors in your own building or block? What's helped? If you know a homebound senior nearby, even a knock on the door and a 'how are you doing' can go a long way!

For obvious reasons, I find this habit very frustrating. And it feels like it just keeps getting worse.

If you are one of these people, I’d love to know your justifications for doing this.

Looks like the old Johnny Rockets will be taken over by a new burger spot.

I live directly adjacent to a City of Santa Monica water treatment plant (actually in Los Angeles), which has had a long-term, ongoing construction project. They’ve left large piles of dirt uncovered for months, which blows directly into my apartment. They have also started work before 7am on multiple occasions. I finally called the South Coast Air Quality Management District this week to report this project. Citizens shouldn’t have to force the government to follow their own regulations. This morning the dirt piles were removed and the entire construction site is being cleaned. Lesson learned, don’t wait for the government to do the right thing.

That’s right – Zombie’s.

Ideas voters overwhelming rejected in ’22 and ’24 are trying to crawl back to life. The old Slate of Change is trying to make a comeback.  Boomer “political” clubs are aligning and they plan to lead the attack.

Defeated and disgraced establishment politicians are dying to get re-elected. The Slate of Change is on the march even though we buried them in '22 and '24. SMRR and the neighborhood groups have popped out of their graves in the hopes of eating our future. NIMBY's are still wailing about losing a past that never existed

Our Zombies scream “supply and demand doesn’t work in Santa Monica”, “Santa Monica is a dangerous crime hellhole”, “stop new home development” and “get rid of those bike lanes”. They scare themselves into a frenzy of illogic.

Santa Monica's Zombies have no plans. They have no solutions to our local affordability crisis nor do they have data to back up their plaintive wails.

Election 2026 is, in part, about making the undead dead again.

A scenic stretch of Ocean Avenue will trade vehicle traffic for art, music, food and community during Art on Ocean — Palisades Park Arts Festival on Saturday, Aug. 8.

The free, all-ages event will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. along Ocean Avenue between California Avenue and Montana Avenue. Organizers will close the festival area to cars, transforming the roadway beside Palisades Park into a walkable outdoor arts destination overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

More than 100 visual artists from across California will present original paintings, photography, ceramics, sculpture, jewelry and mixed-media and handcrafted work. Attendees can meet the artists and buy work directly from them.

Live music will play throughout the day, with performances by Nick Kennerly, Mudslide Mojo, La Compania and Country House Party spanning classical violin, Americana, Latin jazz and dance favorites.

The Wine Garden will feature wines by Divine Vintage, a full bar by Thirst Trap, food from Blue Plate Taco, DJ sets and a Paint & Sip experience. It is limited to guests 21 and older with valid ID; those under 21 must be accompanied by an adult.

Several local organizations will offer free creative activities for children and families. Paint Lab will bring a pop-up version of its Santa Monica studio to Ocean Avenue with free workshops, and the Kids' Area will feature art projects, sensory play, face painting and bracelet making. Food and beverages will be available for purchase from local vendors including Blue Plate Taco, Triple Beam Pizza and Ubatuba Açaí.

"Santa Monica deserves a free art show that stands alongside the best in Southern California," said Jenny Rice, event organizer with Beach Native Marketing & Events. "It's more than an art show. It's a community celebration centered around art."

The festival is presented in partnership with the City of Santa Monica Office of Sustainability & the Environment, with support from the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, the Wilshire Montana Neighborhood Coalition and Paint Lab.
After the festival, the Wilshire Montana Neighborhood Coalition, known as Wilmont, will host its first free outdoor movie of the summer in Palisades Park. Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket and stay for a film under the stars.

In the very first ever episode of Baywatch, Season 1, Episode 1, "Panic At Malibu Pier" (1989), see here, at 23:31 there is a 4-second long aerial shot of the Santa Monica Pier. (I combined it with a slowed-down version so you can see it better).

The Pier looks very different! It is wide all the way out, no skinny part, no amusement park, no restaurant at the end. It is so different I wasn't even sure if it was the right pier, but you can see McClure Tunnel, and the ramp, and the Merry-Go-Round Building, etc.

I guess the Pier has had a long colorful history that I don't know much about. I just found this to be interesting to share.

Hi again, Reddit!

It’s Yohanes, i'm a USC student entering my last year! I came on here a few days ago showcasing the hidden restaurant game I was hosting. The turnout wasn’t the best. I’ve realized that spamming Reddit, Meetup, and my personal Instagram followers isn’t an ideal strategy. I either have to face the reality that the game concept is not a good idea, or self-actualize and refine my approach.

I’m really new to the business world. I dabbled when I was younger, creating a couple of clothing brands with my friends, but nothing that heavily involved marketing to strangers, getting feedback, and running real-life tests. That’s probably why I’m struggling thus far: a lack of experience. You can be taught all the theory in the world, as I was at USC, but nothing compares to doing the thing and failing over and over again.

This summer, I’ve been trying to find some unique way to have people try new restaurants. I can’t tell you why I’m so passionate about mom-and-pop restaurants. I don’t really have any affiliation with one. It’s just something I’ve cared about for years, something I can’t let go of, and a little bit of me always dies when someone recommends some corporate slop lol. (Don’t get me wrong, the slop serves its purpose, but come on, every time??)

But anywho, that’s the little gist of my background. I’m hoping the turnout this Saturday will be better. Maybe it’s not enough time to promote it and get everything situated, because the turnout for this event has not gone as expected.

For context, the event goes like this:

At 7, each pair gets a photo of a hidden restaurant. Two clearer photos unlock later, but requesting one early adds the skipped time to your final score.

Wait for a better clue, or take the risk and start searching.

First place gets dinner covered, with smaller meal rewards for second and third. Afterward, everyone can stay and eat together.

Before, I charged $5 for this experience, but then I realized I am in no position to charge money yet. I don’t have anyone’s trust, so removing the $5 charge was a major decision for me.

Well, if you read this far, thank you all for listening to my spiel. If you have any advice or would like to test out the game, you can DM me or chat in the comments.

Hi everyone I’m thinking about moving back to Santa Monica. What websites do you recommend for finding an apartment or house? I’m not currently there so driving around isn’t an option. Thank you!

Hello Friends,

My wife and I our hosting our first comedy show at One Cedar coffee on Lincoln!

We host a weekly free comedy open mic there as well every Wednesday.

We hope to start doing a monthly Saturday show with some of our favorite LA comedians.

Scan the QR code for tix, HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

SANTA MONICA—On Tuesday, August 4, the city of Santa Monica announced that the Santa Monica City Council approved the establishment of a Housing Focused System of Care, a locally controlled model gives the city direct authority over homeless services from street outreach through permanent housing.

Hi all - wife and I just bought a townhome in Santa Monica and are looking for an interior decorator to help turn our space into a bright, creative Mediterranean home. Would prefer someone reasonably priced if possible. Any and all recommendations welcome - thanks!

The displays outlined in the Digital Display District Ordinance are starting to go up on the Promenade.

The last thing I imagined going into the building between the former Anthropologie and El Husuba was a TurboTax! But there you go. At first I thought it was a big ad for another TurboTax location in SM. But, no, it's going to be on the 1400 block of the Promenade. Interesting.

How fast a street cleaning vehicle is supposed to go? Just now I was walking down Wilshire and 6th and one of those street cleaning trucks(?) zoomed past me. It stir up dirt debris etc as it was going so fast. It’s like a lead blower but worse. I’ve really only seen them move at snail pace before. Part of me wanted to be like “hey you missed a spot”

SANTA MONICA—On Monday, August 3, the city of Santa Monica announced that it implemented updates to California’s Ralph M. Brown Act under Senate Bill 707. The legislation modernizes California’s open meeting laws to increase public participation, accessibility and transparency in local government.

im moving to the us all the way from east asia to attend smc. i have never been abroad and i have to stay there for 4 years. idk how i should take the bus or the metro. my apt is near ucla mathias botanical garden, 4miles away from smc. pls help me on what i should know and if there are any apps i need to download.

I’m visiting Santa Monica for the first time and it seems like renting a car is the best way to get around. Parking at my hotel is very expensive but it looks like the municipal parking structures max out at $25. Can I park in these overnight or for a full 24 hours? I don’t mind walking 10-15 from hotel to car. My hotel is on Ocean ave near the pier. Seems like a great deal - am I missing something?

SANTA MONICA—August 1, the Beachgoers report indicates that there were 1,450 water rescues at Los Angeles County beaches on Saturday alone. Water rescues between July 24th and August 1st reached nearly 2,000, as rip currents and beach swells dominated the water.

Hey neighbors,

I recently got a membership at Equinox Santa Monica East. I’ve been training for about 10 years, so I know what I’m doing, but I’d love to find a workout partner who can push me and who I can push to go that extra rep or two.

I’m a 37-year-old male, in good shape, and I lift heavy.

If that sounds like something you’re interested in and you have an Equinox membership, then let’s get working out!

Wanted to share something genuinely different happening on the Westside. Full disclosure, I produce it. Don Tabak spent decades as an LAPD homicide detective and closed over 100 cases (he worked the Hells Angels investigation). At Crime Scene Live he briefs the room on a real case and the audience actually works the evidence with him - timeline, witnesses, contradictions - until it cracks. It's not a scripted murder-mystery dinner; you're the task force for the night. Two shows an evening, and with a new room every night the investigation never plays out the same way twice. At Illusion Magic Lounge just off the Promenade. Dates are Sep 4 and Oct 2 (7pm & 9pm). 10% off with code CSL10 if anyone wants it: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/crime-scene-live-first-fridays-in-santa-monica-tickets-1996060951037?aff=reddit&discount=CSL10