Tuesday's Santa Monica City Council meeting features homelessness and wildfire emergency renewals, right to recall ordinance, and outdoor dining regulations, plus closed sessions on seven lawsuits and property negotiations.
The National Park Service is studying whether parts of the Los Angeles coastline—potentially including Santa Monica—should join the national park system. A virtual public meeting on February 11 will gather community input on the proposal.
Franklin Elementary students in Santa Monica organized a protest against plans to replace their natural grass field with artificial turf. The demonstration, led by second graders, gathered 162 student signatures opposing SMMUSD's modernization plan.
The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District is revising decades-old safety policies to address modern security concerns, including restrictions on unauthorized recording and expanded surveillance cameras on campuses.
Children's Hospital Los Angeles will begin offering specialty cardiology services in Santa Monica on Jan. 26, bringing top-ranked pediatric heart care to Westside families. The clinic will provide comprehensive services for children with heart conditions and fetal cardiac screening.
California State Parks Foundation announced Monday it is accepting nominations for the 2026 "Best of California's State Parks" poll, inviting Californians to share their favorite state
The Santa Monica Pier has launched its annual Month of Love campaign, inviting visitors to share memories made along the historic landmark. Stories of all types of love and connection will be featured throughout February on the pier's website and social channels.
Santa Monica Travel & Tourism has appointed Charlie Lopez-Quintana as Chairman of its 2026 Board of Directors Executive Committee, along with Jeff Klocke as Vice Chair, Simon Fricker as Treasurer, and Karen Ginsberg as Secretary, as the city prepares for major upcoming events.
The Moomat Ahiko Way off-ramp from southbound Pacific Coast Highway will close for two weeks starting February 9 as part of Santa Monica's Pier Bridge Replacement Project. Detours are available and the pier will remain open to visitors.
Downtown Santa Monica Inc. presents Block Fest Vol. III on February 14, transforming the Third Street Promenade into a free nightlife festival with live DJs, custom stages, and pop-up bars featuring Mardi Gras and Valentine's themes across all three blocks.
ARCANE Space Gallery in Venice will host an artist talk with multidisciplinary artist Morleigh Steinberg on February 7, 2026, discussing her exhibition that reconsiders Irish landscape painting through migration and memory.
Santa Monica City Council unanimously approved a revised Memorial Park expansion plan, eliminating elevated tennis and pickleball courts to save $17M amid funding shortfalls. The 30-year project will expand the park from 10.3 to 13.2 acres but still faces a $45-58M funding gap.
