Santa Monica Closeup

Children take a spin on Robin Murez’s human-powered Venice Flying Carousel during today’s Venice Love Fest, as families gathered under the iconic Venice sign for a day of music, art, and community celebration. The free, dog-friendly festival transformed Venice Beach into a pedestrian-only experience, featuring live performances, fitness classes, a dedicated kids stage, local vendors, and food trucks—bringing together residents and visitors in one of the largest events of its kind at this location. Blending interactive public art with hands-on fun, the carousel offered a unique ride powered entirely by people, adding a playful, community-driven touch to an already high-energy day by the beach.

𝗢𝗖𝗘𝗔𝗡𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗬𝗚𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗 𝗨𝗡𝗩𝗘𝗜𝗟𝗘𝗗: Traci Park joins city officials to cut the ribbon on the newly rebuilt Venice Beach play space at Windward Plaza, restoring a prominent family destination along the boardwalk. youtu.be/oas4D3GbSrY

𝗖𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗔𝗟 𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗡: Venice Heritage Museum opens its new Westminster Park location with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Councilwoman Traci Park, board members, and community leaders, marking a new chapter for preserving Venice’s history and culture. youtu.be/Wb2pDS_0RAI

𝗦𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗛𝗢𝗡𝗢𝗥: Officer Jacob Holloway Receives “Beyond the Best Award” on First Day of Spring The first day of spring brought a message of kindness to the Santa Monica Pier as retired veteran Spring de Haviland launched her 16th annual “Spring into Kindness” campaign. Carnations were handed out to passersby, and visitors were invited to leave messages of support for Palisades Fire victims. As part of the event, Santa Monica Police Officer and Marine veteran Jacob Holloway received the “Beyond the Best Award – A Best Fest!” recognizing compassion, service, and support for the community and veterans. In a lighthearted moment, Holloway also presented flowers to Spring—fittingly honoring her name and the spirit of the season. The annual campaign continues to encourage simple acts of kindness to mark the start of the season. Santa Monica Closeup continues to document community events and public service moments across the city.

𝗧𝗢𝗪 𝗭𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡: Police and Park Rangers push compliance during tow enforcement at Westminster Dog Park. One vehicle was towed as drivers rushed to move cars ahead of a scheduled cleanup and weekend event. youtu.be/wa9E24LwRN0

𝗗𝗢𝗪𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗭𝗘 𝗢𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗥: Police enforce the 60-gallon property limit during a heated Venice Beach sweep, with excess belongings collected and placed into City storage under LAMC §56.11. youtu.be/tcRet5Rdrm0

𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗬 𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗦𝗧 𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗢𝗙 𝗦𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚: Beachgoers head to Santa Monica Beach on a sunny Friday as temperatures reach the mid-70s, marking a warm and lively start to the season along the coast.

𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦 𝗢𝗨𝗧: The Santa Monica Pier’s replica neon sign went dark after suspected vandalism. The sign was shut down for safety following damage to the tubing. The original sign remains lit as the $35M bridge project moves forward. #SantaMonica #SantaMonicaPier #NeonLights #Infrastructure youtu.be/CK6yud6WiMw

𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝗦𝗨𝗡𝗦𝗘𝗧 𝗢𝗙 𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥: A seagull watches the sun set over Santa Monica as the spring equinox arrives tomorrow.

𝗘𝗡𝗗 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗟: Foot traffic flows beneath the Route 66 sign on a clear day at the Santa Monica Pier.

𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗧 𝗪𝗔𝗩𝗘: A warm last day of winter at Santa Monica Beach as temperatures reach the mid-70s this Thursday. 🌊☀️

𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝗦𝗘𝗜𝗭𝗘𝗗 & 𝗗𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗬𝗘𝗗: Police enforce the 60-gallon property limit during a Venice cleanup near Rose Ave and 5th Street. A man was ordered to downsize his belongings as excess items—including a shopping cart—were removed. No arrest or citation reported. youtu.be/XV9UypGfMWw

𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗘 & 𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗧: Crews cleared an encampment along Rose Ave & Hampton Dr following a posted Notice of Major Cleaning. LAPD outreach distributed flyers a day earlier. Within hours of the cleanup, tents began returning to the area. #VeniceBeach #Homelessness youtu.be/J_TE0xbvEWs

𝗕𝗟𝗢𝗪 𝗕𝗘𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗚𝗢: Santa Monica police offered free breathalyzer tests to St. Patrick’s Day revelers on Main Street, promoting responsible drinking and safe rides home. youtu.be/vj6N7Jy6b-g

𝗬𝗢𝗨’𝗩𝗘 𝗕𝗘𝗘𝗡 𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗡𝗘𝗗: LAPD distributed rule flyers to encampment residents along Rose Avenue, outlining sidewalk clearance requirements and property restrictions ahead of a scheduled Venice cleanup. youtu.be/ds-JAGKYSNc

𝗕𝗔𝗬𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛 𝗜𝗡 𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡: Cameras roll on Venice Beach as lifeguards in red hit the sand for the new Baywatch series. Filming is now underway, bringing the iconic show back to Los Angeles. 🎬🌊 #Baywatch #VeniceBeach #LosAngeles youtu.be/qjf66kgyhaE

𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗧: Crowds Fill Santa Monica Beach as Temperatures Hit 88 Degrees

𝗡𝗢 𝗦𝗠𝗢𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗭𝗢𝗡𝗘: LAPD Detain Homeless Man After Smoking on Venice Boardwalk youtu.be/ELwbOWIZL1Y

𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗔𝗗𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗦𝗧: Property owner John Alle displays a banner on the Third Street Promenade calling for audits and greater transparency in Santa Monica city spending. Santa Monica Closeup spoke with Alle beneath the banner Monday morning. #SantaMonica #ThirdStreetPromenade youtu.be/NGnqHmENF2c

𝗣𝗜𝗘𝗥 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: Santa Monica police are investigating gunfire that erupted on the Santa Monica Pier Sunday night following a large fight. Two individuals sustained non-life-threatening gunshot wounds and were transported to a local hospital. Authorities say the investigation remains ongoing. youtu.be/glUsHtez5gY