Topanga Canyon Blvd/Route 27 will be CLOSED between Mulholland Drive and Pacific Coast Highway/Route 1 in Topanga area from 10 AM Tueday to 6 PM Friday, Jan. 7-10, due to Red Flag Warning fire danger. Only residents & local business traffic allowed in the canyon.

For more news, updates and traffic conditions on PCH and other local beachside roads, Click Here.

Life-threatening, hurricane-strength winds 50-80 mph expected in Malibu Tues 1/7, Wed 1/8. Stay indoors, away from windows. Stay off the roads.

Life-threatening, hurricane-strength winds expected in Malibu Tues 1/7, Wed 1/8. 50-80mph, up to 100mph winds can bring down trees & power poles, damage structures, knock over vehicles. Stay indoors, off roads, park away from trees. High fire danger.

Life-threatening, hurricane-strength winds expected in Malibu Tues 1/7 & Wed 1/8, 50 - 80 mph, gusts up to 100 mph. Winds can bring down trees, power lines and poles, damage structures, and knock over vehicles.

Wind will be strongest 10AM Tues – 4PM Wed. The National Weather Service considers this an unprecedented, historic, hurricane-strength wind event, and advises the public to stay indoors, in the first floors of structures, away from windows and trees, and off the roads. Bring outdoor furniture indoors. Park vehicles away from trees. Adjust travel plans.

Red Flag Warning, extremely dangerous fire conditions expected in Malibu 1/7 – 1/9. Be prepared for fires, evacuations, power outages, hazardous roads, and rough coastal waters.

Potential SCE power shutoffs in all of Malibu Tues-Wed. Monitor AM/FM radio news for emergency information using handheld or car radios, which will work when the power is out.

Seniors, people with disabilities, or those who are dependent on wheelchairs, oxygen or medical devices, should consider leaving the area early.

Be prepared for potential fires, evacuations, power outages, and hazardous roads, beaches and ocean waters. The City is closely monitoring conditions, coordinating with LA County Fire and Sheriff’s Departments, and will post emergency information as needed via alerts, the website, and social media as needed, and is ready to activate the Emergency Operations Center.

Come to a complete stop at any malfunctioning traffic signal.

Be extremely cautious with any potential source of fire ignition, such as using landscaping equipment. Any fire start could result in rapid fire growth and extreme fire behavior.

Topanga Canyon will be closed Tues - Fri, with access for residents and local businesses only.

Closely monitor weather conditions and emergency information on local news, especially AM / FM radio and 99.1 FM KBUU with handheld and car radios, which will work when the power is out.

, Widespread Windstorm is expected Tue afternoon-Weds morning across much of Ventura/LA Co. Areas not typically windy will be impacted. See graphic for areas of greatest concern. The wind direction of this event is more from the N-NE rather than typical NE-E Santa Ana's. This means the strongest wind corridors shift more east & focus over more of LA Co. than is typical (including San Gabriel foothills) rather than the Ventura Coast.



The strongest wind areas of LA and Ventura Counties will see widespread N-NE wind gusts of 50-80 mph, with isolated gusts up to 80-100 mph in the mountains and foothills. This could be the strongest event since Nov 30th/Dec 2011.

Hearing helicopter noise around the vicinity of the Santa Monica Airport?

Military helicopter flight activity is expected tonight at 9 – 11 p.m. , and can be expected throughout the day on Tues, 1/7 and mid-morning on Wed, 1/8.

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"On Sunday, January 5, 2025, a large group of minibikers gathered at Santa Monica Beach and Ocean Front Walk, drawing attention from onlookers with the sound of engines and visible displays of skill. Riders performed stunts near pedestrian areas, which sparked mixed reactions from those present. While some viewed the gathering as a vibrant display of minibike culture, others raised concerns about safety, particularly given the high pedestrian traffic in the area."

Santa Monica Close Up is a photo blog by Santa Monica based Photojournalist/Press photographer Fabian Lewkowicz. Fabian is the former staff photographer for the Santa Monica Daily Observer Press, Santa Monica Mirror, Santa Monica and the Santa Monica Corsair.

Here's surfing photos from Saturday at the Venice Breakwater. This set of surf photos was shot by Six12 Media and brought to you by Jack's Surfboards.                                                                

Here's surfing photos from Sunday, January 5th at the Venice Breakwater.

This set of surf photos was shot by Six12 Media and brought to you by Hulu.

These are just a few of the 70+ photos from this session. If you were out there, you probably got some surfing shots, probably multiple photos, they will be in the complete photo gallery for this day, check them out, the link to the complete gallery is down below.










You can find 7+ more photos from this session, all full size and in high-resolution, in this photo gallery:

Venice Breakwater - Sunday 1-5-2025 Photo Gallery


If you were out there, we probably got some cool surfing shots of you, go check them out!

Wanna see photos from previous days at this and other local surf spots from this photographer?
Click Surf Spot Galleries and look for the spot and then the date.

There was a fire under the California Incline on Sunday Morning. According to witness reports, it started in the homeless encampment that is located under the Incline.

Explore the restored dune habitat and life cycle of the small, white snowy plovers that make this stretch of beach their winter home!

Sunday, January 12, 2025, 9-10:30am
Annenberg Community Beach House

Revel in this guided walk exploring the restored dune habitat and life cycle of the small, white snowy plovers that make this stretch of Santa Monica beach their winter home. Binoculars will be provided, or bring your own!

The Snowy Plover Beach Walk with Santa Monica Audubon and Nature Nexus Institute is a free event. Recommended for adults, though all are welcome. Reservations are requested. In-person registration will be available.

Comfortable clothing and sun protection are recommended. Gather at Guest Services.

The Annenberg Community Beach House is wheelchair accessible and ADA compliant. Two beach wheelchairs will be available for this activity. To reserve a wheelchair or inquire regarding disability related accommodations please call Guest Services at (310) 458-4904 or email beach.house@santamonica.gov.

Getting Here: The Annenberg Community Beach House is located at 415 Pacific Coast Hwy. Parking is available for $3 per hour or $8 per day. Please pay for parking at the machine upon your arrival. Cash and credit card accepted.

For more info and to reserve a spot, Click Here

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"On Friday, January 3, 2025, a multi-agency task force conducted a scheduled cleanup operation beneath the Venice Beach Fishing Pier, targeting ongoing safety and sanitation concerns in one of Los Angeles’ most visited public spaces. The coordinated effort brought together several departments, including the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), Los Angeles Park Rangers, the City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works, Los Angeles County Beaches and Harbors and specialists from Clean Harbors Environmental Inc

During the operation, Park Rangers encountered a homeless individual sleeping beneath the pier alongside a large quantity of personal belongings and scattered debris. When informed that he needed to vacate the area, the man expressed frustration but eventually gathered some of his items and departed, leaving behind a significant amount of trash. Sanitation crews promptly moved in to clear the remaining debris, ensuring that the area was thoroughly cleaned."

Santa Monica Close Up is a photo blog by Santa Monica based Photojournalist/Press photographer Fabian Lewkowicz. Fabian is the former staff photographer for the Santa Monica Daily Observer Press, Santa Monica Mirror, Santa Monica and the Santa Monica Corsair.