The City of Santa Monica is launching Automated Bike Lane Enforcement to improve bike lane safety. Keeping bike lanes clear of illegally stopped vehicles is essential to protecting people of all ages who bike, scoot, and roll throughout Santa Monica. This effort supports the City’s broader commitment to safe, sustainable, and accessible multimodal transportation options for residents and visitors alike.

Vehicles stopped or parked illegally in bike lanes create serious safety risks, forcing bicyclists into active traffic lanes and increasing the likelihood of collisions. In May 2024, Santa Monica piloted automated bike lane enforcement technology on two parking enforcement vehicles and identified nearly 1,700 violations in just six weeks—highlighting the scale and urgency of the issue.

The Automated Bike Lane Enforcement technology uses advanced, forward-facing camera systems mounted on City Parking Enforcement vehicles to automatically detect parking violations in bike lanes. When a vehicle is identified blocking a bike lane, an evidence package is generated and reviewed by a Parking Enforcement officer before a citation is issued.

What Drivers Need to Know:

Warning Period

Starting May 1, 2026, registered vehicle owners of vehicles stopped or parked illegally in bike lanes in Santa Monica will receive warning notices in the mail.

Automated Enforcement Begins

A $93 citation will be issued to violators starting July 1, 2026. Payment plans are available to individuals with low income.

The City of Santa Monica anounnanced the return of COAST Open Streets Festival, July 19 – a free, all-ages, car-free, pedestrian-focused culmination of Santa Monica’s World Cup activations featuring art installations, cultural programming, interactive experiences and food vendors. COAST will link key destinations along and near Ocean Avenue, including the Santa Monica Pier, Tongva Park, Palisades Park, Arizona Avenue, Third Street Promenade and the Fourth Street Metro E Line terminus.

From 2016 - 2019, Community Arts Resources (CARS) produced COAST, the City of Santa Monica's Open Streets Event, transforming the streets of Santa Monica into a giant park for a day.

For two miles COAST brought the streets of Santa Monica to life with arts and cultural programming and installations, community outreach by city departments, engaging and active workshops, as well as small business outreach.



COAST was Southern California's most pedestrian-centered open streets event, with more than 80% of participants walking the route. With over 50,000 locals and visitors in attendance each time along parts of Ocean Avenue, Colorado Avenue and Main Street.

Until the pandemic, this project was the City of Santa Monica's signature event, inviting the local community and visitors from across greater Los Angeles to experience car-free streets in Santa Monica every fall. The event included live music and performances, curated art installations, interactive workshops, food, and more! CARS produced COAST in collaboration with the City of Santa Monica's Cultural Affairs Division, the Office of Sustainability and the Environment, and Transportation Planning Division.

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here

The Santa Monica International Jazz Festival kicks off at Third Street Promenade on May 3 with a FREE event focused on jazz’s future, as high-quality young L.A.-based musicians – including Grammy nominated bassist Billy Mohler, magnetic KNOWER frontwoman Genevieve Artadi, and pianist, vocalist and producer Elijah Fox – take the stage. Also set to perform are emerging artists including players mentored by BroadStage Artist in Residence and Festival Artistic Director Stanley Clarke.

The Festival celebrates 100 years of John Coltrane,100 years of Miles Davis and 100 Years of Route 66.

Admission to the Promenade gig is absolutely free of charge

WHERE: Third Street Promenade, 1300 Block (between Arizona Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard),

WHEN: Sunday, May 3, at 1 p.m.

LINEUP:

1 p.m. Samohi Jazz Combo
1:35 p.m. Varad Sahasrabudhe
2:20 p.m. Aidan Farrell
3:05 p.m. Duffy x Uhlmann
3:50 p.m. Billy Mohler
4:35 p.m. Instant Alter
5:20 p.m. Elijah Fox
6:05 p.m. Genevieve Artadi

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here

Photo via Youtube

Larry Vein, the founder of the controversial Pali Strong Foundation ended his life on April 27. He was 60 years old and the father of a baby boy.

Many have said Vein was energetic voice for Pacific Palisades residents.

Vein and the Pali Strong Foundation had come under fire when his Pali Strong Foundation recieved $500,000 of Fire Aid money. Money from the benefit concert that was advertised would go directly to victims of the California wildfires.

Pali Strong Foundation is basically an Instagram account and a website where Vein would post about the Palisade recovery. Because the Instagram has only 1k followers and very little interaction on posts, and the site is rarely visited, many were upset that Vein took the money.

When the backlash started, back in October 2025, Vein turned off all comments on his Instagram posts. He made a post explaining that he would use the $500,000 to make an app and more complete information website to be a hub for the Palisades Recovery. He mentioned "every voice matters", but kept all comments turned off.

Palisades residents and community leaders have questioned how this large sum was allocated to a newly formed group to operate an "online hub" for information rather than direct, tangible relief for the 13,000 homes destroyed across Los Angeles County. Some have alleged that he was not an active participant in community programs prior to receiving the funds.

Vein's statement claimed that Pali Strong operating under Community Partners, which is a used a "fiscal sponsor". This is a way to fast track the process of becoming a non-profit.

Vein said Community Partners encouraged him to apply for the Fire Aid Grant. Community Partners typically takes a 9% cut of grant money to provide nonprofit status and administrative support.

Pali Strong Foundation should not be confused with Pali Strong 2025

Pali Strong 2025 is students from Palisades High School who started an Instagram account and a GoFundMe to raise money to rebuild their school. They started using the Pali Strong name on January 7, 2025. Vein did not start using it until February.

Vein started by making Youtube videos on a channel he created called PacificPalisadesFire, with his first video on January 9th. He changed the channel's name to Pali Strong™️ (filmed by resident Larry Vein) in mid February, the same time he started the Instagram account.

Shacked Mag has most likely brought a lot more news about the fire and rebuild, and all other types of local news to the community, If anyone cares to donated to our fund, see below:

Santa Monica Police Department's proactive patrol in the 2000 block of Ocean Ave on Friday, April 24th led to the recovery of a loaded firearm, nitrous oxide, and drug paraphernalia.

The suspect, on diversion for a prior robbery, was arrested for loaded firearm & drug charges.

Scenes from CicLAvia's West Los Angeles Event, including a confused lady driving her vehicle onto the closed street.

CicLAvia temporarily closes streets to car traffic and opens them to Angelenos to use as a public park. Free for all, CicLAvia connects communities to each other across an expansive city, creating a safe place to bike, walk, skate, roll, and dance through Los Angeles County.

Saturday morning the body of a homeless man was discovered at Speedway and Horizon. Locals said his name was Brian.

The coroner and police are still investigating and no other information is available right now.

Zuma Cars & Tacos this coming Sunday (5/3). At Perry's Beach Cafe 2400 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica. 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

Mariachis will be serenading your car and Folklorico dancers will be performing. Food and full bar featuring Zumaritas.

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here

The Santa Monica Route 66 Music Contest is an exciting opportunity for songwriters and musicians to showcase their talent and creativity, with a grand prize of $10,000 up for grabs. Celebrating Santa Monica’s iconic connection to the legendary Route 66, the contest invites artists from all genres to craft original songs that capture the spirit, history, and cultural significance of the famous highway’s connection to our beachside city. Whether it’s a nostalgic tribute to road trips, a reflection on the SoCal landscape, or a modern take on the Route 66 legacy, the contest encourages diverse interpretations of this historic route.

Submissions are open now through Sunday, September 13, 2026, with the winner announced in November.

For more info and to submit your song, Click Here