Santa Monica Observer

06/11/2026

Woman in critical condition after motorcycle accident at 5th Street and Broadway in Santa Monica. After recent road diet. Critics have noted that parked car doors now open directly into active travel lanes in the new layout, and the narrowed driving space can make maneuvers tighter, especially for larger vehicles or during turns.

Santa Monica, CA (June 11, 2026) — The City of Santa Monica has converted what had been a working Downtown street called Broadway, into a cluster screw of bike lanes, concrete barriers, bus lanes, and parking in the middle of the street. Yesterday, it nearly cost a motorcyclist her life. A motorcy...

06/10/2026

232 Unit Building on Calendar for Planning Commission Tomorrow night, June 11th. Design from Hell; Manhattan type apartments to replace Boys and Girls Club

I live in a condo one block east of the latest behemoth planned for Lincoln Blvd. There are dozens more apartment blocks coming throughout the city,

06/03/2026

Santa Monica Voters Face Long Lines as LA County Sees Modest Uptick in Primary Turnout
While many people voted early or mailed in ballots, last minute political shoppers kept polling stations open past the 8 pm deadline in LA County

Santa Monica, CA - Voters in Santa Monica encountered notably long lines at polling locations on Election Day, reflecting a broader trend of increased participation across Los Angeles County in the June 2, 2026, Statewide Direct Primary Election. According to the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorde...

05/30/2026

Cougar with 9 Lives Captured by Santa Monica Police North of Montana, After 8 Hour Pursuit

The Cat's surprisingly calm demeanor allowed him to run up and down the alley all day, evading police like a robbery suspect. But in the end a tranquilizer dart allowed him to be removed from populated, pricey parts of Santa Monica.

On Friday, May 29, 2026, a mountain lion — popularly known as a cougar — made a dramatic appearance in a quiet residential neighborhood north of Montana Avenue on 14th Street in Santa Monica. What began as an evasion saga, with the elusive big cat slipping through initial containment efforts, en...

05/29/2026

Mountain Lion Sighting Closes 700 Block of 14th Street in Santa Monica
"There's a mountain lion in my back yard! And it's gorgeous!" one local woman posted on Next Door.

Local residents reported seeing a mountain lion in a residential neighborhood North of Montana Avenue on 14th Street in Santa Monica on Friday. Santa Monica Police confirmed the Mountain lion sighting, as police animal control attempted to corner the big cat. They said there were no injuries and tha...

05/22/2026

So much sadness in just one year for Kat Timpf

05/18/2026

Kidnapping and chase starts in Santa Monica, ends in Vermont Knolls neighborhood.

LOS ANGELES - A suspect wanted in connection with a kidnapping investigation in Santa Monica was arrested early Monday morning, May 18, 2026, following a vehicle pursuit that ended with an officer-involved shooting in South Los Angeles, authorities said. No one was injured. According to the Santa Mo...

05/16/2026

In Half Square Mile of Santa Monica, 8 Bodies of Homeless People Have been Found in the last 4 Weeks
In this area is one of LA County's "HARM REDUCTION SITES," where free needles and crack pipes are handed out to addicts.

Santa Monica, CA - Local authorities have responded to multiple incidents involving deceased homeless individuals in a half mile square area of Santa Monica over recent weeks, highlighting persistent challenges with homelessness, substance abuse, and public safety in the coastal city. According to c...

05/16/2026

Decomposed Body Discovered in Homeless Encampment Under California Incline in Santa Monica. Derrick Townsend, who is running for Santa Monica City Council in the 2026 election, said he and his dog Frank discovered the remains while walking in the area. First hand account.

(May 16, 2026) - A decomposed body was found Saturday morning in a homeless encampment beneath the California Incline near Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), according to local resident and City Council candidate Derrick Townsend. Townsend, who is running for Santa Monica City Council in the 2026 election...

05/08/2026

Santa Monica High School on Lockdown Following Bomb Threat During AP Exams

No injuries reported and the principal has sent a message home to parents to explain lockdown to Samohi community.

Santa Monica, Calif. - Santa Monica High School (Samohi) was placed on lockdown Friday amid a bomb threat reported during Advanced Placement (AP) exams, according to initial reports from students and local sources on social media. The incident occurred as students were taking exams on campus. School...