Santa Monica Close-up

06/05/2026

𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡: First Visitors Cross New Santa Monica Pier Pedestrian Bridge

A major milestone was reached Friday morning as the new temporary pedestrian bridge at the Santa Monica Pier officially opened to the public.

The bridge, which opened at approximately 4:15 a.m., now serves as the primary pedestrian entrance to the Pier while construction crews prepare for demolition and replacement of the historic 1939 Pier Bridge.

By sunrise, visitors were already using the new route, walking through the colorful bridge corridor adorned with artwork, business information, and wayfinding displays designed to keep the Pier accessible throughout construction.

The opening marks a significant step forward in the Santa Monica Pier Bridge Replacement Project, which is expected to continue through late 2027.

📍 Santa Monica Pier
📅 June 5, 2026

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Friday, June 5, 2026 — A major milestone was...

06/05/2026

𝗣𝗜𝗭𝗭𝗔 𝗢𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗜𝗘𝗥: A new dining option is coming to Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier. Crews were busy this week installing signage for La Monica Pizza & Bar, a new pizza restaurant set to open Friday. The eatery will offer pizza, beer, wine, and soft drinks, adding another food stop for visitors enjoying the iconic oceanfront attraction. 🍕🎡📍Santa Monica Pier

06/04/2026

𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗔𝗧 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞: Feral Cat Hunts Squirrel on Palisades Park Bluffs

A feral cat living along the Palisades Park bluffs was observed Thursday morning hunting and capturing a juvenile ground squirrel near the edge of the coastal bluff overlooking Pacific Coast Highway.

The encounter highlights the unique wildlife dynamics within Palisades Park, where a large population of ground squirrels coexists with a small colony of feral cats. Several cat shelters and feeding stations were also visible on the bluff side of the fence, where volunteers have long conducted trap-neuter-return efforts to help manage the cat population.

The park's squirrels have become well known to residents and visitors alike, often approaching people in search of food despite city signs asking the public not to feed wildlife.

The squirrel population, feral cat colony, and the impact both may have on the coastal bluffs continue to be subjects of discussion among residents, wildlife advocates, and city officials.

Santa Monica Closeup documented the encounter and the surrounding wildlife activity throughout the park.

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Thursday morning, June 4, 2026 — A feral cat...

06/04/2026

𝗦𝗘𝗘𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗗𝗢𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗘: Replica Pier Sign Installed at Temporary Bridge Entrance

Construction crews installed a replica Santa Monica Pier sign at the entrance of the new temporary pedestrian bridge on Wednesday as final preparations continue ahead of the bridge's anticipated June 5 opening. Crews also completed decking work, expanded construction screening walls, and added access gates as the Pier Bridge Replacement Project moves closer to its next phase.

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Wednesday, June 3, 2026 — Construction crews...

06/04/2026

𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗛 𝗖𝗢𝗔𝗧: Santa Monica Beach maintenance crews gave the volleyball court posts a fresh coat of paint Tuesday as preparations continue for the busy summer season. The popular courts attract players from across the region and remain a fixture of the beach's active recreation scene. Here's a look at the maintenance work in progress.

06/02/2026

𝗟𝗜𝗙𝗘 𝗦𝗔𝗩𝗘𝗥: Firefighters Teach Hands-Only CPR on Santa Monica Pier

Santa Monica firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs spent Tuesday at the end of the Santa Monica Pier teaching visitors how to perform Hands-Only CPR during National CPR Week. Participants learned the simple lifesaving technique that can help bridge the gap until professional responders arrive during a cardiac emergency.

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — On Tuesday, June 2, 2026, Santa Monica firef...

06/02/2026

𝗦𝗜𝗚𝗡 𝗢𝗙 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗘: Crews Prepare New Gateway to Santa Monica Pier

Construction crews continue advancing the Santa Monica Pier Bridge Replacement Project, installing a new entrance facade for the temporary pedestrian bridge, adding visitor information displays, and preparing for the next phase of work. The structure will eventually support a replica pier sign while the historic bridge and iconic entrance sign undergo reconstruction and rehabilitation.

📸 Santa Monica Pier | June 2026

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Tuesday, June 2, 2026 — Construction crews with Shimmick Construction Company continued making visible progress on the Santa Monica Pi...

05/29/2026

𝗦𝗢𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗥 𝗚𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗦: Messi, Pulisic and Yamal Tower Over Santa Monica Pier

Three 32-foot-tall inflatable soccer stars took over the Santa Monica Pier on Thursday as part of a FOX FIFA activation ahead of this summer’s tournament coverage.

Featuring Lionel Messi (Argentina), Christian Pulisic (USA), and Lamine Yamal (Spain), the larger-than-life displays quickly became a popular photo spot for visitors strolling the pier.

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Thursday, May 28, 2026 — Three towering inflatable soccer stars drew crowds to the Santa Monica Pier as part of a FOX promotional acti...

05/28/2026

𝗕𝗘𝗔𝗧 𝗢𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗧: SMPD opened its new Downtown Substation at Santa Monica Place on Thursday, expanding police presence and community engagement efforts in the city’s downtown core. The new facility will support foot and bike patrols around the Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica Pier, and surrounding transit corridors.

📍Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica

📸 SM©U

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Thursday, May 28, 2026 — The Santa Monica Po...

05/28/2026

𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗘𝗗: Lifeguards repainted the historic “Ginger Rogers Beach” lifeguard tower at Will Rogers State Beach on Wednesday, refreshing the colorful Progress Pride Flag landmark honoring decades of LGBTQ+ history along the Los Angeles coastline. Originally unveiled in 2023, the tower stands as a tribute to a beach once known as a safe gathering space for the LGBTQ+ community during a time of widespread discrimination. 🌈

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Wednesday, May 27, 2026 — Los Angeles County ...