The Urban Watershed Management Plan is guiding the modification of the existing storm drain system to reduce runoff entering the bay.
Recently, Measure V has paved the way for projects to improve the water quality of the bay. These included landscaping, separate pedestrian and bicycle paths, public art, and enhancements to the beach's "people places" - Chess Park, the promenade south of Santa Monica Pier, and Muscle Beach - that set the stage for human interactions. The Beach Improvement Group, a team composed of planners, engineers, and a public artist, oversaw the completion of $2.6 million in improvements. Several projects in 2000 successfully implemented the master plan. A successful ballot initiative created a Beach Overlay District to preserve the balance and scale of developments within Santa Monica's Coastal Zone. Two luxury hotels serve as counterpoints to populist activities at Muscle Beach and Chess Park.Ī proposal for a large-scale luxury resort rallied citizen opposition in 1990. It is here that the modern "beach culture" - surfing, beach volleyball, rollerblading, lifeguards, skateboarding, and spectacular sunsets - got its start. South Beach is alive with sites such as the Santa Monica Pier. North Beach is characterized by an abundance of sand and sweeping views of Santa Monica Bay. Santa Monica Beach consists of two beaches. Wide bikepaths allow for safe recreational activities for the Santa Monica community. The standards laid the groundwork for the 1976 Historic Preservation Ordinance and establishment of the city's Landmarks Commission. Such activism prompted city leaders to create the Historic Site Committee and to develop preservation standards and procedures. In 1973, the city council voted to tear down Santa Monica's pier, but concerned citizens saved it from destruction. Funded by a $27.5-million grant from the Annenberg Foundation at the recommendation of Wallis Annenberg, it will provide the public with an experience previously reserved only for those with membership at an exclusive club.ĭespite its history of success, Santa Monica's coastline languished during the 1970s and 1980s.
In 2009, the LEED-certified Annenberg Community Beach House will open. The development of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design–certified (LEED), American Disabilities Act–accessible restrooms is under way. Today wooden boardwalks provide wheelchair access. When racially restrictive covenants were common in the 1920s, Santa Monica was home to one of the few beaches open to people of all colors. The beach is known for its commitment to public access. Light rail may eventually bring beachcombers from inner Los Angeles. Others walk, bike, skateboard, or rollerblade. Up to 50,000 people enjoy the beach on a typical summer day - 5 million visit annually - making it one of the region's most treasured public assets.
SANTA MONICA BEACH SERIES
Featuring 245 acres of sand, the beach is a series of linear parks, with playgrounds, pedestrian and bicycle pathways, a restored historic pergola and gazebo, native landscaping, and the iconic palm tree. The Palisades Bluffs loom to the east the Pacific beckons to the west. The beach stretches 3.5 miles along the Southern California coast from Malibu to Venice. Membership for Allied Professionals & CitizensĮducation, Work, and Experience VerificationĬleaned and raked daily, Santa Monica State Beach offers a picturesque, panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean at its best.