It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Annenberg Community Beach House gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Santa Monica, CA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Carrie is amazing. Very knowledgeable about Senior living, lifestyle, and care. Super responsive and phenomenal”
“Always Best Care was there for us after my wife's surgery. We had a caregiver”
“Loli demonstrated a level of professionalism that stood out, and her service and follow through”
“My dad came home from the hospital, then to hospice care for 4 months, then”
“Excellent service. Professional staff and wonderful caregivers.”
“I would highly recommend Always Best Care Senior Servicesto help you navigate the care of”
“I would highly recommend Always Best Care Senior Servicesto help you navigate the care of”
“Loli is very caring, worked with us to get the best caregiver match for my”
“We are deeply grateful to Loli and to two of the ABC caregivers in particular,”
“I needed to find an assisted living community for my dad in a hurry, and”
“Always Best Care was an excellent caregiving service for the short time they tended to”
“reliable with excellent oversight”
“We have had 24/7 care for my mother with ABC for over 2 years. The”
“Loli Ramezani and her staff are top notch when it comes to the service they”
“Loli was excellent to work with. She really took the time to understand my father”
“This was a wonderful experience. The care giver did a fantastic job taking care of”
“Loli and the staff at Always Best Care were very professional, compassionate, and resourceful in”
“Outstanding service. I would recommend Manhattan Beach Always Best Care to anyone who needs to”
“I needed to find someone for taking care of my poor mom without being worried.”
“Loli truly cares about her clients and their families ! , She is compassionate professional”
“I needed to find someone for taking care of my mom without being worried. When”
“Always Best Care and Carrie Bianco go above and beyond the call of duty to”
“I can't say enough good things about Always Best Care! Carrie is so professional.”
“What a pleasure to meet Carrie and be introduced to her at Always Best”
“Carrie truly cares about her clients and their families. She is compassionate professional”
“Carrie is amazing. Very knowledgeable about Senior living, lifestyle, and care. Super responsive and phenomenal follow up. An incredible resource for all things "Senior".”
“Always Best Care was there for us after my wife's surgery. We had a caregiver come each day for two weeks to help bath, feed, walk, and tidy the house during working hours so that my wife was not alone. Our caregiver Naomi was a God sent and so delightful. I often overheard my wife and Naomi singing together. What a joy! Thank you Loli and ABC Senior Services for making this service available to Beach Cities.”
“Loli demonstrated a level of professionalism that stood out, and her service and follow through made our experience with Always Best Care Senior Services stress free. We had a unique situation that required a specific type of caregiver and Loli was able to make a great match! Overall a great experience.”
“My dad came home from the hospital, then to hospice care for 4 months, then passed at home. Loli helped our family during multiple transitions of his care. She is professional and efficient, but also compassionate and empathic. She was a core contact for our family from in- and out-of town, and always responded quickly to calls, emails or txts. Dad's caregiver needs and schedules were ever-changing and Loli was always able to adjust, helping us to coordinate needs from hospice and family. We are so thankful Dad was able to spend his last months at home. We continue to use Loli's services for our mom. The caregivers are trained well and often became friends to my folks. I highly recommend Loli's services.”
“Excellent service. Professional staff and wonderful caregivers.”
“I would highly recommend Always Best Care Senior Servicesto help you navigate the care of your loved ones in their senior years of need. We called them when we found out my 92 year old mother in law was due to be released from the hospital but clearly not able to care for herself upon her release. It was a stressful situation but Loli new exactly the right questions to ask and heard our needs and pointed us in the right direction with all that needed to be done. She set up a call with hospice who arranged for all necessary equipment to be delivered in less than a 24 hour period. She also set up 3 very competent experienced care givers to be at the home in that same 24 hour period. The speed and professionalism in which this all happened could not have handled any better in my opinion. Working with Loli at Always Best Care Senior Services put our minds at ease and got everything set up for us to care for my mother in law. Loli was hands on in meeting with us and introducing the care givers and involved with speaking to doctors and hospice and everyone involved with my mother in laws care. She made a highly stressful time much more manageable and guided us every step of the way. She also followed up and made sure all that was supposed to be done was being taken care of. You are in good hands when calling on them for your loved ones care. I am happy to speak to anyone directly if you would like to ask any questions I give my permission for Always Best Care to give my personal phone number out to speak to anyone who is considering using their services.”
“I would highly recommend Always Best Care Senior Servicesto help you navigate the care of your loved ones in their senior years of need. We called them when we found out my 92 year old mother in law was due to be released from the hospital but clearly not able to care for herself upon her release. It was a stressful situation but Loli new exactly the right questions to ask and heard our needs and pointed us in the right direction with all that needed to be done. She set up a call with hospice who arranged for all necessary equipment to be delivered in less than a 24 hour period. She also set up 3 very competent experienced care givers to be at the home in that same 24 hour period. The speed and professionalism in which this all happened could not have handled any better in my opinion. Working with Loli at Always Best Care Senior Services put our minds at ease and got everything set up for us to care for my mother in law. Loli was hands on in meeting with us and introducing the care givers and involved with speaking to doctors and hospice and everyone involved with my mother in laws care. She made a highly stressful time much more manageable and guided us every step of the way. She also followed up and made sure all that was supposed to be done was being taken care of. You are in good hands when calling on them for your loved ones care. I am happy to speak to anyone directly if you would like to ask any questions I give my permission for Always Best Care to give my personal phone number out to speak to anyone who is considering using their services.”
“Loli is very caring, worked with us to get the best caregiver match for my parents, was able to schedule someone when we needed a caregiver on short notice and she always made suggestions to us to help make things better and more comfortable for my parents.”
“We are deeply grateful to Loli and to two of the ABC caregivers in particular, María Flores and Soledad, for their professionalism, dedication and superb service over the course of nearly two years. They provided coverage on evening shifts on weekends and some weekdays —as well as on occasional overnight shifts— for my mother who was in the early-to-moderate stages of Alzheimer’s. (We recently moved her into an assisted living facility.) Because our need for ABC's services was sporadic and variable, Loli and her staff often had to juggle quite a bit to accommodate us — for which we are grateful. Occasionally we’d be assigned a caregiver who wasn’t the best fit but Loli was always responsive to our concerns and would work with us to find a different caregiver. We also appreciate the “added value” that Loli brought to the table — her overall expertise on elder care, knowledge about related resources, and guidance on how to make our home safer for my mother. We are pleased to highly recommend Loli and ABC for your in-home eldercare needs.”
“I needed to find an assisted living community for my dad in a hurry, and knew that I didn't have as much time as I'd like to do all of the research on my own. I was very relieved when I found Loli to help us as a consultant for our search. She was very detail-oriented in acquiring the necessary info from us, and helped us to find a few places with availability that we could visit. I very much appreciated her knowledge of so many various communities, her professionalism, her efficiency, and the wide range of items that she suggested we consider, that we may not have thought of on our own. I would highly recommend her placement services.”
“Always Best Care was an excellent caregiving service for the short time they tended to my ailing mother, a late-stage pancreatic cancer patient. She passed away shortly after we began the caregiving service. In the short time that Always Best Care tended to my mother, the caregiver Maria demonstrated excellent experience. She tended well to my mother and assisted in any other way that she could. Thank you Maria and Always Best Care for your service. I wish you all the kindness and wellness in the world. Colin”
“reliable with excellent oversight”
“We have had 24/7 care for my mother with ABC for over 2 years. The care and compassion they showed for her really touched my heart. I have had to ask for last minute help when another caregiver (not from ABC) could not show up for a shift, Loli and staff always came through for me. She has always been available to work out problems and last minute requests, I can't say enough about how important that has been to me when I live out of state.I have really been able to rely on their judgement once they got to know my moms likes and needs, they always tried to match her with a caregiver that she would also feel comfortable with personally.The caregivers were long term, they did not come and go, mom really became attached and appreciated them. The caregivers speak highly about Loli as their employer, they have mentioned to me they really feel like she cares and looks after them as well. Touches like Loli dropping by for a visit to chat with mom, or remembering her birthday with a bunch of flowers was so great. I would definitely recommend!”
“Loli Ramezani and her staff are top notch when it comes to the service they provide. They are very accommodating on all levels from helping you think things through from start to finish, as well as remaining flexible through each process with the ultimate changes that always seem to arise. I highly recommend them and will be using them again if/when the need presents itself”
“Loli was excellent to work with. She really took the time to understand my father in-law and the family's needs. We had a wonderful caregiver for my father in-law and when it came time to move him from our home, Loli was instrumental in finding a Room and Board that was a great fit. We had used a different service and we can tell you Always Best Care is MUCH higher quality.”
“This was a wonderful experience. The care giver did a fantastic job taking care of my mother. I would recommend them to anyone. The care giver was kind, helpful, and provided all the help we needed. Their service was instrumental in my mother being able to get her independence.”
“Loli and the staff at Always Best Care were very professional, compassionate, and resourceful in providing in home care for my Mom. Loli was responsive when I needed to talk to her about changes or adjustments to my Mom’s care. With her experience and knowledge in the field of senior care she always had recommendations and resources to reach out to when we needed to consider options and alternatives for my Mom’s care. Loli was very compassionate and respectful of my Mom’s wants and needs. I would highly recommend Loli and Always Best Care for senior care services.”
“Outstanding service. I would recommend Manhattan Beach Always Best Care to anyone who needs to have care for a family member. I've had personal experience with Carrie’s organization and was very impressed with her and her caretakers.”
“I needed to find someone for taking care of my poor mom without being worried. When I talked to Loli I got the feeling she understood and she went through A to Z on everything with me. Care and quality care is truly what she delivers.”
“Loli truly cares about her clients and their families ! , She is compassionate professional”
“I needed to find someone for taking care of my mom without being worried. When I talked to Carrie I got the feeling she understood and she went through A to Z on everything with me. Care and quality care is truly what she delivers.”
“Always Best Care and Carrie Bianco go above and beyond the call of duty to really find the perfect fit for your loved one at a price that is affordable. Their customer service and attention to detail is unparalleled.”
“I can't say enough good things about Always Best Care! Carrie is so professional. She was able to find a great caregiver for my Grandmother on very short notice. The communication has been outstanding as well. When it comes to family, you want to know that they are being taken care of by someone that you can trust. We are so happy to have found Always Best Care.”
“What a pleasure to meet Carrie and be introduced to her at Always Best Care Senior Services. Rarely have a met someone that offered so much warmth, care, and genuine concern for the well-being and happiness of her clients. Carrie will be my first call when my family members need assistance.”
“Carrie truly cares about her clients and their families. She is compassionate professional”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Palisades Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local The Penthouse or visit Farnam House, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Santa Monica, CA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Santa Monica, CA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Santa Monica, CA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
As temperatures rise across the Southland, droves of people will hit the beach in search of a reprieve — but you might want to think twice before taking a dip near one of the region’s most famous landmarks.For the second year in a row, the area around the Santa Monica Pier was named one of California’s dirtiest beaches by environmental nonprofit Heal the Bay.The pier-adjacent beach came in at No. 2 this year due to persistent water quality issues, according to the organization’s annual ...
As temperatures rise across the Southland, droves of people will hit the beach in search of a reprieve — but you might want to think twice before taking a dip near one of the region’s most famous landmarks.
For the second year in a row, the area around the Santa Monica Pier was named one of California’s dirtiest beaches by environmental nonprofit Heal the Bay.
The pier-adjacent beach came in at No. 2 this year due to persistent water quality issues, according to the organization’s annual Beach Report Card.
Heal the Bay monitors beaches along the California coast — testing water samples for fecal bacteria, including coliform, E. coli and enterococcus. High concentrations of these bacteria indicate the presence of pathogens that could be harmful to beachgoers.
Of the more than 500 beaches that Heal the Bay monitored in 2024, the top 10 dirtiest also included four in San Diego County, three in San Mateo County and one in Marin County. The 10th, and dirtiest, beach on the list was in Baja California, Mexico.
This year’s beach grades do not account for wildfire runoff.
In January, rainfall and debris from the catastrophic L.A. County firestorm prompted officials to issue an ocean water closure and ocean water quality advisory from Surfrider Beach in Malibu to Dockweiler State Beach at World Way in Playa del Rey. The advisories have since been lifted. Public health officials say despite fire-related debris washing ashore, there is little evidence of fire-related toxins in ocean water in high enough concentrations to make someone sick.
Heal the Bay continues to conduct separate testing specific to the fires and their effects.
The Santa Monica Pier, specifically north of Pico and south of Wilshire boulevards, is Los Angeles County’s only beach to make Heal the Bay’s list.
“Every day, families who visit Santa Monica for a day of fun in the sun may be unknowingly risking illness by splashing in polluted waters,” Tracy Quinn, chief executive of Heal the Bay, said in a statement. “It’s time for the City of Santa Monica to prioritize efforts to identify and reduce bacteria levels at the Santa Monica Pier.”
The beach area got a low grade despite upgrades to the pier — including stormwater capture systems and bird deterrent netting, according to the report. Pollution for the pier remains a problem, worsened by urban runoff and high levels of water-contaminating activities, such as the disposal of fish guts from recreational fishing, which attracts seabirds.
In a statement Thursday, the city of Santa Monica said it “continues to research and implement new strategies to address the ocean water quality directly underneath the Santa Monica Pier, a very limited area encompassing just the ocean water 100 yards north and south of the Pier.”
Those efforts are taking place in partnership with Heal the Bay, the city added.
“We are proud that, thanks to decades of city policies and programs, Santa Monica’s three miles of coastline consistently receive an outstanding health grade,” the statement said.
Over the years, Santa Monica has taken several steps to address water quality under the pier — including diverting storm water to the city’s “Clean Beaches” tank.
City officials said piers can pose a unique water quality challenge due to poorer circulation of ocean water.
Out of more than 500 monitored beaches in the state, 62 earned a spot on Heal the Bay’s “honor roll,” a significant improvement from just 12 beaches in last year’s report and only two the year before that.
Seven counties — Orange, San Diego, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Mateo and San Francisco — earned top quality marks in this year’s report, also a notable increase from previous years.
Southern California beaches typically dominate the honor roll because many counties in Northern and Central California do not monitor water quality year-round.
From April through October, state law requires county governments to test water samples. However, counties are not required to monitor water quality during off-season months, so many counties opt not to do so from November to March.
Orange County dominated the top 10 list of Heal the Bay’s honor roll for the second straight year. Every beach on that list was in Orange County.
The 62-beach honor roll includes 34 in Orange County, 12 in San Diego County, and seven in L.A. County. Ventura County has five, San Mateo County has two and Santa Barbara and San Francisco counties each have one.
In L.A. County, the seven honor roll beaches are Dockweiler State Beach at Grand Avenue, Hermosa Beach, Long Point in Rancho Palos Verdes, Manhattan Beach at 28th Street, Nicholas Beach at San Nicholas Canyon Creek mouth, Nicholas Beach 100 feet west of lifeguard tower and Portuguese Bend Cove in Rancho Palos Verdes.
During the 2024 to 2025 monitoring period, Heal the Bay says California saw a noticeable improvement in coastal water quality, something the organization attributed to a very dry summer and winter.
With 9% less rainfall this year compared with the historical 10-year average, fewer pollutants, such as bacteria, trash and chemicals, washed into storm drains and onto the ocean, according to the report.
Officials recommend staying at least 100 yards away from storm drains and river outlets when entering the water and to always wait at least 72 hours after it rains before going in the ocean.
On warm weekend nights, Santa Monica's main retail and dining district feels like a shadow of its former self.On the Third Street Promenade, the occasional music busker and wandering tourists pass rows of empty storefronts. But starting next month, the city hopes to fill those spaces with something stronger: cocktails, live music and festivals drawing crowds from across the region.This will be made possible through an entertainment zone ordinance passed last week and set to take effect in time for summer. The law, passed by the...
On warm weekend nights, Santa Monica's main retail and dining district feels like a shadow of its former self.
On the Third Street Promenade, the occasional music busker and wandering tourists pass rows of empty storefronts. But starting next month, the city hopes to fill those spaces with something stronger: cocktails, live music and festivals drawing crowds from across the region.
This will be made possible through an entertainment zone ordinance passed last week and set to take effect in time for summer. The law, passed by the Santa Monica City Council, allows open-container alcohol consumption in certain blocks along the Promenade during designated hours. The program, enabled by a California law passed last year, marks the first open-container zone in Southern California and signals a significant shift in the city’s approach to revitalizing its struggling retail core.
“Few places in the country have the potential to rival Santa Monica’s year-round coastal climate,” said Andrew Thomas, CEO of the nonprofit economic development group Downtown Santa Monica Inc., in a statement. “This new experience will further elevate our downtown as a place to socialize and connect.”
The zone will allow bars and restaurants with alcohol licenses to serve to-go drinks on weekends starting in June, with an official launch tied to the city’s annual LGBT festival on June 21. Supporters say it’s a creative way to encourage foot traffic and boost revenue for small businesses, while skeptics worry about implementation, tenant fit and whether enough retail remains to benefit.
It's hopeful news for the future of Santa Monica, "but the devil’s in the details," Ryan Hawley, vice president of retail brokerage at JLL, told CoStar News. "The city needs to quickly put out a clear plan for how this zone will actually operate."
Retail metrics help explain the need for change. Availability in Santa Monica has reached 15.3%, the highest in nearly a decade, according to CoStar data, while rents have fallen 2% in recent years. Tenants like Rite Aid, H&M and REI have recently closed stores in the region.
At the south end of the Third Street Promenade, the challenges — and the hopes for recovery — are visible. Santa Monica Place, the open-air shopping center designed by Frank Gehry, is being repositioned after its owner, Macerich, defaulted on a $300 million loan last year.
Once a crown jewel of the city’s retail offerings, the mall’s value has dropped 59% since 2017, from $622 million to $255 million, according to Morningstar. Decreased foot traffic, high vacancies and changing consumer habits have all contributed to the slide.
Retail construction has remained minimal across the submarket, with no projects underway, and rent growth has trailed the broader Los Angeles market.
The new entertainment zone could help reset the balance, officials and business owners hope.
“If you’ve got that experiential block where people are walking around with their drinks, some might leave your space — but others will come in. It’s a net positive,” Hawley said.
Like many downtowns across the country, Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade saw pedestrian traffic dwindle over the past five years as remote work took hold and tourist numbers declined in the wake of the pandemic.
But there are signs of a rebound. In April 2025, the Promenade recorded 351,282 visitors — nearly 19 times the foot traffic seen in April 2020.
Las Vegas and New Orleans are famous for allowing public drinking in designated districts, but they’re no longer exceptions. Cities across the U.S. have begun experimenting with entertainment zones that permit alcohol consumption outdoors in specific areas, hoping to attract foot traffic and boost downtown economies.
Kansas City’s Power & Light District, for example, lets patrons carry alcoholic beverages in plastic cups labeled with participating venues’ logos. In Savannah, Georgia, open containers are allowed in the city’s Historic District, a policy that’s helped make the area a popular draw for both residents and tourists.
California joined the movement in 2024 when lawmakers passed Senate Bill 969. The law gives cities and counties statewide the authority to create entertainment zones where adults can legally drink alcohol in public areas like streets, sidewalks and plazas. It’s part of a broader strategy to help businesses recover from the pandemic by making public spaces more vibrant and social.
The legislation builds on a 2022 law that allowed only San Francisco to test the concept. Since then, that city has launched five entertainment zones and piloted several more. One of its early tests — an Oktoberfest celebration — drew 10 times as much foot traffic as the same event a year earlier, according to city officials.
As more California cities consider following suit, debate over the policy’s potential risks is growing. Public health advocates, including the California Alcohol Policy Alliance, opposed SB 969, warning that expanded public drinking could contribute to higher rates of drunken driving and alcohol-related harm.
In Santa Monica, those concerns took center stage at a contentious eight-hour City Council meeting. Dozens of residents voiced opposition to the proposed zone before it passed, citing fears over public safety, late-night disturbances and changes to the character of downtown.
Under the plan, the entertainment zone will run Fridays through Sundays from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Businesses that opt in must verify patrons’ ages, issue wristbands, and use non-glass containers. Drinks can be carried outdoors within the zone but cannot enter other businesses.
The ordinance passed just weeks before Santa Monica hosts one of its boldest events in years: an international skateboarding competition on May 23. The Street League Skateboarding Championship Tour will transform the Santa Monica Pier into a custom-built skate plaza, complete with live music and vendor booths. While it takes place ahead of the alcohol zone’s start date, the event previews the city’s vision for what a more dynamic, experience-driven downtown could look like.
“Santa Monica is the perfect backdrop for this kind of event,” said Frank Lamicella, CEO of Thrill Sports, the parent company of Street League Skateboarding, in a statement.
City officials say the open-container zone is part of a broader strategy to adapt to modern retail realities.
“This caters to the new trends in shopping and dining,” Mayor Lana Negrete said in a statement. “It’s an example of the many ways Santa Monica is thinking creatively about our economic growth.”
Hawley noted that the 1200 block of the Promenade has seen traditional retail give way to experiential concepts as vacancies mounted. For example, concepts like John Reed Fitness, a gym with an immersive nightclub-like atmosphere and AI-powered "intuitive" equipment, and Holey Moley Golf Club, an indoor mini-golf venue with food and beverage service, have begun to backfill space, but the area is struggling to find its identity.
"This entertainment zone will absolutely put Santa Monica on the map for festivals," Hawley said.
The Street League Skating competition Friday will feature big names in skateboarding, including Ryan Sheckler and Nyjah Huston. SANTA MONICA, CA — Some of the biggest names in skateboarding will be taking over the Santa Monica Pier on Friday as they compete for bragging rights and the Street League Skateboarding (SLS) trophy.The roster for the competition includes some of the most recognizable names in skateboarding, such as Nyjah Huston, Chris Joslin, Yuto Horigome, Alex Midler and Chloe Covell. The wildcard jam will f...
SANTA MONICA, CA — Some of the biggest names in skateboarding will be taking over the Santa Monica Pier on Friday as they compete for bragging rights and the Street League Skateboarding (SLS) trophy.
The roster for the competition includes some of the most recognizable names in skateboarding, such as Nyjah Huston, Chris Joslin, Yuto Horigome, Alex Midler and Chloe Covell. The wildcard jam will feature other skaters such as Ryan Sheckler, considered one of the greatest street skateboarders of all time, Lazer Crawford and Elijah Berle. The top two skaters of the wildcard jam will advance to the finals, according to event organizers.
Admission to the event is free, and attendees can show up as early as 2 p.m. to secure a viewing spot. The men's wildcard jam begins at 3 p.m. and will be followed by the women's final at 4:15 p.m. and the men's final at 5:30 p.m.
This is the first ever "spot-takeover" event put on by the SLS. The competition will take place on a custom course on the Santa Monica Pier and the triple set stairs, one of the city's most iconic skateboarding spots, according to the SLS. The event is meant to pay homage to a city that helped shape skateboarding into what it is today, according to the SLS.
There will also be several food vendors at the event, including Prince St. Pizza, Miya Miya Shawarma, Villa's Tacos and 27 Club Coffee.
The SLS was founded in 2010 by professional skateboarder Rob Dyrdek, who wanted to increase the popularity and acceptance of street skateboarding across the world.
For more information, including which skaters will be competing at the event, click here.
Authorities in Santa Monica say that coyote encounters are on the rise within the city, and that is likely thanks to the Palisades Fire.The City of Santa Monica updated their “How to Live Safely with Urban Coyotes” webpage on May 13 to reflect ...
Authorities in Santa Monica say that coyote encounters are on the rise within the city, and that is likely thanks to the Palisades Fire.
The City of Santa Monica updated their “How to Live Safely with Urban Coyotes” webpage on May 13 to reflect the increase in coyote sightings within the city, particularly north of Montana Avenue.
“Experts believe this increase is linked to the Palisades Fire, which devastated large areas of the Santa Monica Mountains and displaced numerous wildlife species, including coyotes,” the webpage reads. “As a result, these animals have ventured deeper into urban neighborhoods in search of food and shelter.”
Officials stated that coyotes are “naturally wary of humans” but are highly adaptable, and while they are normally nocturnal, they may be seen during the day, especially when displaced or during their denning season – February through June.
“Although they typically avoid humans, coyotes may become more bold or visible when they lose access to their natural habitat or food due to events like wildfires, find easy access to food in neighborhoods – such as trash, pet food or rodents – and are unintentionally habituated by human behavior such as feeding them,” Santa Monica officials said.
A list of what city residents should do was provided by city officials:
Santa Monica residents are advised NOT to feed coyotes — since that causes them to lose their natural fear of humans — and are also told to NOT ignore coyotes; instead, residents should do the following:
For more information on coyotes, visit the National Parks Services’ “Coexisting with Coyotes” webpage.
It’s official! You can sip while you shop at the 3rd Street Promenade in ...
It’s official! You can sip while you shop at the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica.
The Santa Monica City Council had been considering allowing visitors to imbibe, while they stroll the 3rd Street Promenade. Following a 6-hour meeting on Tuesday night, the City Council voted unanimously to approve the alcoholic open container ordinance.
The new ordinance will allow people to walk along the 3rd Street Promenade, which runs from Wilshire Boulevard to Broadway, carrying alcoholic beverages. Drinks can be purchased from participating businesses along the promenade between 8 a.m. and 2 a.m.
However, drinks can only be served in approved to-go cups that are neither glass nor metal. Additionally, all participating businesses must check IDs and issue official city-provided wristbands, which customers are required to wear while drinking outdoors.
The goal of the new ordinance is to increase foot traffic and boost business for all the shops on the promenade. The California state law allowing “Outdoor Entertainment Zones” was passed with the intention of revitalizing local businesses that had seen slower in-person traffic since the pandemic.
Santa Monica is making history by being the first city to implement a “drink and shop” zone under the new state law. The law went into effect in January, but so far no other California cities have utilized the new economic opportunity.
Vice Mayor Caroline Torisis vocally supported the movement stating, “I want to express my strong support, yet again, for the intention behind the entertainment zone – revitalizing our downtown core. I think we all need to stay focused on what we’re trying to do here. We’re trying to revitalize the downtown core, support our small businesses, and we’re trying to bring fun and joy and vibrancy back to the promenade.”
The new ordinance is expected to take effect in June, just in time for frosty frozen summer margaritas on the promenade. However, the city will closely monitor the program. After 6 months they will conduct a review and share the findings with the public.
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