Coast Open Streets Festival Returns to Santa Monica on October 1

August 22, 2017 12:49 PM
by Joseph Vandenorth

Open streets events temporarily close streets to auto traffic to encourage walking, biking, and other car-free ways of getting around. The concept became popular in Colombia as a tradition on Sundays and was endearingly renamed "CicLAvia" for Los Angeles' popular incarnation of the open streets event. Following the opening of Expo Light Rail in May of 2016, Santa Monica hosted its first-ever open streets event called COAST, drawing over 50,000 people to experience the new light rail and to safely explore Santa Monica. The City is excited to share that COAST will return to Santa Monica on October 1.

COAST invites you to enjoy approximately two miles of car-free streets, including Ocean from Wilshire south past City Hall and Tongva Park, as well as all of Main Street to Pier Avenue, on Sunday, October 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. We encourage you to bike, walk, or take public transit to COAST. And remember, you don’t need a bike to participate - just your own two feet!

COAST is a free, engaging, and fun way to explore Santa Monica. Along the route, participants will experience live music and performances, local food, art installations, exciting restaurants, one-of-a-kind shops, and unique areas promoting mobility, art, and sustainability.

Ocean Avenue highlights: Camera Obscura Art Zone; temporary parklets; free bike valet, strolling performers; live music; Public Works vehicle showcase

Colorado Esplanade highlights: Public art; community booths; Bike Center rentals and repairs; free bike valet; easy access to Expo Line, Santa Monica Place, and Third Street Promenade

Santa Monica Pier highlights: COAST specials (deals and discounts) along the Pier

Santa Monica City Hall highlights: Sustainability Zone featuring artist Kiel Johnson's cardboard architecture and workshop; environmental booths; elected officials meet and greet; live music; food trucks

Civic Center highlights: Mobility Zone with free bike valet and bike repair; Bike Rodeo for kids; live music

Main Street highlights: Temporary parklets; free bike valet; strolling performers; live music; community garden workshops; Sunday Farmers Market with extended hours; Ocean Park Library games on the lawn; Santa Monica Conservancy tours of Norman Place and Shotgun House

For more info, visit www.smgov.net/coast  

RSVP on Facebook to get a reminder. 

Authored By

Joseph Vandenorth
Public Information Coordinator