𝗪𝗔𝗟𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗢𝗡 𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗥: First-Ever Slackline Stretches Across Santa Monica Pier

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Saturday, June 27, 2026 — Spectators looked on in amazement as members of Slackademic walked a 200-foot slackline suspended above the Pacific Ocean during the Santa Monica Pier 360 Beach Festival.

The installation marked the first time a slackline has been rigged across the Santa Monica Pier, allowing athletes to carefully traverse from one side of the pier to the other high above the crashing waves. The exhibition drew steady crowds throughout the day as participants demonstrated remarkable balance, focus and control.

Leading the effort was Los Angeles-based slackliner Jim Galli, founder of Slackademic. Galli began slacklining in Santa Monica in 2016 after backgrounds in skateboarding, soccer, water polo and other sports. Within months, he advanced to highlining and went on to set and break records, pioneer new lines and develop new tricks while teaching the sport to others. He is an International Slackline Association (ISA) certified rigger, an IRATA Level 3 Rope Access Technician and SPRAT Level 2 certified.

According to Galli, Slackademic was created to share the physical and mental benefits of slacklining with others. He says the sport teaches patience, focus, determination and confidence while emphasizing the importance of breathing and remaining calm under pressure. Galli believes those same skills can help people navigate everyday challenges beyond the slackline itself.

The slackline demonstration was one of many attractions featured during the Santa Monica Pier 360 Beach Festival, a free, all-ages celebration of Southern California beach culture featuring ocean sports competitions, live entertainment, food, interactive activities and family-friendly programming.

The high-flying exhibition added a dramatic new element to this year's festival, giving visitors a rare opportunity to witness athletes balancing hundreds of feet across open water against the backdrop of one of Southern California's most recognizable landmarks.

Santa Monica Closeup remains committed to documenting the people, places and events that shape the Santa Monica community—one story at a time. 

𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗟𝗗 𝗖𝗨𝗣 𝗞𝗜𝗖𝗞𝗢𝗙𝗙: 2,500 Drones Light Up Santa Monica Beach

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — On Thursday evening, June 11, 2026, 2,500 drones illuminated the skies above Santa Monica Beach in a spectacular drone light show celebrating the arrival of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the opening of the Michelob ULTRA Pitchside Club at the Santa Monica Pier. Hundreds of spectators gathered along the beach, Pier, and surrounding areas to watch the synchronized aerial display as the drones performed a series of animated formations above the Pacific coastline. The show was produced by Pixis Drones, a leading U.S.-based drone light show company known for creating large-scale aerial displays for major brands, professional sports teams, entertainment companies, and high-profile events. The company has produced shows for organizations including the NFL, NASCAR, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Netflix, Disney, and Warner Bros., and specializes in using coordinated drone swarms to create large-scale visual storytelling in the sky. The drone show was part of an invite-only kickoff event launching the Michelob ULTRA Pitchside Club, a temporary fan destination created in conjunction with the FIFA World Cup. The opening-night celebration featured appearances and performances by comedian Kevin Hart, rapper Snoop Dogg, DJ Pee .Wee, Disco Lines, soccer legends, and celebrity guests. Following the private launch event, the 21-and-over Pitchside Club will open to the public from June 12 through June 25. The activation will feature live World Cup match broadcasts, DJs, freestyle soccer demonstrations, interactive games, jersey customization stations, soccer-themed challenges, and special appearances tied to tournament events. The Santa Monica Pier activation is one of several World Cup-related events taking place throughout Southern California as the region hosts matches during FIFA World Cup 2026. Organizers selected the iconic Santa Monica Pier as a gathering place for soccer fans from around the world during the tournament. Santa Monica Closeup documented the drone show and the crowds that gathered along Santa Monica Beach to witness the spectacle.

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

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Thursday morning, June 4, 2026 — A feral cat living along the Palisades Park bluffs was observed hunting and capturing a juvenile ground squirrel near the edge of the coastal bluff overlooking Pacific Coast Highway. The encounter unfolded in an area where dozens of California ground squirrels live among a network of burrows carved into the hillside. After stalking the young squirrel, the cat successfully captured it and carried it away into the vegetation. The sight serves as a reminder of the complex wildlife dynamics taking place within Palisades Park, where an abundant population of ground squirrels coexists with a small colony of feral cats inhabiting the bluff areas overlooking Pacific Coast Highway. Santa Monica has posted signs throughout the park asking visitors not to feed squirrels or birds, warning that feeding wildlife creates an imbalance in the native ecology and increases animals' dependence on people for food. Despite those warnings, many of the park's squirrels have become accustomed to human interaction and frequently approach visitors in search of food. The squirrel population has become a frequent topic of discussion among residents, visitors, and city officials. Wildlife experts have noted that feeding squirrels can contribute to population growth and encourage the animals to congregate in unusually high numbers. Some residents have also expressed concerns that extensive squirrel burrowing may contribute to erosion along portions of the coastal bluff. The feral cats appear to be supported by volunteers who conduct trap-neuter-return efforts aimed at stabilizing the colony population. Several makeshift shelters constructed from large plastic storage totes were visible Thursday morning on the bluff side of the fence, along with food and water bowls placed nearby. The structures appeared to provide refuge for cats living in the area. Residents remain divided over the issue. Some view the cats as a natural predator helping control the squirrel population, while others raise concerns about the impact free-roaming cats can have on local wildlife. Likewise, opinions differ regarding the large squirrel population, with some residents enjoying their presence and others worried about the effects of thousands of burrows throughout the bluff area. Thursday's encounter illustrated a natural predator-prey interaction within an urban coastal environment where wildlife, human activity, and ongoing management efforts continue to intersect. Santa Monica Closeup continues to document the people, wildlife, and changing landscape of Palisades Park.

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

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — On Tuesday, June 2, 2026, Santa Monica firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs gathered at the end of the Santa Monica Pier to teach members of the public how to perform Hands-Only CPR as part of National CPR and AED Awareness Week.

Throughout the day, piergoers stopped to learn the simple lifesaving technique, with emergency personnel providing demonstrations and hands-on practice. Participants were shown how to recognize a sudden cardiac arrest, call 911, and begin chest compressions while awaiting the arrival of first responders.

According to the Santa Monica Fire Department, approximately 350,000 people suffer sudden cardiac arrest outside of hospitals each year in the United States. Officials emphasized that immediate action by bystanders can make a critical difference in survival outcomes.

"Every minute that goes by without CPR or interventions, your chances of survival decrease by 10 percent," said EMS Battalion Chief Patrick Nulty. "It's super important if somebody has a sudden cardiac arrest event or collapses, a bystander, a family member, a loved one, call 911 immediately and then begin hands-only compressions."

The training focused on Hands-Only CPR, which consists of two basic steps: calling 911 and performing chest compressions in the center of the chest at a rate of approximately 100 to 120 compressions per minute. Participants also learned about the importance of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and how emergency dispatchers can provide guidance when an AED is available nearby.

Nulty noted that the simplified approach is designed to encourage more members of the public to take action during emergencies.

"We don't teach mouth-to-mouth anymore, so it's super simple," Nulty said. "Call 911, hands-only CPR, and then if there's an AED nearby, dispatchers will help walk you through how to use it."

Educational displays from the American Heart Association highlighted research showing that immediate bystander CPR can double or even triple a person's chance of survival during cardiac arrest. The materials also noted that many cardiac arrests occur at home, meaning the person needing help is often a family member, friend, or loved one.

The Santa Monica Fire Department scheduled additional community outreach during CPR Week, including a Hands-Only CPR training event at the Santa Monica Farmers Market at Second Street and Arizona Avenue on Wednesday.

More information about Hands-Only CPR and cardiac arrest response is available through the American Heart Association.

Santa Monica Closeup continues to document public safety, community outreach, and emergency preparedness efforts throughout Santa Monica.