Community members gathered on Thursday, February 7, to celebrate the unveiling by the City of Santa Monica of a monument marking a section of beach near Bay Street that was once referred to as the “Ink Well” – a restricted area of the beach available for African-Americans. Racial restrictions were eliminated on California’s beaches in 1927, but many African-Americans from Santa Monica and Venice felt more comfortable on this stretch of beach long after that time. Nicolas Gabaldon, a 1940s graduate of Santa Monica High School and the first documented African-American surfer, taught himself to surf there. The plaque is engraved with the words: “The Ink Well: A Place of Celebration and Pain,” and gives a brief history.
You might be interested in …
Traffic Stop in Santa Monica Leads to Forgery, Identity Theft and Drug Arrest
Officers conducting the traffic stop discovered that the driver had an outstanding warrant related to forgery. A routine traffic stop in downtown Santa Monica resulted in the arrest of a driver wanted on a forgery […]
Santa Monica Coastal Permitting Bill Revised After Agreement With Coastal Commission
The agreement marks a major shift from the bill’s original proposal, which drew criticism from environmental organizations and beach access advocates who argued it would reduce Coastal Commission oversight within Santa Monica’s coastal zone. A […]
Topanga Canyon Boulevard. Photo Credit: Caltrans.
Caltrans schedules overnight lane closures on Topanga Canyon Boulevard
Flagging crews will manage alternating traffic on a two-mile stretch of State Route 27. Commuters traveling between the San Fernando Valley and the coast should expect overnight traffic delays on Topanga Canyon Boulevard this week […]
Getty
Road Repairs to Begin Tuesday in Palisades
Officials confirmed that Phase 1 starts on streets identified as priority areas. Road repair work in the community will begin Tuesday as part of ongoing recovery efforts, city officials announced. The Bureau of Street Services […]
1634 W. 20th Street- Framing. Photo Credit: United Building Company
Seven-story affordable housing project reaches framing phase in Santa Monica
The 78-unit joint development from Venice Community Housing and Community Corp. near the E Line remains on track for a 2027 opening. Construction crews have begun framing the upper levels of a seven-story affordable housing […]
The recipients of the first Live Like Braun Scholarships. Photo Credit: Live Like Braun Foundation.
Live Like Braun Foundation names twelve Los Angeles students to inaugural scholarship class
Founded after the tragic loss of tennis star Braun Levi, the nonprofit funds diverse higher education paths while pushing for state DUI reform. Twelve students have been named the inaugural scholarship recipients of the Live […]
Michelin Guide 2026: Seline Awarded a Michelin Star and Four More L.A. Restaurants Win Michelin Distinctions
New restaurants earn Michelin distinctions in Melrose Hill, Sawtelle, and Beverlywood. By Dolores Quintana The Michelin Guide announced its restaurant...
Read more
Sierra Club Joins Coalition to Convert Santa Monica Airport Into Great Park
Environmental group backs Measure LC-compliant plan for 192-acre public park following the airport’s scheduled 2028 closure The Sierra Club has...
Read more
