Skip to Content
Streetsblog California home
Streetsblog California home
Log In
Santa Monica Next

Eyes on the Street: Santa Monica Gets Creative with Its Crosswalks

Image: Santa Monica Donwtown Neighborhood Association/Twitter.
Creativity at Ocean and Broadway in Downtown Santa Monica. Image: Santa Monica Downtown Neighborhood Association/Facebook.
false

Last night, the City of Santa Monica painted the first of its "creative crosswalks" designed to improve both safety and fun for people walking across the street. Last night's painting was at the intersection of Ocean and Broadway. A second installation is planned for Arizona and Second Street tonight.

“Creative crosswalks can create a sense of surprise and delight that adds to the experience of walking in Downtown,” said Francie Stefan (Santa Monica’s mobility manager) to Santa Monica Next when the program was announced last July.

Santa Monica has been making strides toward designing safer, more comfortable streets, including recently adopting a pedestrian action plan that includes a Vision Zero statement, affirming their commitment to reducing the number of traffic-related deaths and serious injuries to zero.

To those ends, the city has also applied for $3.6 million in Active Transportation Program funding from the state to fund a “safe routes for seniors” program as well as for major safety improvements around the 17th Street Expo station and along the stretch of Pico Boulevard near Santa Monica College.

Last year, Portland, Oregon, debuted rain-themed crosswalks. And West Hollywood and Long Beach both have rainbow-colored crosswalks that celebrate the LGBT culture in each city.

Cities around the world have been using creative crosswalks to not only enliven the pedestrian experience, but to make streets safer by making pedestrian crossings more visible to motorists.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog California

Wednesday’s Headlines

A larger than usual headlines stack as we careen towards the 4th of July.

July 2, 2025

Inner Richmond Parents Fed Up with SFMTA Watering Down Safety

Mother of a child hit by a driver furious with city excuses for not taking daylighting and other safety measures seriously.

July 2, 2025

Governor Signs Major Changes to CEQA to Cheers from YIMBYs, Jeers from Environmental Groups

Newsom fast tracked changes to CEQA to fast track development and housing. But what do the changes to the law actually do?

July 1, 2025

Santa Monica and West Hollywood Bus Lane/Stop Enforcement Programs Start Today

Don't block the bus! Parking in a bus lane or at a bus stop will result in a $293 ticket.

July 1, 2025

Tuesday’s Headlines

Gov Signs CEQA Bill to Increase Housing, Higher Fees on Parking and Tolls, Opposition to Road Widenings, ICE

July 1, 2025
See all posts