The Santa Monican · A Community Journal & Cultural Anthology

Who we are

A magazine by Santa Monica

We're making a print magazine. In 2026. On purpose. Because a town this good deserves something you can actually hold, and because the internet already has plenty of your attention. The Santa Monican is a free quarterly of local writing and art, made by the people who live here. The whole mission: capture the perspectives, the dreams, and the beautiful absurdities of Santa Monica, and get them onto paper.

"So much of modern life is reduced to screen time. This is the opposite of that."

no paywall, no app, no login, just paper ✷

Issues / Year

Quarterly

25+

Pickup Spots

all over town

Free

To Pick Up

yes, really

2026

Volume One

Launching October

What's inside

A few ways in

Fiction

Short stories set here, or haunted by here. The city as backdrop, character, or alibi.

the weird ones are our favorites

Poetry

Verse from people who actually walk these streets: overheard, misremembered, invented.

haiku count double

Essays

True stories about this place: its corners, its characters, its slow-motion changes.

argue with us, gently

Visual Art

Photography and illustration: the city through the eyes of the people stuck in it (lovingly).

we'll print it big

...and plenty of ways we haven't thought of yet. If it's cool, send it.

Got a story to tell?

Made by the community it serves

We want your Santa Monica: the weird, the tender, the overheard. Writers, photographers, illustrators: send it over. You keep the rights; we put it on paper.

See Submission Guidelines →

Want it in your hands?

Get Issue One delivered

It's free around town, but the good spots clear out fast. Reserve a copy and we'll ping you the second it's printed and still smells like ink.

Reserve a Copy

Where to find it

Grab one around town

The Santa Monican lives where you linger. 30+ spots across the city, free to pick up, while they last.

Current stockists

Montana Avenue

Only Hearts
Zibby's Bookstore
Bun and Mi
Bardonna
Modern Bagel
Sweet Lady Jane
Divine Vintage
Zaine Color Salon
Luxe Lab Hair
Open Closit
Unsubscribed
Compass
Engel & Völkers
Brentwood General Store
Lemon Nail

Main Street & Ocean Park

Angel City Books & Records
Library Ale House
Main Squeeze
Jadis
Jameson's
Ten Women
Color Me Mine
Undefeated
Kiss Kiss Tattoo
Beach House Cowork
Not No Bar
FAE Rocks & Aura
Gnarwhal Coffee Co.
Groundworks Coffee
Crap Eyewear
Suro Sushi Roll
Thyme Cafe & Market
Bob's Market
Layla Bagels

Downtown & the Pier

Chez Jay
The Backyard @ CJ
The Eden Hotel
Poseidon Paddle & Surf

Pico & Sunset Park

Bay St. Boards
Bower Surf Club

Just over the line

Record Surplus

...and probably your favorite spot, too ✶

Stock us at your place →

Overheard in Santa Monica

“…”

somewhere around town

heard something better? tell us, verbatim ✶

Good questions

The stuff everyone asks

Is it really free?

To pick up, yes. Grab one around town and it costs you nothing. If you want it mailed to your door, that part isn't free, but the reading always is.

How do I get my work in it?

Head to Contribute and tell us what you've got. We read every submission and reply within two weeks.

Do I have to be from Santa Monica?

Nope. If you live here, work here, grew up here, or just love it here, your story counts. We want every angle on this place.

When does it launch?

Issue One lands October 2026. Sign up below and we'll ping you the day it hits the streets.

Where do I find a copy?

30+ spots around town: cafés, salons, hotels, bookshops, and more. Peek at the "where to find it" section above.

How do I advertise?

The Advertise page has the full rate card, or just email spencer@thesantamonican.com and we'll talk.