4th of July Event Edition

All the things to do in the Valley this 4th of July.

Author

Adam Kruze
June 30, 2025

This week we’re heavy on Metro updates and 4th of July event options. There’s quite a few to choose from. I’ve had the pleasure of flying into LA at night on 4th of July and both times I was dumbfounded about how many fireworks were being exploded at one time. I knew it was a lot, but it’s kind of like the Grand Canyon - you know it’s big but you’ll never know how big until you see it for yourself. If you ever get the opportunity to fly into LA on July 4th between 9-10pm, take it!

Did You Know - Calabasas is believed to have gotten its name from the Spanish word "calabaza," meaning "pumpkin" or "gourd." They’ll be having a pumpkin festival this October!

🚇 Sepulveda Transit Project: Tunnels, Monorails & a Whole Lot of Red Tape

Metro recently released the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the Sepulveda Transit Corridor — a massive project that would connect the San Fernando Valley to the Westside (and eventually LAX) with a high-speed rail line that promises to take thousands of cars off the 405.

They’ve proposed six different options for how to build it, including:

  • 3 monorail options (mostly elevated, running along or near the 405)

  • 3 subway-style heavy rail options (mostly underground, with routes serving hotspots like UCLA and Westwood)

Of those, Alternative 4 — a hybrid route with elevated rail in the Valley and a tunnel through the mountains — is emerging as Metro’s preferred choice. It’s fast, serves the most riders, and balances cost with impact.

But here’s the twist…

Wait, the monorail is the "best" option?

Sort of. According to CEQA (California’s environmental law), the "environmentally superior" option is Alternative 1 — the monorail, because it has the fewest technical “significant and unavoidable impacts” on things like wildlife, water, and air quality. Even though it’s bulkier, slower, and far less popular, it avoids deep tunneling under mountains and has a lower construction footprint in some sensitive areas — at least on paper.

So while Metro favors heavy rail (and so do most Angelenos), the law requires them to highlight the option with the least overall environmental disruption, even if it’s not the one they plan to build.

🗓️ Comment Period Is Open

Public feedback on the DEIR is open through Saturday, August 30. If you care about how this project gets built — or whether it gets built at all — now’s the time to speak up.

Public information sessions that will provide an overview of the Draft EIR and accept written public comment will be held at the following dates and locations in the SFV:

Saturday, July 12, 2025, 10:00am-12:00pm; Presentation will begin at 10:30am 

Westfield Topanga Community Center, 21710 Vanowen St, Canoga Park, CA 91303 

Monday, July 21, 2025, 5:30-7:30pm; Presentation will begin at 6pm 

Sherman Oaks East Valley Adult Center, 5056 Van Nuys Bl, Building B, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 

You can also view the interactive DEIR and provide your comments at the links below.

📄 Read the full DEIR & project info:
https://us.planengage.com/sepulvedacorridor

I’ve only just started digging into the full 1,500+ page report and will be sharing more details — including how this will impact specific neighborhoods — in future issues. But my initial thoughts don’t jive with the findings and what they define as aesthetics doesn’t seem to take into consideration the impact having a giant concrete structure would have on surrounding communities. I can understand why putting it entirely underground would create more of an environmental impact with not only having to haul all the dirt and rock out but also use a lot of concrete and rebar to build the tunnel and stations. There’s also the maintenance cost associated with a subway. I’m just not a huge fan of a monorail going down Sepulveda. I’m surprised on of the options wasn’t just extending the light rail that’s already being built on Van Nuys Blvd. Monorail and light rail would both reduce the thoroughfare by at least a lane and I’m not convinced that ridership would be such to reduce traffic enough to justify that lane removal. Anyway, stay tuned for more deep dives, simplified breakdowns, and (hopefully) fewer acronyms.

Got thoughts already? Hit reply to share your thoughts with me and take the poll below.

🗳️ Quick Poll: Which Sepulveda Transit Option Do You Prefer?

Alternative 2 — the monorail with a fancy people mover to UCLA — was quietly shown the door because even Metro agreed it didn’t do anything better than the other options, and after public feedback, everyone basically said, “Yeah… we won’t miss it.”

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Meanwhile, in other LA Metro News…

Starting July 1 through end of 2025, Metrolink is launching a 6‑month fare pilot to simplify how fares work, cut prices for many, and boost accessibility.

What’s Changing?

  • 🌍 SoCal Day Pass – unlimited all-line rides, $15 on weekdays, $10 on weekends/holidays.

  • 🏙️ L.A. Zone Pass – unlimited trips between 8 core L.A. County stations (like Union Station, Burbank, Cal State L.A.) for $5/day, including transfers to local buses/rails.

  • 📉 Monthly Passes – prices reduced by roughly 10%, better matching hybrid work schedules.

  • 🧾 One-Way Tickets and 5-Day Flex Pass remain available.

👋 What’s Going Away?

The following will no longer be available as of July 1, 2025:

  • Round-Trip Tickets

  • 7-Day Pass

  • 10-Day Flex Pass

  • Student Adventure Pass (pilot ends June 30, 2025)

More Discounts, More Savings

  • Students/Youth: 50% off most fares

  • Seniors (65+)/Disabled/Medicare: 50% off most fares, 25% off Monthly Pass

  • Veterans & Active Military: 10% off

  • EBT Cardholders: 50% off all tickets/passes — and can combine with other eligible discounts (e.g., EBT + student).

Why the Change?

Metrolink says the pilot aims to:

  1. Simplify confusing fare structures

  2. Lower monthly commuting costs

  3. Expand affordability and equity

  4. Standardize distance-based fares for fairness .

Some one-way fares may increase slightly to better align with distance-based pricing—so no surprises—or correct prior inconsistencies.

Is This Permanent?

Not yet! This is a trial through December 31, 2025. Metro will evaluate ridership, revenue, and your feedback to decide whether to keep the changes—and they could even extend into 2026..

📝 What You Can Do

  • Try out the new passes—especially the $5 L.A. Zone Pass if you travel locally—then let Metrolink know your thoughts!

  • Share your experience: cost, convenience, your commute — it could help shape the future of regional rail.

Use this questionnaire to figure out which fare is right for you.

🥪 Free Lunch for Kids at LA County Libraries!

Starting June 16 and running through August 8, 2025, LA County Library partners with LA County Parks to offer free, healthy lunches to all kids and teens aged 18 and under at 20 library locations, Monday–Friday from noon to 1 PM. No sign‑up required, no income check—just show up early because it’s first-come, first-served and meals must be eaten onsite.

Why it matters:
This summer program offers a safe, welcoming space where families can enjoy nutritious meals, explore library activities, and keep kids learning during the break. As County Librarian Skye Patrick says, “We’re proud to … provide nutritious meals, discover books, and stay engaged.” The only location in the Valley that is participating is the San Fernando branch - 217 N Maclay Ave, San Fernando. More details here.

⚾️ Enter For A Chance To Win Free Baseline Dodgers Tickets

Make a day of this 4th of July - have a pancake breakfast, then an “old fashioned” picnic and stuff your face in one of the food eating contests, and top it off with a concert with fireworks or Drone Light Show. Reply to this email with any 4th of July events I should know about.

🥞4th of July Pancake Breakfast

🧺 Granada Hills 4th of July Old Fashioned Picnic

Councilmember Bob Blumenfield's JULY 4th EXTRAVAGANZA at Warner Park

Starlight on Tour: 4th of July Concert and Drone Show

Sunland Tujunga 4th of July Parade

🇺🇸 Shepherd Church 4th of July Spectacular!

Universal Studios 4th of July Celebration

😆 Comedy

📽️ Film

  • Independence Day Movie Screening Tuesday, July 1, 2025 ​ 8:30pm-12:00am Shadow Grove Brewing 1116 2nd Street San Fernando

🎵 Music

🤷‍♂️ Other

  • Free Dance Class (for kids) - Monday, June 30, 2025, 4 – 5:30pm Where Sheldon Skate Park 12511 Sheldon St. Sun Valley

  • Story Time with the LA Kings; Bailey and Ice Crew will perform a reading of "B" is for Bailey, the Kings children's book that covers the ABC's of hockey, for young fans.

    • Tuesday, July 1, 10:30 AM West Valley Library 19036 Vanowen St, Reseda

    • Tuesday, July 1, 1:30 PM Granada Hills Library 10640 Petit Ave, Granada Hills

  • Space Night at Lincoln Beer Company - Wednesday, July 2 7:00 – 9:00pm Exoplanet Astronomer Rob Zellem from JPL will be speaking on “Exoplanets: Finding Life in the Galaxy” Talk begins @ 8:15pm followed by Q&A and telescope viewing of the Moon starting @ 7:15 pm (weather permitting). 3083 Lima St, Burbank

  • Free Skateboarding Class (for kids)- Wednesday, July 2, 2025, 4 – 5:30pm Sheldon Skate Park 12511 Sheldon St. Sun Valley

⚠️ BEACH AREA WARNINGS (as of June 27):

  • Ramirez Creek at Paradise Cove - 100 yards up and down the coast from the pier.

  • The Bel Air Bay Club at Will Rogers State Beach - 100 yards up and down coast from the club border fence.

  • Mothers Beach in Marina Del Rey - Entire swim area.

  • Windward storm drain at Venice Beach - 100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain.

  • Castlerock Storm Drain at Topanga County Beach - 100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain.

  • Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica - 100 yards up and down the coast from the pier.

  • Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro - Entire swim area.

  • Pico-Kenter storm drain at Santa Monica Beach. Santa Monica South Tower 20 - 100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain.

  • These warnings have been issued due to bacterial levels exceeding health standards when last tested.

🧹 BEACH AREAS NOW CLEARED:

Warnings have been lifted for the following beach areas where recent sample results identified water quality levels within State standards:

  • Walnut Creek at Paradise Cove