Santa Monica. Our Playground.

Bahala’s mission is to strengthen our collective feeling of connection by fostering community-based learning initiatives in Santa Monica.

Bahala’s programs and events connect people of all ages by establishing spaces for supportive, mutually beneficial projects, pursuits and play.

EARLY YEARS

PRESCHOOL & ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Playground Playdates: A program designed to connect preschool families with elementary families. Held bi-weekly at local elementary school playgrounds, these events provide structured activities for kids and opportunities for parents to connect.

MIDDLE SCHOOL to EARLY CAREER

Pathways to Purpose: Matching middle & high school students, and early career professionals to volunteering, mentorship, and internships to gain real-world experience. The program is designed to provide students with opportunities to gain real world experience and explore careers while still in school. Excursions and guest speakers for students to hear firsthand from experts in various fields of interest will be coordinated, as well. 

Coffee & Connections: A weekly Santa Monica neighborhood gathering

Residents, parents & PROFESSIONALS

Coffee & Connections: A weekly neighborhood gathering held every Friday from 10am to 1 pm at the Colorado Center in Santa Monica. This program aims to break down the invisible walls that divide our daily lives by providing a space for genuine connections and community building.

INTER-GENERATIONAL

Gardening Club: A program that supports environmental sustainability and healthy living through community garden maintenance and gardening workshops. Participants learn about sustainable gardening practices and contribute to the creation and upkeep of community gardens. The program provides opportunities for older neighborhood residents and families with younger children to garden together on Friday mornings 8:00-9:00am at Park Drive Community Garden.

Meet the Team

Bahala staff are your friendly local experts ready to help you discover and enjoy the best of Santa Monica as your ultimate playground!

Upcoming events

Community stories

Blog
Harvesting stories
Community
Harvesting stories
Community

Each person I met was a fount of stories.

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Community
The Plot Thickens
The Plot Thickens

And so the Bahala community garden was born, a site of learning and gathering, open to anyone who wants to get involved.

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SAGES IN THE CITY
SAGES IN THE CITY

When we discover gatherings of people in a new location who welcome us, we feel the stirrings of homefulness.

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What People Mean When They Say "The Algorithm"
What People Mean When They Say "The Algorithm"

What do people mean when they say “The Algorithm”?

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What is an algorithm even??
What is an algorithm even??

Algorithms are everywhere in our daily lives, but the word has gained a scary connotation that closes us off from learning its benefits.

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Less Litter
Less Litter

Less Litter intentionally began with beach cleanup because of its low entry point. “Worst case you’re moving around outside, looking at the ocean.”

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Self Care through Sound: Poetry Nite in Ocean Park
Self-care
Self Care through Sound: Poetry Nite in Ocean Park
Self-care

These pieces, culled simply from events and thoughts/feelings in one day, often with very little elaboration, were intensely moving. Strung together and read aloud, they felt like profound koans and/or fragments that have survived from Ancient Greece.

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Self-care
Moving into Self-Care
Moving into Self-Care

What if there’s a way to both disconnect and connect simultaneously?

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Under the hood: Micro-grants for Neighborhood Wellbeing
Under the hood: Micro-grants for Neighborhood Wellbeing

Growing leaders from individuals in our community

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Breathing Into Community
Community, Self-care
Breathing Into Community
Community, Self-care

Education and wellness— are what propels us toward the most successful and inclusive version of our communities.

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Community, Self-care
Blog
What People Mean When They Say "The Algorithm"
What People Mean When They Say "The Algorithm"

What do people mean when they say “The Algorithm”?

Read More →

  • Volunteer with US

    Want to make a difference? Volunteering at Bahala is a great way to contribute your skills, meet new people, and help build a stronger community. Whether you want to help on a project remotely, need community service hours for school, let’s start by having a conversation.

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  • Support Our Mission

    Your support helps us keep our programs running and our community thriving. Whether it’s a one-time donation, a recurring gift, or an in-kind contribution, every bit makes a difference. Let’s build something great together.

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