Lose something in Santa Monica? Report it and we'll track it down.
One report routes your loss to the Santa Monica Police Department, Big Blue Bus, Santa Monica College, and the Airport — plus we scan the web continuously for matches across local social channels and marketplaces.
🔍Recently reported lost items in Santa Monica – updated this September 3, 2026
- 📍 Small shoulder bag lost near Downtown Santa Monica, August 30.
- 📍 Backpack with books lost near Brentwood Country Mart, August 29.
- 📍 iPhone 13 lost near Santa Monica Museum of Art, September 2.
How ReportLost works in Santa Monica
You describe what you lost
Tell us where you lost it, what it looks like, and when. We handle the rest, whether it's at the pier, the beach, a bus, SMC, or the airport.
We notify the right places
Your report is automatically routed to Santa Monica Police, Big Blue Bus lost and found, Santa Monica College Police, and Santa Monica Airport lost and found, so staff know what to look for.
Automated monitoring finds it for you
For months, our system scans Nextdoor, Facebook lost and found groups, Craigslist, PawBoost, and other public channels continuously. When a match appears, we alert you immediately, so you don't have to check every day.
Where to report a loss in Santa Monica
These agencies hold lost items — ReportLost files reports with all of them at once.
Santa Monica Police Department
The main point of contact for lost property in the city. You can report online through their non-emergency service or call directly. We pre-fill the details and route your report so they know exactly what to look for.
Big Blue Bus Lost & Found
If you left something on a Santa Monica bus, Big Blue Bus maintains a dedicated lost and found. We contact them with your report so they can check their system and hold any matching items. Call their main line during business hours or email your details.
Santa Monica College Police Department
Lost something on the SMC campus? The SMC Police Department holds found items for up to 4 months. We provide them with your report so they can locate your item faster and hold it safely until you arrive.
Santa Monica Airport Lost & Found
Flying out of or passing through Santa Monica Airport? The airport maintains a lost and found office. We alert them to your report so they can search their inventory and reserve any item that matches your description.
Lost Pet
If you've lost a dog, cat, or other pet in Santa Monica, the Animal Shelter can help, and the community is active on PawBoost and Facebook. We recommend filing a priority lost pet report so your pet gets immediate attention across all shelter networks and social channels. File a priority lost pet report
⚠️ Spotted incorrect or outdated info on this page? Let us know, we fix it fast.
The sooner you report, the better your chances
The first hours matter, especially for items on public transit or at busy locations. Once you file your report with ReportLost, you can focus on other things. The network of agencies and automated monitors starts working for you right away, and you'll hear from us the moment something promising appears.
Report my lost item →Santa Monica's beaches, boardwalk, and transit routes mean losing something happens fast, and finding it often means calling multiple places, checking different Facebook groups, and hoping someone posts about your item before it gets cleared. The city's police department, transit authority, college, and airport all maintain separate lost and found systems, and there's no single dashboard to track which one has your belongings.
ReportLost simplifies everything. File one report, and we notify all the relevant Santa Monica facilities while our monitoring system scans the web 24/7 for any mention of your lost item. You'll sleep easier knowing the search is active everywhere at once, and we'll alert you the moment something credible turns up.
Common places Santa Monica residents lose things
Knowing where you lost it helps us route your report to the right facility faster.
Santa Monica Pier & Beach
High foot traffic on weekends and holidays. Items left on the sand, at restaurants, or near attractions are often turned in to local businesses or police.
Downtown Santa Monica / Third Street Promenade
Shopping and dining areas with numerous stores, restaurants, and street vendors. Lost items here are frequently reported to individual business lost and founds or SMPD.
Big Blue Bus Routes
Bags, phones, and personal items left on buses are held at the Big Blue Bus lost and found. The sooner you report, the quicker they can locate it.
Santa Monica College Campus
Students and visitors lose items in libraries, dining areas, and classrooms. SMC Police holds found items for several months.
Santa Monica Airport
Small general aviation airport where items are sometimes left in terminals or by gates. The airport maintains a dedicated lost and found.
Santa Monica's lost and found community
Neighbors and community members share found items and alerts on these platforms. ReportLost monitors them continuously so you don't have to.
Local neighborhood posts and alerts
Santa Monica and greater LA lost pet and property groups
Reddit community posts about lost items and pets
Dedicated lost and found pet platform for the Santa Monica area
Frequently asked questions about lost items in Santa Monica
How long do Santa Monica police hold lost items?
The Santa Monica Police Department typically holds lost property for several months. Contact them at (310) 458-8491 to confirm the holding period for your specific item.
What if I lost something on a Big Blue Bus?
Big Blue Bus has a dedicated lost and found. Call (310) 451-5444 (Mon–Fri 7:30am–5pm) to report and check if your item has been found. Items are held for a reasonable period, so act quickly.
How long does Santa Monica College hold found items?
The SMC Police Department holds found items for up to 4 months. Visit them at 1718 Pearl St. or call (310) 434-4608 to inquire about your lost item.
Can I report a loss at Santa Monica City Hall?
City Hall (1685 Main St., open Mon–Thu 7:30am–5:30pm) can point you to the right agency, but lost property reports are typically filed through the Police Department. Call their 311 line at (866) 311-7266 for guidance.
What if my item was lost at Santa Monica Airport?
Contact the airport's lost and found at (310) 458-8591. They hold items for a set period. ReportLost alerts them to your report so they know what to search for.
Is ReportLost.org official, or does it replace calling the police?
ReportLost is an independent service that simplifies reporting and monitoring. We file reports with the official agencies (police, transit, college, airport) on your behalf and scan public channels for matches continuously. You don't need to call each place separately, but the underlying lost and found systems are the city's official ones.
Lost & found in nearby cities
Ready to find your lost item?
File a report right now and let our system start searching every channel in Santa Monica. You'll be among the first to know if your item turns up, and the responsible agencies will be actively looking.
Start my report →ReportLost.org is an independent service and is not affiliated with the Santa Monica Police Department, City of Santa Monica, Big Blue Bus, Santa Monica College, Santa Monica Airport, or any other local agency. We file reports on your behalf and monitor public channels for matches; the underlying lost and found systems are maintained by these official entities.