BOCA Neighborhood Association

Founded in 1977 as MOENA

BOCA Neighborhood Association was founded in 1977. Its original name was MOENA, an acronym for Mabery-Ocean-Entrada Neighborhood Association. Those street names, which included both Ocean Avenue Extension and Ocean Way, defined MOENA's original boundaries: essentially the southern flank of the mouth of Santa Monica Canyon. The impetus for setting up MOENA was the proposal by the Occidental Petroleum to set up offshore drilling rigs in Santa Monica Bay, which was opposed by many residents of the Canyon, the Palisades, Santa Monica and Malibu. Ever since, the organization has maintained a strong interest in safeguarding and sustaining the special environmental and social character that makes the Canyon a unique community. 

Expansion as BOCA

In 1997, MOENA expanded its boundaries to incorporate residents on the north flank along West Channel Road and Entrada, and to include for the first time the merchants on Entrada and West Channel. To mark this expansion, the membership voted to change MOENA's name to BOCA, derived from the historic Rancho Boca de Santa Monica of which the Canyon was a part. This was both a nod to the rich history of the Canyon and the Marquez family, whose descendants remain active in BOCA; and a recognition of the specific character and coastal issues at the mouth of the Canyon, related to but distinct from Rustic Canyon and upper Santa Monica Canyon. Nevertheless, BOCA lies entirely within the boundaries of Santa Monica Canyon Civic Association, and works closely with SMCCA on the many areas of common interest and concern to the Canyon as a whole.

BOCA Today

BOCA's boundaries include about 250 households (around 20% of the roughly 1200 households within the Canyon and SMCCA) and perhaps as many as 30 businesses. BOCA has a 10-member board of directors, elected annually, and five standing committees: Communications, Environment, Membership, Safety, and Traffic & Walkability. There are two general membership meetings / parties per year, one usually in June and the other in December. The board meets three to four times per year, and committees meet as needed. Dues are paid annually. For more than ten years, BOCA has maintained a Google Group for online conversation within the community, and for five years has maintained a website.