The Annenberg Community Beach House is a historic public recreation facility located on the beach in Santa Monica, California. It occupies a five-acre oceanfront site along Santa Monica State Beach and serves as a unique community destination blending historical preservation with modern amenities. The site is renowned for its ties to early 20th-century Hollywood glamour and its transformation into an inclusive public space.
Originally developed in the 1920s as a lavish beach estate, the property was commissioned by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst for his longtime companion, actress and philanthropist Marion Davies. Designed by renowned architect Julia Morgan, the estate featured a sprawling mansion, guest house, and one of the largest private swimming pools on the West Coast at the time. Known informally as the "Beach House," it became a hub for Hollywood elites, hosting stars and events during the Golden Age of cinema. The estate symbolized the opulent lifestyle of the era's elite, with Davies using it as a retreat and production base for her films.
Following financial difficulties during the Great Depression, Hearst lost the property in 1937. It changed hands multiple times, serving as a military facility during World War II, a private club called the Sand and Sea Club in the mid-20th century, and briefly as a restaurant. By the 1990s, the site had fallen into disrepair, with much of the original mansion demolished. In 1998, the City of Santa Monica acquired the remaining structures, including the guest house and pool, with plans for restoration.
The modern incarnation of the Annenberg Community Beach House emerged from a generous $27.5 million gift by the Annenberg Foundation, directed by philanthropist Wallis Annenberg, in 2002. This funding enabled a comprehensive restoration and expansion project, completed in 2009. The redesign was a design-build partnership between Frederick Fisher and Partners Architects and Charles Pankow Builders, emphasizing indoor-outdoor spaces and public accessibility. The project aimed to honor the site's history while creating a gateway to the beach for all community members, restoring its status as a landmark.
Today, the facility is managed by the City of Santa Monica and offers year-round public access, with guided tours of the Marion Davies Guest House highlighting artifacts from the original estate, such as original tiles and fixtures. The site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, underscoring its cultural significance.
The Annenberg Community Beach House combines preserved historic elements with contemporary facilities. Key features include:
The architecture integrates a central concrete wall as a structural and acoustic element, stained to evoke beach awnings, connecting various spaces while buffering highway noise. The site hosts cultural events, fitness classes, art installations, and film shoots, fostering community engagement. Seasonal offerings include canopy rentals, floating fitness sessions, and holiday programs.
As a public resource, the Annenberg Community Beach House democratizes access to a once-exclusive site, reflecting broader themes of preservation and equity in Santa Monica's coastal heritage. It draws visitors for its stunning Pacific Ocean vistas, historical tours led by the Santa Monica Conservancy, and role in local events. Admission to grounds and tours is free, with fees for pool use and rentals. The facility operates daily, with extended hours in summer.
For more details, visit the official site: City of Santa Monica - Annenberg Community Beach House. Additional historical insights from Wikipedia and ABC7 Los Angeles.