(Updated for 2022) With spectacular views, splash pad, playground, public pool, gallery Marion Davies Guest House, beach courts, and more, there's always something to do for everyone in the family to enjoy at Annenberg Community Beach House.
THE HISTORY
The Annenberg Community Beach House is a public facility located on 5 acres of oceanfront property in Santa Monica. The property was originally developed during the Gold Coast era of the 1920s by William Randolph Hearst for actress Marion Davies. The Davies estate featured a mansion of 100-plus rooms and an ornate marble swimming pool. The Beach House was a hot spot on Santa Monica's Gold Coast, with Hearst and Davies entertaining luminaries from the Hollywood set, such as Charlie Chaplin, Louis B. Mayer, Samuel Goldwyn, Greta Garbo, Clark Gable, and other stars of the day.
The property was sold to the State of California in 1959, continuing to operate as the ever-popular Sand & Sea Club under a concession agreement. Wallis Annenberg of the Annenberg Foundation held fond memories of visiting the Sand & Sea Club. When she learned of the City's struggle to identify funding to rehabilitate the structure after the 1994 Northridge Earthquake damage to all structures, she enthusiastically offered to help. The Annenberg Foundation provided a $27.5 million grant that paved the way for the site's rehabilitation.
The site opened to the public as the Annenberg Community Beach House on April 25, 2009. The Beach House combines elements of the historic Marion Davies Estate with new amenities to create a truly unique community destination that's open to all.
PLAYGROUND & BEACH AREA
The Playground, courtyard, view deck, beach areas, and courts are open to everyone, and no membership is required. The following is the schedule for the summer of 2022:
Beach House Hours
Gated Area - includes the splash pad, courtyard, view deck
Open Daily 9 am - 6 pm
Grounds - includes playground, volleyball courts, sandy area
Open Daily 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
Parking Lot - reservations not available
Open Daily 7 am - 8 pm
Park & pay only – 1st come, 1st served
Beginning July 1
Gated Area - includes the splash pad, courtyard, view deck, restrooms
Open Daily 9 am-6 pm
There is a children's playground featuring swings, climbing play-sets, and of course a sandy area to play. There are benches, chairs, and tables for adults to sit while the kids play.
The Beach House grounds are available for small gatherings and children's birthday parties on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are not available for the public spaces (courtyard, splash pad, or sandy areas). You can take your own canopies, tables, and chairs in the sandy areas. For detailed information about the Beach House grounds, click here.
You may reserve beach soccer or volleyball courts 4 weeks in advance for $15/hour during the summer pool season. Beach court and field reservations are intended for individual or small party use only. Reservations are not required for court or field use. Courts without reservations are available on a first-come-first-served basis for free. Nets are adjustable and may be lowered for beach tennis play.
There are six beach volleyball courts on the sand next to the Beach House. On most days, at least three courts are available on a first-come, first-served basis at no charge. Nets on the six volleyball courts are adjustable and may be lowered for Beach Tennis play. Staff is available to assist with lowering the nets during summer.
The Beach House has two regulation-size beach soccer fields for public use. One field is available on a first-come, first-served basis year-round at no charge. Soccer balls are available to check out from Guest Services with a valid form of ID.
THE POOL
The public pool at the Beach House features marble around the deck with beautiful tiles that were restored by hand. The pool and pool deck are complemented by a new Pool House, with changing areas, lockers, and a second-floor view deck that offers spectacular views of Santa Monica Bay. The pool schedule is as follows:
Pool Schedule
The pool will be open on Memorial Day Weekend, between May 28 through May 30, 2022, from 10 am to 6 pm.
Daily Schedule June 19 to 30, 2022
The pool is open 7 days a week from 12 pm to 6 pm.
Daily Schedule July 1 to September 5
Monday through Thursday – 12 pm - 6 pm
Friday - Sunday – 10 am - 6 pm
Friday Sunset Swim for adults 18+ is scheduled on 7/12, 7/22, 8/12 & 8/26 from 6 pm to 9 pm.
Daily Schedule after Labor Day - September 2022
Weekends only, September 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, Saturday, Sunday 11 am - 5 pm
Kids under age 8 and 4’ in height must be accompanied by an adult in the water at all times. Kids under age 12 must be supervised by an adult at all times. Children requiring diapers must wear a swim diaper in the water. Swimsuits must be worn in the water. Swimmers must shower before entering the water. Toys and Flotation devices are not allowed in the pool, unless distributed by Beach House staff.
Pool fees are $10 per day for adults, $4 per day for kids (1-17), and $5 for seniors (60+).
Pool passes go on sale in-person one hour prior to pool opening, 1st come 1st served. There are no reservations online. All members of your party must be at the Guest Services window when purchasing your pool passes. For pool rules, click here.
Annenberg has several Pop-Up pool days throughout the year when the weather allows. You can sign up for email notifications for the Pop-Up pool days.
EVENTS AT ANNENBERG BEACH HOUSE
Summer Events
Beach House Architecture Walk & Talk May 1, 2022
Pride Drag Queen Story Hour June 17, 2022
Cardboard Yacht Regatta June 18, 2022
Pride Sunset Swim (Adults) June 24, 2022
Sunset Picnic July 14, 2022 & August 11, 2022
Seaside Storytime July 15, July 29 & August 13, 2022
Semi-Private Swim Classes for youth ages 4-14 sessions start April 30, 2022. Register here!
Winter Events
December/January
Snowy Plover Walk with the Audubon Society
Polar Bear Swim
Beach Walk & Sketch with the Audubon Society
Happy Birthday Marion!
SPLASH PAD
The Splash Pad is a water feature that shoots water out of the ground and is very popular with small children. The Splash pad is open daily from 9 am to 7 pm starting May 1, 2022.
You can find tables and chairs near the splash pad to relax while the kids play. There are several good size public bathrooms on the site to change. You can also use the pool's changing rooms if you are using the pool.
FOOD
You may take your own food, and either picnic on the beach or by the splash pad (seating is limited by the splash pad), or enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner at the Beach Cafe on the site.
Back on the Beach Café offers appetizing meals featuring local and seasonal cuisine with breathtaking views of the ocean, mountains, pier, and Catalina Island. Click here for the menu. The best thing about this restaurant is you can enjoy your meal while the kids play in the sand.
Back on the Beach Café is located at 445 Pacific Coast Hwy (AKA Palisades Beach Road) Santa Monica CA 90402. Call (310) 393-8282 for reservations.
STAND UP PADDLEBOARD RENTALS
Stand Up Paddle Boards are available year-round for rental for $45 for 2 hours, and $65 for 4 hours. Rental includes board, paddle, cart to transport board to the beach, and personal flotation device. The minimum age to use a paddleboard is 14 years old. An Introductory video is available to watch for beginners. Availability is subject to weather and surf conditions. You should call 310-458-4904 before your visit to confirm availability.
CANOPIES RENTAL AT ANNENBERG BEACH HOUSE
You may reserve 3 canopies on the beach for groups of up to 30 people in advance. Reservations must be made online up to 4 weeks in advance. Canopy reservations are good for 9 am to 1 pm or 2 pm to 6 pm. The cost is $60 per 4-hour reservation. The canopies are 10' x 15' and include two 5' tables. Click here to see canopy locations.
Canopies are not available in the off-season from October to May.
PRIVATE EVENTS & PARTIES AT ANNENBERG BEACH HOUSE
The Beach House has a beautiful party venue, which is available year-round for birthday parties, baby showers, anniversaries, and any special occasions. But During the summer months, rental availability is limited. The Courtyard and Splash Pad are also available for rental from November to April.
Space rental rates range from $900-$4,000. For detailed rates and availability, fill out an Event Inquiry form here. The Beach House has partnered with a diverse group of caterers to craft memorable fare for your event.
MARION DAVIES GUEST HOUSE TOURS
On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 12 pm to 2 pm, you can take a free tour of Marion Davies Guest House, and discover the rich history of this gorgeous Historical House. Docents are available to share the history, answer questions, and provide brief tours. Tours last approximately 20 minutes. Please check the website calendar before you visit.
You can also stop by the Beach House for Art Bank daily from 9 am to 4 pm to see selected works from the City of Santa Monica Art Collection and view pieces by standout artists. Click here to check the website calendar for closures.
CAMPS, CLASSES, AND PRIVATE LESSONS
Semi-Private Swim Classes for youth ages 4-14 sessions start April 30, 2022. Register here!
The Beach House offers Youth Volleyball Classes, Adult Volleyball, Yoga Classes, and Youth Semi-Private Swim Lessons. Click here for detailed information about the classes. You can also access numerous summer camps, classes, and private lessons offered by the City of Santa Monica, by clicking here.
If you are interested in taking surf lessons on Santa Monica State Beach, click here for a full list of authorized surf instructors.
To see the calendar of events, please click here.
LOCATION AND PARKING
Annenberg Community Beach House is located at 415 Pacific Coast Highway, Santa Monica, CA, 90402. Parking is available year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. On weekends and holidays, we suggest arriving early to find a parking spot at the beach house parking lot.
When you arrive, note the number of your space and pay at the Park & Pay machines located in each section of the lot. Parking rates are $12/day or $3/day from April through October, and $8/day or $3/hour from November through March. The parking is usually open from 7 am - 9 pm during summertime, and till 7 pm or 8 pm on other months.
If the Beach House lot is full, additional parking lots 8 & 9 (south) and Will Rogers State Beach (north) are within walking distance. The bike path connects these lots to the Beach House on the ocean side. Check Santa Monica's City-Wide Parking Map for updated information about the Beach House parking lot and lots on Pacific Coast Highway.
Also, note that Santa Monica prohibits dogs on the beach. Service animals excepted (as defined by the ADA).
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