Annenberg Community Beach House

The Setting

Five acres of prime Santa Monica beachfront hold remnants of what was once called “the Versailles of Hollywood.” William Randolph Hearst commissioned architect Julia Morgan in the 1920s to create an estate for actress Marion Davies that would surpass every other Gold Coast property. The result included a three-story, 110-room Georgian Revival mansion, multiple guest houses, tennis courts, and a 110-foot heated saltwater pool lined with Italian marble.

From 1929 to 1947, this was where Hollywood happened. Davies hosted costume parties that drew everyone from Greta Garbo to Winston Churchill. The guest list read like a studio roster. The main mansion held rooms transplanted from European estates, Tiffany chandeliers, and treasures Hearst collected during his travels.

After Davies sold the property in 1947, it became the Ocean House hotel and Sand & Sea Club. The mansion was demolished in 1956, leaving only the north guest house and the pool. The site continued as a private club until the 1994 Northridge earthquake damaged the structures. In 2005, a $27.5 million grant from the Annenberg Foundation enabled the City of Santa Monica to restore what remained and build new public facilities.

What You’ll Find

The historic pool is the centerpiece. Marble surrounds the 110-foot length, with restored tile mosaics decorating the deck. A white colonnade marks where the mansion’s facade once stood. During summer months (Memorial Day through Labor Day), the pool opens for swimming with an admission fee. The rest of the year sees occasional bonus pool days on warm weekends.

The Marion Davies Guest House, a 7,000-square-foot white Georgian Revival building, offers free tours Friday through Monday from noon to 2 p.m. Inside, you’ll see original cedar closets, decorated tiles, and photographs documenting the estate’s heyday. Docents from the Santa Monica Conservancy lead the tours and share stories about the parties, the guests, and Davies herself.

Modern additions blend with the historic elements. A splash pad provides water play for young children. The playground sits near the beach. Three beach volleyball courts and one beach soccer court can be reserved online. A boardwalk extends from the entrance to the water’s edge, making beach access easier for strollers and wheelchairs.

Back on the Beach Café serves food and drinks. Free WiFi covers the grounds. The view deck offers seating with ocean views. The site hosts cultural events, art exhibitions, and community gatherings throughout the year.

Planning Your Visit

The ungated grounds stay open daily, including the playground, splash pad, beach area, and volleyball courts. The gated pool area operates seasonally and charges admission. Parking is available in the on-site lot on Pacific Coast Highway (pay and display). The Beach House also sits along the Marvin Braude Bike Trail, making it accessible by bicycle.

Most visitors spend one to three hours here. Families with young children tend to stay longer, using the splash pad and playground. Pool swimmers plan their visits around summer season hours. History buffs should arrive Friday through Monday between noon and 2 p.m. for guest house tours.

The location puts you right on Santa Monica State Beach. You can walk north toward Will Rogers State Beach or south toward the Santa Monica Pier. The combination of preserved history, family amenities, and pure beach access makes this feel different from typical coastal parks. There’s a weight to the place, knowing this sand once hosted the people who built Hollywood’s golden age.