The Annenberg Community Beach House at Santa Monica State Beach is a public facility located on 5 acres of oceanfront property. The Beach House started with the development of the property at 415 Pacific Coast Highway as an opulent private estate for actress Marion Davies in the 1920s. In the 1990s, the City of Santa Monica ran the facility, known as '415 PCH,' until the 1994 Northridge Earthquake severely damaged all structures on site. 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 - no membership required. Year - round, enjoy a varied schedule of cultural programs, classes, free tours of the Marion Davies Guest House, gallery exhibits, and sand courts for beach tennis, volleyball and soccer. During summer, added offerings include the pool, Monday Fun Day activities, beach games, a Rec Room with board games and ping pong, plus summer classes.

The site is fully accessible, including a pool lift and beach wheelchair. Reservations are offered - though not required - during the summer (through Labor Day) for the pool, parking, beach volleyball and tennis courts, soccer fields, and canopies. Beach volleyball, tennis, and soccer reservations are available year-round.

For more information, visit their website at: http://www.annenbergbeachhouse.com/

The description above was copied from or heavily based on Swim Guide, with permission.

More Information

• Swim Guide - Weather and water quality for Annenberg Community Beach House and 8,000 other beaches.