SeeCalifornia.com

Californians love beaches and in Santa Monica they love them more, thanks to the magnificent house on the sand. William Randolph Hearst (Hearst Castle) built a not-so-modest five acre oceanfront estate with a 100-room mansion for his lady love, actress Marion Davies. Using the renown architect, Julia Morgan, whose work graces Hearst Castle, the Santa Monica beach mansion was constructed in the 1920s and became well-known among the Hollywood elite who visited & partied into the night on the exclusive Pacific playground surrounding the property. The Golden Era eventually ended and the mansion fell into disrepair.

Today, thanks to the generosity of many people and the amazing Annenberg Foundation, the $31.5 million Annenberg Community Beach House operated by the City of Santa Monica is free to see, free to enjoy, and free to celebrate on April 26-27, 2014. Its 5th anniversary and the 25th Anniversary of the Annenberg Foundation include “memory moments” as well as contemporary activities both on the sand and in the house.  Yoga on the Beach, old-fashioned beach games, the Aqualillies synchronized swim team and tours of the remaining Guest House (main mansion was demolished in 1956,) are a sampling of the many things to do throughout the two-day beach fest. Highlighting this non-stop event is an unforgettable beach picnic with a musical performance by Doozy to accompany a classic 1928 Marion Davies silent film, Show People, on the sand.  Get the full schedule of events at beachhouse.smgov.net or call Guest Services: (310) 458-4904.

Also be sure to attend Santa Monica Festival in June.