Annenberg Beach House

The Annenberg Beach House is the perfect setting for a family beach day in Los Angeles. It checks all the boxes- there's parking, a pool, a splash pad, shade, and A/C when the weather gets too hot, sport courts, a playground, and even beach canopies available for rent.

It also has a fascinating history- it was built by famed newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst (inspiration for the 1941 classic film, Citizen Kane), with the help of the first female architect in California. Hearst and his longtime girlfriend Marion Davies hosted grandiose parties at the Annenberg Beach House featuring Hollywood royalty such as Greta Garbo, Clark Gable, Charlie Chaplin, and even Sir Winston Churchill. 

After its' 1940s heyday, the beach house transitioned into a boutique hotel and private club, until the Northridge earthquake caused significant damage to the building. Good news for us, Wallis Annenberg donated millions to redevelop the beach house into a public space for everyone to enjoy. The Annenberg Beach House, as we know it today, opened in 2005, and it is the first non-membership public beach house in LA County. 

 
The Marion Davies pool photo by Bart Bartholomew. Courtesy of the City of Santa Monica.

Swim in the Pool and the Ocean

The main attraction at the Annenberg Beach House is the stunning (and historic) Marion Davies pool. The pool is 110 feet long and 22 feet wide. It is surrounded by opulence, with a deck made of green and white marble. It is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day from 12pm - 6pm daily (10am on weekends) with some extra surprise days thrown in there (check the Annenberg Beach House Instagram for pop-up days!). After Labor Day, the pool remains open on weekends through Sunday, September 28. 

Note, there is a small fee required to swim. There is more information on the reservation system and pool admission prices below!

The pool is heated all season between 82-85 degrees. Non-swimmers must wear US Coast Guard-approved life vests in the pool. Pool toys and floaties are not allowed. Kids who are 8 years old and under must be accompanied by an adult in the water at all times. 

When you have had your fill of chlorinated water, walk over to the ocean- just steps away! A wide and beautiful Santa Monica beach stretches out in front of the beach house. You also have direct access to bathrooms, showers, an easy parking spot, and A/C- it's a win/win. No need to go home, sandy, with the Annenberg Beach House in sight! 

 
Wash those sandy feet at the splash pad. Photo by Sarah Prikryl, courtesy of the City of Santa Monica.

More Kid-Friendly Fun at the Beach House

If the pool and the beach aren't enough, Annenberg Beach House has loads more fun for kids on-site. To start, there's the splash pad. Kids can frolic in the fountains for free during their visit. This is a "from the ground" sprayground, with lots of different water features sprouting out of the pavement. This is the perfect spot for younger kids who may not want to jump in the big pool. 

There is also a wonderful little playground shaded at the beach house, right next to the splash pad. It has swings, slides, and (best of all) shade! Kids can sink their toes in the sand by the equipment and play with a view of the sea. 

A large grassy lawn area is the perfect spot for a game of tag, a picnic, or some relaxing reading time. 

There are several sand volleyball courts and one sand soccer court on the premises. During beach house hours, they are open for pick-up play, unless they are reserved in advance. Fees are $15 per court per hour, and they can be secured online. 

In addition to all the amazing amenities, the beach house hosts free public events every month. Kids will love the sunset swims and sunset picnics (with s'mores!). We do our best to update our LA  calendar whenever Annenberg Beach House has something fun going on, but you can also follow them on Instagram to make sure you are always in the loop. 

Know Before You Go 

Pool Admission Information

All-day pool passes are $4 for kids ages 1-17, and adults pay $10.  The passes go on sale at the guest services window one hour prior to opening (so typically, 9am). You cannot purchase passes in advance online, and your whole party must be with you at the time of purchase. On particularly crowded days, staff will start a waiting list and text parties when space becomes available. There is a 20-minute grace period once the text is sent for parties to make their way to the pool. Grab a bite at Back on the Beach or chill on the sand until you're notified. 

The admission fee includes all-day access, lockers, restrooms, and changing rooms. If you want a lock for your locker, you can grab one from guest services free of charge. There are no towels available at the beach house, so make sure you bring your own! 

All the Parking Details

Parking in the Annenberg Beach House lot is metered by a "pay and display" machine in the lot. The machines take cash and cards! The summer fee is $3.00 per hour with a daily max of $12. In the winter, the fee is the same with a daily max of $8. There are EV charging stations and bike racks available. This lot fills up quickly. The closest nearby parking lots are lot 8 and lot 9. There is also limited street parking near the house.

Hungry? 

If you are hoping to grab a bite, Back on the Beach is a quick walk down The Strand and is oh, so much fun! Sink your toes in the sand while you are enjoying your tacos, burger, sandwich, or salad. If you brought lunch along, spread out a picnic on the grassy Annenberg Beach House lawn. There are also ample options for takeout in Santa Monica. Grab some burgers at BurgerLounge, tacos from Benny's Tacos, or ice cream from McConnell's, and feast in paradise. 

What to Bring 

Make sure to bring towels along, as well as sunscreen, water bottles, snacks, and swimwear. Pool swimmers must be in swimsuits when in the water. If you are going to hit the beach, bring along all your beach gear, including chairs and canopies. If you prefer, you can rent beach chairs at the Beach House for $12 a chair for up to two hours, or $20 for the whole day. Summer shade canopies are available as well. The beach house also rents out accessible beach wheelchairs with giant balloon wheels. 

Make a Day in Santa Monica 

Santa Monica is packed with family-friendly fun at every turn. It's a piece of cake to turn your Annenberg Beach House visit into a whole day event. Start off at the Santa Monica Pier, one of the best "tourist attractions" in LA. People always assume that it's packed with out-of-towners, but it's so much fun for locals too! Tucked under the pier is the adorable Heal the Bay Aquarium with octopi, touch tanks, jellies, eels, and more. 

There's also The Strand, a seaside path that runs right by the beach house. Bring scooters or rent bikes and tour the shoreline, then head back to the beach house to cool off in the splash pad or pool. Santa Monica is home to some of our favorite playgrounds, such as the North Beach playground on the coast and Tongva Park near the pier. Here's a list of more fun things to do in Santa Monica with kids! 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Annenberg Beach House free to visit? 
Yes, it is free! Parking is $3 per hour with a daily max between $12 and $8, depending on the season. There is a fee to use the pool, but the rest of the beach house amenities are complimentary. 

Can I bring food to the Annenberg Beach House?
Yes! You are welcome to bring food with you and enjoy the picnic tables, or you can grab a bite at the Back on the Beach Cafe next door.

Do you need a reservation for the pool?
You do, but you need to make the resrvation on site at the guest services window. You cannot make one online in advance. If you want to ensure that you'll get into the pool, try to arrive early (the window opens one hour before the beach house does). 

Is there parking available?
Yes! Easy parking is available on-site, and it is metered by the pay and display method (cash and card accepted). There is also limited street parking nearby, and parking available in Lot 8 and Lot 9 not too far away. 

Is the Annenberg Beacg House stroller-friendly and wheelchair accessible?
Strollers and wheelchairs are welcome and encouraged in the beach house. This is a space for people of all ages and all abilities. 

Is the beach house open year-round? 
Yes, it is! The beach house is open all-year, but the pool is open seasonally. 

Is it a good spot for big families? 
The Annenberg Beach House is an excellent spot for big families as there is plenty of room for everyone.