From Wikipedia:
The site of the Beach House was a hot spot on Santa Monica’s Gold Coast in the 1930s and 1940s, as William Randolph Hearst and Marion Davies entertained Hollywood’s rich and famous at Davies’ 5-acre estate. The property boasted a 110-room Georgian Revival mansion designed by Julia Morgan, tennis courts, guest houses, and an ornate swimming pool complete with marble deck and staircases
After Davies sold the estate in 1946, it was operated as ‘Oceanhouse,’ a luxury hotel and limited-membership beach club. Prior to being sold to the State of California is 1959, the main mansion was demolished. The Sand & Sea Club continued until the City of Santa Monica took over operation of the site in 1989. It was run as a public facility open to event rental and filming until the 1994 Northridge earthquake severely damaged all structures on site.
Today, it is known as the Annenberg Community Beach House
Carousel at the beach house:
Kitchen in Marion Davies’ Beach House:
Can you imagine the fun at Marion’s beach house in the Golden Age of Hollywood?!
Here’s some more interesting info on this fascinating house:
https://www.kcet.org/departures-columns/marions-playground-the-story-of-the-annenberg-community-beach-house
“And every year the center celebrates the birth of Marion Davies, who is barely mentioned during tours of Hearst’s San Simeon, with a swing dance. It is all part of the plan, according to docent Kay Pattison; “We’re going to bring her out of the shadows, and put her back in the sunshine on the beach where she belongs.”
To say she deserves this recognition is an understatement!
Thanks, Martin.
Jean
Amazing isn’t it? I was there once but can’t recall the year other than to say Marion and WR still owned it. Love always.
My Mother and Grandparents lived in the main house. My Grandparents helped run it for Joe Drown. They had practicaly the whole house to themselves during the off season. My Grandparents were Dorothy and Blair drum. My Grandpa did books for other hotels. He worked with Conrad Hilton. I own a rare photo album that Joe drown had done when he turned it into a hotel….and the original front door key. It looks very similar to San Simeons front door key. My Mother worked at the sand and sea club as a teenager. She was a teenager when she and my Grandparents lived at Marions beach house….then Ocean House. My parents were married in 1958 and are getting ready to celebrate their 62 wedding aniversary!…My parents wedding reception was held in the north guest house….i also have rare photos inside from 1958. Im Chris and i love old Hollywood. I think its fabulous the my Mother and Grandparents lived in the main house for about 3 years. Would like to attend Marions birthday celebration. Thanks for letting me share….Christopher.
Hi Chris, and thanks for stopping by and sharing your memories with us. It fairly boggles my mind that your grandparents pretty much had the run of the Davies beach house in the off season. That was one heck of a playground to have all to themselves!
Hi Christopher,
As one of the docents at the beach house we would love to see some of your photos and any stories that you might have. We love learning more and more about the beach house. Feel free to reach out.
Do you actually have a hard cover book of Marion Davies beach home? I have read Garden of Eden and one on Miss David. I a movie buff and she is one of my favs. Love to have a copy.
No I don’t have a copy of that. There is a new Marion Davies biography coming out later this year, so keep an eye out for that.
I believe we used to run through the ruins of this place when we were kids in the late 60’s.
Unfortunately you weren’t running through the ruins of Marion Davies home if it was the late 60s. The whole house except for the guest house and the pool was completely gone in 1960. Regards…Christopher.
The TV show, City at Night, did a show at Marion Davies’ Beach House. I was in the swimming pool with a group of girls, doing water ballet for the camera. Do you know when City at Night filmed an episode there? I think it was about 1950 but I am not sure.
No, Ginny, I don’t know, but I wonder if the people who run the facility now might be able to help you.