Tag Archives: Beaches
Thelma Todd’s Sidewalk Café, 17575 Pacific Coast Hwy, Pacific Palisades, California, circa early 1930s
Constructed in 1928 as a shopping center and seafood restaurant, in the early 1930s, this building house Thelma Todd’s Sidewalk Café, a fun place owned by screen actress Thelma Todd who unfortunately met an early death in 1935. But until … Continue reading
Saint Mark’s Hotel on Windward Ave, Venice Beach, California, circa 1906
In 1905, a tobacco heir opened what he called “Venice of America” but came to be known as “Coney Island of the Pacific,” which we now refer to as Venice. The development never quite reached the lofty plans that Abbott … Continue reading
A gondolier glides across the lagoon at the end of the Grand Canal in Venice of America, Los Angeles, 1912
When I look at this photo, I can almost hear the gondolier singing “La Donna È Mobile.” I doubt any of the gondoliers who plied their trade along the Grand Canal in what was then “Venice of America” but we … Continue reading
Hotel St. Mark, Windward Avenue, Venice, California, circa 1912
Most photos of Venice Beach taken early in its life (the development opened in 1905) are kind of grainy, so a crisp shot like this one is a rare find. We can see Hotel St. Mark where Windward Avenue terminates … Continue reading
View of Ocean Park Beach in Santa Monica crowded with bathers, circa 1920
In this shot we can see Ocean Park Beach in Santa Monica crowded with bathers, circa 1920s. Given the fashions of the time and the weather of Los Angeles, I’m sure all these people were very glad to be at … Continue reading
Ocean Aquarium, Hermosa Beach, California, circa late 1940s/early 1950s
This photo of the Ocean Aquarium in Hermosa Beach, California has me worried. They felt the need to add a sign that says “ALL ALIVE!” Are we supposed to deduce that other aquariums features animals that are dead? Or fake? … Continue reading
The California Incline, Santa Monica beach, California, 1916
The steep road that ramps from Ocean Avenue to the Pacific Coast Highway at the bottom of the cliffs along Santa Monica beach is known at the California Incline. It opened in 1896 and has been a boon to Angelean … Continue reading
View looking south on Roosevelt Highway (later PCH) showing a busy day at the beach, circa 1920s
The next time I find myself driving around and around the block looking for a park, I’m going to think about this photo and take comfort in the fact that even in the 1920s, even on Roosevelt Highway (later Pacific … Continue reading
Three beach clubs along Santa Monica beach – Breakers Beach Club, Edgewater Beach Club, Del Mar Beach Club, circa late 20s/early 30s
The idea of belonging to a beach club seems so civilized, doesn’t it? Convenient parking, somewhere nice to change in and out of your swimsuit, cool shade if the sun got too hot, comfortable lounges, perhaps a mid-afternoon gin-and-tonic (or … Continue reading
The walkway along Venice Beach, California, 1926
The pedestrians perambulating along the Venice Beach walkway in this 1926 photo are fairly heavily dressed, so I’m guessing it wasn’t the height of summer. Still, I envy them all that elbow room. It seems like every time I go … Continue reading