Tag Archives: Beaches
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
Santa Monica Pier and Municipal Community Service Playground No. 2 (1924)
In this 1924 photograph, we’re looking northwest toward the Santa Monica Pier with its huge rollercoaster and all sorts of diverting amusements. In the foreground is the Municipal Community Service Playground No. 2 which surely must win the prize for … Continue reading
One of the first generation electric trams that ran from Venice to Santa Monica, Los Angeles circa 1910
Here we have one of the first generation electric trams that ran from Venice to Santa Monica, circa 1910. What fun it would have been to zip along the boardwalk on one of those things. Especially in all that 1910s … Continue reading
Cars parked on the road leading to Santa Monica Canyon with Bundy Bath House in the background, July 4, 1916
Evidently, finding parking at Santa Monica beach was always a pain, even as far back as 1916. Mind you, this photo was taken on July 4th, so it was probably one of the busiest days of the year. This was … Continue reading
Circa 1930 view of the Roosevelt Highway (PCH) near Pacific Palisades
What a gloriously atmospheric photo this is! I love the way the setting sun catches the water behind the lighthouse. This is a circa-1930 view of the then-called Roosevelt Highway (now the Pacific Coast Highway, aka “PCH”) near the Pacific … Continue reading
Santa Monica Pier, California, 1935
There’s been a pier of one type or another at Santa Monica beach since the 1870s. The one in this shot was taken in 1935 and was referred to as the “Pleasure Pier” (as compared to the adjoining “Municipal Pier” … Continue reading
Santa Monica Beach and the Palisades, as viewed from the 99 Steps, 1889
It’s hard to credit that Santa Monica Beach every looked like this—even in 1889, when this photo was taken from the 99 steps, which is a wooden staircase built into the palisades at Colorado Avenue down to the sand. The … Continue reading
Goodyear blimp on Santa Monica Beach, circa 1940
Imagine laying on Santa Monica beach one sunny day in 1940, soaking up the rays, maybe reading the funny papers, and along comes the Goodyear blimp from out of the clear blue skies looking as though it aims to set … Continue reading