Tag Archives: Beaches
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
Big Rock Beach Cafe, Malibu Beach, 1953
The Big Rock Beach Café had a great location looking out over Malibu Beach and the blue Pacific Ocean. This photo was taken in 1953—back when Malibu real estate was affordable. Or at least affordable enough to be able to … Continue reading
Angelenos dressed to the nines arrive in Santa Monica on the Pasadena & Pacific Railway, 1896
In this photo we have a large group of Angelenos dressed to the nines arriving in Santa Monica on the Pasadena & Pacific Railway in 1896. The motto of the Pasadena & Pacific Railway was “from the mountains to the … Continue reading
Cottages lining a canal in Venice, California
Of all the photos I’ve seen of the canals in Venice, California, I’ve never seen this line of cottages. I don’t know where they were, or how long they lasted, but they stretch right down the canal as far as … Continue reading