Tag Archives: Beaches
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
Ocean Park Promenade, Santa Monica, California, circa 1907
Oh, what a different time it was. This photo of Ocean Park Promenade in Santa Monica shows how people went for a walk at the beach circa 1907 – fully dressed with hats, collars, ties, and floor-length dresses. I love … Continue reading
Venice Pier with the Ship Café visible on the right
I don’t have a date for this shot of the Venice Pier but it’s probably circa 1910s or 20s. On the right we can see the Ship Café, which opened in 1905 by Baron Long (who went on to develop … Continue reading
Windward Avenue, Venice, California, 1914
This photo of Windward Avenue, Venice, California, was taken in 1914, and gives us a glimpse into what Venice looked like when it was newly opened (“Venice of America” opened on July 4th, 1905) and still close to Abbot Kinney’s … Continue reading
Patmar’s Motel & Cafe & Cocktail Lounge, El Segundo, California, circa early 1950s
When I saw this photo, my first thought was “There’s a 1950s California beach scene if ever I saw one. This is Patmar’s Motel & Cafe & Cocktail Lounge in El Segundo, which is immediately south of LA International Airport. … Continue reading
Venice Canals as they appeared in 1922 at what is now Main St., Venice, California
I’m so glad that someone thought to take photos of the canals of Venice when they were at their idyllic height. The canal we’re seeing here is now Main Street but oh, how wonderful it looked! With that bridge, the … Continue reading
Hotel Laguna on South Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, California, 1938
This 1938 view of the Hotel Laguna at 425 South Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach surprised me. I knew it was a popular vacation spot, but back in the 1930s, it wouldn’t have been easy to get to. So I wasn’t … Continue reading
Looking north along the Ocean Front Walk on Venice Beach, November 17, 1929
Here we are looking north along the Ocean Front Walk on Venice Beach on November 17, 1929. In the distance, we can see the Santa Monica pier rollercoaster. Today, this same view is jam-packed with a never-ending and crazy kaleidoscope … Continue reading
House sitting between two canals, Venice, California, circa early 1900s
I can’t imagine there were any other houses in Los Angeles that sat at the intersection of two canals. I don’t have a date for this one, but Abbot Kinney’s “Venice of America” opened in 1905, so around then or … Continue reading
Well-dressed beach-goers crowding Venice Beach, California, 1917
In this shot, we can see throngs of people crowding Venice Beach in 1917. There are people in the background wearing swimsuits, but all the people in the foreground are in jackets and collars and ties and hats. I can’t … Continue reading