Tag Archives: Santa Monica
A wreckage-strewn Santa Monica Beach after the devastating flooding of Santa Monica Canyon, California, March 1939
In 1938, Los Angeles endured unprecedented rains and subsequent flooding. The first storm hit February 27 and 28, unleashing 4.5 inches of rain. Then on March 1, a second storm hit with gale-force winds, dumping ten inches of rain. It … Continue reading
Looking south toward Santa Monica on Roosevelt Highway (later Pacific Coast Hwy) proving that parking has always been a challenge on a sunny, beach-worthy day, circa 1920s
In this photo looking south toward Santa Monica on Roosevelt Highway (later Pacific Coast Hwy) we modern-day Angelenos can take some sort of comfort knowing that those who came before us also found parking to be a challenge on a … Continue reading
Colorized postcard of the entrance Dragon Gorge roller coaster, Ocean Park, Los Angeles, circa 1912
In the 10+ years I’ve been posting daily photos of Hollywood/Los Angeles/Southern California, I’ve never even heard of the structure pictured in this postcard. This was the dramatic entrance to a roller coaster called the Dragon Gorge Scenic Railway, whose … Continue reading
Aerial view showing four pleasure piers – Santa Monica Pier, Crystal Pier, Ocean Park Pier, Venice Pier, Los Angeles, circa 1930s
In the 1930s, pleasure-seeking Angelenos certainly weren’t starved for choice when looking for some beachside fun. This aerial shot shows four “pleasure piers” built one next to the other. From the top down, there’s the Santa Monica Pier, Crystal Pier, … Continue reading
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Tagged Aerial photographs, Beaches, Santa Monica, Santa Monica pier, Venice Beach
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Looking along the Santa Monica pier past the Blue Streak Racer roller coaster and the Looff Hippodrome, Santa Monica, California, circa 1922
In this circa 1922 photo, we’re looking along the Santa Monica pier from the shoreline out toward the Pacific. It looks like there was plenty of diversion for Angelenos. The ornate building with the cupola was (and still is) the … Continue reading
A partial view of Lick’s Pier, Ocean Park, Santa Monica, California, 1929
This partial view of Lick’s Pier in the Ocean Park section of Santa Monica (next to Venice), California, was taken in 1929. It shows two different ballrooms—the Egyptian and the Bon Ton—as well as a few thrill rides. This is … Continue reading
Atmospheric night shot looking from the Santa Monica bluffs south along the beach toward the pier, Santa Monica, California, 1929
I couldn’t find much information about this atmospheric photo. What I could glean is that we’re perched atop the bluffs overlooking Santa Monica beach facing south along the beach toward the pier. That’s the constellation of bright lights in the … Continue reading
J.C. Penney store, 1202 3rd St, Santa Monica, California, 1949
Not all buildings have to be grand and ornate to catch the eye. They can also be striking with simple, clean lines like this J.C. Penney store. It stood at 1202 3rd St, Santa Monica, on the corner of Wilshire … Continue reading
A night shot of Vons Market and See’s Candies, 1311 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, California, 1940
Yesterday, Jeffery M commented on my photo of See’s Candies said that they moved from that location on Santa Monica Blvd to Wilshire Blvd in a Vons supermarket. And so I went looking to see if I could find a … Continue reading
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Tagged Night photo, Santa Monica, Stores and Shopping, Wilshire Blvd
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Angelenos line up around the block at See’s Candies, 301 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, 1944
I don’t know what was happening on this day in 1944, but whatever See’s Candies were offering at the store at 301 Santa Monica Blvd in Santa Monica, people were willing to line up for it. WWII was still happening, … Continue reading