WILLIAMHEARSTHAD A WHAT!!! BACKGROUND: The Annenberg Community Beach House which was opened just 8 years ago after many years of the property falling into a sad state of deterioration. On this site many years ago William Randolph Hearst helped Marion Davies see a dream come true. There was a 110 room mansion with a pool and a guest house. It was designed by Julia Morgan who also designed Hearst Castle. At the time the property sat only yards from the surf. The guest house and pool remain. STATS: Friday — Monday 11 am — 2 pm Docent led tour Free on the hour No reservations required EXPERIENCE: One of several stops on an Urban Tour of Santa Monica, we stopped here for a little break before heading back to the SM pier. Unfortunately we arrived a bit too late to take a free docent led tour of Marion Davies Guest House, a mistress of William Randolph Hearst. Yep, that’s what William had, a mistress in SM. Tisk tisk!!! The colonial styled home with a huge sunk in side patio is very inviting. I can’t wait to go back for a tour, hopefully in January 2015 so I can get cultured and bump up the star rating. #santamonica #santamonicabeach #freetour #culture
Lani A.
Évaluation du lieu : 5 Los Angeles, CA
Not only do I love the history of the Marion Davies Guest House, its a great place. I have been going just to sit upstairs and write. Free wifi too. I haven’t been to an event in the house yet although I am sure it will be great when I do. This guest house is bigger than some people’s regular house. Four bedrooms(or something. Part of the upstairs is closed to the public housing offices and such.) and original bathrooms with great tile work from the 1920’s. The rooms are huge too. I would have loved to live here full time. Sit on the patio and enjoy the ocean breeze. The guest beach house is part of the Annenberg Community facilities so there are other things to do(eat, swim) and there is a public parking lot(sure to be packed in the summer and on week-ends. During the week though it’s wide open). Funny thing about the parking that I noticed the prices vary. One day I went and it was $ 8 for all day, the next time I went it was $ 12 for all day. Buyer beware on that one.