Splash

In the 1920’s, newspaper magnate Randolph Hearst built an exclusive beach house and pool for his mistress, the actress Marion Davies. Now they’re open to all, as the Annenberg Community Beach House sits on 5 acres of what once was the giant mansion that featured 100-plus rooms and an ornate marble swimming pool. Operated by the city of Santa Monica since 2009, this public destination- complete with the home’s original pool, spectacular views, splash pad, children’s play area, and gallery- can be accessed by anyone, no membership required. The Los Angeles philanthropist Wallis Annenberg spent summers as a young girl at the very private Sand and Sea Club- where this property now lies- and in 2005 she pledged $27.5 million of the $31.5 million construction cost to turn it into a first rate public facility.

Open year-round- the pool and fitness room is open seasonally- reservations to swim in the mansion’s original pool are a must and sell out within minutes each day. It is the first known facility offering a beach club experience to the general public and has been awarded a Gold LEED rating from the US Building Council as the very fabric of the beach house is sustainable, running on green, wind-generated power. When pool season- Memorial Day through Labor Day- is over, there’s still a lot to do including a toes-in-the-sand cafe, beach volleyball for kids, beach tennis, beach soccer, cultural programs and events. Summer classes such as synchronized swimming or semi-private swim lessons are available and the guest house, set within gardens and terraces, offers interactive exhibits about Davies, Hearst, and Hollywood. So if you don’t happen to own that spectacular pad up the coast in Malibu, lapping it up at the Annenberg Community Beach House will do just fine. www.beachhouse.smgov.net/