In approximately two hours and six blocks, the walk traverses more than 130 years of Santa Monica history, from its Wild West frontier beginnings to the sophisticated metropolis of today. You'll learn about the civic leaders whose vision built the growing city, and experience downtown's diverse architectural heritage, including:

- The 1875 Rapp Saloon, opened the year the city was founded, later served as the first city hall. Having passed through many adaptive reuses in its long life, today it is incorporated into the Hostelling International facility.
- The Majestic Theatre, later the Mayfair, the city's first theater built to showcase the nascent film industry, which used the city for film locations.
- The Keller Block, a splendid example of Romanesque Revival architecture.
- The Builders Exchange, a restored Churrigueresque/Spanish Revival building, with intact decorative interiors.
- The Bay Cities Guaranty Building, the city's first skyscraper, a soaring Art Deco landmark with its signature clock tower.
- The El Miro theater, an exuberant Art Deco/Streamline Moderne creation that became the centerpiece for the revitalization of the old mall into the Third Street Promenade.

THREE WAYS TO TOUR DOWNTOWN

Docent-guided walking tours at 10AM every Saturday morning.
Reservations are suggested.

Walking tour gift certificates are now available. See our Downtown Walking Tour gift certificate page for details.

Self-guided Tour Booklets providing a map and detailed information on the city's history and the historic buildings featured on the tour, are available for $3 at the
Visitors Center, 1920 Main Street and the Hostelling International Travel Store, 1434 Second Street.

Group Tours may be booked by special appointment. Call 310-496-3146 or send email to dwt@smconservancy.org.

CLICK HERE TO MAKE RESERVATIONS ONLINE, BY PHONE OR EMAIL.

The theme of this year's winter lecture series is the people and history of the Annenberg Community Beach House, which opened to great acclaim last spring and has become a premiere destination in Santa Monica.

The site combines new buildings with the restored 1929 Georgian Revival Guest House and 100-foot swimming pool with decorative tile and marble. Both the house and pool were designed by renowned architect Julia Morgan for William Randolph Hearst as gifts to his loyal companion, actress Marion Davies. Davies, who starred in both silent and talking films, was a pre-eminent Hollywood hostess; she and Hearst reigned as virtual royalty, hosting film luminaries and heads of state.

The lecture series will provide stories of the site’s vivid personalities – WR Hearst, Ms. Davies, and Julia Morgan – as well as insights into the innovative adaptive reuse that has transformed the site for public use.

February 27
- Marc Wanamaker on Hollywood’s Gold Coast.
- Cari Beauchamp on William Randolph Hearst.

March 13
- Elaina Archer, documentary filmmaker, presenting “The True Story of Marion Davies” and discussing her research on the film star.
- Kay Pattison on WR Hearst, Marion Davies, and their relationship.

March 27
- Christy McAvoy, Historic Resources Group, on the historic structures.
- John Berley, Frederick Fisher Partners Architects, on the rebirth of the site.

The lectures will be held from 2 – 5 PM at Memorial Park, 14th Street between Colorado and Olympic. Tickets are $10 for each lecture date.

Reserve now online using our website. For questions, call 310-496-3146.