The Annenberg Beachhouse (Santa Monica Beach)
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Annenberg Community Beach House Los Angeles

Historic Santa Monica beach house with a stunning pool, splash pad, cafe, and beach rentals. A perfect blend of recreation and relaxation.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Summer weekends, mornings

Secure a spot before crowds

CrowdHigh
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The Annenberg Beachhouse (Santa Monica Beach)

Annenberg Community Beach House Los Angeles

Best Time

Summer weekends, mornings

Secure a spot before crowds

CrowdHigh
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Historic Santa Monica beach house with a stunning pool, splash pad, cafe, and beach rentals. A perfect blend of recreation and relaxation.

4.7
(2k reviews)

"A beautiful public pool and beach house with rentals and a cafe - a must-visit in Santa Monica!"

Vertical photo
TIP

🎯 Arrive Early for Pool

Secure your spot at the popular pool, especially on weekends. 🎟️

🚲 Rent Beach Gear

Chairs, umbrellas, and bikes available for rent to enhance your beach day. :beachwithumbrella:

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.7 · 1,866 reviews

Type

Sports Activity Location

♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

The Annenberg Pool

The Annenberg Pool

Main Beach, Santa Monica

A stunning public pool with a splash pad, perfect for cooling off and family fun.

Instagram
Beachfront Cafe

Beachfront Cafe

Adjacent to the beach house

Enjoy breakfast or lunch with ocean views at Back on the Beach Cafe.

Reddit
Beach Equipment Rentals

Beach Equipment Rentals

Beach House Rentals

Rent chairs, umbrellas, and even bikes for a comfortable and active day by the sea.

Reddit
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Planning Your Visit

Pool Access & Timing

The Annenberg Community Beach House pool is a major draw, but access can be limited. Arrive early, especially on summer weekends, to secure a spot. Consider twilight swims for a kid-free experience. Reddit

Beach & Amenities

While the beach is accessible, be aware of environmental advisories regarding water and sand quality. The beach house offers rentals for chairs, umbrellas, and even bikes, making a day at the beach convenient. Reddit

Best Times

When
Summer weekends, mornings
Why
Secure a spot before crowds
Crowd
High
When
Friday evenings (twilight swims)
Why
Kid-free, relaxed atmosphere
Crowd
Low
When
Weekday afternoons
Why
Fewer families, more space
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Here are all the things you need to do in Santa Monica, Los Angeles — if you don’t wanna screw it up 💩🇺🇸 . The Santa Monica Pier is probably one of the most iconic spots in all of L.A., but trust me —...
@thetravellertwins
40.6K likes • 893.7K views

🎯 Arrive Early for Pool

Secure your spot at the popular pool, especially on weekends. Reddit 🎟️

🚲 Rent Beach Gear

Chairs, umbrellas, and bikes available for rent to enhance your beach day. Reddit :beachwithumbrella:

Guarda para tu viaje a LA 🎡🫶🏻 5 lugares que no te pueden faltar, al igual que @LIQUID I.V. México que me ayuda a mantenerme hidratada en estos días de viaje y tiene un nuevo sabor Durazno con zero az...
@anaymiel
22.3K likes • 262.8K views
Annenberg Community Beach House, pool and splash pad 415 Pacific Coast Hwy, Santa Monica, CA 90402 Grab a bite to eat at Back to the Beach Cafe, take a dip at the pool and cool off at the splash pad...
californiakidsclub
62 likes • 3.6K views

☕ Breakfast at the Cafe

Start your day with ocean views and a meal at Back on the Beach Cafe. Reddit

🌙 Twilight Swims

Enjoy kid-free evenings at the pool on select Friday nights. Reddit 🌙

The Annenberg Community Beach House is a public beach facility in Santa Monica. Pay to park is pretty easy but parking is limited. We went on Thursday around noon and had no issues with parking. ...
celilamartin
15 likes • 383 views

Tips

from all over the internet

🎯 Arrive Early for Pool

Secure your spot at the popular pool, especially on weekends. Reddit 🎟️

🚲 Rent Beach Gear

Chairs, umbrellas, and bikes available for rent to enhance your beach day. Reddit :beachwithumbrella:

☕ Breakfast at the Cafe

Start your day with ocean views and a meal at Back on the Beach Cafe. Reddit

🌙 Twilight Swims

Enjoy kid-free evenings at the pool on select Friday nights. Reddit 🌙

🚗 Parking is Limited

Paid parking is available but fills up quickly; consider alternatives if possible. Instagram 🚗

What Travellers Say

4.7
(2k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors rave about the Annenberg Community Beach House's beautiful pool and family-friendly atmosphere, with many praising the convenience of beach rentals and the beachfront cafe. Some note that parking can be challenging and that environmental advisories for the ocean water are worth noting.

"Easy parking lot. There are 2 areas to park. The first one is near the Back On The Beach restaurant, and the other one is closer to the Marion Davies Guest House, so there is plenty of parking! Bottom line, if the first lot is full, do not worry, just swing back to the entrance and turn left towards the Marion Davies House parking lot.

The pool is open to the public: $10 for adults, $4 for kids and $5 for seniors. Summer hours for 2025: 12noon-6pm( Monday -Thurs) Friday-Sunday ( 10am-6pm). Check the website to be sure.

Playground is great for little kids and places for adults to sit nearby. You can buy food at Back on the Beach TO GO and bring it outside and pick one of the nice patio tables to eat. Bathroom facilities are clean, by the playground with an outdoor shower to rinse off your feet.

Marion Davies Guest House has free docent tours 12noon-2pm to learn about the history of the only remaining building of what was once a 100+ room Beach House.

Family friendly!"

eriko p

"A very convenient location for parking and beach access away from tourist crowd...clean walkways..convenient restrooms..a great cafe to watch the sunsets.
Soft playarea for kids...cheap parking rates as the parking rates are very high in santa monica beach and pier"

Dr.Mohina S Kulkarni

"I don't want to tell everybody about this place. This is my secret location where I come to the beach and it's so private and so beautiful, so clean. It has a walkway through the sand the parking is good. It's economical. There's a restaurant on it. There's volleyball chords. There's a pool that you can go swimming on Mondays. Really do I have to tell everybody about this place? They're gonna give me like a $1000 for this review if you're looking for a nice quiet clean beach with clean bathrooms and place a pl
ayground for your kids to play. This is definitely a spot. Just don't tell everybody about it. Everything else is already overcrowded."

Nicole Zapata

What People Like

Beautiful pool and splash pad
Family-friendly amenities
Beach rentals available

What People Dislike

Limited parking
Ocean advisories

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The Annenberg Community Beach House is located at 415 Pacific Coast Hwy, Santa Monica, CA 90402. You can reach it by car, with paid parking available on-site, though it can fill up quickly. Public transportation options, including bus routes, also serve the area. Instagram+1

There is paid parking available at the Annenberg Community Beach House. However, parking is limited and can fill up quickly, especially on weekends and during peak season. Arriving early is recommended. Instagram

Yes, several Santa Monica Big Blue Bus routes stop near the Annenberg Community Beach House, making it accessible via public transportation. Check the Big Blue Bus schedule for routes and times. TikTok

Absolutely! The beach house is located along the Marvin Braude Bike Trail, making it a great destination for cyclists. Bike rentals are also available at the beach house itself. TikTok

To avoid traffic when heading to the Annenberg Community Beach House, try to travel during off-peak hours. Weekday mornings or early afternoons are generally better than rush hour or weekend afternoons. TikTok

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Entry to the Annenberg Community Beach House grounds is generally free. However, there is a fee for using the pool. Prices can vary, so it's best to check their official website for the most current admission fees. Reddit

While not always required, purchasing pool access in advance is highly recommended, especially for summer weekends, to guarantee entry. Check the Annenberg Community Beach House website for online booking options. Reddit

Operating hours can vary seasonally and by day of the week. The pool and facilities typically open around noon and close by 6 PM, but it's essential to check the official Annenberg Community Beach House website for the most up-to-date hours. Reddit

The Annenberg Community Beach House pool is open to all ages. However, during special 'twilight swim' events, it may be designated as an adults-only (no kids) swim. Reddit

While you can bring your own food and drinks to the beach area, there might be restrictions on what can be consumed within the pool area. The on-site cafe offers convenient dining options. Instagram

🎫 🏊 Onsite Experience

The Annenberg Community Beach House offers a swimming pool, a splash pad for kids, fitness classes, a gym, and beach equipment rentals. You can also relax on the beach or enjoy a meal at the cafe. Instagram

Yes, it's very family-friendly! The splash pad and shallow end of the pool are perfect for younger children, and there are plenty of activities to keep them entertained. InstagramReddit

While the beach is accessible, there have been environmental advisories regarding water and sand quality in the past. It's advisable to check current local advisories before swimming in the ocean. Reddit

Yes, the Annenberg Community Beach House offers rentals for beach chairs, umbrellas, and other beach equipment, making your day more comfortable. Reddit

The Annenberg Community Beach House features a fitness center and offers various fitness classes. Check their schedule for availability and class types. Instagram

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

The primary dining option is the Back on the Beach Cafe, which offers breakfast, lunch, and snacks with ocean views. You can also bring your own picnic to enjoy on the beach. InstagramReddit

Prices at Back on the Beach Cafe are typical for a beachfront restaurant in Santa Monica. While not budget-friendly, many find the experience and views worth the cost. Reddit

You are welcome to bring your own food and enjoy a picnic on the beach area. However, be mindful of any specific rules regarding food consumption near the pool facilities. Instagram

The cafe typically offers a range of options, and it's best to check their current menu for specific vegetarian and vegan choices. Many beachside cafes are accommodating. Instagram

Back on the Beach Cafe serves American cuisine with a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients. Expect options like salads, sandwiches, seafood, and breakfast dishes. Instagram

📸 📸 Photography

The pool area with its unique architecture, the oceanfront views, and the historic Marion Davies Guest House offer excellent photo opportunities. Golden hour is particularly beautiful. Instagram

Drone usage is generally restricted in public beach areas and near facilities like the Annenberg Community Beach House due to privacy and safety regulations. It's best to check local ordinances. TikTok

Yes, the natural light and scenic surroundings make it easy to capture great photos with a smartphone. The vibrant colors of the pool and ocean are very photogenic. Instagram

While general photography is allowed, be mindful of other visitors' privacy. Professional photoshoots may require permits, so check with the facility if you plan extensive commercial photography. Instagram

Golden hour, just after sunrise or before sunset, offers beautiful soft light for photography. Midday can be bright but is great for capturing the vibrant blues of the pool and ocean. Instagram

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Annenberg Community Beach House Los Angeles (2026) – Best of TikTok, Instagram & Reddit Travel Guide