Annenberg Community Beach House 415 Pacific Coast Highway • Santa Monica • CA 90402

Occupying five desirable oceanfront acres along Santa Monica State Beach and boasting nearly endless event possibilities, Annenberg Community Beach House is unlike any other venue in Southern California. Initially created by William Randolph Hearst for actress Marion Davies in the mid-1920s, the one-time private estate was a popular destination for Hollywood's elite, who flocked to this "Gold Coast" gem to attend the starlet's legendary parties.

The original 100-room mansion no longer stands, but in its footprint is the sleek, modern Pool House, whose towering concrete pillars pay homage to the Grecian columns of its predecessor. Here, you'll find the Sand & Sea Room, named for the popular, limited-membership Sand & Sea Club, which operated on the property from 1947 to the 1990s. Overlooking the historic tile-edged pool, this room features floor-to-ceiling windows and an incredible View Deck that provides an unobstructed panorama of the beach and ocean beyond.

Adjacent to the Pool House is the Event House, another fabulous option for a cozy indoor wedding. With its rich wood flooring and walls of windows letting in ample natural light and Pacific views, the house's Garden Terrace Room is a wonderful blank slate that easily transforms to accommodate any theme or color palette.

At the north end of the property, you'll find the Marion Davies Guest House. This divine Georgian Revival home is the work of renowned architect Julia Morgan, who helped Hearst design his iconic San Simeon "castle". Formerly an exclusive retreat for Ms. Davies' friends and family, it's the last remaining structure from the expansive estate and it showcases a bevy of charming vintage details: a delicately spindled staircase, carved fireplace, Art Deco chandeliers and light fixtures, and a bathroom with exquisite tilework depicting curling waves and a dramatic sailing ship. Many couples choose to wed on the home's gracious porch, where soaring columns support a peaked portico crowned with an inset porthole window. Guests look on from the sunken garden, which also works well for a breezy cocktail hour or a small al fresco reception.

Two outdoor spaces (used in conjunction with an indoor space) are available solely during the off-season, though with Santa Monica's near-perfect year-round weather there really is no "off-season". The more petite of these is the Splash Pad, whose beachside setting and swaying palms make it a lovely place to exchange vows or host an intimate reception. Larger celebrations take place in the adjacent Courtyard, notable for its striking views of the sand and surf. These open-air venues are truly stunning during and after sunset, especially with the added glow of market lights and lanterns.

Picturing a ceremony on Santa Monica's famously perfect beach? Not a problem—the city allows permit-free gatherings for groups under 150, and the Beach House's prime spot means you and your guests are only a few steps from your reception. History, glamour, and convenience...what's not to love?!