Have you ever wanted to spend a luxurious day at the beach without the crowds? If you are a daydreamer like me, then you have probably fantasized about owning a beach house. I typically have those dreams while driving down the coast admiring the mansions that sit alongside the ocean. I don’t have millions to spend, but luckily I have found a community beach house in Santa Monica where it would cost as little as $12 a day to enjoy. Yes, $12 a day!
The community beach house is just a few steps away from the ocean, and we got to enjoy the cliché walk on the beach while the sun was setting
The house is a well kept Los Angeles secret, but I found out about it last Winter and have been looking forward to taking my family there. When Summer arrived, I decided to start planning our trip and thought that I would create an itinerary for the day! However, my husband had other plans and on Tuesday afternoon came home announcing that we were taking a day trip. With 5 minutes to prepare, I grabbed beach necessities and instructed my husband to drive to the Annenberg Community Beach House in Santa Monica.
We quickly found on-site parking upon arriving and hurried over to enter the pool. We thought we would spend the entire day there but when my daughter spotted the splash pad, our plans changed. The pad was small but, for the most part, she had it all to herself, and we liked that although it was later in the day, the water splashing out of the fountains was warm. My husband and I had the option to sit under the umbrellas, grab lawn chairs or sit in the green grassy area. We chose the chairs right in front of the splash pad, and although we weren’t getting wet, we had just as much fun watching our baby play.
Below are more details about our trip!
Because I didn’t have time to pack snacks we had to purchase a small meal at the on-site cafe. It was yummy! We opted for carry out and enjoyed a burger on the trendy patio furniture. I can’t remember if they sell alcohol, but the place is also a perfect setting for an inexpensive dinner and wine date with the hubby.
I’m a sucker for anything with history and my favorite part of the day was the free docent-led tour of the Marion Davis guesthouse located right next door. If you don’t know who Marion Davis is, she was an actress better known for hosting lavish parties for Hollywood royalty. It was so much fun being in her guesthouse and envisioning the soirees that took place in the 1930’s.
Had I packed a lunch we would have only spent $12 to enjoy a whole day of activities. We laid, we swam, we ate, we walked, and we even danced! Not too bad for a last minute trip. In my opinion, this is the type of place that you either want to share with the entire world or keep it a secret! I’ve decided to share it with you. Do you have a special place in Southern Cali that you think I would enjoy?
Dime por favor and I might feature it here!
Nos vemos en la playa,
-L.A Mamacita
Notes
Parking: $3 per hour or $12 for the entire day.
Fun Facts: The Marion Davis Guest house and other facilities can be rented out for special events!
So Cool: If you prefer to lay on the sand, canopies are available for free on a first-come first-served basis. Volleyball courts, a playground and a recreational center are also available for use.
Price: All amenities are FREE except for the swimming pool. The price is $10 for adults and $4 for children; Mondays you swim for only $1!
Address: The Annenberg Community Beach House is located at 415 Pacific Coast Highway, Santa Monica
