Santa Monica, California
Annenberg Community Beach House Wedding Photographer
A city-run public beachfront venue on the former Marion Davies estate, offering a historic pool, event house, and direct sand access for weddings in Santa Monica.
About Annenberg Community Beach House
The Annenberg Community Beach House sits directly on the sand at 415 Pacific Coast Highway, on the site of the estate once built for Marion Davies. Operated by the City of Santa Monica, it is a rare public beachfront property where couples can rent historic buildings, a marble-lined pool, and beach frontage for private events.
Because it is city-run and open to the public, weddings here follow a permit process rather than a hotel contract, and rental rates are notably approachable for oceanfront Santa Monica. The setting pairs 1920s estate character with a laid-back California beach feel, ideal for couples who want the ocean without a resort price tag.
Location · 415 Pacific Coast Hwy, directly on the beach in Santa Monica
Style · Public, city-run historic beach estate with pool and event house
Capacity · Up to about 130 for ceremonies and 150 for receptions
Ceremony · Beachfront, pool deck, or Marion Davies Guest House
Best season · Late spring through early fall for reliable beach weather
Details come from the City of Santa Monica's official Beach House event pages, which is the governing authority for permits, fees, and rules; figures reflect published city information.
The complete Annenberg Beach House planning guide
Capacity & spaces
Seated dinner · Receptions up to about 150 guests; single-room events up to about 120
Standing/cocktail · Flexible configurations from small gatherings up to a few hundred for meetings and retreats
Ceremony · Up to about 130 guests
Rentable spaces
- Marion Davies Guest House — restored historic house from the original estate, used for ceremonies and receptions
- Event House — dedicated indoor-outdoor event building for dinners and gatherings
- Pool & Pool House — historic marble-edged swimming pool and adjacent pool house for deck-side events
- Beach frontage — direct sand access for beachfront ceremonies
Pricing
Peak Saturday · Space rentals range roughly $900 to $4,000 depending on season, day, and time; peak dates fall at the top of the range
Off-peak · Lower rates on weekdays and in the off-season, near the bottom of the range
What's included · Exclusive use of the permitted space, Beach House furnishings, custodial services, set-up and break-down labor, Wi-Fi, and an on-site Event Services representative
Catering & bar
Catering must be arranged through a caterer on the Beach House approved caterers list; outside or home-prepared food and outside food vendors are not permitted in shared spaces. Caterers also supply and serve all beverages, so alcohol flows through the approved caterer rather than a hotel bar.
Rules & restrictions
- This is a city-run public venue, so events require a permit through Santa Monica Event Services rather than a private contract
- Beer, wine, and champagne are allowed but must be supplied and served by the caterer; hard alcohol and self-service are prohibited
- Bar service must end 30 minutes before the event ends, with last call no later than 40 minutes before close
- A separate ceremony fee of about $450 applies
- No smoking, open flames, barbecues, glass containers in certain areas, or uplighting of structures; no animals except service dogs
Getting ready, parking & access
Getting ready space · Historic house rooms can serve as prep areas within the permitted rental; confirm with Event Services
Parking · On-site beach parking lot at roughly $10 to $15 per vehicle seasonally; not guaranteed, and larger events may need a paid parking attendant
Load-in · Vendor load-in coordinated with the on-site Event Services representative per permit terms
How to book
Booking runs through the City of Santa Monica Event Services office; contact them or submit the online event inquiry form. A permit is issued for the specific space and time, a 50% deposit secures the date, and the balance is due before the event; the venue accepts cards and checks but not cash. Popular summer weekend dates should be requested well ahead.
Photographing Annenberg Beach House
The Beach House offers a distinctive mix within one property: the geometric lines and marble edge of the historic pool, the airy modern Event House, the 1920s Marion Davies Guest House, and open sand just steps away. That range lets a photographer move from architectural, light-filled interiors to wide beach vistas without leaving the grounds.
The west-facing beach frontage delivers classic golden-hour and sunset light directly over the Pacific, ideal for ceremony and portrait timing. The pool deck reflects sky and light for clean, bright frames midday, while covered breezeways and the guest house provide shade and texture when the sun is harsh.
Engagement sessions at Annenberg Beach House
As a public beach property, much of the grounds and adjacent sand are accessible, making it a scenic and low-cost engagement session location.
Best time · Golden hour into sunset for warm light over the water
Permit/fee · Public areas are generally open; private or commercial shoots inside rented spaces require a permit and fee through the city
Standout spots · The historic pool deck, the beach and shoreline, and the guest house architecture
For any shoot using the rentable interiors or during a private event, coordinate a permit with Santa Monica Event Services.
What couples love
- A genuine public beachfront setting at approachable, city-set rental rates
- Historic 1920s estate character from the former Marion Davies property
- The dramatic marble-edged swimming pool as a unique photo and event feature
- Direct sand access for true beachfront ceremonies
- Relaxed California beach atmosphere without resort-level minimums
Good to know
- It is city-run and public, so a permit process and city rules govern the event
- Hard alcohol is prohibited and beverages must run through the approved caterer
- Caterers must come from the Beach House approved list
- Parking is a shared beach lot, not guaranteed, and may need a paid attendant
- As a public facility, portions of the grounds may remain open to the public around your rental
A typical wedding day at Annenberg Beach House
3:30 PM — Beachfront ceremony on the sand
4:00 PM — Cocktails on the pool deck
5:30 PM — Reception dinner in the Event House
7:00 PM — Toasts and first dances
9:30 PM — Last call and event wind-down per permit end time
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Annenberg Community Beach House?
At 415 Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica, directly on the beach, on the site of the former Marion Davies estate.
Who operates the venue?
It is owned and operated by the City of Santa Monica as a public community facility, so events are booked and permitted through the city.
How many guests can it hold?
Ceremonies host up to about 130 guests and receptions up to about 150; single-room events up to about 120.
How much does it cost to rent?
Space rentals range roughly $900 to $4,000 depending on season, day, and time, with a separate ceremony fee of about $450.
What spaces are available?
The Marion Davies Guest House, the Event House, the Pool and Pool House, and direct beach frontage.
What are the alcohol rules?
Beer, wine, and champagne are allowed but must be supplied and served by your caterer; hard alcohol and self-service are not permitted.
Can we use any caterer?
No. Caterers must be selected from the Beach House approved caterers list, and outside food is not allowed.
How do we book?
Contact Santa Monica Event Services or submit the online inquiry form; a permit and 50% deposit secure the date.
Is there parking?
There is an on-site beach parking lot at about $10 to $15 per vehicle seasonally; it is not guaranteed and larger events may need a paid attendant.
What time do events need to end?
Bar service ends 30 minutes before the event ends with last call no later than 40 minutes before close; confirm your overall end time in the permit.
What is included in the rental?
Exclusive use of the permitted space, Beach House furnishings, custodial services, set-up and break-down labor, Wi-Fi, and an on-site Event Services representative.
Can we have a beachfront ceremony?
Yes. The property has direct sand access, allowing true beachfront ceremonies alongside the historic pool and event house.
Getting there & logistics
Address · 415 Pacific Coast Hwy, Santa Monica, CA 90402
Nearest airport · Los Angeles International (LAX), about 9 miles south
Drive time · Roughly 25 to 35 minutes from LAX depending on traffic
Nearby getting-ready hotels
- Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows
- Shutters on the Beach
- Oceana Santa Monica
- Hotel Casa del Mar
The history behind Annenberg Beach House
- The site was originally developed in the 1920s as a beach estate associated with Marion Davies and William Randolph Hearst.
- The City of Santa Monica reopened it as the public Annenberg Community Beach House in 2009, funded in part by the Annenberg Foundation.
- The original marble swimming pool was restored as a centerpiece of the public facility.
Similar venues we love
More venues we photograph: Fairmont Miramar · Shutters on the Beach · Le Méridien Delfina · Greystone Mansion · Turnip Rose.
Planning a wedding at Annenberg Beach House? Reach out to check your date →
