The Annenberg Community Beach House hosts a free Sunset Picnic on Thursday, July 16, from 5 to 8 p.m. at 415 Pacific Coast Highway, with live musical duos, communal tables, complimentary s'mores, and unobstructed ocean sunset views.
The city-run event is open to all ages. Guests can bring their own picnic baskets or come solo and claim a spot at one of the shared tables. The Santa Monica Daily Press described the evening as the "Route 66 Edition," with board games available alongside the music. S'mores are free while supplies last.
No tickets are required. The city's event listing encourages RSVPs but does not require them for entry.
The picnic is separate from the Beach House's adults-only Sunset Swim series, which charges $10 for adults and $5 for seniors for pool access. The Sunset Picnic is free and welcomes families.
The venue
The five-acre oceanfront property dates to the 1920s, when William Randolph Hearst commissioned architect Julia Morgan to build an estate for actress Marion Davies, complete with a 110-room mansion and ornate marble swimming pool. After the 1994 Northridge Earthquake severely damaged the site, a $27.5 million grant from the Annenberg Foundation funded its rehabilitation. The Beach House reopened to the public on April 25, 2009, and requires no membership.
Two original features survive from the Davies era: the restored Guest House and the historic pool, according to the Los Angeles Conservancy.
Upcoming community events
- Saturday, July 18 — Wilmont Yoga at Reed Park, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Free. Hosted by the Wilshire-Montana Neighborhood Coalition.
- Sunday, July 19 — COAST 2026 Open Streets Festival. Free, car-free celebration linking the Santa Monica Pier, Tongva Park, Palisades Park, and Third Street Promenade. Big Blue Bus Route 8 will detour around the closure.
- Thursday, July 23 — State of the City on Main Street, 4 to 7 p.m. Mayor Torosis delivers the city address at 4:45 p.m., followed by live performances from the Santa Monica High School Orchestra Ensemble and the Spirit Fingers Trio. Main Street closes from Ocean Park Boulevard to Hollister Avenue, noon to 10 p.m.
