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The Historic Shotgun House and the Marion Davies Guest House (located at the Annenberg Community Beach House a.k.a. the Beach House) are both open for extended hours during Doors Open California, a statewide celebration of design, architecture, and history, featuring over 70 historic sites.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on September 13th and 14th, you can tour two local landmarks and learn about various aspects of coastal living in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

If you miss Doors Open, the Shotgun House is open for tours on the second Saturday and Sunday of each month from 12 to 2 p.m. And the Marion Davies Guest House is open for tour Friday through Monday from 12 to 2 p.m.

Tour the Historic Shotgun House

The Historic Shotgun House is located in Ocean Park, just a couple of miles from its original location in Sunset Park. Built in 1897, the tiny home served various families for nearly a century. In 2002, the Shotgun House garnered support from community members to resist its demolition. Through an adaptive reuse plan, the Santa Monica Conservancy rehabilitated and reopened the site in 2016, serving simultaneously as a museum for local history and the headquarters for Conservancy staff. Learn More About the Shotgun House in Our Historic Resources Inventory

What to Expect:

At the Shotgun House tour, a docent will guide you through the house’s history and explore some of the house’s original features. You can also view a miniature model of the house in the Victorian era and immerse yourself in Ocean Park history through existing exhibition panels.

How to Get There: The Shotgun House is located on Second Street next to the Ocean Park Library, parallel to Main Street in Ocean Park.

Address: 2520 Second Street, Santa Monica, CA 90405

Parking: Please allow extra time to park, especially in the summer months. Metered parking is available along Norman Place and Main Street. The nearest parking lot is city lot #10 at 111 Hill Street, just south along Main. Better yet, take the bus or use a rideshare service! Big Blue Bus #1 will drop you off near the corner of Main and Ocean Park Blvd (by Ocean Park Library).

Tour Marion Davies Guest House

The Marion Davies Guest House is located at the Annenberg Community Beach House, which stands at the site of the now-demolished 110-room, Georgian Revival Mansion—designed by architect Julia Morgan, and built for actress Marion Davies by publisher and politician William Randolph Hearst. Davies became Hollywood’s premier hostess in the late 20s and 30s. She and Hearst resided here for portions of their 35-year-long relationship, and together they welcomed hundreds of celebrities, politicians, artists, and other notables to their luxurious paradise by the ocean. Learn More About the Marion Davies Guest House in Our Historic Resources Inventory

What to Expect:

Santa Monica Conservancy docents will be on hand to share the rich history of the Annenberg Community Beach House site from the 1920s into the Present Day.

How to Get There: The Marion Davies Guest House is located at the Annenberg Community Beach House on Pacific Coast Highway.

Address: 415 Pacific Coast Highway, Santa Monica, CA 90402

Parking: There is limited parking available at the Annenberg Community Beach House Lot. You may also park at the nearby Beach Parking Lot 9 North, located at 530 Pacific Coast Highway, or Beach Parking Lot 8 North (furthest from the site), located at 810 Pacific Coast Highway.

Doors Open California is hosted by the California Preservation Foundation (CPF). Every year, CPF invites historic sites throughout California to open their doors for this month-long, state-wide celebration. See other participating locations on their website.

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