E-newsletter
Sat., Feb. 5 at 10 a.m.
1436 2nd Street
Free for Members / $10 General Public
Photo: Georgian Hotel
Discover downtown Santa Monica’s architectural gems, history and culture with our team of highly-rated docents. From Art Deco to Victorian and Romanesque Revival, you’ll explore the various styles that fill the streets of our city.

Start your tour at Santa Monica's oldest landmark, the Rapp Saloon, which was constructed as a beer hall in 1875 and served briefly as City Hall from 1888-1889. See where Jim Morrison played his first show and where the once-secret special commandos trained on the Santa Monica Beach. Learn about the Bay Cities Guaranty Building, El Miro Theater, Gussie Moran House, Keller Block and more! The tour will conclude at the Georgian Hotel, which housed a speakeasy during Prohibition.

The walking tour is open to all ages and covers about 6 blocks in 2 hours. Each tour is limited to 10 guests. We look forward to seeing you!
In Memory of Doris Sosin
Doris Sosin, co-founder and long-time supporter of the Santa Monica Conservancy, passed away on January 21, 2022. Doris was a beloved community leader known for her keen intelligence, unwavering passion and activism in the arts, education, and preservation. She founded the North of Montana Neighborhood Association (NOMA) and served on the Santa Monica Recreation and Parks Commission and Urban Forest Task Force.

Her passion for preservation, generous financial support and many connections made as a long-term resident and activist in Santa Monica enabled the Conservancy to thrive. We are saddened by her passing and send our condolences to her family.
"Los Angeles is my hometown, known as the city with no history. When in fact, Los Angeles and Santa Monica have very rich histories. We must preserve and learn from the past in order to inform our present and future. This is why our family supports the Santa Monica Conservancy."
– Colleen O'Mara-Diamond, Writer & Entrepreneur
Friend, your generosity sustains the Santa Monica Conservancy! Join, renew or become a monthly donor and receive the benefits of membership. Your gift helps protect historic places in Santa Monica and enables us to develop new and exciting programs for our community. Thank you!
Your Membership expiration: n/a
Preservation Resource Center
Sat. & Sun., Feb 26 & 27
Open from 12-2 p.m.
Come by for a free tour! Explore the last intact shotgun house in Santa Monica, which now serves as an award-winning Preservation Resource Center for our community. Masks are required indoors and only 3 guests will be admitted at one time. Walk-ups are welcome and reservations are not required.
Sat., Feb. 12
Tours at 12 & 1 p.m.
Take a virtual tour with Conservancy docent and architect Mario Fonda-Bonardi! Discover what life was like in the early 1900s and learn about how the house was landmarked, moved and rehabilitated. Look behind the walls and the floor to reveal vintage materials. Tours are 45 minutes. Reservations required.
Exploring Their Historic and Cultural Contexts
Our recording of The City Hall Murals is now available. With issues of racial inequity and social justice at the forefront of our national consciousness, Santa Monica City Hall’s historic murals have come under criticism for not reflecting our contemporary values. Join our three outstanding speakers to explore the cultural and historic contexts of the City Hall murals, created in 1938 and 1939 as part of the Works Progress Administration program by artist Stanton MacDonald-Wright.
Annenberg Community Beach House
Recorded Event
Available Now
January 3 marked silent film actress and philanthropist Marion Davies' 125th birthday. In lieu of a live celebration, this year the Annenberg Community Beach House is pleased to reshare 2021’s virtual celebration. Stir up a Sunset on the Beach mocktail and celebrate the life and times of Davies – who resided at the Beach House and threw lavish parties during her residence.

Marion's Sunset at the Beach Mocktail
  • 1 ounce freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 2 ounces chilled ginger beer
  • 3 ounces chilled sparkling apple cider
  • Ice
  • 3 frozen cranberries
Live Virtual Event
Sun., Mar. 6 at 1 p.m.
Celebrate the life and legacy of Julia Morgan, California’s first licensed woman architect, with the Conservancy and Annenberg Community Beach House. Known for her collaboration with William Randolph Hearst to create Hearst Castle in San Simeon, Morgan left a legacy of more than 700 projects in her nearly five decades of practice. She was posthumously awarded the AIA’s Gold Medal for her brilliant and pioneering work. At the Annenberg Community Beach House, Morgan designed the Guest House and pool, which comprise the site’s historic core.

Victoria Kastner, Morgan expert and biographer will be our guest speaker at this virtual celebration.
Santa Monica Conservancy
310-496-3146

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