Two Santa Monica landmarks will offer extended public access Sept. 13-14 as part of Doors Open California 2025, a month-long statewide celebration showcasing more than 70 historic sites across the state.
The Historic Shotgun House in Ocean Park and the Marion Davies Guest House at the Annenberg Community Beach House will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days, offering visitors glimpses into coastal living from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Historic Shotgun House, built in 1897, originally served various families for nearly a century before facing demolition in 2002. Community support helped save the tiny home, which the Santa Monica Conservancy rehabilitated and reopened in 2016. Now located at 2520 Second Street next to the Ocean Park Library, the house serves as both a museum and the Conservancy's headquarters.
Docent-led tours will highlight the house's original features and history. Visitors can view a miniature model showing the Victorian-era structure and explore Ocean Park history through exhibition panels.
The Marion Davies Guest House stands at the former site of a 110-room Georgian Revival mansion designed by architect Julia Morgan for actress Marion Davies, built by publisher William Randolph Hearst. During the late 1920s and 1930s, Davies became Hollywood's premier hostess, welcoming hundreds of celebrities, politicians and artists to the oceanfront estate during her 35-year relationship with Hearst.
Santa Monica Conservancy docents will share the site's history from the 1920s to present day. The guest house is located at 415 Pacific Coast Highway.
Visitors should allow extra time for parking, particularly during summer months. The Shotgun House offers metered parking along Norman Place and Main Street, with City Lot #10 at 111 Hill Street providing additional options. Big Blue Bus Route 1 stops near Main Street and Ocean Park Boulevard.
The Marion Davies Guest House has limited on-site parking, with additional spaces available at Beach Parking Lots 8 North and 9 North along Pacific Coast Highway.
Doors Open California is hosted annually by the California Preservation Foundation as part of its mission to celebrate design, architecture and history statewide.
For more information, visit https://californiapreservation.org/doca/
Edited by SMDP Staff