Exploring Historic Homes of the Stars
Join me for a historical beachfront walking tour of this "Gold Coast" stretch of Palisades Beach Road in Santa Monica, known by many as “The American Riviera” or “Rolls Royce Row.” Once home to stars like Cary Grant and Greta Garbo, it was one of America's most exclusive and fabled streets during its heyday in the 1920s and 1930s. The 30 or so eclectically styled summer "cottages" along this stretch were designed by some of California's most notable architects, including Richard Neutra, Wallace Neff, and Julia Morgan. We’ll view the exteriors of the remaining homes of heavyweights like Mary Pickford and Norma Talmadge, recounting tales from the storied coast's scandalous past.
We will explore the "Gold Coast" stretch of Palisades Beach Road in Santa Monica, including the home of Mary Pickford and Norma Talmadge. We will meet at the Annenberg Community Beach House.
Hi. I’m Hadley, a member of the Atlas Obscura community.
I am a journalist based in Los Angeles. I primarily write about hidden and forgotten Los Angeles histories and consider myself an inquisitive urban explorer. I have a personal mission to make the past accessible to everyone. I have led tours for both Atlas Obscura and Cartwheel Art for many years.
For questions about this experience, please contact me directly through Airbnb.
This will be a walking tour on the beach, covering about 1.5 miles. Dress appropriately. This event is weather-dependent. If we are expecting significant rain, we will cancel the event. Tickets will be refunded or transferred to a rescheduled date, depending on your availability.
There are 10 spots available on this experience.
Guests ages 13 and up can attend.
- Bottle of water
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and hat
- Good walking shoes
Any experience can be canceled and fully refunded within 24 hours of purchase. See cancellation policy.
