ClockTower / Misfits

From the Promenade turn left on Santa Monica Blvd for a quick detour. We see the The Clock Tower building on the left, located at the intersection of 2nd Street and Santa Monica. Built in 1929 this is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the city. The tower, which stands at 128 feet tall, was originally designed as a clock tower for the former headquarters of the Citizens National Bank.

Designed by the famous Los Angeles architect, John Austin who was also desiged several other notable landmarks in Los Angeles, including the Griffith Observatory and Los Angeles City Hall.

It was once the tallest building in Santa Monica. Its distinctive clock face, which measures over 14 feet.  According to local lore, during World War II, the clock hands were removed from the tower to prevent enemy aircraft from using them as a navigational aid.  The clock hands were supposedly stored in a secret location and were never recovered after the war.

At the base of the Clock Tower Building is the trendy and upscale Misfit Bar that has been a staple of the Santa Monica bar scene for over 40 years. 

 The unique and eclectic interior design features a mix of industrial and rustic elements, with exposed brick walls, metal accents, and reclaimed wood furnishings. 

Misfits Bar was once a popular hangout for musicians and actors, including members of the band Guns N' Roses and actor Johnny Depp. In fact, some of the band's early performances were held at the Misfits Bar, and it's rumored that Johnny Depp used to tend bar there in the early 1980s before becoming a famous actor.

Misfits Bar also had a colorful history of being a biker bar in the 1990's  

Look across the street to see the old Santa Monica opera House now the Shoe Palace.