Location where Media Tycoon William Randolph Hearst Built an Extravagant Oceanside Estate for his Mistress, the Actress Marion Davies.

Walk toward the Ocean Bluff where Georgina Ave meets Palisades Park and you can see the Annenberg Community Beach House on the beach below..

The Annenberg Community Beach House is a public facility situated on the former site of the Marian Davis Mansion. This wonderful public beach house offers spectacular views, a splash pad, playground, public pool, Marion Davies Guest House gallery, beach courts, and more. There's always something to do for everyone in the family! The beach house is open to the public from 9 am to 6 pm and it's free to visit, except for the pool, which has a small fee of $10 per day for adults and $4 for kids. You'll also find a fantastic beachfront dining experience at the Back To The Beach Cafe, where you can enjoy a meal right on the sand.

However, this location has a scandalous history. In the 1920s, media tycoon William Randolph Hearst built an extravagant oceanside estate on this very spot for his mistress, the actress Marion Davies. Hearst was 54 years old, while Davies was just 19 when their relationship began.

Architect Julia Morgan, a trailblazing woman in her field of architecture in the 1920’s , oversaw the design of the estate. Her design included a breathtaking 110-room mansion with 37 fireplaces, 55 bathrooms, several guest houses, and an ornate marble swimming pool. It served as the backdrop for Davies' legendary costume parties, attended by the biggest names in Old Hollywood. Morgan's involvement as a female architect in such a high-profile project was highly unusual for the time. You can still see the large guest house located on the north side of the property.

Marion Davies herself was a captivating star of the Roaring Twenties. She enchanted audiences both on the silver screen and as a member of the renowned Ziegfeld Follies. However, it was her relationship with Randolf Hearst that brought her fame, albeit not without controversy.

Davies lived a life that pushed the boundaries of societal norms, with rumors swirling about her affairs with other Hollywood icons, including Charlie Chaplin and producer Thomas Ince. In fact, it was aboard Hearst's yacht where Ince mysteriously died in 1924, leading to speculation of foul play and an enduring Hollywood mystery. Some believe that Randolf Hearst may have accidentally shot Ince in the dark, mistaking him for Chaplin due to an alleged affair with Davies.

Despite her undeniable talent and success, Davies' legacy was overshadowed by her portrayal in the iconic film Citizen Kane. Many believed she was the inspiration behind the character Susan Alexander, the untalented mistress of media mogul Charles Foster Kane, reportedly based on Hearst. This added to the scandal and intrigue surrounding Davies' life.

The mansion was sold to hotelier Joseph Drown, who transformed the main house into a hotel and the rest of the grounds into the exclusive Sand and Sea Club. In 1956, the decision was made to demolish the mansion, marking the end of an era and the loss of an architectural marvel.

In its place, the Annenberg Community Beach House was established, offering a new chapter in the history of this iconic location. This public facility was created to provide a space for the community to gather, enjoy the beach, and engage in various activities.