Palisades Park - California Ave to Arizona Ave
The Palisades Park continues south all the way to the famous Santa Monica Pier. We will visit the Pier later on our walk.
As we walk south on the Palisades Park and cross California Street we approach the Beacon Overlook, a 70-foot high painted steel obelisk sculpture, mounted on a concrete elevated platform that provides an unobstructed view of the ocean. Its name stems from the historic Pacific Railway's Electric Beacon that use to guide the railway cars along the coast. Take a moment to enjoy the breathtaking panoramic view of the coastline.
Across Ocean Blvd is the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows The Fairmont property was previously owned by King Gillette of Gillette Razors. It subsequently became a military academy before finally reopening as the “Hotel Miramar” in 1921.
Bugsy Siegel and his associates, including Meyer Lansky, reportedly purchased the hotel in 1939 and used it as a base of operations for their criminal activities. The hotel went on to host countless celebrities, politicians, and other influential people including Hollywood superstars like Greta Garbo’s Jean Harlow, Humphrey Bogart, Antony Quinn, Jimmy Stewart and even John F. Kennedy and Bill Clinton. In 1980s, Jane Fonda filmed her famous fitness videos there.
At Arizona and Palisades Park, there stands an impressive 18-ft. high Art Deco Sculpture of Saint Monica, which was sculpted in 1934. This sculpture holds historical significance as it represents the namesake of the city of Santa Monica. The naming of Santa Monica can be attributed to the Spanish explorer Sebastian Vizcaino, who, in 1602, sailed into the picturesque natural harbor after weathering a storm on the day of Santa Monica's feast.
During the 1700s, Spanish priest Father Juan Crespi encountered a flowing spring in the area, which evoked the image of Saint Monica's tears shed for her son Augustine during his wayward phase before his eventual conversion. These two notable occurrences, Vizcaino's arrival and Father Crespi's encounter with the spring, played a pivotal role in bestowing the name Santa Monica upon the region.
Behind the Santa Monica Statue is the famous Santa Monica Beach. This seaside destination is known for its stunning coastline and captivating landmarks. One of the remarkable aspects of Santa Monica Beach is its rich history as a renowned filming location for both movies and TV shows. This picturesque beach has served as the backdrop for unforgettable scenes in cinematic masterpieces such as F A Night at the Roxbury, Hancock, Hannah Montana, Lords of Dogtown, Rocky 3 and "The Karate Kid," along with episodes of beloved TV shows like "Baywatch" and "9.0.2.1.0."
Cross back over Ocean Boulevard on Arizonia Street and continue one block inland to 2nd Street.