Discover. Explore. Experience.

Current Exhibitions
Roots and Branches: A Tree’s View of Santa Monica

Roots and Branches: A Tree’s View of Santa Monica

Delving into the intricate connections between trees, urban development, and the cultural and environmental history of Santa Monica the exhibition serves as a thoughtful exploration of how nature and humanity have coexisted — and often clashed– over centuries..
Herstory

Herstory

On the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the city of Santa Monica (1875), we remember the groundbreaking women of Santa Monica. They were the first and often, though not always, the only women in the room, but they created spaces and places for other women, their communities, and the broader Santa Monica community. Their legacy and work continue to this day.
Philomathean-Club

Broadway Augmented Reality Walking Tour

In partnership with SNAP we’ve developed an augmented-reality tour showcasing the historic Broadway neighborhood. Utilizing archival images, City-Scale technology brings the neighborhood to life, inviting viewers to walk its historic core to witness a thriving community full of schools, homes, and businesses..
Quinn Gallery

Quinn Gallery

The Quinn advances the museum’s commitment to inclusivity as we continue our mission to share the rich, diverse history of Santa Monica. Created in collaboration with The Quinn Research Center (QRC), an archive of Black family history and Santa Monica Bay culture; as a tribute to the legacy of Dr. Alfred T. Quinn, a prominent Santa Monica Black educator and community leader. Special visiting hours by appointment may be arranged for school and group tours..

Roots and Branches: A Tree’s View of Santa Monica

Roots and Branches: A Tree’s View of Santa Monica
Delving into the intricate connections between trees, urban development, and the cultural and environmental history of Santa Monica the exhibition serves as a thoughtful exploration of how nature and humanity have coexisted — and often clashed– over centuries..

Herstory

Herstory
On the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the city of Santa Monica (1875), we remember the groundbreaking women of Santa Monica. They were the first and often, though not always, the only women in the room, but they created spaces and places for other women, their communities, and the broader Santa Monica community. Their legacy and work continue to this day.

Broadway Augmented Reality Walking Tour

Philomathean-Club
In partnership with SNAP we’ve developed an augmented-reality tour showcasing the historic Broadway neighborhood. Utilizing archival images, City-Scale technology brings the neighborhood to life, inviting viewers to walk its historic core to witness a thriving community full of schools, homes, and businesses..

Quinn Gallery

Quinn Gallery
The Quinn advances the museum’s commitment to inclusivity as we continue our mission to share the rich, diverse history of Santa Monica. Created in collaboration with The Quinn Research Center (QRC), an archive of Black family history and Santa Monica Bay culture; as a tribute to the legacy of Dr. Alfred T. Quinn, a prominent Santa Monica Black educator and community leader. Special visiting hours by appointment may be arranged for school and group tours..
A Closer Look: Open through December 2024

UnHoused: A History of Housing in Santa Monica

From the Tongva people to its contemporary beach town metropolis, the exhibition delves into the heart of Santa Monica’s housing legacy by providing perspectives on policy and development. It moves to poignant narratives of migration, affordability, redlining, restrictive covenants, and the ever-relevant topic of rent control. Addressing contemporary housing challenges faced by Santa Monica and the region, the exhibition further explores affordable housing, support systems for those experiencing homelessness, equity and inclusion, and the importance of historic preservation in maintaining the city’s cultural identity.

Roots and Branches: A Tree’s View of Santa Monica

Roots and Branches: A Tree’s View of Santa Monica

Delving into the intricate connections between trees, urban development, and the cultural and environmental history of Santa Monica the exhibition serves as a thoughtful exploration of how nature and humanity have coexisted — and often clashed– over centuries..
Herstory

Herstory

On the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the city of Santa Monica (1875), we remember the groundbreaking women of Santa Monica. They were the first and often, though not always, the only women in the room, but they created spaces and places for other women, their communities, and the broader Santa Monica community. Their legacy and work continue to this day.
Philomathean-Club

Broadway Augmented Reality Walking Tour

In partnership with SNAP we’ve developed an augmented-reality tour showcasing the historic Broadway neighborhood. Utilizing archival images, City-Scale technology brings the neighborhood to life, inviting viewers to walk its historic core to witness a thriving community full of schools, homes, and businesses..
Quinn Gallery

Quinn Gallery

The Quinn advances the museum’s commitment to inclusivity as we continue our mission to share the rich, diverse history of Santa Monica. Created in collaboration with The Quinn Research Center (QRC), an archive of Black family history and Santa Monica Bay culture; as a tribute to the legacy of Dr. Alfred T. Quinn, a prominent Santa Monica Black educator and community leader. Special visiting hours by appointment may be arranged for school and group tours..
Explore The Exhibit
Become a Sponsor
Permanent Collection
Photo of museum gallery featuring artifacts in a glass cabinet and text panels exploring historical indigenous roots
Indigenous Roots of the Region

Through artifacts, archival photographs, interpretive texts, and thoughtfully designed visuals, trace the region’s story from the Tongva homelands through the city’s founding and early decades.

Close up photo of pacifuc Ocean Park decorative seahorse
Celebrated Beach Town

Discover what has made the beach a destination spot. Fun-seekers have flocked to Santa Monica beaches over the years to play in the sand and on its amusement piers, plunge into salt water baths or simply stroll the boardwalk.

gallery photo for exhibits representign a town in the arts, black and white photos with text.
Santa Monica’s Creativity

Explore the city’s rich and compelling contributions to American cultural life. Santa Monica evolved as an artistic community, beginning with early photographers capturing the beauty of the landscape.

Our “Then & Now” images allow a simple and immediate understanding and experience of how Santa Monica’s landscape has evolved.

Color photo of museum gallery representing a Town at Work
A City Grows & Thrives

Experience Santa Monica’s independent spirit as an international resort destination and a home for innovation and creativity.

Meet the individuals whose cutting-edge ideas left an indelible mark on the city.

Image Archive

Consisting today of over 600,000 prints, negatives, glass-plate negatives and slides, the photo collection is one of the stellar components of the museum’s archival holdings.

In addition to being the most comprehensive collection documenting Santa Monica’s history, most of the images in the collection are unique, rare, and not available anywhere else.

Image Archive
Custom Reprints

Pacific Ocean Park (P.O.P.)
Outlook Collection (1998.1.1103)

About SMHM
Since 1975, we’ve been sharing the diverse history of Santa Monica and the Santa Monica Bay area. From its indigenous Tongva roots to its transformation into a bustling coastal California surf town. 
 The museum offers dynamic exhibitions highlighting the historical complexity of the westside, an extensive permanent collection, events, workshops, interactive features, and pop-up exhibits. The Santa Monica History Museum is the preeminent venue for exploring Santa Monica Bay history and culture.

Roots and Branches: A Tree’s View of Santa Monica

Roots and Branches: A Tree’s View of Santa Monica
Delving into the intricate connections between trees, urban development, and the cultural and environmental history of Santa Monica the exhibition serves as a thoughtful exploration of how nature and humanity have coexisted — and often clashed– over centuries..

Herstory

Herstory
On the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the city of Santa Monica (1875), we remember the groundbreaking women of Santa Monica. They were the first and often, though not always, the only women in the room, but they created spaces and places for other women, their communities, and the broader Santa Monica community. Their legacy and work continue to this day.

Broadway Augmented Reality Walking Tour

Philomathean-Club
In partnership with SNAP we’ve developed an augmented-reality tour showcasing the historic Broadway neighborhood. Utilizing archival images, City-Scale technology brings the neighborhood to life, inviting viewers to walk its historic core to witness a thriving community full of schools, homes, and businesses..

Quinn Gallery

Quinn Gallery
The Quinn advances the museum’s commitment to inclusivity as we continue our mission to share the rich, diverse history of Santa Monica. Created in collaboration with The Quinn Research Center (QRC), an archive of Black family history and Santa Monica Bay culture; as a tribute to the legacy of Dr. Alfred T. Quinn, a prominent Santa Monica Black educator and community leader. Special visiting hours by appointment may be arranged for school and group tours..
Return to Top of Page

LOCATION & INFO

Santa Monica History Museum
1350 7th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
310.395.2290
info@santamonicahistory.org

Mailing Address
PO Box 3059
Santa Monica, California, 90408

HOURS & ADMISSIONS

Public Hours:
Thursday 2pm-5pm
Friday Saturday Sunday 11am-5pm

First Sunday Free Admission
SMHM is a Museums For All partner museum

Museum Admission is $5.00
Free for museum members, children under 17, students, seniors (65+), active duty military, veterans & SNAP/EBT cardholders

The Santa Monica History Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law. Tax ID: 95-3019295
Copyright © 1975-2026, Santa Monica History Museum, All rights reserved.

Facebook Youtube Instagram Threads