Santa Monica Historical Society Museum

Discover, Explore, and Experience the unique and colorful history of Santa Monica. Come experience the remarkable chapters of Santa Monica’s history in the permanent exhibit gallery. Place yourself in the front-page news of a past era, explore Santa Monica landmarks, or step into a re-created section of a Douglas C-47. Here you will discover the compelling people and stories that have shaped the extraordinary city of Santa Monica. A central timeline exhibit takes you through the early Santa Monica Bay area history including the life of the Native American Tongva Indians, Spanish explorations of Santa Monica Bay, the San Gabriel Mission, Santa Monica Bay Ranchos. This timeline continues to explore the history of the founding of Santa Monica by Robert S. Baker and John P. Jones, and the early developments of the town with Arcadia Bandini de Baker. The timeline exhibit concludes with the history of how Santa Monica became a “Paradise by the Sea.” In addition, there are three hands on interactive exhibits that bring the history to life.