Unique Event Venues in Santa Monica, California

Published on February 4, 2019

Santa Monica boasts many unique venues ideal for your next event, meeting, or banquet. Event space overlooking the sunny beaches, world-famous pier, and world-class hotels make Santa Monica a top destination for beach vibe meetings, corporate gatherings, special events and incentive programs. The destination combines the charm, relaxing atmosphere, and attractions of a Southern California seaside community with the sophistication and cutting-edge business amenities of a world-class city.

More than 8 million visitors a year come to Santa Monica because it is a renowned beach city with more than 300 days of sunshine a year and Santa Monica offers some of the best sunsets on the West Coast. Santa Monica is also known as a walkable and bike-friendly town, so it’s easy to get around and experience the haven of exclusive shops, restaurants, unique event venues, attractions like the Santa Monica Pier and Third Street Promenade and more!

Santa Monica’s 40 hotels, 400+ restaurants and 100,000+ square feet of unique event space are all located within eight square miles, creating a truly accessible and pedestrian-friendly destination. Visitors also enjoy the City’s prime location within greater Los Angeles, which allows for easy day trips to all of Los Angeles’ venues, most famous landmarks and attractions.
Below are a few of the most unique, one-of-a-kind event venues located in Santa Monica, California.

Pacific Park and the Seaside Pavilion located at 380 Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica

Located on the world famous Santa Monica Pier, Pacific Park is an exciting, outdoor amusement park with fun rides, challenging midway games, traditional Park food favorites such as funnel cakes, corn dogs, ice cream and pizza, all sitting 30’ above the Pacific Ocean on a 108 year old Pier. The whole Park can be reserved exclusively for large corporate events, company picnics, incentive programs, influencer events, fundraisers and more! It’s an authentic California destination that offers a one of a kind experience for event guests. Where else can your event guests ride the world’s only solar powered Ferris wheel that has been featured in over 1,000 movies, television shows, commercials, music videos and print ads? The Santa Monica Pier is the 8^th most Instagrammed place in the world.

For more intimate events, the Seaside Pavilion which is located in Pacific Park, can be reserved for up to 300 guests reception style or 250 seated. The Pavilion is a private event space with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, Malibu cliffs and Catalina Island. Watch the sun set over the Pacific Ocean while sipping on a specialty cocktail and enjoying a funnel cake. Your event guests will remember this event long after it is over.

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Annenberg Community Beach House located at 415 Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica.

The 5-acre oceanfront site upon which the Annenberg Community Beach House now sits was originally developed during the Gold Coast era of the 1920s by William Randolph Hearst for actress (and his mistress) Marion Davies. The Davies estate featured a mansion of 100-plus rooms and an ornate marble swimming pool. As with many Hearst projects, the vision of architect Julia Morgan provided a cohesive grace to the rambling estate. The Beach House was a hot spot on Santa Monica’s Gold Coast, with Hearst and Davies entertaining luminaries from the Hollywood set, such as Charlie Chaplin, Louis B. Mayer, Samuel Goldwyn, Greta Garbo, Clark Gable and other stars of the day.

The site opened to the public as the Annenberg Community Beach House on April 25, 2009. The Beach House combines elements of the historic Marion Davies Estate with new amenities to create a truly unique community destination that’s open to all. From team-building exercises to executive presentations, meetings to retreats, the venue allows your group to mix business with California beach leisure. Flexible space for groups from 10 to 400. Some rooms are equipped with one-touch projectors and screens. Wireless internet is available throughout the site.

The Museum of Flying located at 3100 Airport Ave in Santa Monica

Photo courtesy of @bradtoomoth

The Museum of Flying is a unique venue that will make your special event memorable! Receptions, elegant dinners, corporate parties, cocktail events, fundraisers, charity galas and holiday parties are all first class at the Museum.

A departure from the boring and mundane hotel ballroom, a meeting or seminar at this interesting and exciting location located at the historic Santa Monica Airport is sure to thrill everyone in your party. Guests can explore an array of aircraft, aviation themed exhibits, aviation memorabilia, artifacts, and aviation art while they mingle and socialize.

Barker Hanger located at 3021 Airport Avenue in Santa Monica

Photo courtesy of @youn_gallery

The Barker Hanger plays host to some of the most exclusive events in Southern California. The venue is a unique space where clients are limited only by their imagination. The historic Barker Hanger at the Santa Monica Airport is known as one of Santa Monica’s premier venues for charity, corporate and private events as well as video and film shoots. The 35,000 square foot hanger is one of the biggest and most versatile venues in Los Angeles making it uniquely suited for large events such as concerts, retail sales, awards shows, trade shows and gala dinners.

The Jonathan Club located at 850 Palisades Beach Club Road in Santa Monica

Founded in 1895, Jonathan Club began as a modest social Club in the heart of Los Angeles, a city boasting a population of around 70,000 at the time. Named after Brother Jonathan, a caricature predecessor of the iconic Uncle Sam, Jonathan Club has established itself over the past century as the flagship of the west coast. Generations of members have included some the most influential figures in American and California history, shaping our city into the modern pillar of culture, production, and worldwide influence that it is today. With a private slice of the Santa Monica Beach and a 12-story facility in the heart of downtown LA, members continue to deepen the great American Legacy that is Jonathan Club.

Jonathan Club offers its members the stoic elegance of the Town Club or the serene sophistication of the Beach Club. Milestones and memories, social and business endeavors all are catered to with exceptional attention. Full service catering manages the details of any event from an intimate family gathering to a large-scale business conference. The consummate setting, custom menu options and flawless service of Jonathan Club enhance the charm and beauty of your celebration. The luxury of simply living in the moment is what a private party at Jonathan Club provides with every detail, executed flawlessly.

These are just a small handful of all the wonderful, unique, one of a kind properties located in beautiful Santa Monica. For more event venues, please visit https://www.santamonica.com/meetings-conventions/

Hope to see you in sunny California soon!