Take A Moment - An Unplugged Event & Day of Rest

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month and National Water Safety Month, this site-wide event brings together a range of offerings designed to support your well-being, reflection, and connection.

Rooted in Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith’s concept of the seven types of rest—physical, mental, emotional, sensory, creative, social, and spiritual—the Annenberg Community Beach House transforms into a space intentionally designed for you to reset and restore.

This is not a typical Beach House pool day. Instead of large-scale programming, you’ll find smaller, more intentional and intimate experiences throughout the grounds, designed to feel grounded, welcoming, and accessible for families, youth, and adults alike.

From quiet reading areas to guided water experiences, each space offers you a different way to engage at your own pace. Explore what interests you, stay for a while, or simply take a moment for yourself.

Some workshops have limited capacity, so we encourage you to RSVP for any activities you’d like to attend. On the day of the event, check-in will take place at Guest Services. Signage will be available throughout the grounds to help guide you through the experience.

• Physical Rest through floating sessions, water safety workshops, and gentle movement in the pool
• Mental Rest in a cozy reading nook with free books for all ages
• Emotional Rest through Plant Therapy, a hands-on, nature-based experience exploring the healing benefits of working with soil and plant materials
• Sensory Rest with calming environments, sound baths, and coastal ambiance
• Creative Rest through live music, artistic workshops, and inspiration
• Social Rest with open, low-pressure spaces to gather or simply exist alongside others
• Spiritual Rest through grounding experiences like sound baths and quiet reflection

Communication Consent

By signing up for this event, you agree to receive emails from the City of Santa Monica, Recreation and Arts Department.

Beach House Parking

Beach House parking is available year-round on a first come, first served basis.

Upon arrival, guests must pay for parking at Pay & Display machines located in each section of the lot and display your receipt on the dashboard. Rates are $4 per hour or $10 per day. Exact change cash and credit cards are accepted.

Guests displaying a valid Disabled Person placard or license plate may park in the Beach House lot for 50% the posted rate. Senior Beach Parking permits issued by the City of Santa Monica are valid in the Beach House lot. For more information, please visit How to Obtain a Senior Beach Parking Permit.

City of Santa Monica Day Beach Permits and California State Parks Vehicle Day Use Annual Passes are NOT accepted at the Beach House.

Additional Parking

If the lot is full, additional parking Lots 8 & 9 (south of the Beach House) and Will Rogers State Beach (North of the Beach House) are within walking distance along the beach footpath. The footpath of the Marvin Braude bike trail connects to the Beach House. Check Santa Monica's city-wide Parking Map for updated information about the Beach House parking lot and other beach lots.

Driving Directions to the Beach House

From Los Angeles: Take the 10 West, which will become Pacific Coast Highway when it reaches the beach. At the second traffic light, Beach House Way, turn left into the parking lot.

From Malibu: Take Pacific Coast Highway south. Turn right at Beach House Way, into the parking lot.

From Santa Monica (downtown): Head west towards Ocean Ave. Turn left at Ocean Ave. Turn right at Moomat Ahiko Way (after Colorado/the pier entrance) which will have signs for Pacific Coast Highway. Turn left at Beach House Way into our parking lot.

Access

The Annenberg Community Beach House is wheelchair accessible and ADA compliant. Two beach wheelchairs will be available for this activity. To reserve, call Guest Services at (310) 458-4904 or email [email protected]. For disability related accommodations, please call Guest Services at (310) 458-4904.

Info: Settle into a quiet reading nook with books for all ages, courtesy of Friends of the Library, or bring your own. Stay for a few pages or linger longer in this thoughtfully designed space.

Info: Spend time with Plant Therapy, presented by the Office of Sustainability & the Environment. Engage in simple, grounding activities like planting and pressed flower-making.

Info: Explore Longfellow WHALE Tales with coloring books and stickers available for you and your family to enjoy together, courtesy of Recreation & the Santa Monica Swim Center.

Info: In this hands-on workshop, you’ll explore light, transparency, and perception through simple geometric compositions. Using pre-cut translucent shapes—circles and soft linear elements—you’ll layer materials to create a light-responsive piece. RSVP required.

Info: Join a 20-minute session and explore the basics of floating and water safety in a supportive, low-pressure setting—open to all swimming levels. This session takes place from 1:30–1:50PM and is designed for youth ages 6 months to 8 years with parent supervision required. RSVP required, with a waitlist available the morning of at the Beach House front desk if space opens up.

Info: Join a 20-minute session and explore the basics of floating and water safety in a supportive, low-pressure setting—open to all swimming levels. This session takes place from 1:50–2:10PM and is designed for youth ages 9 to 17. RSVP required, with a waitlist available the morning of at the Beach House front desk if space opens up.

Info: Join a 20-minute session and explore the basics of floating and water safety in a supportive, low-pressure setting—open to all swimming levels. This session takes place from 2:10–2:30PM and is designed for adults ages 18+. RSVP required, with a waitlist available the morning of at the Beach House front desk if space opens up.

Info: Ease into a gentle, meditative approach to stretching, yoga postures, and water safety. Open to ages 18+. Class times are 2:30–2:50PM, 2:50–3:10PM, and 3:10–3:30PM. RSVP required, but a waitlist will be available the morning of at the Beach House front desk if space opens up.

Info: Take a pause with a guided sound bath session from 3:30-4PM led by Camille Langston—an invitation to settle into stillness. RSVP required.

Info: Take a pause with a guided sound bath session from 2:30-3PM led by Camille Langston—an invitation to settle into stillness. RSVP required.

Info: Wind down with an adults-only open swim in the historic pool. Let the afternoon carry you with live music on the pool deck: from 4:00–4:45PM, a DJ set by Johnny Young; 4:45–5:15PM, a live harp performance by Nailah Hunter; and 5:15–6:00PM, a DJ set by Johnny Young. RSVP required.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Annenberg Community Beach House, 415 Pacific Coast Hwy, Santa Monica, United States

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