Santa Monica Canyon

Santa Monica Canyon is not only a place of magic and mystery, it is a goldmine of history, a reflection of the events and trends that have shaped Southern California.

Geographically, Santa Monica Canyon is the broad valley formed by the confluence of three major watersheds. Approached from the shoreline it extends upstream for two or three miles to include lower Rustic Canyon and lower Sullivan Canyon, both entering tangentially from the northwest and ends at the entrance to Mandeville Canyon which extends six miles farther north to the crest of the Santa Monica Mountains. Culturally and historically, the neighborhood known as Santa Monica Canyon reaches inland only as far as the Riviera Country ClubŐs southern boundary line, but it also includes the lower portion of Rustic Canyon and the intervening seaward slopes served today by Mesa Road and lower Amalfi Drive.

The first European settlers arrived in 1839 when the Rancho Boca de Santa Monica was granted to Francisco Marquez and Ysidro Reyes by the Mexican government. It was Francisco Marquez and later his heirs, who made their homes in the canyon, farming the land and keeping the traditions alive. The natural beauty of the canyon, with its wide beach, its springs and streams, soon attracted vacationers from Los Angeles, who camped under the oaks and sycamores, creating Southern CaliforniaŐs first true resort. Commerce followed, as Abbot Kinney established the nationŐs first forestry station in Rustic Canyon and Collis Huntington constructed the Mile-Long Wharf at the mouth of Potrero Canyon, hoping that it would become the port for the city of Los Angeles.

Canyon School opened in October, 1894 on Sycamore Road, and moved to its present site on Channel Road in 1912, when the lower canyon was subdivided into a residential area with a small business district. The canyon was "discovered" in the 1920s by a lively set of artists, writers and celebrities from Hollywood who made this their home. This trend accelerated in the 1930s with the arrival of the emigres from HitlerŐs Europe, some living in the canyon, others gathering at Salka ViertelŐs famous "salon" on Mabery Road.

Today, the rich historical heritage of Santa Monica Canyon lingers in its groves of ancient trees, in the sound of the streams and in the tales of old-timers who remember how it used to be. The canyon itself is a paradox - at once heavily traveled by motorists who whiz by on Pacific Coast Highway and by commuters who wind down the hillsides from Santa Monica and Pacific Palisades. Beyond these busy thoroughfares, however, the canyon is quiet, sequestered, remote and linked to its historic past - small frame cottages hiding behind vines, imposing estates, gardens with running springs, a cluster of modest shops at the mouth of the canyon, and in the center the quaint, columned facade of Canyon School - all tumbled together chock-a-block in pleasing array.

Santa Monica Canyon features nearby Rustic Canyon Park, which provides art classes and a preschool, a gym, a public pool, six public tennis courses, a basketball court, baseball diamonds, and a picnic and play area for children. You can also walk to the beach, ride, or hike nearby. A well-known, dual set of steps rises to Santa Monica Canyon's Adelaide Drive, providing a regular open-air training course. Santa Monica Canyon is also located near popular Palisades Park and Will Rogers State Beach.