Santa Monica City Hall

Santa Monica City Hall, 1930s elegance

The Santa Monica audio-guided tour lets you discover the City Hall, which stands out for its elegant architecture and its history linked to the evolution of the city. The main building was constructed between 1938 and 1939, in the middle of the Great Depression.

A New Deal building

The building was largely funded by a federal New Deal programme, intended to create jobs and support local communities during the crisis. Its style, called Classical Moderne, blends sober lines, Art Deco influences and a nautical inspiration, echoing the seaside setting of the city. It is a witness to the American history of the 1930s.

What there is to see

The city hall stands out for its careful façade, its clean lines and its 1930s decorative details. Inside, colourful mosaics adorn the entrance. Located near Tongva Park and the ocean, it forms a fine architectural ensemble and testifies to the ambition of Santa Monica at the time of its modernisation.

Practical information

Santa Monica City Hall is near Main Street, close to Tongva Park and the ocean. An administrative building, it opens to the public during the hours of the municipal services; the façade can be contemplated freely from the street at all hours.

When was the city hall built?

It was built between 1938 and 1939, largely thanks to a federal New Deal programme, during the Great Depression.

What is the style of the city hall?

Its style, called Classical Moderne, blends sober lines, Art Deco influences and a nautical inspiration, echoing the seaside setting of Santa Monica.