Santa Monica Bay: Paradise by the Sea : A Pictorial History of Santa Monica, Venice, Marina Del Rey, Ocean Part, Pacific Palisades, Topanga & Malibu

by Fred E. Basten, Carolyn See (Introduction)

Wide beaches curve out into the Pacific, mountains frame the palm-studded views, fascinatingly diverse communities line the littoral: it is no wonder that many do consider Santa Monica Bay a paradise on earth. SANTA MONICA BAY is a sweeping illustrated history of the region. With hundreds of archival illustrations and contemporary photographs, Fred Basten captures the allure of exclusive Malibu, funky Venice, bustling Santa Monica that drew the varied folk who have made this Eden along the California coast their home. This is a must for local historians as well as anyone else interested in the reality of the California Dream.

Genres: History

296 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

FRED E. BASTEN is the author of over thirty-five books including, “Glorious Technicolor: The Movies’ Magic Rainbow,” “Max Factor’s Hollywood,” and “Steve McQueen: the Final Chapter” (with Grady Ragsdale). He currently lives in Santa Monica, CA

Reviews

[Telyn]

A wonderful collection of archival photographs. Most of the book is devoted to Santa Monica and Venice, there's only a handful of Malibu and Topanga images, but it's well worth tracking down for anyone interested in the history and development of the Southern California coast between Venice and Malibu. The only negative is that the quality of the printing is poor and it's hard to see the details in many images.

[Meghan Walsh]

A wonderful archive of early Santa Monica history that now, since having been compiled back in the 70s, serves as its own piece of history too. Outstanding imagery!

[Michael Heath-Caldwell]

Good book, well photographed, on the history of Santa Monica.