Santa Monica in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Muscle Beach

Photographed By Jason Voigt, August 15, 2022

1. Muscle Beach Marker

Inscription. The world-famous Muscle Beach was originally located on the beach just south of the Pier, operating from the mid-1930's until 1958. The amazing shows of acrobatics became so popular that more people actually attended these shows than visited the Pier itself.

Famous bodybuilders such as Jack LaLanne and Joe Gold, the founder of Gold's Gym, regularly worked out here, establishing Santa Monica as the birthplace of the physical fitness boom. Other activities and points of interest whose roots began near the Pier are beach volleyball, hot dog on a stick and Cirque du Soleil.

Erected by City of Santa Monica and LACarguy.com.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1958.

Location. 34° 0.544′ N, 118° 29.865′ W. Marker is in Santa Monica, California, in Los Angeles County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Ocean Avenue and Colorado Avenue. Marker is located on Santa Monica Pier. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 356 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica CA 90401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. La Monica Ballroom (here, next to this marker); Sinbad's & Moby's Dock (here, next to this marker); Playland Arcade

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(here, next to this marker); Santa Monica Harbor and Breakwater (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Santa Monica Pier (about 600 feet away); The Santa Monica Pier Carousel (about 600 feet away); Will Rogers Highway (approx. 0.3 miles away); Rapp’s Saloon (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Santa Monica.

Photographed By Jason Voigt, August 15, 2022

2. Muscle Beach Marker

Marker is located on a small kiosk (sharing with two other plaques) on the Santa Monica Pier.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 18, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 12, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 103 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 12, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.