Uber-successful San Vicente courtyard tours extended through August

Photo by Douglas Brian Martin for the Historic San Vicente Coalition. — This corridor of courtyard housing was recently nominated for designation as a historic district by the city’s Landmark Commission with support from a number of local organizations and courtyard residents who are working to retain the architecture and character of this unique neighborhood. If designated, this district will become the third in Santa Monica (Photo by Douglas Brian Martin for the Historic San Vicente Coalition).

Due to popular demand, the San Vicente Courtyards Walking Tour is being offered again on Sunday, Aug. 30. The Santa Monica Conservancy, in collaboration with the Historic San Vicente Coalition, will host free, guided walking tours of historic courtyard housing on San Vicente Boulevard, stretching from Ocean Avenue to Seventh Street.

Tours will begin at 10 am, 10:30 am and 11 am and will last about 1.5-2 hours. The tours will begin at the northeast corner of San Vicente Boulevard and 4th Street.

Reservations are required and can be made here.

Courtyard housing is unique to Southern California. This corridor contains the most significant and cohesive concentration of courtyard buildings in Santa Monica, creating a distinctive neighborhood of architecturally noteworthy buildings built between 1937 and 1953. The buildings are two- and-three stories, configured around a landscaped open space, and designed in various architectural styles such as Streamline Moderne, American Colonial Revival, and Mid-Century Modern. This tour will provide an opportunity to learn more about Santa Monica’s courtyards and the distinctive character of the San Vicente corridor.