Santa Monica and Malibu were the beaches of choice for Hollywood’s biggest stars. Close to the major film studios, these stretches of coastline offered actresses a rare escape from the heat of studio lights. But the beach was never purely a private retreat. It was also a place to be seen, photographed, and written about in fan magazines.
During the silent film era, stars like Estelle Taylor and Pola Negri were regulars on the Los Angeles shoreline. They wore the heavy wool swimsuits standard for the early 1920s. Pola Negri took things further — she walked the sand with a pet cheetah to draw photographer attention, a calculated move to keep her name in the press even on her days off.
The coastal light was a practical asset too. Actresses used it to look their best in every shot, knowing that a well-timed photograph could reach millions of readers. The beach was, in many ways, an extension of the studio floor.
By the 1930s, the studio system shaped even beach visits. Actresses like Joan Crawford and Ginger Rogers used the Santa Monica Beach Club between long filming sessions. Studio photographers staged “candid” shots of stars reading scripts or playing in the surf. These images ran in fan magazines to make the women seem relatable and approachable.
Striped umbrellas shielded skin from the sun while cameras captured every angle. The look was glamorous but carefully managed. Nothing about these beach appearances was entirely accidental.
Into the 1950s and beyond, the beach remained a prime location for both candid and promotional photography. Swimwear grew sleeker, and the poses became more playful and athletic.
By the late 1970s, the tone on the Malibu coast shifted toward something more natural. Bo Derek became an international star after filming scenes for the movie 10 there, wearing a tan swimsuit and hair in tight braids against the blue Pacific. The staged glamour of earlier decades gave way to a more athletic, unguarded look.
