[Acrobats with child], Santa Monica

Muscle Beach is etched into Santa Monica and Southern California history, from the time of its creation in the 1930s. The beach was born out of the Work Projects Administration (WPA), an effort to help dispel the effects of the Great Depression and put Americans back to work. Immediately, the beach became a gathering place for Hollywood's stunt actors and celebrities, growing in fame around the world. As time passed, gymnasts, acrobats, and bodybuilders began to congregate at the beach, giving rise to the name "Muscle Beach." While most beaches feature an assortment of activities, like chess or volleyball, Muscle Beach was unique for its focus on bodybuilding and other gymnastic activities.