Joan S.
Yelp
This park has sentimental value for me.
More than eight years ago, when I first landed in LA, I lived on Venice Beach. And I did a lot of walking. In fact I walked every inch of Santa Monica, just for pleasure. And Hotchkiss Park was one of my regular stops - to go potty, and grab a cold bottle of water from the little grocery across the street, and sit in the grass to rest my feet, and enjoy the peek of ocean view over the rooftops.
The park is vintage, as can be seen from the old stone retaining wall that surrounds it....as well as the old sculpture it houses (see photos). I wish I knew the significance of that sculpture, and I wonder who Mary Hotchkiss is/was. The park bears her name.
The park covers a small area, just over 2 acres, and occupies a gently sloping hillside. It's set in a quiet residential neighborhood, one with beautiful historic houses. It's one of the prettier sections of Santa Monica, yet to succumb to to the wrecking balls of architectural "progress".
The park's age is revealed also by its huge old shade trees. This park has no playground, no sports facilities......just benches and luxurious thick grass. There is a small building containing restrooms, which was closed today.
There is ample free street parking surrounding the park.
It's a lovely place to spread a blanket on the grass and linger with a book.
Check out my dozen photos.