California Incline

Slipping between the towering palms and the endless blue of the Pacific, the California Incline has been a Santa Monica icon for over a century. Ever wonder about the history behind this slanted roadway? The California Incline, connecting Ocean Avenue and the Pacific Coast Highway, wasn’t always a smooth ribbon of asphalt. It began life humbly as a pedestrian walkway. Known as the Sunset Trail, it was carved into the bluffs in 1896, offering beach access to those on foot. Imagine strolling down this dusty path, the ocean breeze whipping through your hair, as you descended towards the sandy shores below. The California Incline transformed in 1932. The city built a 1,400-foot roadway, making it a vital artery for Santa Monica. This thoroughfare linked the Pacific Coast Highway with Ocean Avenue and California Avenue, slicing through Palisades Park. The California Incline isn’t just a road; it’s a star. It has graced the silver screen in films like “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World” and “Knocked Up.” Even video games like “Grand Theft Auto V” feature this iconic slope. But time takes its toll. By the 1990s, the California Incline was showing its age, deemed “structurally deficient.” A much-needed renovation finally began in 2015. The project, costing $17 million, resulted in a wider, safer incline with dedicated bike lanes and wider sidewalks. The new California Incline reopened in 2016, retaining its historic charm while embracing modern safety standards. The restored neon sign and recreated balustrade arches are a tribute to the Incline’s past. So, as you stand here, at the top of this iconic incline, take a moment to appreciate its journey. From a simple footpath to a vital roadway and a cultural icon, the California Incline has woven itself into the fabric of Santa Monica.