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Founded in 1905, the Santa Monica Bay Woman's Club was a formidable social institution in the history of Santa Monica.

In 1904, suffragist and civic activist Elmira T. Stephens created a local women’s discussion group known as “The History Class,” aimed at examining current issues while promoting growth in culture, education, public welfare, service, and civic life. A year later, the group formally organized as the Santa Monica Woman’s Club, with members including Hannah Cornelia, wife of city founder Senator John P. Jones. A few years afterward, the organization expanded by merging with a women’s group from Ocean Park, forming the Santa Monica Bay Woman’s Club.

To support its activities, the club raised funds to buy a lot on Fourth Street for $2,600 and construct a clubhouse. Part of this funding came from influential Californio landowner and philanthropist Arcadia Bandini de Stearns Baker. She played a key role in the development of Santa Monica and West Los Angeles.

Since the Classical Revival-style building's completion in 1914, the Woman's Club has hosted countless balls, concerts, charity events, and bridge games.

A tiled hip roof, decorated frieze, and wide main entranceway with stained glass over the doors suggest the demure restraint of the building's design. The main auditorium and ballrooms remain largely intact and are popular filming locations.

The club's membership reached its heyday in the 1950s but declined in subsequent decades. Of late, new members have begun to reinvigorate the club and make plans for preserving its historic resources.