The club was established in 1972 by rugby graduates of UCLA, USC and St. Mary's College. The club went undefeated in the SCRFU Division I, taking the championships in both the San Diego/OMBAC Tournament and the Monterey National Invitational. Santa Monica have continued their winning ways since their inaugural season in 1972/73, going on to win the SCRFU Division I title five times in total. The club has produced numerous National team players for the national team, some of which have skippered the USA.