Welcome to Pacific Palisades
An upscale residential neighborhood tucked between the Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific Ocean.
Pacific Palisades is an affluent seaside community on the westside of Los Angeles, bordering Brentwood and Santa Monica. Its intimate feel is popular with Hollywood celebrities and others in the entertainment industry.
Founded in 1921 by a Methodist organization, the Pacific Palisades is known for its small-town charm, close-knit community, natural beauty, and wonderful weather. Besides the beach, there are parks and hiking trails in the hilly topography.
While there are some middle-class residents, Pacific Palisades is one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the area. The median home price is around $3 million.
What to Love
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The outdoorsy feel and stunning natural beauty of the coastline and nearby mountains.
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The Alphabet Streets in the first neighborhood to be built in the Palisades, The North Village, are consecutively named in the order of the alphabet.
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People & Lifestyle
Besides being a haven for celebrities, Pacific Palisades is known for its stunning landscapes of water and mountains. It offers swimming, hiking, surfing, mountain biking, and other activities. There are several parks and other amenities of a suburban lifestyle.
Pacific Palisades is not considered a tourist destination, and there are no hotels. That helps make the quality of living quite special compared to other areas.
The Beach Boys’ 1963 hit "Surfin' U.S.A." mentions Pacific Palisades among other popular Southern California beaches.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
There are several fine dining options concentrated around Sunset Boulevard. Among them are
Porta Via, a neighborhood California bistro and bar;
Vittorio Ristorante & Pizzeria for Italian dining;
Hank’s, which is described as the ultimate neighborhood joint for lunch and dinner; and
Matthew’s Garden Café for breakfast and sandwiches.
Down the coast toward Malibu,
Gladstones is a favorite for upscale seafood dining with spectacular views.
Palisades Village is an indoor-outdoor village full of boutiques, restaurants, and shops located just off Sunset Boulevard.
Things to Do
Pacific Palisades is the place to go to enjoy the beauty of Mother Nature. It has a stunning coastline stretching for three miles, offering swimming and surfing. The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area stretches above the neighborhoods and offers hiking, numerous parks, and open space preserves.
Temescal Canyon Park is a recreational area with hiking trails—many with ocean views—a native garden, a playground, and even some barbecue pits.
Visitors can take a leisurely stroll through
Palisades Village, a bespoke, walkable village that’s home to over 40 unique boutiques, food spots, and entertainment options.
Schools
The Pacific Palisades area is home to a number of excellent schools. Top educational opportunities include:
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Palisades Elementary Charter School, grades K-6, highly rated public school.
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Palisades Charter High School, independent charter secondary school.
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Santa Monica College is located next door to the Pacific Palisades neighborhood and is a local community college where many Palisaidians attend.
