Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pacific Palisades
Neighborhood
Pacific Palisades and Will Rogers State Beach, California
Flag
Nickname(s):  The Palisades, Pali, Palisades
Motto(s):  "Where the mountains meet the sea."
Pacific Palisades Location in the Los Angeles metropolitan area
Country	United States
State	California
County	Los Angeles
City	Los Angeles
First settlement by Chumash people	8,000 BC
Mexican settlement	1838
Established	1921
Government
• Type	Neighborhood of Los Angeles
Area
• Total	24.31 sq mi (62.97 km2)
• Land	22.84 sq mi (59.15 km2)
• Water	1.47 sq mi (3.8 km2)
Elevation	328 ft (98.5 m)
Highest elevation	2,126 ft (648 m)
Lowest elevation	0 ft (0 m)
Population  (2022)
• Total	23,121
• Density	1,185/sq mi (457.5/km2)
Demonym(s)	Palisadian, Palisadians
Time zone	UTC-8 (Pacific)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-7 (PDT)
Zip code	90272
Area code(s)	310/424
Website	Community Council Chamber of Commerce

Pacific Palisades is a neighborhood in the Westside part of Los Angeles, California. It is located about 20 miles (32 km) west of Downtown Los Angeles.

Pacific Palisades was officially started in 1921 by a Methodist group. Over the years, it became a safe place for Jewish artists and thinkers escaping the Holocaust. Later, famous people and others looking for privacy moved there. The area is known for being quiet and having a small-town feel. It has a Mediterranean climate, rolling hills, lots of parks, hiking trails, and a 3-mile (4.8 km) long coastline. Many homes there are also famous for their unique architecture. In 2022, about 23,121 people lived in Pacific Palisades. In January 2025, a large wildfire called the Palisades Fire sadly destroyed most of the neighborhood.

Pacific Palisades is mostly a place where people live. It does not attract many tourists, except for day visitors to places like Gladstones Malibu, the local beaches, the Getty Villa, or the Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine.

Locals and surfers often call it The Palisades or Pali. The coast of the Palisades stretches from Sorrento Beach in Santa Monica to the south, up to Sunset Point Beach and Malibu in the north. Some beaches along this coast include Will Rogers State Beach and Sunset Point Beach. Many parks within the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area are located on the ridges above the community. These include local parks like Will Rogers State Historic Park.

The Palisades is surrounded by Brentwood to the east, Malibu to the west, Santa Monica to the southeast, and the Santa Monica Bay to the southwest. To the north are Topanga and the Santa Monica Mountains.

Understanding the Name of Pacific Palisades

The name "Pacific Palisades" comes from the word "palisades." This word describes a natural cliff-like formation found by a body of water, like the Pacific Ocean in this case. The area was also named because it looked similar to The Palisades along the lower Hudson River.

A Look at Pacific Palisades History

Early Native American Life

Evidence from archaeology shows that Native American Indians lived in the Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific Palisades area for over 10,000 years. Before Europeans arrived, the western parts of the Santa Monica Mountains were home to the Tongva people. The closest Tongva village with written records was called Topa'nga. This village was on the western edge of Tongva land, next to the Chumash people's territory to the north. Because they were so close, the culture in western Tongva areas had some influences from the Chumash.

The Mexican Period and First Homes

The land that became Pacific Palisades was originally part of Rancho Boca de Santa Monica. The governor of California gave this land to Francisco Marquez and Ysidro Reyes in 1839 during the Mexican period. The Ysidro Reyes Adobe was the very first adobe home built in Santa Monica Canyon. It was put up in 1838 on land now known as Pampas Ricas Blvd in Pacific Palisades. Drawings of this adobe house are kept at the UCLA Library. A special plaque on a boulder on Pampas Ricas Blvd remembers this adobe house. Ysidro Reyes passed away in 1863. He left his part of Rancho Boca de Santa Monica to his widow, Maria Antonia Villa, who sold it to Robert Symington Baker in 1875.

Hollywood's Early Days in the Palisades (1911–1922)

In 1911, film director Thomas Ince built his movie studio, "Inceville". It was on a 460-acre (1.9 km2) piece of land he rented called Bison Ranch. This land was located at Sunset Blvd. and Pacific Coast Highway in the Santa Monica Mountains. Today, the Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine is there.

By the next year, Ince had earned enough money to buy the ranch. He also rented an extra 18,000-acre (73 km2) lot in what is now the Palisades Highlands neighborhood. This area stretched 7.5 miles (12.1 km) up Santa Ynez Canyon. This was the first big development in the Palisades since the Mexican rancho era.

"Inceville" was the first studio in the area to have everything in one place. It had silent stages, offices, labs for printing films, a large cafeteria, dressing rooms, and prop houses. There were also detailed sets. The streets of Inceville were lined with many types of buildings, from small cottages to large mansions. These buildings copied the styles of different countries. Large outdoor western sets were also built and used there for several years.

While the cowboys, Native Americans, and other workers lived at "Inceville," the main actors came from Los Angeles. They often took the red trolley cars to the Long Wharf in what is now the Temescal Canyon neighborhood. From there, horse-drawn carts took them to the set.

Ince lived in a house overlooking the huge studio. This house is now in the Marquez Knolls neighborhood. "Inceville" became a model for future Hollywood film studios. It had a studio head (Ince), producers, directors, and staff all working together. On January 16, 1916, a fire broke out at Inceville. This was the first of many fires that eventually destroyed all the buildings. Ince later sold the studio to William S. Hart, who renamed it "Hartville." Three years later, Hart sold the land to Robertson-Cole Pictures Corporation, which continued filming there until 1922. The last parts of "Inceville" burned on July 4, 1922.

Growth and Development (1921–1931)

A decade later, in 1921, Reverend Charles H. Scott and the Southern California Methodist Episcopal Church bought the land. Scott founded Pacific Palisades in 1922. He imagined it as a big religious and intellectual community. People who believed in his vision quickly bought good lots. They lived in tents while their homes were being built. By 1925, the Palisades had 100 homes. In one area, streets were named in alphabetical order after Methodist missionaries. These are now known as the "Alphabet Streets." The tents were eventually replaced by small cabins, then bungalows, and finally by very expensive homes. The area's climate was a big reason people wanted to live there. Temperatures are much cooler than inland Los Angeles in summer. It is also usually sunnier and less foggy than areas south along the coast, like Santa Monica.

Pacific Palisades grew steadily throughout the 1920s. However, it was still a small, isolated community on the edge of Los Angeles. It became less isolated when Sunset Boulevard was paved in 1925. This brought more traffic and made it easier to reach nearby Westwood and Beverly Hills.

The year 1929 was very important for the Palisades. At that time, the town had only about 365 homes and 1,000 residents. Most people lived in the "Alphabet Streets" neighborhood. However, new homes were also being built in areas that would later become Castellammare, Huntington, and Paseo Miramar. On August 18, 1929, the first stone was laid for the Methodist Episcopal Church on Via de la Paz. This was the community's only church at the time. Across the street, plans were being made for the town's first permanent school building, which later became "Palisades Elementary." It was officially opened on June 12, 1931.

In 1928, the Los Angeles Police Department started renting a temporary office in the historic Business Block building for $10 a month. The next year, a police officer on a motorcycle was assigned to patrol the area at night. The Palisades finally got its own fire station in 1929. It was located on Sunset Boulevard, next to where the local Chase Bank branch now stands in the Village neighborhood.

By the end of the 1920s, almost all the open areas of Pacific Palisades were being developed. This showed the area's fast growth and its appeal as a coastal community. Golfers were already enjoying the famous Riviera Country Club, which opened in 1927. Later in the decade, construction began on the Bel-Air Bay Club, which opened in March 1930.

A Safe Haven and Modern Times (1930–Present)

The Palisades became a safe place for many German and Austrian thinkers and artists. They were escaping from Germany before the war and later from the Holocaust. Many of these people, who wrote about their experiences in exile, settled in Pacific Palisades. These included famous writers like Thomas Mann, Lion Feuchtwanger, and Emil Ludwig. Some of these refugees had first found safety in the south of France. They were surprised by how similar the climate and landscape of Pacific Palisades were to the Mediterranean. Villa Aurora on Paseo Miramar, the Spanish colonial home of Feuchtwanger and his wife, Marta, became a central meeting place for this community of exiles. They even called it "Weimar by the Sea."

For many years, it was almost impossible to buy alcoholic beverages in the area. A Chinese restaurant, House of Lee, held the only license to sell alcohol. The Methodist Church created a Chautauqua Conference Grounds in Temescal Canyon. The Presbyterian Synod bought the property in 1943 and used it as a private retreat. In 1994, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy bought the property to turn it into Temescal Gateway Park.

Even though the Palisades had a noticeable Jewish population since the 1930s, it remained mostly Methodist until the 1970s. This is when the Palisades saw a large increase in wealthy Jewish families moving in. This was also when a local favorite, Mort's Deli, opened in 1972. This beloved landmark closed in 2007.

In January 2025, a large part of Pacific Palisades was burned by the Palisades Fire. Over 300 buildings were officially confirmed to be destroyed. Some groups, like the Wildfire Alliance, reported that more than 1,000 buildings were lost. This means most of Pacific Palisades was destroyed.

Geography of Pacific Palisades

Pacific Palisades is about 7 miles (11 km) west of the UCLA campus. The Santa Monica Mountain range runs through the northern and eastern parts of Pacific Palisades. You can reach these mountains through many trailheads.

The Pacific Palisades covers a total area of 24.31 square miles (62.97 km2). This includes 22.84 square miles (59.15 km2) of land and 1.47 square miles (3.8 km2) of water. The Palisades coastline is about 3 miles (4.8 km) long.

Climate in Pacific Palisades

Pacific Palisades has a Mediterranean climate. This means it has mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers. It gets just enough rain each year to avoid being a semi-arid (very dry) climate. Daytime temperatures are generally mild all year. In winter, they average around 68°F (20°C).

The area gets a lot of sunshine throughout the year. On average, there are only 35 days with measurable rain each year. Temperatures in the Palisades go above 90°F (32°C) about a dozen days a year. This happens from one day a month in April, May, June, and November, to three days a month in July, August, and October, and five days in September.

The average ocean temperature is 63°F (17°C). It ranges from 58°F (14°C) in January to 68°F (20°C) in August. The sun shines for more than 3,000 hours each year. This means an average of 7 hours of sunshine per day in December and 12 hours in July.

Pacific Palisades, like much of Southern California's coast, experiences something called "June Gloom" in late spring and early summer. This means cloudy or foggy mornings that usually clear up by early afternoon.

Pacific Palisades gets about 14.93 inches (379 mm) of rain annually. Most of this rain falls between November and March. It usually comes as moderate rain showers, but sometimes as heavy rainfall during winter storms. Rainfall is often higher in the neighborhoods located in the hills and coastal slopes of the Santa Monica Mountains. Summer days are typically dry. Rarely, moist air from the south or east can bring short thunderstorms in late summer, especially to the mountains.

Freezing temperatures and snowfall are very rare in the hills, canyon ridges, and along the coast. The last time it was 32°F (0°C) was in January 2021. Snow has fallen a few times in recorded history, most recently in January 2021 and February 2019. During autumn and winter, Santa Ana winds sometimes bring much warmer and drier conditions to Pacific Palisades. These winds also increase the risk of wildfires.

Neighborhoods of Pacific Palisades

The Village: Downtown Hub

The Village is the main downtown area of Pacific Palisades. It is a lively place where you can walk around. Its center is at Sunset Boulevard and Via de la Paz. The Village is known for having many Italian restaurants. The main part of The Village is the Palisades Village, a shopping center that opened in 2018. This shopping center replaced several older buildings downtown. The business area is centered around the historic Business Block building. The Village has a weekly farmers' market, restaurants, a coffee shop, other stores, and offices.

The Alphabet Streets: First Homes

The Alphabet Streets, also called "The North Village," is the neighborhood north of Sunset Boulevard, next to The Village. This was the first neighborhood built in Pacific Palisades, starting in 1921. It was developed by members of the Methodist movement. This area has the smallest lots in the Palisades, ranging from 5,200 to 7,500 square feet (480 to 700 m2). The Alphabet Streets are close enough to walk to The Village. This neighborhood has many smaller single-family homes on lively, narrow streets. The streets are named in alphabetical order after Methodist bishops from the late 1800s and early 1900s, which is how it got its name. This neighborhood is a popular spot for trick-or-treaters on Halloween.

The El Medio Mesa: West of The Village

The El Medio Mesa is located south of Sunset Boulevard. It starts about a quarter mile west of The Village, across Temescal Canyon, just past Palisades Charter High School. The El Medio Mesa stretches a long way from Temescal Canyon to where Sunset Boulevard meets the Pacific Coast Highway.

Marquez Knolls: Mountain Views

Marquez Knolls is a large area of homes located north of Sunset Boulevard. It starts about a quarter mile west of The Village, across Temescal Canyon, on the mountain slope. This neighborhood is known for its amazing ocean views. There is a small shopping center on Marquez Avenue and Sunset Boulevard.

The Via Bluffs and The Huntington: Ocean Overlooks

The Via Bluffs and The Huntington are neighborhoods south of Sunset Boulevard, bordering The Village. They overlook the ocean. The Via Mesa is located between Temescal Canyon to the west and Potrero Canyon to the east. The Huntington Palisades is located between Potrero Canyon to the west and Chautauqua Boulevard to the east. Both of these neighborhoods are within walking distance to The Village. They sit on high cliffs that offer views over the Pacific Ocean.

The El Medio Bluffs: More Ocean Views

The El Medio Bluffs, like The Via Bluffs and The Huntington Palisades, are located on a high ridge overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Much of this neighborhood also enjoys ocean views and fresh ocean air.

Castellammare: Italian Charm by the Sea

Castellammare is located along Pacific Coast Highway. It sits on small bluffs much closer to sea level, north of where Sunset Boulevard meets PCH. This neighborhood is home to the Getty Villa. The narrow, winding streets in this area have Italian names and enjoy cool ocean breezes.

Rustic Canyon: Historic Retreats

Rustic Canyon is the neighborhood east of Chautauqua Boulevard. It dips into Santa Monica Canyon and includes the Will Rogers State Historic Park. This neighborhood features homes built after World War II. These homes are on what used to be the polo field of The Uplifters, a group that had its clubhouse here (now a city park). There are also "cabins" that were built as second homes and weekend getaways. This area is also known as Uplifter's Ranch.

The Riviera: Golf and Luxury

The Riviera is a Palisades neighborhood about two miles east of The Palisades Village. It is home to The Riviera Country Club, a fancy country club with a golf course. The streets here are named after places in the French and Italian Riviera. The neighborhood is split into north and south sections by Sunset Boulevard. It borders Santa Monica and Brentwood. The Riviera Country Club hosts the Genesis Open on the PGA Tour in February. This tournament was previously known as the Northern Trust Open and Nissan Open. It was originally called the "Los Angeles Open." Riviera has hosted three major golf championships: the U.S. Open in 1948 and the PGA Championship in 1983 and 1995. Ben Hogan won three times there in less than 18 months. Because of this, the course became known as "Hogan's Alley." The country club will also host golf events during the 2028 Summer Olympics.

Palisades Highlands: Mountain Living

Palisades Highlands is a neighborhood in the northern part of Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles. It is located in the upper Santa Ynez Canyon. The Highlands offers access to several Topanga State Park trailheads. The Highlands itself has many gated communities, housing developments, and distinct neighborhoods. These include:

• Country Estates: A gated community with 80 homes on the farthest west part of the Highlands.
• Palisades Hills: This is the oldest and highest part, at about 1,600 feet (490 m) above sea level.
• The Summit: The newest neighborhood in the Highlands, completed in the early 2000s. This area includes The Summit Club, which is a recreation center.
• Lower Highlands: Includes homes and condominiums, as well as a shopping center and various businesses. Development here began in the early 1970s.

Santa Monica Canyon: Historic Area

Santa Monica Canyon is named after the historic Rancho Boca de Santa Monica. It is located within the city of Los Angeles and is considered part of the Pacific Palisades community. Canyon Charter School serves the local area. The neighborhood is bordered by Chautauqua Boulevard to the north and Adelaide Drive to the south.

Parks and Outdoor Fun

City Parks for Everyone

The Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks manages several fun places in Pacific Palisades.

• Palisades Park, at 851 Alma Real Drive, has 117 acres (47 ha) of land. It is the largest park in the Palisades. The Palisades Recreation Center, also at this address, has barbecue pits and four baseball fields. It also has lighted basketball courts (both indoors and outdoors) and a children's play area. You can find a football field, an indoor gym, picnic tables, and lighted tennis and volleyball courts. The center also has a kitchen, a stage, and a TV area. It offers many sports and other activities. The Pacific Palisades Tennis Court, also at this address, has eight courts.
• Rustic Canyon Park is located along Rustic Canyon Road. The Rustic Canyon Pool is at 601 Latimer Road. The Rustic Canyon Recreation Center, at the same address, has a multipurpose room that can hold 150 people. This room can be used as an auditorium, a gym, or a volleyball court. The center also has barbecue pits, a baseball field, basketball courts, a children's play area, and picnic tables.
• Temescal Canyon Park is a small park located along Temescal Canyon Drive. It stretches from Pacific Coast Highway to Sunset Blvd. The park has barbecue pits, a children's play area, picnic tables, hiking trails, a native garden, and restrooms.
• Santa Ynez Canyon Park is located at Palisades Drive and Avenida de Santa Ynez.
• Rivas Canyon Park is located at the east end of Oracle Place.

Hiking Trails for Adventure

Hiking is very popular in the Palisades. The community has many hiking trails, including these:

Backbone Trail: A Long Journey

The Backbone Trail is a long trail that stretches 67.79 miles (109.10 km) across the entire Santa Monica Mountains. The Backbone Trail goes through both Malibu and Pacific Palisades. Its western end is in Point Mugu State Park in Malibu, and its eastern end is in Will Rogers State Historic Park in Pacific Palisades. The trail is open for hikers along its whole length. Dogs, mountain bicyclists, and horseback riders are allowed on some parts of the trail where signs permit. The Backbone Trail is a well-kept, single-track path with some dirt roads along the way. You do not need a permit to hike this trail.

Bushwacker's Delight: For Experienced Hikers

Bushwacker's Delight is a 0.8-mile (1.3 km) trail with a 528-foot (161 m) elevation gain. It is located within Will Rogers State Historic Park. This trail is often used by more experienced hikers because it is not cleared and has overgrown plants.

Eagle Springs Fire Road Loop Trail: Scenic and Accessible

Eagle Springs Fire Road Loop Trail is a 5.5-mile (8.9 km) loop trail with a 1,095-foot (334 m) elevation gain. It is located near the Palisades Highlands neighborhood. The trail is paved and well-maintained because it is also used as a fire road. It offers many activity options and is most popular from September to May. This is one of the few trails in Los Angeles County that is open to people on horseback. This trail offers parking in a nearby lot for $10 a day. It is easy to reach from both the Palisades and nearby Topanga. The Eagle Springs Fire Road Loop Trail leads to Eagle Rock, a rock formation popular for photos. Its peak offers wide views of the area and is home to many native lizards.

High Point Trail: Great Views, Private Land

High Point Trail is a 2.8-mile (4.5 km) trail with 1,007 feet (307 m) of elevation gain. It is located in the Santa Monica Mountains overlooking the Palisades. High Point Trail is a paved trail that starts on private property. Hikers often walk on private land, sometimes without knowing it, to finish the hike. This trail is known for its wildlife. Although paved, some parts are overgrown with bushes. The trail leads to "Goat Peak," one of the highest points in the Palisades. It offers wide views of the surrounding area.

Inspiration Point Trail: Will Rogers' Creation

Inspiration Point Trail is a 2.1-mile (3.4 km) hiking trail with 324 feet (99 m) of elevation gain. It is located within Will Rogers State Historic Park near the Riviera neighborhood. This is one of the oldest hiking trails in Los Angeles. It was created by Will Rogers in the early 1900s. Inspiration Point is one of the few hiking trails in the Palisades that allows dogs. Inspiration Point Trail is a main attraction of Will Rogers State Park. It brings hikers from all over the Palisades and nearby areas. It is an easy hike with unique views of the Los Angeles Basin and Santa Monica Bay. On a clear day, you can see views of places like Catalina Island, Chino Hills, and Saddleback Peak from the top of this trail. Inspiration Point Trail also connects to the nearby Backbone Trail.

Los Leones Trail: Ocean and Mountain Views

Los Leones Trail, also known as Los Liones, is a moderately challenging hiking trail. It is located in the Castellammare neighborhood. Los Leones Trail is 7.3 miles (11.7 km) long, with over 1,300 feet (400 m) of elevation gain. The area is named after the mountain lions that are common there.

Los Leones is one of the most popular hiking trails in the entire Westside. The trail winds through a lush canyon with many green plants. It is located at the southern end of Topanga State Park, just 1/3 mile (0.54 km) from the Pacific Ocean. The trail, lined with ivy and chaparral, offers some of the best views of Santa Monica Bay. After 1.3 miles (2.1 km) and 550 feet (170 m) of climbing, Los Liones Trail reaches an open spot on a ridge with a bench. From here, you can look down on the Palisades, Santa Monica city and bay, and the surrounding area. The top of this hiking trail connects to East Topanga Fire Road. This road leads to the Paseo Miramar Trail, which goes deeper into the Santa Monica Mountains. Further along the trail is "Parker Mesa Overlook," known for offering some of the best coastal views of any hiking trail in Los Angeles. This area is a flat plateau with wide views of the coastline.

Skull Rock Loop: Unique Rock Formations

Skull Rock Loop is a 4-mile (6.4 km) loop trail with 1,141 feet (348 m) of elevation gain. It is located near the Temescal Canyon neighborhood. This trail is popular with both rock climbers and birders. It has rocky terrain and many different bird species. Skull Rock Loop branches off from the nearby Temescal Canyon Trail. It features a waterfall and its famous "Skull Rock," a rock formation that looks like a skull. The trail entrance offers free street parking or a daily rate of $12 in the nearby parking lot.

Trailer Canyon Fire Road: Wide and Scenic

Trailer Canyon Fire Road is a 4.3-mile (6.9 km) trail with 925 feet (282 m) of elevation gain. It is located near the Summit development in the Palisades Highlands neighborhood. This trail is wide and paved because it is also used as a fire road. It is also used by mountain bikers and birdwatchers. After 1.5 miles (2.4 km), this trail connects with the nearby Temescal Ridge Trail. This trail takes hikers to the Temescal Gateway Park. Trailer Canyon Fire Road offers views of the ocean and Temescal Canyon.

Will Rogers Trail: A Challenging Hike

Will Rogers Trail is a 4.1-mile (6.6 km) trail with 449 feet (137 m) of elevation gain. It is located within Will Rogers State Historic Park, near the Riviera neighborhood. This trail is one of many found within Will Rogers State Park. Will Rogers Trail is known for being very challenging, even for experienced hikers. It is not very well-maintained, and signs on parts of the trail point this out. Hikers on this trail may need to climb over stones through thick bushes to avoid falling into the nearby creek. During the winter months, the creek often overflows, covering the trail and making it even more dangerous.

State Parks and Beaches to Explore

The California Department of Parks and Recreation also has places in Pacific Palisades.

Will Rogers State Beach: Fun by the Ocean

Will Rogers State Beach stretches 1.75 miles (2.82 km) along the shore. The beach is great for swimming and skin diving. It has volleyball courts, a playground, and gym equipment. There is also a bike path and walkway. Many movies and TV shows have been filmed at this beach. The beach is located off the Pacific Coast Highway, near Temescal Canyon Road. The County of Los Angeles Department of Beaches & Harbors operates the beach.

Will Rogers State Historic Park: A Famous Home

Will Rogers made Beverly Hills his home in the late 1920s. However, in 1922, he bought a large plot of almost 200 acres (81 ha) of land above Sunset Blvd. to build a weekend cottage. He built a polo field on the property in 1926. In 1928, he and his family made it their main home. In 1944, nine years after Rogers died, the ranch became a state park. To preserve history, the home is kept exactly as it was, including the furniture. It is open to the public most days, except for major holidays. There is an admission fee. The trail at the top of the property offers views of the ocean and the city.

Temescal Gateway Park: Nature's Beauty

Temescal Gateway Park, located at 15601 Sunset Blvd., has 141 acres (57 ha) of oak and sycamore canyons. It offers ridgetop views and access to miles of trails. These trails connect to Topanga State Park, Will Rogers State Historic Park, and the 20,000-acre (8,100 ha) "Big Wild" area.

Topanga State Park: Trails and Views

Topanga State Park is located in the cliffs and canyons of the Santa Monica Mountains. Its main office is in nearby Topanga Canyon. The park has 36 miles (58 km) of trails that go through open grasslands and live oak trees. It also offers views of the Pacific Ocean. The park is bordered by Pacific Palisades and Brentwood to the south, Topanga Canyon to the west, and Rustic Canyon to the east. Many interesting rock formations can be found in the park. These include earthquake faults, marine fossils, volcanic rocks, and many types of sedimentary rocks. Trailheads leading into the park are located throughout Pacific Palisades. These include Las Liones Drive, Palisades Highlands, Temescal Gateway Park, and Will Rogers State Historic Park.

Learning in Pacific Palisades

Public Schools for Students

Residents of Pacific Palisades attend schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District. The area is part of Board District 4. As of 2017, Nick Melvoin represents this district.

Some students go to Pacific Palisades Elementary School, some to Canyon Elementary School, and others to Marquez Elementary School. All students in the area are zoned to Paul Revere Charter Middle School and Palisades Charter High School.

• Canyon Elementary School opened in 1910.
• Pacific Palisades Elementary opened in 1922.

• Marquez Elementary School opened in 1955.

• Paul Revere Middle School first opened as Palisades-Brentwood Junior High School on September 12, 1955. It chose its current name during its first year. It became an internal charter school in 1994.
• Palisades Charter High School, often called "Pali High," opened in 1961. It later became a charter school in 1994.

Private Schools in the Area

Private schools in Pacific Palisades include:

• Palisades Jewish Early Childhood Center (preschool-kindergarten) – a Jewish private school offering early education.
• Calvary Christian (Kindergarten–8th grade)
• Village School (pre-Kindergarten–6th grade)
• Corpus Christi (Kindergarten–8th grade)
• St. Matthew's Parish School (Preschool–8th grade)
• Seven Arrows (Kindergarten–6th grade)
• Westside Waldorf (Kindergarten–8th grade)
• Lycée Français de Los Angeles Pacific Palisades Campus

Public Libraries for Reading

The Los Angeles Public Library operates the Palisades Branch. It is located at 861 Alma Real Drive.

Culture and Traditions

Menorah Lighting Ceremony

Since 1988, a public menorah lighting ceremony has been held each year on the first night of Hanukkah. This event takes place at the Palisades Village, which is the downtown area of the Palisades. The menorah lighting is organized by Chabad of Pacific Palisades and other leaders in the local Jewish community. The Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce also helps. It is hosted by Palisades Chabad Rabbi Zushe Cunin, the honorary mayor, the city councilman for the area, and local developer Rick Caruso. The ceremony is part of a community event that includes live Hanukkah music. Free Hanukkah foods like latkes, chocolate gelt, and sufganiyot are offered. There are also Hanukkah-themed arts and crafts, face painting, and balloon twisting.

On December 2, 2018, the 30th Annual Pacific Palisades Menorah Lighting took place at its new location, the Palisades Village shopping center. This event had the most attendees in Palisades history, with over 1,000 people. This included actors and Co-honorary Mayors Janice and Billy Crystal, Rabbi Zushe Cunin, Palisades Village developer Rick Caruso, and councilman Mike Bonin. The Crystals also helped plan the event. Performances of Hanukkah and other traditional Jewish music were given by the Marquez Elementary Choir, Paul Revere Music Club, and the Westside Waldorf School.

Pacific Palisades also hosts one of the few vegan Hanukkah celebrations in Los Angeles. It is called "Lights and Latkes" and is hosted by vegan Rabbi Jonathan Klein and JewishVeg Los Angeles.

Palisades Rocks The Fourth!

Palisades Rocks The Fourth is a tradition in the Palisades that started in 1967. Every Fourth of July, the community's Chamber of Commerce sponsors events all day long. These include 5K and 10K runs, a home decorating contest, and a parade down Sunset Boulevard. There is also a concert with a fireworks display at the Palisades High School football field.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Palisades Rocks The Fourth! was mostly held online starting in 2020. A virtual concert was held, along with fireworks and a flyover by World War II fighter pilots. These pilots flew AT-6 fighter jets over the Palisades.

Places of Worship: Synagogues

Pacific Palisades has a large Jewish population and is home to several synagogues:

• Chabad of Pacific Palisades: This local Chabad center is at 17315 Sunset Blvd in the Castellammare neighborhood. It offers religious services, Hebrew school, and early Jewish education. Chabad of the Palisades hosts many Jewish events. It is also in charge of the yearly Menorah lighting and Hanukkah celebration at the Palisades Village.
• Kehillat Israel: This is a Reconstructionist synagogue and the oldest synagogue in the Palisades.

Sports and Fun Activities

Bel Air Bay Club: Events and Beach Fun

The Bel-Air Bay Club is a place for events (the Upper Club) and a private beach club (the Lower Club).

The Upper Club has ocean views and rooms for private parties. Inside the Bel-Air Bay Club Upper Club, you will find large windows, a fireplace, and iron chandeliers. The Bel-Air Bay Club is mostly used for weddings, social gatherings, and business events.

Riviera Country Club: Famous Golf Course

The Riviera Country Club is a private club with a championship golf course and tennis courts. It is in the Riviera neighborhood of Pacific Palisades, just one block south of Sunset Boulevard.

The Riviera golf course was designed by golf course architects George C. Thomas, Jr. and William P. Bell. It has been the main host for the Genesis Invitational. This is an annual event on the PGA Tour in February. The 2021 tournament was the 58th held at Riviera.

The Riviera has hosted three major golf championships: the U.S. Open in 1948, and the PGA Championship in 1983 and 1995. It also hosted the U.S. Senior Open, a senior major, in 1998. The U.S. Amateur was held there in August 2017. The club is also set to host golf events for the Olympics in 2028.

Will Rogers Polo Club: Horseback Sport

The Will Rogers Polo Club is a polo club located at 1501 Will Rogers State Park Road. It is within Will Rogers State Historic Park in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, California. This is the only remaining polo club in Southern California.

Local Media and News

• The Los Angeles Times is the newspaper for the whole city.
• The Palisadian-Post, started in 1928, is the oldest newspaper serving the Pacific Palisades community.
• The Palisades News, first published in 2014, is a newspaper for residents of Pacific Palisades. It comes out twice a month.
• Circling The News is a local news website started in 2017 by Sue Perscoe. She used to write for The Palisades News.
• Perspective Palisades is a local magazine founded in 2020 by Michael Edlen. It is published every three months and features real estate news, historical information, community news, and interviews with notable people from the Palisades.

Important Landmarks to See

Bradbury House: Historic Architecture

The Bradbury House is a historic house in the Huntington Palisades neighborhood. It was designed in the Spanish Revival style by architect John Byers. It was finished in 1923. The home was built for Lewis L Bradbury Jr. His father, Lewis L Bradbury, ordered the building of the Bradbury Building in Downtown Los Angeles. This house has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since March 22, 2010.

Business Block: Downtown Center

The Business Block building is a historic building in the Palisades downtown area, known as The Village. It is a key part of the downtown area. Architect Clifton Nourse designed it, and it was officially opened in 1924. The building is 30,000 square feet (2,800 m2) and sits on 36,000 square feet (3,300 m2) of land. The Business Block building is located between Antioch, Swarthmore, and Sunset in The Village neighborhood of Pacific Palisades.

Dolores del Río House: Star's Home

The Dolores Del Río House is located at 757 Kingman Avenue. It was designed for Mexican-American actress Dolores del Río and her husband, production designer Cedric Gibbons. The architects were Douglas Honnold and George Vernon Russell, and it was built in 1929.

Eames House: Design Icons' Home

Eames House is the 1949 home and studio of famous design pioneers Charles and Ray Eames.

The Getty Villa: Ancient Art and Culture

The Getty Villa is a learning center and museum. It focuses on the arts and cultures of Ancient Greece, Rome, and Etruria.

Kappe Residence: Modern Design Gem

The Kappe Residence is a house in the Rustic Canyon part of Pacific Palisades. It was designed by architect Raymond Kappe. He intended it to be his own home. The house has a modern design built into a hillside with many trees. The Kappe Residence was named a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in 1996. In 2008, an expert panel chosen by the Los Angeles Times named it one of the top ten houses in Los Angeles.

Mort's Palisades Deli: A Beloved Local Spot

Mort's Palisades Deli, often called Mort's Deli, was a Jewish delicatessen. It was located at 1035 Swarthmore Ave, on the corner of Sunset Boulevard in The Village. Mort's was a well-known part of the neighborhood and a local landmark. It first opened in 1972 and closed in 2008. This happened when the building was sold to former mayor Richard Riordan. He closed the deli to open a bistro, which also closed after a few months. The deli was famous for its Reuben sandwiches and its celebrity customers. These included Larry David, Walter Matthau, and Larry King. It was also featured in many episodes of Curb Your Enthusiasm as Leo's Deli.

Old Santa Monica Forestry Station: First of its Kind

The Old Santa Monica Forestry Station was the nation's first experimental forestry station. It was built in 1887. The Old Santa Monica Forestry Station was named a California Historic Landmark (No.840) on March 20, 1970. It is located in the Rustic Canyon neighborhood of Pacific Palisades. This is south of what is now called Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. The hills and canyons around Santa Monica Canyon were very popular for land development in the late 1880s. In 1971, the state put a marker near the entrance of the Rustic Canyon Recreation Center. It is at the northwest corner of Latimer and Hilltree Roads, at 601 Latimer Road. The marker says:

In 1887, the State Board of Forestry established the nation's first experimental forestry station. Located in Rustic Canyon, the station tested exotic trees for planting in California, established plantations for management studies, and produced planting stock for scientific and conservation purposes. The station was operated by the Board of Forestry until 1893 and by the University of California until 1923.

Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine: A Peaceful Place

Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine is a 10-acre (4.0 ha) spiritual center on Sunset Boulevard. It was founded in 1950 by Paramahansa Yogananda. His famous book Autobiography of a Yogi introduced many Westerners to yoga and Eastern spiritual ideas.

Thomas Mann House: A Writer's Refuge

Designed by JR Davidson, this was the home of writer Thomas Mann. He lived here from 1942 to 1952 during his time in exile.

Villa Aurora: Home of Exiled Artists

Villa Aurora is a place where artists can live and work. It is also a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument. It used to be the home of the exiled German-Jewish writer Lion Feuchtwanger and his wife Marta.

Wildlife in Pacific Palisades

Pacific Palisades is home to many different kinds of wildlife. Some animals are native to the area, while others were brought from different places.

Wild Parrots: Colorful Residents

Pacific Palisades is known for its large number of California wild parrots. It is one of the main areas in Southern California where you can find these birds. The parrots mostly live in the canyons of the Palisades, which are lined with sycamore trees. Wild parrots have lived in the Palisades since the 1960s. People say they came from pet parrots that were set free by their owners after the 1961 Bel Air fire. They also came from the closing of Busch Gardens in Van Nuys.

Pacific Palisades has many types of parrots. The most common one seen is the Nanday parakeet. Other kinds of parrots found in the Palisades include the mitred parakeet, yellow-chevroned parakeet, white-winged parakeet, rose-ringed parakeet, red-masked parakeet, blue-crowned parakeet, red-crowned parrot, lilac-crowned parrot, white-fronted parrot, blue-fronted parrot, yellow-headed parrot, and the red-lored parrot.

Images for kids

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  "Inceville", Santa Ynez Canyon, California, c. 1919

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  Santa Monica Canyon, 1921

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  Photo of the devastation from the 1938 flood in what is now The Village

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  Satellite map of the 2025 Palisades Fire

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  Aerial view of Pacific Palisades, the Riviera neighborhood can be seen to the right

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  Finishing hole at Riviera Country Club

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  Santa Monica Cañon visible on a LAPRR Balloon Route map circa 1903

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  Palisades Charter High School

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  Pacific Palisades Charter Elementary School front tower

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  Marquez Elementary School

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  Los Angeles Public Library Palisades Branch

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  Fireworks during the 2006 Palisades Rocks The Fourth! event

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  Wedding at the Bel-Air Bay Club

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  Par 3 on the course

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  Match at the Will Rogers Polo Club in 2013

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  Bradbury House

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  Eames House

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  Art on display at the Getty

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  Temple located at the Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine

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  Thomas Mann House

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  Villa Aurora

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  Nanday parakeets resting in a tree in Pacific Palisades

See also

In Spanish: Pacific Palisades para niños