Pacific Palisades has a Mediterranean climate (Köppen Csb), and receives just enough annual precipitation to avoid semi-arid climate (BSh),. Daytime temperatures are generally temperate all year round. In winter, they average around giving it a tropical feel although it is a few degrees too cool to be a true tropical climate on average due to cool night temperatures. Pacific Palisades has plenty of sunshine throughout the year, with an average of only 35 days with measurable precipitation annually.

Temperatures in the Palisades exceed on a dozen or so days in the year, from one day a month in April, May, June and November to three days a month in July, August, October and to five days in September. The average annual temperature of the sea is , from in January to in August. Hours of sunshine total more than 3,000 per year, from an average of 7 hours of sunshine per day in December to an average of 12 in July. Pacific Palisades, like much of the rest of the southern California coast, is subject to a late spring/early summer weather phenomenon called "June Gloom". This involves overcast or foggy skies in the morning that yield to sun by early afternoon.

Pacific Palisades averages of precipitation annually, mainly occurring between November and March, with snow falling in some areas of the Palisades as recently as January 2021. At the official downtown station, the highest recorded temperature is on September 27, 2010, while the lowest is ,

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Neighborhoods

The Village

The Village is Pacific Palisades' small central business district with its center at Sunset Boulevard and Via de la Paz, known for an abundance of Italian restaurants. The Village's anchor is the Palisades Village, a shopping center which was opened in 2018 and replaced a number of buildings in the downtown area. This business district is centered around the historic Business Block building located between Antioch and Sunset. The Village consists of a weekly farmers' market, restaurants, and a coffee shop in addition to shops, and offices.

The Alphabet Streets

The Alphabet Streets, also known as "The North Village", is the neighborhood that borders the 'village' proper to the north of Sunset Boulevard. This was the first neighborhood to be built in Pacific Palisades, beginning in 1921 by members of the Methodist movement. This neighborhood has the smallest lot sizes of all the neighborhoods in the Palisades, with lots ranging from 5,200 to 7,500 sq ft in size. The Alphabet Streets are within walking distance to The Village, and this area is characterized by its high density of smaller single family homes on lively narrow streets. The streets, named after Methodist bishops of the late 19th and early 20th century, are consecutively named beginning with A, B, C, D, etc. – hence the name Alphabet Streets. This neighborhood is a destination for trick-or-treaters on Hallowe'en.

The El Medio Mesa

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

Marquez Knolls

Marquez Knolls is a large area of homes located north of Sunset Boulevard beginning about a quarter mile west of The Village across Temescal Canyon on the mountain upslope, known for spectacular ocean views. There is a small shopping center on Marquez Avenue and Sunset Boulevard.

The Via Bluffs and the Huntington

The Via Bluffs and The Huntington are the neighborhoods that border the "village" proper to the south of Sunset Boulevard, overlooking the ocean. The Via Mesa is located between Temescal Canyon on the west and Potrero Canyon on the east; the Huntington Palisades is located between Potrero Canyon on the west and Chautauqua Boulevard on the east. Both of these neighborhoods are within walking distance to The Village and sit upon high bluffs that look out over the Pacific Ocean.

The El Medio Bluffs

The El Medio Bluffs, as with The Via Bluffs and The Huntington Palisades, are located on a high ridge overlooking the Pacific Ocean and much of the neighborhood is afforded ocean views and ocean air.

Castellammare

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

Rustic Canyon

Rustic Canyon is the neighborhood east of Chautauqua Boulevard that dips into Santa Monica Canyon and includes the Will Rogers State Historic Park. The neighborhood features post-war homes located on the former polo field of The Uplifters, the original site of The Uplifters clubhouse (now a city park), and "cabins" developed as second homes and weekend retreats. This area is also known as Uplifter's Ranch.

The Riviera

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

thumb|240px|Finishing hole at [[Riviera Country Club]]

The Riviera is a Palisades neighborhood located approximately east of The Palisades Village and features streets named after various locations in the French and Italian Riviera. The neighborhood is divided 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. Riviera has hosted three major championships: the U.S. Open in 1948 and the PGA Championship in 1983 and 1995. Ben Hogan won three times in less than 18 months at the course (1947 and 1948 L.A. Open, 1948 U.S. Open), and it became known as "Hogan's Alley". The country club will also host golf during the 2028 Summer Olympics.

Palisades Highlands

The Palisades Highlands is a neighborhood in the northern region, located in the upper Santa Ynez Canyon. The Highlands has access to several Topanga State Park trailheads. The Highlands themself have a number of gated communities, housing developments and distinct neighborhoods including the following:

  • Country Estatesa: gated community of 80 homes on the farthest west part of the Highlands.
  • Palisades Hills: this is the oldest area and the highest part at around above sea level.
  • The Summit: the newest neighborhood in the Highlands that was 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 commercial properties, development of which began in the early 1970s. Demographic data from the 2023 US Census American Community Survey indicated a population that was 81% Non-Hispanic White, 6% Asian, 1% Black, 8% multiracial; 4% of residents were Hispanic or Latino, of any race.

Parks and recreation

City parks

The Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks operates several recreational facilities in Pacific Palisades.

  • Palisades Park, at 851 Alma Real Drive, has of land and is the Palisades' largest park. The Palisades Recreation Center, also at that address, has barbecue pits, four baseball diamonds (two lighted, two unlighted), lighted basketball courts (indoor and outdoor), a children's play area, a football field, an indoor gymnasium (no weights are offered), picnic tables, lighted tennis courts, and lighted volleyball courts. The facility also has a kitchen, a stage, a television area, and various scheduled athletic and non-athletic activities. The Pacific Palisades Tennis Court, also at that address, has eight courts.
  • Rustic Canyon Park is located along Rustic Canyon Road. The Rustic Canyon Pool is located at 601 Latimer Road. The Rustic Canyon Recreation Center, located at the same address, has a multipurpose with a capacity of 150 people that can be used as an auditorium, a gymnasium, or a volleyball court. The center also has barbecue pits, an unlighted baseball diamond, basketball courts (lighted indoor and unlighted outdoor), a children's play area, an indoor gymnasium (no weights are offered), picnic tables, and volleyball courts (lighted and unlighted).
  • Temescal Canyon Park is a non-staffed "pocket park" located along Temescal Canyon Drive from Pacific Coast Highway to Sunset Boulevard. The park has barbecue pits, a children's play area, picnic tables, hiking trails, a native garden, and toilets.
  • Santa Ynez Canyon Park is located on Palisades Drive and Avenida de Santa Ynez.
  • Rivas Canyon Park is located at the eastern terminus of Oracle Place.

Hiking trails

Hiking is common in the Palisades, and the community is home to hiking trails including the following:

Backbone Trail

The Backbone Trail is a long distance trail extending 68 miles (109 km) across the length of the Santa Monica Mountains. The trail runs through both Malibu and Pacific Palisades, with its western terminus in Point Mugu State Park in Malibu and its eastern terminus in Will Rogers State Historic Park in Pacific Palisades. The trail is open to hikers throughout its length; dogs, mountain bicyclists and horseback riders are allowed on portions of the trail as posted. The trail follows a well-maintained, single-track path with some dirt roads. There is no permit required for hiking it.

Bushwacker's Delight

Bushwacker's Delight is a 0.8 mile lightly trafficked point-to-point trail with 528 ft in elevation gain, located within Will Rogers State Historic Park. This trail is frequented by more-experienced hikers as it is an uncleared trail with overgrown vegetation.

Eagle Springs Fire Road Loop Trail

Eagle Springs Fire Road Loop Trail is a 5.5 mile-long loopwith 1,095 ft in elevation gain, located near the Palisades Highlands neighborhood. The trail is paved and well-maintained as it doubles as a fire road, and offers activity options. It is most popular from September to May. This is one of the few trails in Los Angeles County open to those on horseback. This trail offers parking in the nearby lot for $10 a day, and is easily accessible from the Palisades and neighboring Topanga. The Eagle Springs Fire Road Loop Trail leads to Eagle Rock, a rock formation which is a common spot for photography as its peak offers sweeping views and is home to a variety of native lizards.

High Point Trail

High Point Trail is 2.8 mile-long trail with 1,007 ft of elevation gain located in the Santa Monica Mountains overlooking the Palisades. It is a paved trail that begins on private property, and hikers frequently trespass knowingly or unknowingly to complete the hike. This trail is noted for its wildlife, and though the trail is paved, parts are overgrown with bushes and other vegetation. The trail leads to "Goat Peak", one of the highest points in the Palisades with views of the area.

Inspiration Point Trail

Inspiration Point Trail is a 2.1 mile-long hiking trail with 324 ft in elevation gain located within Will Rogers State Historic Park near the Riviera neighborhood. This is one of the oldest hiking trails in Los Angeles and was created by Will Rogers in the early 20th century. It is one of the few trails in the Palisades open to dogs. The trail is one of the main attractions of Will Rogers State Park, as it is an easy hike with unique vistas of the Los Angeles Basin and Santa Monica Bay. On a clear day one can see views of areas such as Catalina Island, Chino Hills, and Saddleback Peak at the summit of the trail. Inspiration Point Trail connects to Backbone Trail.

Los Leones Trail

Los Leones Trail, also known as Los Liones, is a moderately-challenging trail located in the Castellammare neighborhood. It is 7.3 miles long, with over 1,300 ft in elevation gain. Often spelled "Los Liones", the area is named after the mountain lions common in the area.

Los Leones is one of the most-popular trails in the Westside, and weaves through a lush canyon with abundant green vegetation located in the southern end of Topanga State Park, just a 1/3 mile away from the Pacific. The ivy and chaparral-lined trail offers some of the best of Santa Monica Bay. After 1.3 miles and 550 feet of elevation gain, the trail arrives at a clearing on a ridge with a bench that looks down on the Palisades, Santa Monica city and bay, and the surrounding area. The top of the trail joins East Topanga Fire Road, which leads to the Paseo Miramar Trail which leads deeper into the Santa Monica Mountains. Further on the trail is "Parker Mesa Overlook", known for some of the best views of the coast of any trail in Los Angeles. The area consists of a flat plateau area with sweeping views of the coast.

Murphy Ranch Trail

Murphy Ranch Trail

Skull Rock Loop

thumb|upright=.8|Temescal Canyon Ridge Trail

Skull Rock Loop is a 4-mile-long loop trail with 1,141 ft of elevation gain located near the Temescal Canyon neighborhood. This trail is frequented by both rock climbers and birders, as it is home to rocky terrain and an abundance of bird species. Skull Rock Loop branches off from the nearby Temescal Canyon Trail, and features a waterfall as well as its namesake "Skull Rock", a rock formation named for its resemblance to a skull. The entrance to the trail offers free street parking or a daily rate in the nearby parking lot for $12.

Trailer Canyon Fire Road

Trailer Canyon Fire Road is a 4.3 mile-long trail with 925 ft in elevation gain located near the Summit development in the Palisades Highlands neighborhood. This trail is wide and paved as it doubles as a fire road, it is also used by mountain bikers and birdwatchers. After 1.5 miles this trail connects with the nearby Temescal Ridge Trail, which takes hikers to the Temescal Gateway Park. Trailer Canyon Fire Road has views of the ocean and Temescal Canyon.

Will Rogers Trail

Will Rogers Trail is a 4.1 mile trail with 449 ft in elevation gain located within Will Rogers State Historic Park. This trail is one of many trails located within the Will Rogers State Park, near the Riviera neighborhood. Will Rogers Trail is known for being very challenging even for experienced hikers, as it is not very well-maintained, and there are signs on portions of the trail which point this out. Those hiking may have to scramble on stones through the underbrush to avoid falling into the nearby creek. During winter the creek often overflows its banks, obscuring the trail and making it even more treacherous.

State parks and beaches

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

Will Rogers State Beach

Will Rogers State Beach extends along the shore. The beach features swimming and skin diving. Facilities include volleyball courts, playground and gymnastic equipment, as well as a bike path and walkway. A number of movies and TV shows have been filmed at this beach. The beach is located off the Pacific Coast Highway, near the intersection with Temescal Canyon Road. The beach is operated by the County of Los Angeles Department of Beaches & Harbors.

Will Rogers State Historic Park

thumb|right|Will Rogers House, one of the park's main attractions

While Will Rogers made Beverly Hills his home in the late 1920s, in 1922 he bought a large plot of of land above Sunset Blvd. to build a weekend cottage. He built a polo field on the property in 1926, and in 1928 he and his family made it their home. In 1944, nine years after Rogers died, the ranch became a state park. In the interest of historical preservation, the home is maintained as it was including the furniture and fixtures. It is open to the public most days with the exception of major holidays, although admission is required. The top of the property's trail includes vistas of the ocean and city.

Temescal Gateway Park

thumb|right|600px|Panoramic view from Temescal Peak

Temescal Gateway Park, located at 15601 Sunset Blvd., has of oak and sycamore canyons, ridgetop views, and access to miles of trails in Topanga State Park, Will Rogers State Historic Park, and the "Big Wild".

Topanga State Park

Located in the cliffs and canyons of the Santa Monica Mountains and headquartered in nearby Topanga Canyon, Topanga State Park features of trails through open grassland, live oaks and views of the Pacific Ocean. The park is bound on the south by Pacific Palisades and Brentwood, on the west by Topanga Canyon, and on the east by Rustic Canyon. Numerous geologic formations can be found in the park, including earthquake faults, marine fossils, volcanic intrusions, and a wide variety of sedimentary formations. Trail heads into the park are located throughout Pacific Palisades, including Las Lions Drive, Palisades Highlands, Temescal Gateway Park and Will Rogers State Historic Park.

Government and infrastructure

The most important civic group within the Palisades is the Pacific Palisades Community Council. The Pacific Palisades Community Council usually meets twice each month to discuss a wide range of issues that affect its residents. The council has rejected city offers to become an official part of the city, preferring its independent, non-aligned status. Among the main reasons that Council members cite is that the council would not have the power to appeal decisions of City officials, commissions, and boards and the council could not appear before Federal, State, and County authorities regarding local issues.

Local government

The community is within District 11 of the Los Angeles City Council, represented by Traci Park.

The Los Angeles Fire Department operates two fire stations serving Pacific Palisades. Station 69 at 15045 West Sunset Boulevard serves Pacific Palisades and the Pacific Coast. Station 23 at 17281 West Sunset Boulevard serves the Palisades Highlands, Castellammare, and the Pacific Coast.

The Los Angeles Police Department operates the West Los Angeles Community Police Station at 1663 Butler Avenue, serving the neighborhood.

County, state, and federal representation

Pacific Palisades is within Los Angeles County's 3rd Supervisorial District. As of 2014, Sheila Kuehl represents the district.

The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services SPA 5 West Area Health Office serves Pacific Palisades. The department operates the Simms/Mann Health and Wellness Center in Santa Monica, serving Pacific Palisades.

Pacific Palisades is a part of California's 50th State Assembly district. As of 2019, Richard Bloom represents the district. Pacific Palisades is also a part of California's 23rd State Senate district; as of 2019, Ben Allen represents the district. The community is a part of the State Board of Equalization District 4, represented by Mike Schaefer, as of 2019.

In the U.S. House of Representatives, Pacific Palisades is within California's 32nd congressional district, and is currently represented by Brad Sherman. The United States Postal Service operates the Pacific Palisades Post Office, at 15243 La Cruz Drive.

Fire service

Los Angeles Fire Department Stations 23 and 69 serve the area. Station 23 is located on Sunset Boulevard at the bottom of Los Liones Drive and Station 69 is located on Sunset Boulevard and Carey Street.

Law enforcement and security

Pacific Palisades is served by the West Los Angeles Division of the Los Angeles Police Department. One police car is generally assigned to the neighborhood.

Education

Public schools

thumb|[[Palisades Charter High School]]

Residents are zoned to Los Angeles Unified School District schools. The area is within Board District 4. As of 2017, Nick Melvoin represents the district.

Some residents are assigned to Pacific Palisades Elementary School, some residents are assigned to Canyon Elementary School, and some are assigned to Marquez Elementary School. All residents 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.

thumb|Pacific Palisades Charter Elementary School front tower

  • Marquez Elementary School opened in 1955.

thumb|Marquez Elementary School

  • 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 of operation. It became an internal charter in 1994.
  • Palisades Charter High School, commonly known as "Pali High", opened in 1961. It later became a charter school in 1994.

Private schools

Private schools in the area include:

  • Palisades Jewish Early Childhood Center (preschool-kindergarten) – is a Jewish private school associated with the Chabad movement offering private preschool, kindergarten, daycare and Hebrew school education.
  • Calvary Christian (K–8)
  • Village School (pre-K–6)
  • Corpus Christi (K–8)
  • St. Matthew's Parish School (PS–8)
  • Seven Arrows (K–6)
  • Westside Waldorf (K–8)
  • Lycée Français de Los Angeles Pacific Palisades Campus

Public libraries

thumb|Los Angeles Public Library Palisades Branch

Los Angeles Public Library operates the Palisades Branch at 861 Alma Real Drive.

Culture

Menorah lighting

Beginning in 1988, each year on the first night of Hanukkah a public menorah lighting ceremony is held at the Palisades Village, the downtown area of the Palisades. The menorah lighting is organized by Chabad of Pacific Palisades as well as other leaders in the local Jewish community, and the Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce. It is hosted by Palisades Chabad Rabbi Zushe Cunin, as well as the honorary mayor, the city councilman representing the area, and local developer Rick Caruso. It is accompanied by a community event featuring live Hanukkah music, complimentary Hanukkah foods such as latkes, chocolate gelt and sufganiyot, Hanukkah-themed arts and crafts, face painting and balloon twisting.

On December 2, 2018, the 30th Annual Pacific Palisades Menorah Lighting was held at its new location, the Palisades Village shopping center. This was the highest-attended menorah lighting in Palisades history and was attended by over 1,000 people, including 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 in the planning of the event. The event performances of Hanukkah and other traditional Jewish music by the Marquez Elementary Choir, Paul Revere Music Club and the Westside Waldorf School.

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

Palisades Rocks The Fourth!

thumb|right|Fireworks during the 2006 Palisades Rocks The Fourth! event

Palisades Rocks The Fourth is a Palisadian tradition that first began in 1967. Every Fourth of July, the community's Chamber of Commerce sponsors day-long events which include 5K and 10K runs, a home decorating contest, a parade down Sunset Boulevard, and a concert accompanied by a fireworks display at Palisades High School football field.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Palisades Rocks The Fourth! was held mostly virtually beginning in 2020. A virtual concert accompanied by fireworks and a flyover by World War II fighter pilots flying AT-6 trainers over the Palisades.

Synagogues

Pacific Palisades is home to a large Jewish population and has a number of synagogues including the following:

  • Chabad of Pacific Palisades- local Chabad center located at 17315 Sunset Blvd in the Castlellammare neighborhood, offering religious services, Hebrew school and early Jewish education. Chabad of the Palisades hosts a number of Jewish events, and is also responsible for the annual Menorah lighting and Hanukkah celebration at the Palisades Village.
  • Kehillat Israel- Reconstructionist synagogue, this is the oldest synagogue in the Palisades.

Sports and recreation

Bel Air Bay Club

The Bel-Air Bay Club is both an event venue (Upper Club) and a private beach club (Lower Club) located in the area.

Riviera Country Club

thumb|Par 3 on the course

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

The Riviera was designed by golf course architects George C. Thomas, Jr. and William P. Bell,<!-- Empty reference The club is scheduled to host the Olympics in&nbsp;2028. which is within Will Rogers State Historic Park, and is Southern California's only remaining polo club.

Media

  • The Los Angeles Times is the citywide newspaper.
  • The Palisadian-Post, founded in 1928 and ceased publication in 2025, was the longest-running newspaper to serve the Pacific Palisades community.
  • The Palisades News, first published in 2014, is a Palisades-based newspaper published twice monthly for the residents of Pacific Palisades.
  • Circling The News is a local news site established in 2017 by Sue Pascoe, a former writer for The Palisades News, and featuring a number of guest writers and columnists.
  • Perspective Palisades is a local magazine founded by local historian and realtor Michael Edlen in 2020, the magazine is published each quarter and features real estate-related news as well as historical information, news in the community, and interviews with notable Palisadians.

Landmarks

Burns House

Architect Charles W. Moore designed his first house in Los Angeles for the UCLA economist and urban planning professor, Leland Burns. The house was completed in 1974. It occupies a narrow ledge on a steep slope of the Santa Monica canyon. The house is composed of an interlocking set of shed roofs and tower, its forms reminiscent of The Sea Ranch Condominium, but adapted for a sense of the Mediterranean climate and Hollywood allusions. An interior staircase climbs up through a vertical cleft in the narrow house, and then at the very top of the third story, the stair descends outside, back down into a swimming pool court. Designer Tina Beebe developed with Moore the color scheme, whereby exterior planes were painted in a range of ochres, pinks, roses, and golds, so as the light and shade shifts during the day, the house itself seems to change like a chameleon. The house was built around a tracker organ hand-built by Jürgen Ahrend, an instrument known as Opus 1, U.S.A.

Bradbury House

thumb|right|Bradbury House

The Bradbury House is a historic house in the Huntington Palisades neighborhood. It was designed in the Spanish Revival style by architect John Byers, and it was completed in 1923. The home was built for Lewis L Bradbury Jr, whose father, Lewis L Bradbury, commissioned the construction of the Bradbury Building in Downtown Los Angeles.

Business Block

The Business Block building was a historic building located in the Palisades downtown area called the Village, prior to the 2025 fire. It served as the anchor of the downtown area, and was designed by architect Clifton Nourse and dedicated in 1924. The building was and sits on of land. The Business Block building is located between Antioch, Swarthmore and Sunset in the Village neighborhood of Pacific Palisades, an area in the Westside of Los Angeles, California.

Dolores del Río House

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

Eames House

thumb|[[Eames House]]

Eames House is the 1949 home and studio of husband-and-wife design pioneers Charles and Ray Eames.

The Getty Villa

thumb|right|Art on display at the Getty

The Getty Villa is an educational center and museum dedicated to the study of the arts and cultures of Ancient Greece, Rome, and Etruria.

Kappe Residence

The Kappe Residence is a house located in the Rustic Canyon section of Pacific Palisades, that was designed by architect Raymond Kappe, FAIA, and was intended to be his own private residence. The house is a modern design built into a heavily treed hillside. The Kappe Residence was designated a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in 1996, and in 2008 it was named one of the top ten houses in Los Angeles by an expert panel selected by the Los Angeles Times.

Mort's Palisades Deli

Mort's Palisades Deli, more commonly referred to as Mort's Deli, was a Jewish delicatessen located at 1035 Swarthmore Ave on the corner of Sunset Boulevard in the Village. Mort's was a neighborhood fixture and local landmark, which first opened in 1972 and closed in 2008 upon the building's sale to former mayor Richard Riordan, who closed the deli to make way for a bistro, which itself closed after a few months. The deli was known for their Reuben sandwiches and celebrity clientele including Larry David, Walter Matthau, and Larry King among others, as well as being featured in numerous episodes of Curb Your Enthusiasm as Leo's Deli.

Old Santa Monica Forestry Station

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

Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine

thumb|right|Temple located at the Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine

Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine

Pacific Palisades is home to numerous species of parrots, and the most commonly-sighted species is the Nanday parakeet. Other species 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.

  • Jerry Lewis lived on Amalfi Drive in Pacific Palisades during the 1950s. He shot several Gar-Ron Productions home movies at that house with neighbors Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh. He became the honorary mayor of the Palisades in 1953.
  • The Beach Boys 1963 hit "Surfin' U.S.A." mentions Pacific Palisades in its list of Southern California surf spots.
  • The 1976 book, What Really Happened to the Class of '65? is about members of one of Palisades High School's early graduating classes and how their once-privileged lives turned out years later, often disastrously. The book, by author David Wallechinsky, son of novelist Irving Wallace, and his classmate, film critic Michael Medved, described Pacific Palisades as a microcosm of America during the tumultuous Summer of Love era.
  • The West Coast Avengers, a California-based branch of the Marvel Comics superhero team, were depicted as based out of an estate in Pacific Palisades.
  • Pacific Palisades, a 1997 TV series produced by Aaron Spelling, was named after the area.
  • The characters on the teen show Saved by the Bell (1989–1993) mention on several occasions that their school is located in Pacific Palisades.
  • Popular show 90210 mentions Palisades High as their rivals and has filmed some episodes on the beach and at a local restaurant, Cafe Vida.
  • British alternative rock band Ash included a song entitled "Pacific Palisades" on their 2001 album Free All Angels.
  • Rapper Childish Gambino's 2013 album Because the Internet was recorded in the former mansion of athlete Chris Bosh. The short film Clapping for the Wrong Reasons, which Glover both wrote and starred in, was filmed at the mansion as well. The Palisades are mentioned on the album in the song "IV. Sweatpants", along with the follow-up mixtape Kauai, which features a track named "The Palisades".
  • In Modern Family, the Dunphy children attend Palisades Charter High School.
  • The main character of the TV series Transparent lives in a house in Pacific Palisades.
  • Rapper Kendrick Lamar mentioned the Palisades on his albums Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers and Untitled Unmastered.
  • The Hyundai Palisade is named after Pacific Palisades.

Filming locations

  • Some scenes of Prizzi's Honor were filmed at 15025 Corona Del Mar. The house has since been demolished.
  • Havoc was set in the Palisades and filmed at Palisades Charter High School.
  • The 2003 Disney film Freaky Friday with Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan was filmed at Palisades Charter High School.
  • The 2001 film Crazy/Beautiful starring Kirsten Dunst was filmed at Palisades Charter High School.
  • The house used for the exterior shots of the Pearson residence in the 1979 film Phantasm is located at 1232 Corsica Drive in Pacific Palisades.
  • Black Flag's "Slip It In" music video was filmed at Palisades High School.
  • The 1977 NBC television program James at 16, starring Lance Kerwin, was filmed at Palisades High School.
  • The 1976 film Carrie was filmed at Palisades High School.
  • The 1957 film No Down Payment has several sequences around Pacific Palisades posing as a Los Angeles suburb.
  • Food Network's Everyday Italian is filmed on El Medio.
  • The TV series Baywatch was filmed at Lifeguard Headquarters by tower 15 of Will Rogers State Beach in Pacific Palisades.
  • The TV series The Rockford Files was often filmed in and around the Palisades in the 1970s.
  • The TV series Popular filmed at Palisades Charter High School.
  • The TV series Modern Family filmed some scenes at Palisades Charter High School.
  • The first-season residence of the television series The Golden Girls was a home in Pacific Palisades. For subsequent seasons, a facade house was built on the Disney/MGM back lot.
  • The 2012 film Project X features scenes filmed at Palisades Charter High School.
  • The HBO series Curb Your Enthusiasm features both the real-life and in-universe Pacific Palisades residence of Larry David.
  • The TV series Teen Wolf was filmed at Palisades Charter High School.
  • The 2014 movie God's Not Dead had scenes filmed at 1033 Ravoli Drive in Pacific Palisades.
  • The 2014 movie Redeemed, starring Pacific Palisades resident Ted McGinley, also was filmed at 1033 Ravoli Drive.

Notable people

See also

  • List of districts and neighborhoods in Los Angeles
  • Old Santa Monica Forestry Station in Pacific Palisades.

References

Further reading

  • Young, Betty Lou, Pacific Palisades: Where the Mountains Meet the Sea, Pacific Palisades Historical Society Press (1983)
  • Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce
  • Pacific Palisades Community Council