Pacific Palisades is a lovely community surrounded by the monumental Santa Monica Mountains, the awe-inspiring Pacific Ocean, and forming a part of the famous picturesque California coastline.
Established in 1922, this prestigious neighborhood has evolved from a quiet retreat into one of the most sought-after luxury markets in the world. Defined by its privacy, architectural pedigree, and small-town atmosphere, Pacific Palisades is the chosen sanctuary for A-list celebrities, industry titans, and families seeking a grounded, community-focused lifestyle away from the flash of the city.
Nestled between the Santa Monica Mountains and the coastline, the topography allows for distinct micro-neighborhoods. From the gated estates of The Riviera (home to the prestigious Riviera Country Club) to the ocean-breeze filled streets of The Huntington, residents enjoy panoramic views stretching from the Queen’s Necklace to Catalina Island.
Life in the Palisades revolves around "The Village." Unlike the sprawling nature of other LA neighborhoods, the Palisades has a true beating heart. This walkable downtown center serves as the community living room, hosting a vibrant weekly Farmers Market, holiday parades, and events on the community green.
Palisades Village: The crown jewel of the neighborhood is the Rick Caruso-developed Palisades Village. This bespoke collection of boutiques, fine dining, and entertainment has redefined the local lifestyle, offering world-class amenities within walking distance of the residential enclaves.
Choosing the right Westside neighborhood is about matching the environment to your desired pace of life. Here is how Pacific Palisades distinguishes itself within the local luxury market.
While Santa Monica offers a vibrant, urban energy with world-class tourism and tech hubs, Pacific Palisades serves as its quieter, exclusively residential counterpart. Buyers often graduate from the bustle of Santa Monica to the Palisades when they desire more privacy, larger lots, and a tighter-knit community feel while remaining just minutes from the ocean.
Often described as "Malibu within reach of the city," the Palisades offers similar ocean views and hiking access but without the commute. While Malibu provides the ultimate beachfront isolation, the Palisades is significantly closer to top-tier schools, offices, and the cultural amenities of Los Angeles.
Venice and the Marina offer an eclectic, younger, and more vertical waterfront lifestyle. The transition to Pacific Palisades represents a move toward traditional estate living. Families often seek out the Palisades for its sprawling backyards and quiet streets, a distinct shift from the density and artistic energy of Venice.
Brentwood and the Palisades are often considered sister neighborhoods, yet they have distinct personalities. Brentwood feels more polished and inland, centered around the San Vicente corridor. The Palisades feels more "vacation-like" and coastal. If you prefer easy freeway access, Brentwood is strategic; if you prefer ocean breezes and a village square, the Palisades is the choice.
Bel Air and Beverly Hills are the pinnacles of international glamour and gated isolation. In contrast, the Palisades practices "quiet luxury." The culture here is more open and neighborly, where the dress code is cashmere and athleisure rather than high fashion. It attracts those who want their wealth to whisper, not shout.
Home to the "Wilshire Corridor" of luxury high-rises, Westwood offers a concierge lifestyle and academic energy near UCLA. The Palisades offers the inverse: sprawling grounds, single-family estates, and a separation from the commercial density of the city center.
As an emerging hub for "Silicon Beach" executives, Mar Vista offers modernized luxury on smaller lots with a flat, bike-friendly landscape. The Palisades remains the "final destination" neighborhood, offering grander architectural pedigree and view estates that Mar Vista's geography simply cannot provide.
The Palisades is a hiker's paradise. Temescal Gateway Park offers some of the best canyon trails in Los Angeles, rewarding climbers with sweeping views of the entire Santa Monica Bay. Will Rogers State Historic Park provides open polo fields and trails that connect to the broader Santa Monica Mountains.
Culturally, the neighborhood is home to The Getty Villa. Modeled after an ancient Roman country house, this world-class museum houses Greek and Roman antiquities and features manicured gardens with ocean views.
Shopping in the Palisades is curated and high-end. For decades, Elyse Walker has been the anchor of Palisades fashion, a massive boutique that draws stylists and celebrities from all over Los Angeles. For dining, locals favor the upscale-casual vibe of Porta Via, the sushi at Blue Ribbon, or the legendary oceanfront sunsets at Gladstone’s.
Pacific Palisades is renowned for its exceptional schools, a primary driver for home values in the area.
Mary Lu Tuthill is an authority on the Pacific Palisades luxury market.
Work With Mary LuPacific Palisades has 9,311 households, with an average household size of 3. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Pacific Palisades do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 23,717 people call Pacific Palisades home. The population density is 4,321.792 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
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There's plenty to do around Pacific Palisades, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.
Explore popular things to do in the area, including Dance Ten, Ken Robin Therapy, and Stacey Smith Physical Therapy.
| Name | Category | Distance | Reviews |
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| Shopping | 3.02 miles | 9 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 4.85 miles | 8 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 4.32 miles | 7 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
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Mary Lu Tuthill is the premier real estate agent in Brentwood and has helped hundreds of buyers find their dream home in Brentwood and beyond, resulting in over $1 Billion of closed residential real estate transactions in the last 20 years.