Pacific Palisades serves as one of the best suburbs in
Los Angeles. This fabulously affluent residential area lies between the scenic Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, placing it one of the more peaceful parts of the West Coast. Tucked away in the more central pockets of LA County, this is the perfect place to live a quiet life, perhaps even raise a family, in this ever-hectic metropolis. In Pacific Palisades, you can enjoy California's natural wonders while staying close to LA's signature glitz and glamour. It offers the best of both worlds, unlike any other!
Where is Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles?
Pacific Palisades lies between the Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, a fair distance away from
LA's central neighborhoods. It is, however, still surrounded by other notable neighborhoods within Los Angeles County. The famous Malibu City is directly to its north, Brentwood is to its west, and Santa Monica is to its south. Such proximity to these popular areas help make Pacific Palisades remain a popular neighborhood on the West Coast, specifically for families looking to live a fairly peaceful life while staying not too far from Los Angeles.
Is it Safe in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles?
Another major reason why Pacific Palisades remains popular is that it's also one of the safest neighborhoods in Los Angeles. The city tends to get a lot of flak since
LA's crime rates typically skew high, but you'll barely feel it in this nature-centric suburb. Not only is the place itself extremely peaceful, thanks in large part to the fact that it's surrounded by nature instead of urban areas, but it's also because it's fairly affluent. The residents in Pacific Palisades can afford to have high-quality security systems, and the area itself is well-lit at night.
What's The Vibe in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles?
Pacific Palisades embodies what a wealthy suburb in Los Angeles should be—refined, green, and peaceful. Its oceanside location and mountainous terrain place the neighborhood close to nature, with lush greenery flowing through the lavish mansions and luxurious homes here. Its coastline views amp the serenity up a notch, providing such a zen ambiance that it's easy to forget that Pacific Palisades is still in Los Angeles. It's no wonder the A-list celebrities and other elites who live or have
moved to LA stay here. It's the quintessential affluent area on the West Coast!
Is it Expensive in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles?
Without a shadow of a doubt! Don't forget that Pacific Palisades is an affluent area filled with A-list residents, luxury homes, upscale restaurants, and more. It's right up there with the likes of Beverly Hills, Bel-Air, and other, famously wealthy LA neighborhoods. So if you thought
LA's living costs were high, wait until you get to Pacific Palisades! Even simply renting an apartment here will already cut you back about $3,160.00 per month! The average rent in Pacific Palisades is considerably higher than the nationwide rent average, which is $1,553.00 per month.
What to See in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles
Admittedly, Pacific Palisades doesn't have a lot of notable landmarks. That's par for the course for
LA suburbs, after all, which are mostly residential than anything else. The closest thing the neighborhood has to a tourist spot is the famous Getty Villa, a breathtaking estate known for its Roman-inspired architecture and its treasure trove of antiques and artifacts. There's also the Will Rogers State Historic Park, which boasts some of the most magnificent ocean views on the coast, but it's one of many green spaces in Pacific Palisades. It's undoubtedly the most famous one, but there are others quite like it in the area.
What to Do in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles
If you're lucky enough to move to Los Angeles and settle down in Pacific Palisades, take advantage of its nature-centric location as much as you can! Hike up the Santa Monica Mountains and get closer to nature, not to mention escape the big city hassles of LA! Head down to the beach and swim in the Pacific Ocean, only after you get a tan on the white sandy beaches, or enjoy a picnic with friends and family on the weekends. No matter which one you go for, you're sure to have an exhilarating time in Pacific Palisades!
The Best Restaurants in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles
Contrary to popular belief, Pacific Palisades doesn't have any of
LA's Michelin-starred restaurants. The place seems perfect for one, right? Especially since it's an affluent neighborhood populated by the rich and famous. While such establishments would've substantially benefited from such a location, the truth of the matter is that they're not here. Does that make Pacific Palisades's culinary scene any less exciting? Of course not! The neighborhood still has countless refined restaurants, from the very sophisticated MUSE Santa Monica on W Channel Road to the fairly affordable but nevertheless flavorful Moku Sushi on Palisades Drive.
Pacific Palisades has many exceptional eateries, including:
- Spruzzo Restaurant & Bar on Palisades Drive
- Palisades Garden Cafe in Palisades Village on La Cruz Drive
- MUSE Santa Monica on W Channel Road
- Moku Sushi on Palisades Drive
- Mastro's Ocean Club on Pacific Coast Highway
- LA Puglia on Wilshire Boulevard
- Gladstones Restaurant at 17300 CA-1
- Giorgio Baldi on W Channel Road
- Caffé Delfini on W Channel Road
- Armav on Lincoln Boulevard
What to Know About Renting in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles
As already mentioned, Pacific Palisades is notorious as one of the most expensive parts of Los Angeles. The average rent here alone is already $3,160.00 per month, considerably higher compared to the average rent in all of the US. On top of that, the smaller
luxury apartments to rent here are far and few between. Pacific Palisades is more known for its lavish mansions and massive estates, most of which are owned by A-list celebrities, wealthy CEOs, and the like. There are still some apartment buildings in the neighborhood, but not a lot!
Pacific Palisades is undoubtedly one of the best places to live in Los Angeles. This lovely suburban neighborhood lets you escape the hustle and bustle of LA, offering a beautiful nature-centric enclave of luxury homes and a scenic beach.
