Pacific Palisades Real Estate: A Slice of Paradise in Los Angeles

A coastal hamlet nestled in the Temescal Canyon, Pacific Palisades offers a quiet escape from the urban landscape of Los Angeles. Lush and secluded, the Palisades offers a luxurious residential lifestyle surrounded by Los Angeles’ famed natural beauty.

If you’re looking for a slice of paradise in the City of Angels, then Pacific Palisades might be the perfect place to buy a home.

Pacific Palisades is a neighborhood in Los Angeles, CA covering about 24 square miles. The community is roughly 20 miles away from Downtown LA and is home to around 22,900 residents. A near-hidden gem, this charming locale offers abundant open space, proximity to both the mountains and the beach, and an A-list population, having long been a favorite residence among Hollywood professionals.

It’s bordered by the Santa Monica Mountains to the north and east. To the southwest, you have easy access to Santa Monica Bay. Malibu is to the west, Brentwood to the east, and Santa Monica to the southeast.

Real estate in Pacific Palisades is easily some of the most luxurious in the city. Here, you’ll find sprawling mansions with contemporary architecture, high-end Italian-style villas, sun-drenched Mediterranean homes, and waterfront properties that put you within walking distance of the Pacific shoreline.

EXPLORING PACIFIC PALISADES

Known for its laid-back atmosphere, natural beauty, and epicurean delights, Pacific Palisades is a haven for those who appreciate the finer things in life.

Outdoor recreation

Outdoor recreation is a fundamental part of the Pacific Palisades lifestyle. With gorgeous weather year-round and a plethora of outdoor attractions nearby, the Palisades allows residents to pursue their activity of choice, whether it’s horseback riding, biking, golfing, swimming, or hiking.

PALISADES PARK
Stretching along Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica, just three minutes from Pacific Palisades, is the 26-acre Palisades Park. The landmark facility features stunning views of the Santa Monica Bay, a rose garden, and various public art installations created by local artists. Visitors can enjoy a game of baseball on the park diamond or explore its various walking trails.

WILL ROGERS STATE PARK
Just close by you’ll find Will Rogers State Historic Park, a 186-acre facility and former home of humorist and actor Will Rogers. Once one of the highest paid American performers of the 1930s, Rogers’ ranch was converted into a historic park after his passing. Some of the activities here include:

• Hiking the Rivas Canyon Trail, a challenging 4.6-mile out-and-back trail that offers stunning views of the Santa Monica Mountains.
• Taking a walk or bike ride on the Inspiration Point Loop Trail, a moderate 2.2-mile trail that passes by Inspiration Point, which offers panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.
• Visiting Will Rogers’ home, which is now a museum that tells the story of his life and career. You can also attend a free outdoor movie screening, held on select weekends throughout the year.

WILL ROGERS STATE BEACH & SANTA MONICA BEACH
Residents of the Palisades are never too far from the coast with Will Rogers State Beach nearby. Over 3 miles of shoreline and over 100 acres of beach await visitors, who can swim, surf, or lounge on the sands without worrying about the tourists of its busier neighbors.

However, if you want to enjoy the lively Los Angeles crowd, the southeast portion of Will Rogers State Beach merges with Santa Monica State Beach. Here, you can enjoy the attractions of the landmark Santa Monica Pier, which include the iconic Ferris Wheel, a host of restaurants and shops, and a community beach house where you can catch a gorgeous sunset.

SUNSET POINT BEACH
North of Will Rogers Beach is the serene Sunset Point, a narrow beach frequented by surfers. Known for its beginner-friendly waves, the waters at Sunset Point are ideal for longboarders looking for a lengthy ride.

Shopper’s paradise

Pacific Palisades is a mecca for both shoppers and foodies. The nearby Palisades Village offers an excellent lineup of stores and serves as the primary downtown hub of Pacific Palisades.

This high-end retail destination features a thoughtfully chosen mix of local boutiques, renowned designer labels, jewelry shops, and restaurants, including Veronica Beard, Brandy Melville, Bottega Veneta, Brunello Cucinelli, and Chanel Fragrance.

For dining options, Matt and Marissa Hermer’s The Draycott is a casual restaurant with French, Californian, and English influences offering upscale all-day dining. Jemma Pizzeria serves up East Coast-Italian fare, featuring delicious pizzas made from organic flour dough and fresh locally-sourced tomatoes.

If you’re looking for a good restaurant, Sunset has plenty – Casa Nostra Trattoria offers traditional Italian fare (pasta, grills, and pizza), while Modo Mio is known for its chic space and extensive wine list.

For dining options, Matt and Marissa Hermer’s The Draycott is a casual restaurant with French, Californian, and English influences offering upscale all-day dining. Jemma Pizzeria serves up East Coast-Italian fare, featuring delicious pizzas made from organic flour dough and fresh locally-sourced tomatoes.

If you’re looking for a good restaurant, Sunset has plenty – Casa Nostra Trattoria offers traditional Italian fare (pasta, grills, and pizza), while Modo Mio is known for its chic space and extensive wine list.

A hub for Greco-Roman art

Living in the Palisades means having convenient access to one of the most fascinating museums about the ancient world. The Getty Villa, which preceded the establishment of the Getty Museum, which displays Roman, Greek, and Etruscan antiquities.

The Villa itself is a recreated Roman country house inspired by ancient architecture. In addition to the museum, guests can also explore the Villa gardens, which features a beautiful colonnade and a reflecting pool.

The Getty Villa Outdoor Theater is modeled after ancient Greek and Roman theaters and hosts a rotating series of performances, including Greek tragedies and comedies. Past productions have included “Oedipus,” “Trojan Women,” and “Elektra.”

Vibrant history

Pacific Palisades is a neighborhood with a rich and storied past. Archeological evidence suggests that Native Americans have lived in the area for over 10,000 years. During California’s Mexican period in the 1800s, the land that would become Pacific Palisades was still part of the Rancho Boca de Santa Monica.

In 1911, director Thomas Ince established the area’s first ever film studio – one that would later influence how modern day film studios operated. It employed hundreds of workers to manage dressing rooms, design the sets, create intricate props, and work on silent stages. Ince’s contribution to Hollywood is still felt today, and the community of Inceville was named after him upon his passing.

It wasn’t until 1922 that the neighborhood was formally established by Methodists who sought to create a religious-intellectual community within the area. The community grew steadily throughout the years that followed.

Today, much of the neighborhood’s history can be seen through a collection of 3,000 historical photos archived by the Pacific Palisades Historical Society. The catalog can be seen in the Santa Monica Public Library.

EDUCATION

The Palisades prioritizes high-quality education for all its school-age residents, offering diverse learning opportunities at every level. Both public and private schools are nearby, including:

 

Pacific Palisades is also close to several colleges. The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), one of the country’s most reputable research universities, is only a 6 mile drive via Sunset Boulevard.

Also nearby are Santa Monica College (SMC), a public community college that offers affordable and flexible options; Pepperdine University, a private Christian university with a beautiful campus; and the Los Angeles Trade Technical College (LATTC), which offers an array of technical and vocational programs.

For those interested in experiential learning, the University of Santa Monica (USM) offers programs in spiritual psychology.

THE PACIFIC PALISADES REAL ESTATE MARKET

Homes for sale in Pacific Palisades offer luxury amidst some of Los Angeles’ most breathtaking views. As of August 2023, the median listing home price was at $4.5 million, significantly higher than the LA average ($1.2 million). For that price, you can get a 4-bedroom property with a spacious lot and a good location in a desirable community.

Highly coveted among luxury buyers are modern homes perched on the bluffs of the Santa Monica Mountains. You’ll also find many buyers snagging up homes along the waterfront.

The Pacific Palisades housing market is known to be competitive, with homes, more often than not, selling for above the asking price. It’s common for listings to go up privately, as many high-profile homeowners prefer to keep their transactions discreet. This is why, if you’re serious about buying real estate in Pacific Palisades, working with a local real estate agent is your best bet.

Property types and amenities

Pacific Palisades real estate comes in different forms. Luxury estates, single-family homes, and historic properties are some of the most common types, but there are also a few high-end condos and townhouses available.

Multimillion-dollar properties in this neighborhood come with state-of-the-art features and amenities. These can include:

 

One of the most desirable things about a Pacific Palisades home is the space. Many of these high-end properties are situated on quarter-acre lots, going up to as high as 9 acres, making them ideal for homeowners who value privacy.

Property age and appreciation

Pacific Palisades is home to a number of older, well-established properties which were built from the 1940s to the 1960s. Several properties date back to the 1920s when housing was first developed and the neighborhood’s population grew.

This has led to a vibrant architectural landscape, with many diverse styles from different time periods. While you’ll spot many new construction Contemporary homes, there are also plenty of East Coast Traditional- and Italian-inspired houses with European influences. Other popular architectural styles include French Renaissance, Hamptons, and Modern Ranch.

Top neighborhoods in Pacific Palisades

The Alphabet Streets
Situated just north of Sunset Boulevard, The Alphabet Streets is a historic neighborhood known for its pedestrian-friendly streets and proximity to Pacific Palisades’ downtown core. It’s also one of the Palisades’ oldest and most cherished communities.

Here, you’ll find smaller lots and thus more affordable prices, making it an ideal residence for first-time homebuyers. Prices in this neighborhood vary, with entry-level properties typically starting around $1 million for a bungalow-style home. For those seeking larger, newer homes with added luxury, options can extend to around $5 million.

Castellammare
This Italy-inspired neighborhood takes after the Amalfi coast, with pristine views of the Pacific and gorgeous Italian villas. Even the small, winding streets are named after streets in Italy. Home prices start at above $1 million for a two-bedroom single-family home near the coast, reaching up to over $7 million for a contemporary estate with a 5,000-square-foot lot. You’ll also find a few vacant lots for sale.

The Highlands
Known for its wide gated streets and exclusive Palisades Summit Club, The Highlands is a popular neighborhood situated on the hills above Sunset Boulevard. Unlike other communities in the Palisades, The Highlands offers more varied housing options, including a few condos and townhouses. Single-family homes in this area tend to start at over $1 million and can go up to the $6 million range, offering a host of special amenities for the discerning buyer.

Marquez Knolls
Marquez Knolls in Pacific Palisades is a prime spot for families with young children, thanks to its proximity to Marquez Elementary School. The neighborhood is particularly sought-after for its elevated homes along the hills, which offer captivating ocean views. One of Marquez Knolls’ standout features is its impressive mid-century architecture; many homes in the area date back to the 1950s. Properties here typically start at around $1 million at the entry-level range, extending to over $10 million for luxury homes.

The Riviera
An ultra-exclusive neighborhood, The Riviera offers awe-inspiring mountain vistas and access to the renowned Riviera Country Club and Golf Course. A place for those who seek the pinnacle of luxury living, homes in this area command a high premium. Prices tend to start at the eight-figure mark, ranging from $11 million to $20 million, with quarter-acre lots and at least 6,000 square feet of space.

Huntington
Huntington is an ideal choice for those who value accessibility to recreational and cultural amenities, all while living in a prestigious community. Bordered to the east by Chautauqua, this pedestrian-friendly neighborhood is made up of traditional single-family homes adorning expansive, level lots. Property prices typically start at $1.2 million and go well over $11 million for grander estates.

Rustic Canyon
Perfect for those who want tranquility and character in their homes, Rustic Canyon offers residents an oasis within an oasis. The unique and exclusive neighborhood is located south of Sunset Boulevard, and is known for its rustic-style properties and lush surroundings. It was developed around the Uplifters Historic District. The area offers a blend of smaller homes and spacious properties with 1- to 2-acre lots. Prices for luxury properties can go up to the eight-figure mark.

Via Bluffs & El Medio Bluffs
If you want to live in the quintessential coastal neighborhood, consider looking for homes in The Bluffs. The area is separated into two: the Via de la Paz Bluffs (or just Via Bluffs) and the El Medio Bluffs. Both areas offer gorgeous views of the shoreline, proximity to the finest restaurants and shops in the Palisades, and a wide selection of high-end homes with eye-catching architecture.

Properties in this neighborhood begin at around $1.2 million, and are typically single-family homes at more or less 700 square feet. At the midrange, you can find a 1,500- to 2,000- square-foot home for $3 million. Luxury homes can go as high as $9 million.

NAVIGATE PACIFIC PALISADES REAL ESTATE WITH MONICA ANTOLA

Thinking of purchasing luxury real estate in Pacific Palisades? Let Monica Antola of Antola Properties help you achieve your goals.

With over 17 years of experience in the luxury market, Monica has unmatched knowledge of Pacific Palisades and the resources to help you find your perfect property. Her commitment to her clients and dedication to excellence has landed her among the Top 2% of real estate professionals in Berkshire Hathaway Home Services.

Get in touch with Monica Antola at 310.230.3755 or contact her here.