Pacific Palisades

Pacific Palisades is a residential area along the coast between Santa Monica and Malibu, with cliffs rising above the Pacific and mountain ridges behind. Streets wind through wooded hills and lead to lookout points facing the water and distant islands.

The area began as a planned settlement by a Methodist organization in 1921 and later became a refuge for European intellectuals during the 1930s. Before that, filmmakers shot westerns here at a studio complex called Inceville.

Many homes were designed by architects who brought European traditions together with California styles. Streets often carry names drawn from classical poetry and European places, echoing the backgrounds of early residents.

Following Sunset Boulevard brings you here from downtown Los Angeles in about an hour depending on traffic. Hiking trails often start from residential streets and climb through the hills to viewpoints or parks.

The Getty Villa museum sits on a hillside overlooking the water and presents ancient art in rooms modeled after a Roman country house. The gardens use plants and fountains to show how Romans surrounded their villas.

Location: Los Angeles

Shares border with: Malibu, Santa Monica

GPS coordinates: 34.04806,-118.52694

Latest update: December 12, 2025 20:00