Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles

This is a great family neighborhood. It has a nice little close-knit downtown area and the school systems are excellent. It's a beautiful area and homes are pretty expensive, but if you can afford it, it's the place to raise your family.

Pacific Palisades is gorgeous: there cannot be any arguments there. It is one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Los Angeles, and, boy, don't they let you know it. The Palisades are nestled in the canyons right next to Malibu. It has a really mountainy feel to it. I kinda think it's where all the rich hippies live. A lot of the houses actually look like rustic cabins; and, I suspect they are intended to be people's weekend retreats. The Riviera is the part of the Palisades that is right where Sunset and PCH meet and it's quite posh. But, the stunners of the houses is in Marquez Knolls. The houses aren't as sweeping and grand as those in Malibu. But, the view from these houses is spectacular. They are all on a cliff with an endless sea out in front. I don't know how anyone could be unhappy with a view like that.
A lot of celebrities and music execs live in the Palisades because the area is so remote and private. Pacific Palisades is a killer to get to and every house is completely surrounded by trees. The setting of this neighborhood looks like the perfect area for a horror film. You can scream in one of these places, and probably no one would hear you.
There isn't much to do outside of "the village" (a collection of restaurants and shops down by Sunset Blvd). There is a lot more fun to be had in Malibu -- which isn't saying much in the way of social activities. But, if you like nature, this is the ultimate spot. It's part forest and part beach. The only thing I wonder about is with house prices like this, I would rather live in Malibu proper. But, obviously, none of the Palisades residents seem to mind. There are a lot of hiking trails, and people have horses. A quick drive out of the canyon and you're right on the beach.
If you lived here, however, you really would have to enjoy being home. It's a long drive down PCH or a long drive over the canyon from the 101. And, in the case of the houses on the bluff, a long drive down to the beach.
But, if you're rich, have kids and love privacy, this is the spot.
A lot of songs have been written about the Palisades because the tranquility is so inspiring. But, I think a lot of the kids raised here grow up to be trouble makers because they're surrounded with a lot of money and nothing to do . . .but, maybe drugs and surf.