7.6 out of 10

Pacific Palisades

Ranked 19th best neighborhood in Los Angeles
34.0663863677508 -118.521372395939
Great for
  • Clean & Green
  • Schools
  • Peace & Quiet
  • Safe & Sound
  • Resale or Rental Value
Not great for
  • Public Transport
  • Nightlife
  • Childcare
  •  
  •  
Who lives here?
  • Families with kids
  • Professionals
  • Retirees
  • Singles
  • Beach Lovers

Reviews

5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 5/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 3/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Shopping Options 4/5
  • Gym & Fitness 4/5
  • Internet Access 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 4/5
  • Parking 4/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 5/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
  • Medical Facilities 5/5
2yrs+

"Considered one of the Premier Neighborhoods of LA"

Pacific Palisades is in the hills with gorgeous views. It is a neighborhood where the rich and famous reside. It is filled with gorgeous homes on perfectly manicured yards and meandering streets with high hedges. The community is located North of Santa Monica and West of Brentwood. It is a bit out of the way, but definitely worth the drive.

While writing this review prices for available homes ranged from $2 million to over $19 million, and rental prices ranged from $5,000 to $15,000/month. As you can see it is for a buyer or renter with deep pockets.
Pros
  • Perfectly Manicured
Cons
  • Secluded
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 2/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Pest Free 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • Eating Out 1/5
  • Parks & Recreation 1/5
  • Shopping Options 1/5
  • Gym & Fitness 1/5
  • Internet Access 2/5
  • Lack of Traffic 1/5
  • Parking 3/5
  • Cost of Living 5/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 4/5
  • Public Transport 1/5
  • Medical Facilities 1/5
  • Schools 4/5
  • Childcare 1/5
2yrs+

"Palisades Highlands-- Stunning homes and views."

Palisades Highlands is one of the most coveted and safest neighborhoods, located between Santa Monica and Malibu, in Pacific Palisades. It is in the northern region, located in the upper Santa Ynez Canyon. This neighborhood consists of large gated estates with high-end condominiums along the main road, Palisades Drive. Palisades Hills, The Summit, and the Lower Highlands are part of this community. The Highlands also has its own small shopping center and access to several Topanga State Park trailheads. Home prices in this area range from $2–20 million, and most homes have between 4,000 and 13,000 square feet and are situated on large lots. All of the homes have mountain views. Many celebrities have had homes in this area. If you like heights (this place is on top of the mountain) and can afford this price range, you should definitely check it out.

I have never seen so many nannies and housekeepers any place else. It’s almost a “must” to have one if you live here. They usually meet in the neighborhood recreation center, which is a fun place for the kids. Residents of the Highlands also tend to have elaborate birthday parties for their kids. I think they try to outdo each other. People up there can get a bit snobby, and many kids seem pretty spoiled. Since the area is surrounded by mountains, coyotes, raccoons, and skunks can show up in your back yard. The mountain views are spectacular, but the drive to PCH, schools, and shopping is quite long. Due to the mountains, cell coverage can be spotty in the Highlands. The neighborhood is super safe and clean.
Pros
  • Clean
  • Great views
  • Beautiful
  • Serene
Cons
  • Extremely expensive
  • Dead at night
  • Remote
  • Secluded
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Tourists
  • Hipsters
  • Trendy & Stylish
5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 5/5
  • Safe & Sound 5/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Pest Free 2/5
  • Peace & Quiet 3/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 2/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Shopping Options 3/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 3/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Parking 4/5
  • Cost of Living 1/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 3/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
  • Medical Facilities 3/5
  • Schools 5/5
  • Childcare 4/5
2yrs+

"Great place for families"

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.
Pros
  • Beautiful
  • Serene
Cons
  • Dead at night
  • Remote
  • Secluded
Recommended for
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 5/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • Eating Out 2/5
  • Nightlife 1/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Shopping Options 2/5
  • Gym & Fitness 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 5/5
  • Cost of Living 1/5
2yrs+

"Beautiful and Serene"

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.
Pros
  • Beautiful
  • Serene
Cons
  • Secluded
  • Dead at night
  • Remote
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • LGBT+
  • Country Lovers
  • Beach Lovers

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Unranked Streets in Pacific Palisades

Embury St

4.5/5
"Great Family Street"
34.0481495009785 -118.523385988277
"Unbelievable views - maybe the best in LA!"
34.0516663402559 -118.549004596483
"Absolutely breathtaking scenic route"
34.0362233868295 -118.536565458472
"Piedra Morada Drive-- Great street for families."
34.0698783918221 -118.551591905227
"Palisades or Santa Monica?"
34.0304044897795 -118.514937566971

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