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Neighborhood in California, US
Photo: Spikebrennan, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Pacific Palisades is an affluent neighborhood on the West Side of Los Angeles in Southern California, adjacent to Santa Monica. The district is a primarily residential area with expensive houses amongst the hills offering incredible ocean views.
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Case Study House No. 8
The Eames House is a landmark of mid-20th century modern architecture that was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2006, and today serves as a pilgrimage site for nearly 20,000 visitors a year. It was constructed in 1949 by husband-and-wife design pioneers Charles and Ray Eames, and commissioned by Arts & Architecture magazine as part of a program challenging architects to design progressive, but modest, homes in Southern California. In 2004 the non-profit Eames Foundation was created, and today operates the historic house as a museum. Reservations are required to visit, and there is no public parking; street parking is available on Corona del Mar, which then requires a five minute walk up a shared private driveway.
An extension of the world-famous Getty Center in West Los Angeles, the Getty Villa is a separate location built in the style of an ancient Roman villa that features statues and other cultural artifacts from Greece and Rome. You can visit both the Villa and the Getty Center in the same day (Wednesday through Sunday) and pay the parking fee only once (save your ticket stub), but don't expect to have any time left over for other activities.
The Lake Shrine Temple's 10-acre site has lush gardens and a large, natural spring-fed lake which is framed by natural hillsides, and is home to a variety of flora and fauna, including swans, ducks, koi, water turtles, and lotus flowers. A highlight of this spiritual sanctuary is the Mahatma Gandhi World Peace Memorial, where a portion of Gandhi's ashes is enshrined.
The Riviera Country Club is an exclusive private club that first opened in 1926 at a cost of $243,827, making it one of the most expensive golf clubs of its time. The championship golf course hosts an annual PGA tour event in February, and has played host to past major golf championships including the 1948 US Open, the 1983 and 1995 PGA Championships, the 1998 US Senior Open, and the 2017 US Amateur. It will be the venue for golf in the 2028 Olympic Games. While only members can book tee times, tickets for tournaments held at the course are available to the general public.
Offers swimming, volleyball, and a bike/running path. The beach will be familiar to fans of the TV show Baywatch.
Temescal Canyon
From the Nahuatl and Spanish word for "sweat lodge", this nature reserve is the gateway from Pacific Palisades up into the Santa Monica Mountains, connecting to a vast network of hiking trails. Starting in Temescal Canyon, a nice 3-mile (5-km) loop combines the Temescal Canyon Trail and Temescal Ridge Trail, going past a waterfall and taking in views of Pacific Palisades mansions, Santa Monica, Los Angeles, and the Pacific Ocean. Bring water and wear sunscreen, as the Temescal Ridge Trail is pretty exposed.
An upscale bed and breakfast housed in a 1910 colonial revival home located a few blocks from the beach. Free Wi-Fi, breakfast, and afternoon wine and snacks, with some rooms coming with fireplaces and whirlpool tubs.
This mall and the surrounding downtown area have most of Pacific Palisades' shopping. For a wider range, try Santa Monica. Scheduled to reopen in August 2026 after much of it was destroyed by the Palisades fire.
A downtown farmer's market offering produce, handicrafts, flowers, and homemade food.
By bus
Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus #9 goes along Sunset Blvd. via Chautauqua Blvd., going through the heart of Pacific Palisades, from Santa Monica.
By bicycle
You will be competing for space along the same access routes for vehicular traffic. Unless you are a capable urban cyclist, travel along Sunset Blvd. and PCH is not advised. Temescal Canyon Blvd.
By foot
Foot traffic from the coastline is common, especially during good weather. Both the west entrance into town via Sunset Blvd. and the uphill north entrance along Temescal Canyon Blvd.
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Los Angeles · International · LAX
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