The Top 8 Places to Live in Pacific Palisades
What Are the Best Places to Live in Pacific Palisades?
Pacific Palisades is considered one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Los Angeles. The best neighborhoods in Pacific Palisades offer beautiful, luxury homes, many of which offer swimming pools and spas, beautiful panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean or Santa Monica Mountains, and a wide range of other opulent amenities.
With an upscale shopping area, the beach, numerous biking and hiking paths close by, and a number of manicured community parks, along with excellent public schools, it can be difficult to decide where to live in Pacific Palisades.
Pacific Palisades is highly desirable because it has so much to offer residents. It's located between the ocean and the Santa Monica Mountains, providing a perfect blend of beach and mountain living.
Let's take a look at some of what are considered the best Pacific Palisades neighborhoods.
The Best Place to Live in Pacific Palisades, CA
See what our local top-rated real estate agents say, and learn more about each Pacific Palisades neighborhood to see what could be the best place for your new home. The following list is not in any particular order or ranking.
- The Village (Downtown Pacific Palisades)
- El Medio Bluffs (The Bluffs - Via & El Medio)
- Marquez Knolls
- Castellammare
- The Highlands
- The Huntington
- The Riviera
- Alphabet Streets
- Pacific Palisades Lifestyle
- Shopping & Dining in Pacific Palisades
- View All Homes for Sale in Pacific Palisades, CA
The Village (Downtown Pacific Palisades)
Palisades Village or "The Village" is located in the center of downtown Pacific Palisades, this special pedestrian-friendly village has more than 40 carefully chosen and distinct shops, an array of entertainment options, and plenty of places to enjoy fresh local cuisine.
In addition to the shopping & eateries, The Village also offers a unique residential experience centered around eight meticulously designed condos with one, two, and three-bedroom floor plans. With exclusive private terraces and courtyards, residents enjoy a private, personal outdoor space, with close proximity to surrounding world-class amenities reminiscent of a luxurious five-star hotel. Residents of The Village enjoy the comforts of a high-end hotel right in the privacy of their own homes.
Residents receive access to their members-only suite, The Coast Lounge, as well as to their private, state-of-the-art fitness studio. The resident 5-star Concierge is proud to offer residents assistance with dining reservations, travel arrangements, event planning, pantry stocking, dog walking, and everything else to ensure your every need is met, every day of the week.
El Medio Bluffs (The Bluffs - Via & El Medio)
The Bluffs is a popular, mostly flat area located to the south (or west) of Sunset Boulevard, closer to the beach. The El Medio Bluffs Pacific Palisades neighborhood includes two types of homes: the Via de la Paz Bluff homes and the El Medio Bluffs homes. It's great for those who enjoy the views from the Bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and it's also convenient for shopping in town at The Village.
As with all of Pacific Palisade, this upscale neighborhood offers a mix of housing options, ranging from small bungalows starting at around $1.4 million to newer custom homes priced between $3.0 and $4.5 million. Many of the Via de la Paz Bluff homes are zoned within the Palisades Elementary district, while many of the El Medio Bluff homes fall under the Marquez Elementary district.
Marquez Knolls
Marquez Knolls Pacific Palisades was mostly developed in the 1950s, with the majority of homes being single-story, presenting a charming "mid-century" style.
The lovely neighborhood of Marquez and Marquez Knolls is close to Marquez Elementary School with most of the houses here being part of the Marquez Elementary School district. Quite popular for many young families, Marquez Knolls is known for being relatively affordable, with home prices starting around the $1.0 million mark. As you move up the hill and onto the knoll, the houses & lots expand to offer stunning panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.
Castellammare
This lovely neighborhood has a coastal European charm similar to the Amalfi coast in Italy. Castellammare offers breathtaking views of the ocean and narrow and picturesque Italian-named streets; you'll feel like you're on a relaxing vacation living in Castellammare. The houses in this area vary from small Italian-inspired villas to a few larger, modern European-style estates.
Home prices in Castellammare generally begin around $1.1 million for a tiny villa with a small yard and can go up to $5 million+ for one of the newer architectural homes. Home to the unique "Castellammare Castle," which was sold for approximately $12 million back in 2007, Castellammare offers coastal European-inspired living while offering great schools, wonderful views, and top-tier amenities indicative of Pacific Palisades.
The Highlands
The Highlands is a newer neighborhood of Pacific Palisades that began with a group of houses that were built on the hills above Sunset Blvd. Unlike other areas in the Palisades, The Highlands has both condos and townhouses available, ranging generally between $700,000 to $1,500,000. In the 1990s, they added beautiful two-story houses and estates on the northern side of the neighborhood with homes starting from around $1,200,000, going up to $6,000,000+.
The Highlands is quite popular among families and celebrities because of the gated streets. The homes here are generally quite big, ranging from about 3000 to 6000 square feet, and many of them are associated with the exclusive Summit Club. The Highlands neighborhood mainly falls within the boundaries of the Marquez Elementary School district.
The Huntington
Situated just west of Chautauqua and below Sunset, The Huntington area of Pacific Palisades offers mostly traditional-style homes on flat, wide lots. This area is popular with upscale families, due to the nice wide, flat streets and sidewalks.
Located within walking distance of Huntington Park, the Palisades Recreation Center, and the library, this neighborhood showcases original, 1-story single-family homes starting at around $1.8 million and new homes going up to $6.0 million or more.
Huntington Park is a private park owned by the Huntington Palisades Property Owners Corporation (HPPOC) and is operated by the HPPOC for use by residents of the Huntington Palisades and their guests only. The park is gated and locked. It is not open to the public.
The Riviera
The Pacific Palisades Riviera neighborhood is widely considered one of the most exclusive and expensive residential areas of greater Los Angeles. Situated on the east side, closer to Brentwood, between San Remo to the East and Amalfi Drive to the West, the houses here are generally much bigger with larger properties.
The streets are wide, and the houses are set back from the road, making it an ideal place for people who value their privacy. In the upper Riviera, many homes offer breathtaking views of the city and the Santa Monica mountains.
Home to the exclusive Riviera Country Club, which provides top-tier golf and tennis facilities for members, the course also hosts an annual PGA tour event known as the Genesis Invitational. The palatial homes in this neighborhood are part of the Canyon Elementary School district.
The Alphabet Streets
Alphabet Streets, which is also called "The North Village," is a neighborhood located north of Sunset Boulevard. North Village is composed of two parts: The Alphabet Streets and Upper North Village. It's a popular, highly favored neighborhood in the Palisades, offering a primarily flat residential area that's conveniently close to the shopping district of the Village.
The serene neighborhood of Pacific Palisades Alphabet Streets is known for its charming feel, where each street name starts with a consecutive letter of the alphabet, creating a unique and organized layout. This neighborhood has the smallest plots of land compared to other areas. The lots here are typically between 5,200 and 7,500 square feet in size. conveniently close to The Village, the area is known for having many smaller single-family homes packed closely together on lively, narrow streets.
Many young families prefer Alphabet Streets where it's still possible to find "starter" homes, which are small bungalows, priced at around $1,000,000. It's worth noting that the value lies more in the land itself rather than the structures on it. Additionally, there are also newer constructed homes available at a higher price range, around $3.0 million. Many of these homes fall within the boundaries of the Palisades Elementary School district.
What's It Like Living in Pacific Palisades?
It's amazing!
Surrounded by nature, with the Pacific Ocean to the west and the picturesque Santa Monica mountains to the east, it's really no wonder why the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles is one of the most desirable and exclusive areas in the entire United States.
Residents can easily reach top-notch schools, multiple world-class beaches, and great upscale shopping options, along with the everyday conveniences that make for easy coastal living. Moving to Pacific Palisades is perfect for those who dream of living near the beach, families looking for an idyllic part of Los Angeles to call home, and anyone seeking a peaceful life away from the hustle and bustle of city living.
Shopping & Dining in Pacific Palisades
There is also no shortage of dining and shopping options in Pacific Palisades. Almost all the retail stores and restaurants are situated along or near the famous and beautiful Sunset Boulevard, which is one of Los Angeles' most well-known streets.
The Village is a beloved place in the community, an outdoor upscale shopping center where people can walk around and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the meticulously kept landscaping and surrounding high-end boutiques, fashion outlets, and eateries. Brandy Melville, Lululemon, Madewell, and Chanel Beauty to name just a few, there is no doubt that Pacific Palisades is a great place to live, shop, and relax!
The Erewhon Market or the Pacific Palisades Farmers Market are also popular with residents. The farmers market takes place every Sunday between 8 AM and 2 PM.
Pacific Palisades offers a wide range of excellent dining choices, sure to satisfy even the most discerning taste buds. From a quick lunch at Wolfgang Puck Express to a fancy Italian dinner at Cinque Terre West, exquisite dining is the norm in Palisades Village. Elegant, eclectic options abound with everything from margaritas & tapas to family brunch at the Draycott or delicious fresh fish at Blue Ribbon Sushi. Cafe Vida is a great option for breakfast, and Rocco’s Cucina is sure to impress if you're a fan of fresh NY-style pizza.
Considering Moving to Pacific Palisades?
Whether you’re in the luxury market for a home in the beach neighborhood, an Italian-inspired villa in Castellammare, a family compound in The Highlands, or a swanky duplex in the Village, our local Pacific Palisades real estate pros will help you find your dream home.
View All Homes for Sale in Pacific Palisades, CA
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