Nestled in the coastal foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains, Pacific Palisades is known for its low population density, highly rated schools and cliffside homes with spacious yards. This westside neighborhood in the mountains has a secluded, private feel compared to other busy LA neighborhoods like West Hollywood. It also boasts direct access to mountain parks and trails, like Temescal Canyon Park and the newly opened George Wolfberg Park at Potrero Canyon.
Michelle Bolotin, a Realtor with Compass in Pacific Palisades, says that the thing that sets the city apart from other LA coastal areas is that it’s in the mountains. “It’s got a beautiful landscape, being right near the ocean and the mountains, whereas Santa Monica, Venice and Marina del Rey are flatter. If you compare it to Malibu, Malibu is great but very remote,” she says. “Pacific Palisades has a lot of really unique, different neighborhoods, but it’s more consolidated. It’s very community-oriented and neighborly. People are friendly here.”
Beautiful coastal homes
Homes-wise, the Palisades feature a variety of midcentury modern ranchers, Spanish Revival mansions, custom-built houses and some historic structures. The neighborhood’s Alphabet Streets community offers living within walking distance of Palisades Village. Its Castellammare area, recognized by its Italian street names atop seaside bluffs, is home to eight-figure estates as well as the Getty Villa Museum. And then there’s Palisades Highlands, which has larger homes, sweeping views and more privacy in the Santa Ynez Canyon. The average home value in Pacific Palisades is a hair under $4 million, though this is skewed somewhat by the neighborhood’s extravagant coastal mansions. The average home size is a little over 3,140 square feet.
Custom-built homes at Palisades Highlands
Oceanfront home built into the side of a cliff.
The Summit is a community with each home having oceanfront views.
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Palisades Charter High and other schools
All of Pacific Palisades’ public schools are chartered through the Los Angeles Unified School District. Depending on their home address, kids can be assigned to several different LA schools. Some kids in Pacific Palisades are assigned to Palisades Charter Elementary School, which has an A-minus grade on Niche, or Paul Revere Charter Middle School, which also has an A-minus grade on the site. Palisades Charter High School has a stellar A-plus grade on Niche and is famous for being the filming location of a number of classic films, including Carrie, Old School and Freaky Friday. There are also several private schools, such as the Village School, an elementary school with around a six-to-one student-teacher ratio.
Will Rogers State Beach and the Getty Villa Museum
When it’s time to go outside, locals can live their wildest “Baywatch” dreams at Will Rogers State Beach. This coastal area was one of the filming locations for the infamous David Hasselhoff movie, and it makes up the southern edge of Pacific Palisades. Parents can take the kids to the playground here or play a volleyball game on one of its courts. On the eastern edge of Pacific Palisades is the Riviera Country Club, the venue for the annual Genesis Invitational hosted by Tiger Woods.
For a different kind of cultural experience, check out the Getty Villa Museum, part of a Los Angeles institution. This part of the Getty is a recreation of a Roman villa housing Greek and Roman art, as well as a large courtyard and garden. Situated in the southeast corner of the neighborhood is the Eames House, where guests can tour the interior and grounds of this midcentury modern wonder, used and designed by renowned architects Charles and Ray Eames.
Wolfberg Park is a great place for daily strolls for staying active.
The Getty Villa is an educational center and art museum in Pacific Palisades.
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Palisades Village shopping
When residents want to go shopping, they can head over to Palisades Village. This open-air shopping and business area on Sunset Boulevard has coastal architecture that looks like the rest of the community. They can find popular, high-end brands like Sephora and Chanel and some local names like Erewhon Market. There’s also a year-round farmers market and a Gelson’s grocery store for everyday needs. There are also find several banks and salons, all within a few blocks of each other.
Erewhon Market is an organic produce market.
Palisades Village is home to many shops and restaurants.
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Sunset Boulevard and the PCH
For commuters or those who just want to enjoy more of Los Angeles’s offerings, Sunset Boulevard and the Pacific Coast Highway connect residents to the rest of LA, Santa Monica and Malibu.
On average, homes in Pacific Palisades, CA sell after 40 days on the market compared to the national average of 48 days. The median sale price for homes in Pacific Palisades, CA over the last 12 months is $3,250,000, down 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$3,995,000
Median Sale Price
$3,250,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$4,500,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$2,250,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$1,305,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
4%
Last 12 months Home Sales
150
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-$3
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$1,480
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes for Sale
46
Months of Supply
3.70
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Top Schools in Pacific Palisades, CA
Source:
Best Public Elementary Schools
#1 Franklin Elementary School
A+
Niche
9
GreatSchools
#2 Webster Elementary School
A
Niche
9
GreatSchools
#3 Roosevelt Elementary School
A+
Niche
8
GreatSchools
#4 Brentwood Science Magnet
B-
Niche
6
GreatSchools
Best Public Middle Schools
#1 Malibu Middle School
A
Niche
#2 Lincoln Middle School
A+
Niche
8
GreatSchools
#3 Malibu High School
A
Niche
8
GreatSchools
#4 Gaspar De Portola Middle School
A-
Niche
8
GreatSchools
#5 Woodland Hills Academy
B-
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Best Public High Schools
#1 Santa Monica High School
A+
Niche
9
GreatSchools
#2 Malibu High School
A
Niche
8
GreatSchools
Best Private Schools
#1 Calvary Christian School
A+
Niche
#2 Seven Arrows Elementary School
A+
Niche
#3 Village School, Inc.
A-
Niche
#4 St. Matthew's Parish School
B-
Niche
#5 Corpus Christi Elementary School
#6 Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles - Pacific Palisades Campus
Marcus Beck has been a top-producing Realtor® since entering the field in 1987. Beck attributes his continued success to his ability to discuss and negotiate issues with both buyers and sellers, along with their business, financial and legal representatives. Beck stays ahead of the continually changing environment of communications, advertising and marketing. He continues to explore and refine the marketing of Malibu homes to reach optimum results for his clients. A lifelong Malibu resident, Beck attended local schools and earned a degree in economics at UCLA. He can discuss the community, its lifestyle, environment and the local schools with firsthand knowledge. Beck offers his clients the type of personal knowledge and experience that can only be attained by living and enjoying the Malibu lifestyle.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
