Living in Los Angeles is a dream for many folks. 

The City of Angels has everything from beautiful beaches to bustling downtowns across each unique neighborhood. Places like Santa Monica offer residents easy access to the beach, while folks living in Bel Air have great views high above the city. But what if you could have both? 

Pacific Palisades can give homebuyers access to the best of both worlds; the luxury homes perched atop Santa Monica Mountains enjoy stunning views of lush canyons and are only minutes away from the ocean. The area has some of the most upscale shopping in LA at the vibrant Pacific Palisades Village. 

There is a lot to discover about the area, so the team at Prevu Real Estate put together the top reasons to move to Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles. 

Unparalleled natural beauty 

Many parts of Los Angeles have been built and rebuilt over the lifetime of the city, but Pacific Palisades retains its mesmerizing landscape. 

Many single-family homes in the area have spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean to the west and sweeping views of shrub-covered canyons to the northeast. 

Will Rogers State Beach remains one of Pacific Palisades’ most captivating for locals and tourists alike. It's common to find people soaking in the sun, enjoying the gentle surf, or simply taking in the views. Yet the Palisades offer much more than beachfront recreation, as there are vast hiking trails to explore at Will Rogers State Historic Park, located next to Rivas Canyon Park. 

Many folks trek up to Inspiration Point to get great views of the LA skyline, while serious hikers continue northward on the Roger Road Trail near to Temescal Peak and Topanga State Park. 

However, one of the most stunning sights in the Pacific Palisades is the Getty Villa, modeled after an Italian villa from the 1st century. This former manse is now a museum filled with Roman and Greek artifacts, and the manicured grounds have some of the best countryside and ocean views you will find in the Pacific Palisades. 

Upscale living 

While many people imagine Hollywood Hills and Bel Air as the top of the luxury food chain, Pacific Palisades doesn’t lag behind when it comes to exclusivity. 

Many homes are custom-made post-modern masterpieces of glass and steel designed by leading architects. These homes usually sit high in the canyons, with unbeatable cityscapes and ocean views. Yet you can find historic Spanish and Mediterranean mansions built in a modern style, complete with homes sitting on large properties, gracing tree-lined streets designed to envelop each home in privacy. 

The alluring nature of the Pacific Palisades extends well beyond its magnificent residences, as it also offers a plethora of high-end amenities catering to the high-end tastes of its residents. Locals can find upscale boutiques, designer shops, and gourmet restaurants dot the neighborhood. 

Top-of-the-line shopping

Some of Pacific Palisades’ most luxurious eateries and shops are found along Sunset Boulevard. 

The intersection of Sunset and Vie Del La Paz is the main commercial corridor in the area, where locals can find everything from pharmacies and grocery stores to restaurants, coffee shops and more. 

It is common to see people doing multiple activities here, from attending their favorite boutique fitness classes to picking up gifts from Loomey's Toys. Many folks unwind with a coffee from Cafe Luxxe after a round of shopping at boutiques like Elysewalker. 

But the biggest pull in the area is the Pacific Palisades Village. Here, locals indulge in world-class cuisine, peruse the shops for exclusive fashion, and treat themselves to luxurious spa treatments. 

This outdoor shopping outlet has everything you can hope to get out of a day of retail therapy, even though it has limited big-box retail options. Almost all of the outlets are high-end boutiques selling the latest chic fashion that is all the rage in Los Angeles. When folks tire of shopping, you can find them dining at Blue Ribbon Sushi, one of the highly-rated restaurants in town. 

Proximity to Santa Monica 

The northwestern location of Pacific Palisades is perfect for folks who work and play in Santa Monica. 

The East Pacific Coast Highway is the main throughway out of town, which many folks use to connect to the I-10 freeway to reach the 405. These routes mean easy access to Santa Monica Beach, Wilshire-Montana, and Santa Monica Boulevard. 

Locals aren’t tied to driving, as bus routes connect Pacific Palisades to Santa Monica and Los Angeles. An expo line station in Santa Monica is also available, offering access to  Downtown Los Angeles. 

Inside the borders of Pacific Palisades, most folks use Sunset Boulevard to get around. It intersects with Palisades Village and connects to Temescal Canyon Road, which is a straight shot to I-10 and the ocean. 

Engaged community 

Beyond the scenic beaches and mountains, one of the most majestic sights is actually the golf links at the Riviera Country Club. The holes here are some of the best in California, offering meticulously cared-for fairways and greens to provide an unforgettable golfing experience. 

Off the course, you can find folks exploring the Pacific Palisades Farmers Market, where locally-sourced produce, artisanal goods, and homemade treats are available for purchase. The market is right by Sunset Boulevard, which means folks can grab an iced coffee from a nearby cafe, then head out to the nearby Bay Theater cinema to catch a show. 

Some of the most fun you can have living in the Pacific Palisades is at the yearly festivals. The Fourth of July Parade takes over the streets each year, showcasing colorful floats from various local clubs and organizations. 

The holiday colors and lights on display at the Palisades Village tree lighting in December are also a sight to behold. 

Homes for sale in Pacific Palisades

Interested in buying a home? Browse listings in Pacific Palisades and see how much you can save with Prevu’s Smart Buyer Rebate.