Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles

Pacific Palisades is a largely residential neighborhood in the Westside of the city of Los Angeles, California, located among Brentwood to the east, Malibu and Topanga to the west, Santa Monica to the southeast, the Santa Monica Bay to the southwest, and the Santa Monica Mountains to the north. It is about 9 miles northwest of the UCLA campus. Known by locals as "The Palisades" this area of L.A. is known for low crime and high profile residents including several celebrities.

Pacific Palisades
Neighborhood of Los Angeles
Pacific Palisades and Will Rogers State Beach, California
Pacific Palisades
Location within Los Angeles County
Coordinates: 34.04806°N 118.52556°W / 34.04806; -118.52556
Country United States
State California
County Los Angeles
City Los Angeles
Population
 (2018)
 • Total28,000

History

In 1911, film director Thomas Ince created his Western film factory, "Inceville", which at its peak employed nearly 600 people. A decade later, the Rev. Charles H. Scott and the Southern California Methodist Episcopal Church bought the land; in 1922, Scott founded Pacific Palisades, envisioning an elaborate religious-intellectual commune.[1] Believers snapped up choice lots and lived in tents during construction. By 1925, the Palisades had 100 homes. In one subdivision, streets were named for Methodist missionaries. The tents eventually were replaced by cabins, then by bungalows, and ultimately by multimillion-dollar homes. The climate of the area was a big selling point. Temperatures are much cooler than inland Los Angeles during summer, but usually sunnier and less foggy than areas south along the coast (e.g. Santa Monica).

During their exile from Nazi Germany in the 1930s and 40s, many German and Austrian intellectuals and artists associated with the Exilliteratur settled in Pacific Palisades, including Thomas Mann and his wife Katia Mann at (1550 San Remo Drive),[2] Lion Feuchtwanger, Theodor W. Adorno, Vicki Baum, Oskar Homolka and Emil Ludwig.[3] Villa Aurora on Paseo Miramar, the Spanish colonial home of Feuchtwanger and his wife, Marta, became the focal point of the expatriate community, which was nicknamed "Weimar by the Sea".[4]

For many decades there was a virtual ban on drinking alcohol in the district, and a Chinese restaurant, House of Lee, held the only liquor license. The Methodist Church created a Chautauqua Conference Grounds in Temescal Canyon.[5] The Presbyterian Synod purchased the property in 1943 and used it as a private retreat center until the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy purchased the property in 1994 to become Temescal Gateway Park.

Geography

Neighborhoods
  • The Via Bluffs and The Huntington Palisades are the neighborhoods that border the "village" proper to the south of Sunset Boulevard, overlooking the ocean. The Via Mesa is located between Temescal Canyon on the west and Potrero Canyon on the east; the Huntington Palisades is located between Potrero Canyon on the west and Chautauqua Boulevard on the east. Both of these neighborhoods are within walking distance to The Village and sit upon high bluffs that look out over the Pacific Ocean. This area is home to the largest park of the Palisades: the 117-acre Palisades Park which has four baseball diamonds, eight tennis courts, two indoor basketball courts, a hockey rink, dog parks, and a number of playgrounds.
  • The El Medio Bluffs is located south of Sunset Boulevard beginning about a quarter mile west of The Village, across Temescal Canyon – just past Palisades Charter High School. The El Medio Mesa extends for a long distance from Temescal Canyon all the way to where Sunset Boulevard meets the Pacific Coast Highway. As with The Via Bluffs and The Huntington Palisades, The El Medio Bluffs are located on a high ridge overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
  • Castellammare is located along Pacific Coast Highway on small bluffs much closer to sea-level, north of where Sunset Boulevard meets PCH. This is the home of the Getty Villa and the narrow, winding streets in this neighborhood have Italian names and ocean breezes.[6]
  • Palisades Highlands is a community near the end of Sunset Blvd., bordering Topanga, about five minutes away from the center of Pacific Palisades (The Village).[7] The Highlands could almost be considered its own separate community high up the hill overlooking the ocean, up Palisades Drive.
  • Rustic Canyon is the neighborhood east of Chautauqua Boulevard that dips into Santa Monica Canyon and includes the Will Rogers State Historic Park.[8] The neighborhood features post-war homes located on the former polo field of The Uplifters, the original site of The Uplifters clubhouse (now a city park), and "cabins" developed as second homes and weekend retreats. This area is also known as Uplifter's Ranch.
Finishing hole at Riviera Country Club
  • The Riviera is a Palisades neighborhood located approximately two miles east of the community's Village and features The Riviera Country Club, a country club, and streets named after various locations in the French and Italian Riviera. The neighborhood is divided into north and south sections by Sunset Boulevard. It borders Santa Monica and Brentwood. The Riviera Country Club hosts the Genesis Open on the PGA Tour in February (the tournament has been previously known as the Northern Trust Open and Nissan Open and was originally the "Los Angeles Open"). Riviera has hosted three major championships: the U.S. Open in 1948 and the PGA Championship in 1983 and 1995. Ben Hogan won three times in less than 18 months at the course (1947 and 1948 L.A. Open, 1948 U.S. Open), and it became known as "Hogan's Alley." The country club will also host golf during the 2028 Summer Olympics.[9]

Demographics

In 2009 the Los Angeles Times's "Mapping L.A." project supplied these Pacific Palisades statistics: population: 25,507 residents in the 22.84-square-mile neighborhood - 1,048 people per square mile, among the lowest population densities for the city and the county.[10]

Parks and recreation

Every Fourth of July, the community's Chamber of Commerce sponsors day-long events which include 5K and 10K runs, a parade down Sunset Boulevard, and a concert and fireworks display at Palisades High School baseball field. The district also includes some large parklands and many hiking trails.

The Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks operates several recreational facilities in Pacific Palisades.

  • Palisades Park, at 851 Alma Real Drive., has 117 acres (0.47 km2) of land.[11] The Palisades Recreation Center, also at that address, has barbecue pits, four baseball diamonds (two lighted, two unlighted), lighted basketball courts (indoor and outdoor), a children's play area, a football field, an indoor gymnasium (no weights are offered), picnic tables, lighted tennis courts, and lighted volleyball courts. The facility also has a kitchen, a stage, a television area, and various scheduled athletic and non-athletic activities.[12] The Pacific Palisades Tennis Court, also at that address, has eight courts.[13]
  • Rustic Canyon Park is located along Rustic Canyon Road.[14] The Rustic Canyon Pool is located at 601 Latimer Road.[15] The Rustic Canyon Recreation Center, located at the same address, has a multipurpose with a capacity of 150 people that can be used as an auditorium, a gymnasium, or a volleyball court. The center also has barbecue pits, an unlighted baseball diamond, basketball courts (lighted indoor and unlighted outdoor), a children's play area, an indoor gymnasium (no weights are offered), picnic tables, and volleyball courts (lighted and unlighted).[16]
  • Temescal Canyon Park is a non-staffed "pocket park" located along Temescal Canyon Drive from Pacific Coast Highway to Sunset Blvd. The park has barbecue pits, a children's play area, picnic tables, hiking trails, a native garden, and toilets.[17]
  • Santa Ynez Canyon Park is located at Palisades Drive and Avenida de Santa Ynez.[18]
  • Rivas Canyon Park is located at the east terminus of Oracle Place.[19]

The California Department of Parks and Recreation also has locations in Pacific Palisades.

  • Will Rogers State Beach extends one and three-quarters mile along the shore. The beach features swimming and skin diving. Facilities include volleyball courts, playground and gymnastic equipment, as well as a bike path and walkway. A number of movies and TV shows have been filmed at this beach. The beach is located off the Pacific Coast Highway, near the intersection with Temescal Canyon Road. The beach is operated by the County of Los Angeles Department of Beaches & Harbors.[20]
  • Will Rogers State Historic Park. While Will Rogers made Beverly Hills his home in the late 1920s, in 1922 he bought a large plot of almost 200 acres (0.81 km2) of land above Sunset Blvd. to build a weekend cottage. He built a polo field on the property in 1926, and in 1928 he and his family made it their home. In 1944, nine years after Rogers died, the ranch became a state park. In the interest of historical preservation, the home is maintained as it was including the furniture and fixtures. It is open to the public most days with the exception of major holidays, although admission is required. The top of the property's trail includes vistas of the ocean and city.[21]
  • Temescal Gateway Park located at 15601 Sunset Blvd., encompasses 141 acres of oak and sycamore canyons, ridgetop views, and access to miles of trails in Topanga State Park, Will Rogers State Historic Park, and the 20,000-acre “Big Wild.”[22]
  • Topanga State Park Located in the cliffs and canyons of the Santa Monica Mountains and headquartered in nearby Topanga Canyon, Topanga State Park features 36 miles of trails through open grassland, live oaks and views of the Pacific Ocean. The park is bound on the south by Pacific Palisades and Brentwood, on the west by Topanga Canyon, and on the east by Rustic Canyon. Numerous geologic formations can be found in the park, including earthquake faults, marine fossils, volcanic intrusions, and a wide variety of sedimentary formations. Trail heads into the park are located throughout Pacific Palisades, including Las Lions Drive, Palisades Highlands, Temescal Gateway Park and Will Rogers State Historic Park.[23]

Government and infrastructure

The most important civic group within the Palisades is the Pacific Palisades Community Council. The Pacific Palisades Community Council usually meets twice each month to discuss a wide range of issues that affect its residents. The Council has rejected city offers to become an official part of the city, preferring its independent, non-aligned status. Among the main reasons that Council members cite is that the Council would not have the power to appeal decisions of City officials, commissions, and boards and the Council could not appear before Federal, State, and County authorities regarding local issues.

Local government

The community is within District 11 of the Los Angeles City Council, represented by Mike Bonin.[24]

Los Angeles Fire Department operates two fire stations serving Pacific Palisades. Station 69 at 15045 West Sunset Boulevard serves Pacific Palisades and the Pacific Coast.[25] Station 23 at 17281 West Sunset Boulevard serves the Palisades Highlands, Castellammare, and the Pacific Coast.[26]

Los Angeles Police Department operates the West Los Angeles Community Police Station at 1663 Butler Avenue, 90025, serving the neighborhood.[27]

County, state, and federal representation

Pacific Palisades is within Los Angeles County's 3rd Supervisorial District. As of 2014, Sheila Kuehl represents the district.[28]

The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services SPA 5 West Area Health Office serves Pacific Palisades.[29] The department operates the Simms/Mann Health and Wellness Center in Santa Monica, serving Pacific Palisades.[30]

Pacific Palisades is within District 50 of the California State Assembly. As of 2019, Richard Bloom represents the district.[31] Pacific Palisades is within District 23 of the California Senate; as of 2019, Ben Allen represents the district.[32] The community is a part of the State Board of Equalization District 4,[33] represented by Mike Schaefer as of 2019.[34]

In the U.S. House of Representatives Pacific Palisades is within California's 33rd congressional district and is currently represented by Ted Lieu.[35][36] The United States Postal Service operates the Pacific Palisades Post Office at 15243 La Cruz Drive .[37][38]

Fire service

Los Angeles Fire Department Station 23 and Station 69 serve the area. Station 23 is located on Sunset Blvd at the bottom of Los Liones Drive and Station 69 is located on Sunset Blvd and Carey Street.

Law enforcement

Pacific Palisades is served by the West Los Angeles Division of the Los Angeles Police Department.[39]

Education
Palisades Charter High School

Residents are zoned to Los Angeles Unified School District schools. The area is within Board District 4.[40] As of 2017, Nick Melvoin represents the district.[41][42]

Some residents are assigned to Pacific Palisades Elementary School, some residents are assigned to Canyon Elementary School, and some are assigned to Marquez Elementary School. All residents are zoned to Paul Revere Charter Middle School and Palisades Charter High School.[43][44]

  • Canyon Elementary School opened in 1910.[45]
  • Pacific Palisades Elementary opened in 1922.[46]
Pacific Palisades Charter Elementary School front tower.
  • Marquez Elementary School opened in 1955.[47]
Marquez Elementary School. Pacific Palisades, CA
  • Paul Revere Middle School first opened as Palisades-Brentwood Junior High School on September 12, 1955; it chose its current name during its first year of operation. It became an internal charter in 1994.[48]
  • Palisades High School opened in 1961.[49] Palisades received a charter in 1994.[50]

Private schools in the area include:

Public libraries
Palisades branch

Los Angeles Public Library operates the Palisades Branch at 861 Alma Real Drive.[55]

Media
  • The Los Angeles Times is the citywide newspaper.
  • The Palisadian-Post, founded in 1928, is the oldest newspaper to serve the Pacific Palisades community.
  • The Palisades News, first published in 2014, is a Palisades-based newspaper published twice monthly for the residents of Pacific Palisades.[56]
  • Pali Production was a local low budget class at Palisades Charter High School that streamed sports events and school graduations. It unified the community and kept Palisadians up to date. There was also a show they ran called "The Current" that was facilitated by the students. It told the parents and kids of Pali High and the Palisades community what was happening and what had happened in the school and area. Pali Production folded in 2017 when longtime teacher Sean Passan left the school.[57]

Landmarks
Eames House
  • Jerry Lewis lived in Pacific Palisades on Amalfi Drive during the 1950s. He shot several Gar-Ron Productions home movies at that house with neighbors Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh.[58] He became the honorary mayor of the Palisades in 1953.[59]
  • The Beach Boys 1963 hit "Surfin' U.S.A." mentions Pacific Palisades in its list of Southern California surf spots.
  • The 1976 book, What Really Happened to the Class of '65? is about members of one of Palisades High School's early graduating classes and how their once-privileged lives turned out years later, often disastrously. The book, by author David Wallechinsky, the son of novelist Irving Wallace, and his "Pali" classmate, film critic Michael Medved, described Pacific Palisades as a microcosm of America during the tumultuous Summer of Love era.[60]
  • The West Coast Avengers, a California-based branch of the Marvel Comics superhero team, were depicted as based out of an estate in Pacific Palisades.[61]
  • Pacific Palisades, a 1997 TV series produced by Aaron Spelling, was named after the area.
  • The characters on the teen show Saved by the Bell (1989–1993) mention on several occasions that their school is located in Pacific Palisades.
  • Popular show 90210 mentions Palisades High as their rivals and has filmed some episodes on the beach and at a local restaurant, Cafe Vida.
  • British alternative rock band Ash included a song entitled "Pacific Palisades" on their 2001 album Free All Angels.
  • Rapper Childish Gambino mentions Pacific Palisades in his song IV. Sweatpants saying, "got a glass house in the Palisades."
  • In Modern Family, the Dunphy children attend Palisades Charter High School. Alex Dunphy was crowned school valedictorian in the episode "Patriot Games."
  • The main character of the TV series Transparent lives in a house in Pacific Palisades.
  • untitled 02 – 06.23.2014., the second track of Kendrick Lamar's 2016 compilation album untitled unmastered, mentions the area in the third verse: "Palisade views with some sex."

Filming locations
  • The 1985 Jack Nicholson, Kathleen Turner film Prizzi's Honor was partly filmed at a private house located at 15025 Corona Del Mar, which was repainted for the occasion and then turned back to its original colours after the shooting. That house was demolished later and now only exists in film history. It belonged to Joyce R. Proctor.
  • The 2005 Anne Hathaway, Bijou Phillips film Havoc was set in the Palisades and filmed at Palisades Charter High School.
  • The 2003 Disney film Freaky Friday with Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan was filmed at Palisades Charter High School.
  • The 2001 film Crazy/Beautiful starring Kirsten Dunst was filmed at Palisades Charter High School.
  • The house used for the exterior shots of the Pearson residence in the 1979 film Phantasm is located at 1232 Corsica Drive in Pacific Palisades.
  • The 1985 music video for "Slip It In" by the hardcore punk band Black Flag was filmed at Palisades High School.
  • The 1977 NBC television program James at 16, starring Lance Kerwin, was filmed at the same school, which was then called Palisades High School, or more commonly "Pali High".
  • The 1976 film Carrie was filmed at Palisades High School.
  • The 1957 film No Down Payment has several sequences around Pacific Palisades posing as a Los Angeles suburb.
  • Food Network's Everyday Italian is filmed on El Medio.
  • The TV series Baywatch was filmed at Lifeguard Headquarters by tower 15 of Will Rogers State Beach in Pacific Palisades.
  • The TV series The Rockford Files was often filmed in and around the Palisades in the 1970s.
  • The TV series Popular filmed at Palisades Charter High School
  • The TV series Modern Family filmed some scenes at Palisades Charter High School.
  • The first-season residence of the television series The Golden Girls was a home in Pacific Palisades. For subsequent seasons, a facade house was built on the Disney/MGM back lot.[62]
  • The HBO series Curb Your Enthusiasm is filmed in the real-life Pacific Palisades residence of Larry David, as the home of his character, "Larry David".
  • The TV series Teen Wolf was filmed at Palisades Charter High School.
  • The original 2014 movie God's Not Dead had scenes filmed at 1033 Ravoli Drive in Pacific Palisades.
  • The 2014 movie Redeemed, starring Pacific Palisades resident Ted McGinley, also was filmed at 1033 Ravoli Drive.
  • An episode of HBO's Silicon Valley was filmed in the Palisades Highlands at 1268 Piedra Morada Drive. It was used as the home of “Big Head” after he became rich.

Notable people
See List of people from Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles

See also

References
  1. Loomis, Jan (2009). Pacific Palisades. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 9780738569482.
  2. David Laskin (October 3, 2008), When Weimar Luminaries Went West Coast New York Times.
  3. "Feuchtwanger Memorial Library – Researching German Exiles". usc.edu.
  4. Finn-Olaf Jonas (November 25, 2007), A Scenic Los Angeles Enclave, Without Glitter New York Times.
  5. Waldie, D. J. (April 5, 2017). "TED Talks of the Late 1800s: When the Chautauqua Movement Came to California". KCET. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  7. Vincent, Roger (March 13, 2018). "Amazon Books heading to Pacific Palisades as new village center takes shape". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  8. California, California State Parks, State of. "Will Rogers SHP". CA State Parks.
  9. http://la24-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/assets/pdf/LA2024-canditature-part2_english.pdf
  10. "Pacific Palisades" entry on the Los Angeles Times "Mapping L.A." website
  11. "Palisades Park Archived 2016-02-07 at the Wayback Machine." Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks. Retrieved on November 29, 2008.
  12. "Palisades Recreation Center." Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks. Retrieved on November 29, 2008.
  13. "Pacific Palisades Tennis Court." Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks. Retrieved on November 29, 2008.
  14. "Rustic Canyon Park." Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks. Retrieved on November 29, 2008.
  15. "Rustic Canyon Pool." Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks. Retrieved on November 29, 2008.
  16. "Rustic Canyon Recreation Center." Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks. Retrieved on November 29, 2008.
  17. "Temescal Canyon Park." Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks. Retrieved on November 29, 2008.
  18. "Santa Ynez Canyon Park." Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks. Retrieved on November 29, 2008.
  19. "Rivas Canyon Park." Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks. Retrieved on November 29, 2008.
  20. "" County of Los Angeles Department of Beaches & Harbors. Retrieved on August 13, 2015.
  21. "." California Department of Parks and Recreation. Retrieved on August 13, 2015.
  22. "." Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. Retrieved on August 13, 2015.
  23. "." California Department of Parks and Recreation. Retrieved on August 13, 2015.
  24. "Council District 11." City of Los Angeles. Retrieved on August 6, 2013.
  25. "Fire Station 69." Los Angeles Fire Department. Retrieved on November 26, 2008.
  26. "Fire Station 23." Los Angeles Fire Department. Retrieved on November 26, 2008.
  27. "West LA Community Police Station." Los Angeles Police Department. Retrieved on November 26, 2008.
  28. "Map of 3rd Supervisorial District." Los Angeles County, California. Retrieved on November 28, 2008.
  29. "About Us." Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. Retrieved on March 18, 2010.
  30. "Simms/Mann Health and Wellness Center." Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. Retrieved on March 27, 2010.
  31. District Map. (2017, January 04). Retrieved March 25, 2019, from https://a50.asmdc.org/district-map
  32. Senate District 26. (2017, October 02). Retrieved March 25, 2019, from https://sd26.senate.ca.gov/district
  33. https://boe.ca.gov/lawguides/intro/boe-districts.html
  34. Mike Schaefer (California). (n.d.). Retrieved March 26, 2019, from https://ballotpedia.org/Mike_Schaefer_(California)
  35. "Ted Lieu Sworn in as Representative of California's 33rd Congressional District". house.gov. 6 January 2015.
  36. "Our District". house.gov. 4 December 2012.
  37. "Post Office Location – PACIFIC PALISADES." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on November 26, 2008.
  38. "Post Office Location – PACIFIC PALISADES." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on November 26, 2008.
  39. LAPD lapdonline.org
  40. Board District 4 Map. Los Angeles Unified School District. Retrieved on November 24, 2008.
  41. "Board Members." Los Angeles Unified School District. https://boe.lausd.net/
  42. Two LAUSD board members retire, Friedlander wins Shoah scholarship prize." The Jewish Journal. November 12, 2008.
  43. Gillespie, Danielle. "Revere, PaliHi Show Best API Gains." Palisadian Post. September 11, 2008.
  44. "Palisades Charter High School Attendance Zone Archived 2011-07-16 at the Wayback Machine." Los Angeles Unified School District. Retrieved on November 27, 2008.
  45. "Canyon EL." Los Angeles Unified School District. Retrieved on November 27, 2008.
  46. "Pacific Palisades EL." Los Angeles Unified School District. Retrieved on November 27, 2008.
  47. "Marquez EL." Los Angeles Unified School District. Retrieved on November 27, 2008.
  48. Paul Revere History. (n.d.). Retrieved June 30, 2017, from https://web.archive.org/web/20170630144853/https://www.paulreverems.com/domain/6 Archived from the original
  49. "Palisades CHTR HS." Los Angeles Unified School District. Retrieved on November 27, 2008.
  50. "School Profile." Palisades Charter High School. Retrieved on November 27, 2008.
  51. "Calvary Christian School – Independent, Private Christian School | West Los Angeles, CA". Calvarychristian.org. Retrieved 2015-07-31.
  52. "Home". Village School. Retrieved 2015-07-31.
  53. "Seven Arrows". Seven Arrows. Retrieved 2015-07-31.
  54. "Pacific Palisades Campus Archived 2015-07-01 at the Wayback Machine." Lycée Français de Los Angeles. Retrieved on June 28, 2015.
  55. "Palisades Branch Library." Los Angeles Public Library. Retrieved on November 26, 2008.
  56. http://www.palisadesnews.com/index.php/about-us/
  57. Sanderson, M. (2013, February 13). Pali High Students Launch Community Video Website. Retrieved March 25, 2019, from https://patch.com/california/pacificpalisades/pali-high-students-launch-community-video-website
  58. "Home Movies and More from the Jerry Lewis Collection at the Library of Congress". MoMA. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  59. Meyer, Matthew. "Former Palisadian Mayor Jerry Lewis Dies at 91". Palisadian-Post. Palisadian-Post. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  60. SIMROSS, LYNN (June 30, 1985). "Script Has Changed-What Really Happened to That Golden Class of '65". Los Angeles Times. p. 1.
  61. Avengers West Coast vol. 1 # 1, cover date September 1984
  62. "The Golden Girls (1985–1992) : Trivia". Retrieved 2015-07-31.

Further reading
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