Possibly it's the glorious Southern California coastal climate, beach proximity, convenient small-town "Mayberry" atmosphere, low crime rate, and miles of hiking paths in the abutting Santa Monica Mountains (not to mention the low insect population).
Pacific Palisades is nestled between the Santa Monica mountains and Santa Monica Bay. It basks on bluffs (palisades), between Santa Monica (to the south), Brentwood (to the east), and Malibu (to the west).
Since the 1930's and 1940's, many affluent and famous individuals have built homes, played polo, played golf, and had dazzling parties "dancing 'til dawn".
Ronald Reagan and Arnold Scwartzeneggar lived here, Supreme Court Justices, movie stars, famous writers, producers, film directors, artists, composers and authors have called Pacific Palisades their home. The majority of residents however, are families, young and old, who crave the peace, quiet, safety and year-round outdoor lifestyle that Pacific Palisades offers.

The Palisades (as locals fondly refer to it), has a population of about 27,000. The Village is the heart of Pacific Palisades. It consists of shops, restaurants, banks, coffee and juice bars, upscale men's and women's boutiques and is host to a Sunday morning Farmer's Market where fresh organic produce and homemade delicacies are proudly purveyed, happily purchased and consumed.

Founded in the 1920's by the Camp Meeting and Chautauqua Assn. headed by the Methodist minister, Rev. Charles Scott. Scott founded the community envisioning an elaborate religious (and intellectual) commune. His followers bought up the lots, some with remarkable views, and lived in tents during construction. One of the aptly-named streets that connects Sunset Blvd. to Pacific Coast Highway, is Chautauqua Blvd., named for his educational Chautauqua-tent seminars.

In the “Village” area known as the Alphabet Section, streets were named for Methodist missionaries. The tents were eventually replaced by cabins, then by bungalows, and ultimately by multi-million dollar homes with dramatic ocean, city and coastline views.

Will Rogers Homestead

Will Rogers developed a 186-acre ranch in upper Rustic Canyon. Donated to the State of California by his family, Will Rogers State Historical Park is the site of a public polo field, the Rogers homestead (recently renovated), and is a trail head to the Topanga State Park and Santa Monica Mountains. There is trail-riding available to the public on Saturdays and Sundays between 9AM and 4 PM.

The zip code for Pacific Palisades is 90272. It is home to the J.Paul Getty Villa (The Getty Web site refers to the Villa as Malibu, but the postal zip is Pacific Palisades), The Self-Realization Lake Shrine, Temescal Canyon Mountain Gateway Park, Will Rogers State Historical Park.

Pacific Palisades is served by the city of Los Angeles as to fire, police, public school system (all Charter schools), sewer, and trash pick-up.
The Charter schools in Pacific Palisades boast excellent test scores and a very active parent participation. Palisades Elementary School (Charter) is located near the heart of the Village on Via de la Paz. Marquez Elementary serves the western-half of Pacific Palisades, and Canyon Elementary School serves Rustic and Santa Monica Canyons (L.A. City) There are six private elementary schools, and one private middle school in Pacific Palisades.

Palisades High School, or "Pali" opened in 1961. Recently the sport stadium was renovated. All surfaces are engineered to protect the students and the environment.

The mascot for Pali High is the dolphin. The school spirit is infectious, the alumni engaged. Recently Rose Gilbert, an award-winning English teacher who has taught English at Pali since 1961, donated $2Mil towards the construction of a pool for the campus.

Pacific Palisades has an ideal climate. In winter, the night-time lows can get down as low as 30 degrees, but the daytime temperatures average 68 degrees to about 78 (ocean-cooled) degrees in the summer. In the fall, there is usually a one-week heat wave that can take the temperatures over 100 degrees.

The Temescal Canyon Assn. hosts wonderful hikes, day and evening; the town has four public parks, and miles of public beaches. (www.temcanyon.org).

Near the new library, Palisades Park has 16 public, night-lit tennis courts. From dog-training to Tai Chi, basketball, baseball to summertime *movies in the park*, our Public library and Park (part of LA City Parks and Recreation) are a boon to the town.

There are only two restaurants in Pacific Palisades with full liquor licenses. However, local restaurants offer most types of cuisine and many have excellent wine lists.

There is a *new-wave* pharmacy (plus a CVS), several dry cleaners, and two Super Markets. The annual Fourth of July "Palisades Americanism Parade” and 10K are very well-attended. Pacific Palisades has its own weekly community paper the Palisadian Post (circulation approx. 25,000).

The beach-side bicycle path shares the views with joggers and rollerbladers. It begins at approximately Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and Temescal Canyon Road, and meanders south to Redondo Beach (approximately 20 miles) via Santa Monica, Venice and Marina Del Rey.

The Palisades has several residential areas. From east to west, Sullivan Canyon, the Palisades Riviera (home to the renowned Riviera Country Club, Rustic Canyon (once the home of a club called the Uplifters Club),

Will Rogers residential area, as well as Huntington Palisades (recent sale of an ocean view castle on a hill for $16Mil). The Alphabet Section is Village-proximate, as are the Bluffs (including Via De La Paz and Swarthmore to the bluffs). The bluff neighborhood just west of the High School (I call it Temescal West) is under-going a dramatic building boom. Mostly with the flavor of Cape Cod style homes, there are also some stunning Contemporary designs, as well. Heading west and north of Sunset Blvd. is Marquez Knolls, developed by the Lachman family. The mostly single level neighborhood is renowned for dramatic ocean and city views, and its active homeowner's association.

West of Marquez Knolls (south of Sunset Blvd.) is the Bel-Air Bay Club tract, an enclave of custom homes, some with outstanding ocean views. This tract has underground utilities and is only a few feet to the beach. On PCH, below the private Bel-air Bay club, is an access to PCH, and the entrance to the beach-side Bel-air Bay Club.

The Palisades Highlands consists of several planned unit developments (PUDs), initially developed in the 1960s, and still under development. The area includes townhouses built in the 60's and 70's, gated single family areas, homes, private community centers, a small commercial center. Possibly because of its Santa Monica Mountain climate, the air seems fresher than on the coast. The Highlands are warmer in the summer and fall, colder in winter, and glorious in spring. The Highlands hosts several trailhead access points to Topanga State Park.

Castellammare and the Pacific View Estates are the most westerly residential areas of Pacific Palisades, instantly accessible to PCH for forays to Santa Monica, downtown Los Angeles or Malibu.
The bluff area just west of the Getty Villa (recently renovated and a MUST to visit), is called Sunset Mesa. Although considered by some to be part of Pacific Palisades, it is served by the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Palisades,_Los_Angeles,_California