The Pacific Palisades is beautiful little part of LA that's not very known or visited, so it's a great place to get some nature and culture without the crowds. It's north of Santa Monica in the mountains, where Sunset Blvd. goes all the way to the ocean.
Most of the activities in the Palisades incorporate some outdoors or sun, since it's almost like a little mountain town that's not really part of LA.
Lake Shrine (Self-Realization Fellowship)
The well-known Yogi Paramahansa Yogananda dedicated this place in 1950. It's open to the public and free to get in, and you really can't miss this beautiful gem. It's a small lake, filled with turtles and swans and surrounded by lush gardens. There are many really odd and interesting things surrounding the water...namely a houseboat, a Dutch windmill (which is a meditation room), and a shrine containing some of Gandhi's ashes. (No, really. Him and Yogananda were friends.) It's a truly relaxing place, with many opportunities to take in the scenery by a small waterfall or under garden trellises. There's also a small museum and a gift shop which are worth checking out. There's also a large temple, a "Church of All Religions," where they host services and group meditation classes. Check their website for a list of classes and holiday hours. They are closed Mondays, and in rainy weather.
Most of the activities in the Palisades incorporate some outdoors or sun, since it's almost like a little mountain town that's not really part of LA.
Lake Shrine (Self-Realization Fellowship)
The well-known Yogi Paramahansa Yogananda dedicated this place in 1950. It's open to the public and free to get in, and you really can't miss this beautiful gem. It's a small lake, filled with turtles and swans and surrounded by lush gardens. There are many really odd and interesting things surrounding the water...namely a houseboat, a Dutch windmill (which is a meditation room), and a shrine containing some of Gandhi's ashes. (No, really. Him and Yogananda were friends.) It's a truly relaxing place, with many opportunities to take in the scenery by a small waterfall or under garden trellises. There's also a small museum and a gift shop which are worth checking out. There's also a large temple, a "Church of All Religions," where they host services and group meditation classes. Check their website for a list of classes and holiday hours. They are closed Mondays, and in rainy weather.
Phone: (310) 454-4114
Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 9 am - 4:30 pm, Sunday Noon - 4:30 pm, closed Mondays
Hiking:
Los Liones Hiking Trail
When I want to go to a more remote spot in the Palisades with easy parking, I come to Los Liones. You turn onto Los Liones Dr. from Sunset going North, and just drive until it dead ends. There is a good amount of parking spaces by the trail, by the restrooms, and on the road, all right by the trail-head. It's a decent workout going uphill, but all scenic and tree-lined. Once you reach the first "summit," you're awarded with a 360 view of the ocean and the city, which I never get sick of. Another great thing about this trail is that you can just keep going for miles after that, as it connected with other trails and goes on for quite awhile. Often it's just as satisfying to hike back down. The only downside to this trail is that it's not a loop, you just take the same way down as you did coming up.
When I want to go to a more remote spot in the Palisades with easy parking, I come to Los Liones. You turn onto Los Liones Dr. from Sunset going North, and just drive until it dead ends. There is a good amount of parking spaces by the trail, by the restrooms, and on the road, all right by the trail-head. It's a decent workout going uphill, but all scenic and tree-lined. Once you reach the first "summit," you're awarded with a 360 view of the ocean and the city, which I never get sick of. Another great thing about this trail is that you can just keep going for miles after that, as it connected with other trails and goes on for quite awhile. Often it's just as satisfying to hike back down. The only downside to this trail is that it's not a loop, you just take the same way down as you did coming up.
Temescal Canyon Hiking Trail
Temescal is by far the most well-known hike in the Palisades, but can be convenient if you want to walk to the downtown afterwards. The trail goes in a nice loop, which can get quite physically challenging at times, and has some nice stopping points. There's a few small waterfalls on the way (except in the dry season), and some great views. Parking is a little strange for multiple reasons: You have to pay if you park in the lot ($7 as of this writing), and there are police camera's in the lot that will send you a ticket if you don't stop at the stop signs. You can park from free on Temescal Blvd. and walk into the park, although some people believe it supports the park to pay the parking fee. You might have to ask directly to find the exact trail head, there are many entrances and exits, and the trail branches off at certain points.
Temescal is by far the most well-known hike in the Palisades, but can be convenient if you want to walk to the downtown afterwards. The trail goes in a nice loop, which can get quite physically challenging at times, and has some nice stopping points. There's a few small waterfalls on the way (except in the dry season), and some great views. Parking is a little strange for multiple reasons: You have to pay if you park in the lot ($7 as of this writing), and there are police camera's in the lot that will send you a ticket if you don't stop at the stop signs. You can park from free on Temescal Blvd. and walk into the park, although some people believe it supports the park to pay the parking fee. You might have to ask directly to find the exact trail head, there are many entrances and exits, and the trail branches off at certain points.
15601 W Sunset Blvd, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Also worth checking out: Will Rogers State Park farther east on Sunset (also paid parking), and the many many trail-heads hiding in the Palisades, with entrances scattered on many small streets.
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Also worth checking out: Will Rogers State Park farther east on Sunset (also paid parking), and the many many trail-heads hiding in the Palisades, with entrances scattered on many small streets.
Will Rogers State Beach:
This is a secluded patch of beach where Temescal Canyon hits the PCH. There's free parking on the PCH (just be careful of fast drivers), and it's a bit hidden from the rest of the Santa Monica coast. There's rarely many people there, and it's so wonderful to jump in the water after a hot hike in the mountains. Be careful on the walk down from the car, but enjoy some sun without the throngs of people that crowd the Santa Monica and Venice sands.
(Pacific Coast Highway & Temescal Canyon Road)
The Ghetty Villa:
Many people have been to the Ghetty museum off the 405, but the Ghetty Villa has recently opened back up, and is a unique setting. This was John Paul Ghetty's actual residence, and is filled up with art, artifacts, and antiques from ancient Greece, Rome, and Etruria.
The large "backyard" garden is also worth the visit, perched on the mountain and covered in flowers. It's free admission, but the trade-off is that you do have to pay $15 a car for parking, which isn't so bad if you go with a couple other people. Parking is actually free on Saturdays after 5pm, when they are open late until 9pm, or when they have free programs and are open late. And don't try to park in the neighborhood, I know from personal experience that they will give you a ticket or tow your car. And they are closed Mondays, so plan accordingly.
17985 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades, California 90272
Phone: (310) 440-7300
Hours:
Tuesday–Friday, 10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Saturday , 10:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.
Sunday, 10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Monday, CLOSED
Restaurants:
So, I love the Palisades...but I'll admit to its lack of noteworthy restaurants. (And this is not from lack of experience, I worked in the downtown Palisades for over 5 years.) It's not that the restaurants are awful, they're just not fantastic enough to write a whole entry for. If you're wandering around after a hike, feel free to stop in and try them out. Otherwise, please see my next blog for Santa Monica restaurants, which are only a short drive away.
The Ghetty Villa:
Many people have been to the Ghetty museum off the 405, but the Ghetty Villa has recently opened back up, and is a unique setting. This was John Paul Ghetty's actual residence, and is filled up with art, artifacts, and antiques from ancient Greece, Rome, and Etruria.
The large "backyard" garden is also worth the visit, perched on the mountain and covered in flowers. It's free admission, but the trade-off is that you do have to pay $15 a car for parking, which isn't so bad if you go with a couple other people. Parking is actually free on Saturdays after 5pm, when they are open late until 9pm, or when they have free programs and are open late. And don't try to park in the neighborhood, I know from personal experience that they will give you a ticket or tow your car. And they are closed Mondays, so plan accordingly.
17985 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades, California 90272
Phone: (310) 440-7300
Hours:
Tuesday–Friday, 10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Saturday , 10:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.Sunday, 10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Monday, CLOSEDRestaurants:
So, I love the Palisades...but I'll admit to its lack of noteworthy restaurants. (And this is not from lack of experience, I worked in the downtown Palisades for over 5 years.) It's not that the restaurants are awful, they're just not fantastic enough to write a whole entry for. If you're wandering around after a hike, feel free to stop in and try them out. Otherwise, please see my next blog for Santa Monica restaurants, which are only a short drive away.
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