Looking for something new to do in Pacific Palisades? While the neighborhood has its fair share of world-famous attractions like the Getty Villa and Will Rogers Beach, there are plenty of hidden gems to discover as well.
Whether you’re looking to spend time outdoors, treat your taste buds, immerse yourself in the arts, or searching for unique retail offerings, many attractions and destinations are waiting for you in Pacific Palisades.
Here, we give you a closer look at several hidden gems in Los Angeles located in and around Pacific Palisades.
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FOR ARTS AND CULTURE ENTHUSIASTS
203 Chautauqua Boulevard, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
Designed and constructed by Charles and Ray Eames, the Eames House is a mid-century modern marvel used as a home and studio by the influential husband-and-wife design team. Nestled into a hillside, the house consists of two rectangular structures, one serving as the main residence and the other, a working studio.
Several tours are offered at the Eames House including guided exterior and interior tours and private picnic tours. Among their most popular tours is the private twilight tour, which gives visitors a unique look at the Eames House as sunlight fades and the colors change with dusk’s arrival. The twilight tour takes visitors through the studio and the ground level of the house.
For more information on guided tours of the Eames House, visit this page.
Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine
1790 Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
The Lake Shrine offers a welcome respite from the stresses of daily living. Whether you want to practice mindfulness, enjoy a quiet moment alone, or reconnect with nature, this spiritual environment welcomes everyone looking to experience inner peace.
Open to the public since 1950, the Lake Shrine features meditation gardens with waterfalls and a retreat facility where guests can experience rejuvenating weekends surrounded by ocean views. The meditation gardens are open from Wednesdays to Sundays. Entrance is free, although advance reservations are required. Visit this page if you want to request a retreat.
1031 Bienveneda Avenue, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
Catch a performance from Chamber Music Palisades, a non-profit organization that aims to support and promote classical music. Established in 1997 by four locals from Pacific Palisades, Chamber Music Palisades produces and organizes chamber music concerts, commissions new compositions, and provides a range of educational opportunities for aspiring musicians.
Many of the guest artists featured by Chamber Music Palisades come from renowned groups including the Los Angeles Opera Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Hollywood’s recording industry, and music faculties from various colleges and universities.
FOR SHOPAHOLICS
5735 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90016
Looking for the perfect spot to indulge your sweet tooth? Located around 15 minutes away from Pacific Palisades is Compartes, a hidden gem in Los Angeles and an avant-garde destination for chocoholics looking for their fix.
Established in 1950 by visionary chocolatier Jonathan Graham, Compartes creates meticulously crafted gourmet chocolates transcending the ordinary. Their small team of artists and chocolatiers gives classic flavors a contemporary twist and blurs the boundaries between flavor and design to create confections that are not just treats, but delectable works of art.
Compartes’ gourmet chocolates hold the distinction of being the only chocolates to get a perfect score from Bon Appetit. They offer more than 200 different chocolate products, all made with premium ingredients from scratch and by hand daily in Los Angeles.
Palisades Village Ln Unit 2-107, Los Angeles, CA 90272
Following the opening of their flagship store in New York last year, the industry-celebrated fashion label from Stockholm opened in Palisades Village last fall, the brand’s first outpost on the West Coast.
Founded in 2014, the brand sells an extensive range of outerwear including sweaters, coats, shirts, knits, dresses, blazers, blouses, skirts, and trousers. They have expanded globally since 2021 with rollouts in the US, South Korea, and China.
Their arrival in Los Angeles should be well-received with celebrities like Selena Gomez, Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber, and Kaia Gerber already huge fans of their everyday apparel.
Palisades Village Ln #15261, Los Angeles, CA 90272
One of the latest additions to Palisades Village’s lineup of boutiques is Bottega Venetta, a high-end Italian fashion house that has set a new standard for luxury since its opening in Vicenza in 1966.
Supplementing their flagship store in West Hollywood’s Melrose Place, Bottega Venetta’s boutique in Palisades Village features a curated selection focused mainly on bags, shoes, sunglasses, and accessories, along with a limited collection of ready-to-wear. The space’s stylish forest green motif, elegant wooden shelves, and aluminum sculptures highlight their shoe and bag collections nicely, and sleek marble tables invite customers to examine the exquisite craftsmanship and refined details of their small leather goods.
FOR FOODIES
11754 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049
One of the newest restaurants that opened near Pacific Palisades this year is Planta, a 100% plant-based restaurant celebrating innovative vegan cuisine in beautifully designed spaces. Their new location near the Brentwood Country Club takes inspiration from the local community, with light stone, terrazzo elements, and rustic wooden details exuding a laidback California vibe.
Planta is a superb choice if you’re looking for a feel-good feast. In addition to staples like Bang Bang Broccoli, Avocado Lime Tartare, and Ahi Watermelon Nigiri, their Brentwood location serves new dishes showcasing the artistry of plant-based cuisine. Among their standout offerings is the Tagliatelle Carbonara, an innovative take on an Italian classic, delighting diners with the bold flavors of smoked tempeh, almond parmesan, bacon, mushrooms, and cracked pepper.
1061 N. Swarthmore Ave., Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
Opening at the former Roca Pizza location at Palisades Village, Jemma Pizzeria serves personal-sized pies made with the same techniques and recipes developed for the recently opened Jemma in Hollywood.
Owned by chef and restaurateur Jackson Kalb, the standalone pizza spot offers traditional Italian-American cuisine infused with the flavors of California. In addition to classic pizzas like margherita, they have a variety of innovative creations like spicy soppressata with honey and Calabrian chilies and a cacio e pepe with chicken pesto, vodka sauce, and barbeque chicken. Hot focaccia sandwiches made with schiaciatta bread are on the menu as well.
15246 W. Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
For post-beach cravings, you can never go wrong with Prima Cantina. Located a quick drive from Will Rogers State Beach, Prima Cantina serves ice-cold margaritas and an array of enticing dishes guaranteed to hit the spot after a fun day at the beach.
Inspired by Santa Monica’s beautiful Montana Avenue, Prima Cantina seamlessly brings together California’s produce-driven approach, Mexico’s deep culinary heritage, and the dynamic coastal cuisine of the Baja peninsula.
While every item on their menu is worth a try, one of their standout offerings is their Baja Carnitas, a flavorful concoction of crispy pork, pickled red onions, Norteño beans, cilantro rice, and salsa roja served with freshly made tortillas – an absolute palate pleaser!
FOR NATURE LOVERS
Parks
George Wolfberg Park at Potrero Canyon
851 Alma Real Drive, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
While not exactly a hidden gem in Los Angeles, George Wolfberg Park is often overshadowed by more popular parks in the area like Temescal Canyon Park, Palisades Park, and Will Rogers State Historic Park.
The 46-acre park was opened to the public in 2022 and is named in honor of George S. Wolfberg, a longtime resident and volunteer from Pacific Palisades who dedicated his life to creating beautiful and accessible open spaces throughout Los Angeles. Wolfberg was a member of many local boards for more than four decades and was a key figure in Pacific Palisades’ collaborative and community-driven efforts to develop and maintain parks.
Some of the highlights of George Wolfberg Park are benches with sweeping views of Will Rogers State Beach, over 1.75 miles of walking paths, and interpretive signs detailing the history of the park and its native habitats. The park also features more than 12,900 native California plants including over 530 trees.
Asilomar View Park
15900 Asilomar Blvd., Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
Perched above the Pacific Coast Highway, Asilomar View Park is a lookout point boasting some of the best views of the Pacific Ocean and the coastline. The park has many benches and plenty of open space perfect for picnics, taking photos, and soaking in gorgeous views of the sunset.
If you’re up for a short hike, look for the pathways across Asilomar Blvd. These paths lead down the hill and offer more unobstructed views of the surrounding landscape.
Hiking Trails
One of the best things about living in Pacific Palisades is the easy access to beautiful hiking trails that take you on a scenic journey through the landscapes lush forested hills, deep canyons, and soaring coastal bluffs.
For those who want to stay active, looking for some fresh air, or are just out for a relaxing stroll amidst stunning scenery, the trails around Pacific Palisades are some of the best hidden gems in Los Angeles for you to explore.
- Paseo Miramar Trail. This 4.9-mile out-and-back hike offers sweeping views of the Getty Villa, Los Angeles, and the Pacific Ocean. For trail runners looking for a challenge, this trail is an absolute cardio workout with significant elevation gains. Your hard work will be rewarded as the trail levels near the top, allowing you to enjoy a well-deserved rest while admiring the picture-perfect views.
- Murphy Ranch Trail.A short 3.4-mile hike on a steep staircase leading down to an abandoned ranch covered with graffiti. Thrill-seekers enjoy visiting this trail during the evenings due to its reputation for being haunted. If you visit during the day, be sure to bring lots of water, as the canyon shields the trail from ocean breezes.
- Inspiration Point Trail. This quick and easy hike in Will Rogers State Park takes about an hour to complete, so it’s perfect for families with young kids. It offers breathtaking views and has plenty of shaded areas if you need to take a break. History buffs can stop by the Will Rogers Ranch House for a 45-minute tour led by park staff and docents.
- Temescal Canyon Trail. A favorite trail for many Pacific Palisades locals, this easy 3-mile loop hike offers sweeping views of Los Angeles and the ocean. Winter and spring is a great time to visit this trail if you want to see the waterfall. If you want to extend your hike, you can make your way to the beach and take Temescal Canyon Road to follow the bike path. You can even hike further up the mountains towards Goat Peak.
- Backbone Trail and River Canyon Loop. Surrounding Goat Peak and clocking in at 7.7 miles, Backbone Trail and River Canyon Loop is considered a challenging route, making it ideal for well-seasoned hikers. The dramatic views of Catalina Island, South Bay, and Los Angeles are the main highlight. The best time to visit is during the spring when the wildflowers are in full bloom.
- Los Leones Trail.This short but challenging hike weaves through dense vegetation deep in a canyon at the south of Topanga State Park and ascends into a chaparral overlooking Pacific Palisades and Santa Monica.
Looking for more places and activities to enjoy in Pacific Palisades? Take a look at our previous blogs here.
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