Weekend in the Pacific Palisades: Cool culture and cooler nature

Pacific Palisades is a gem hidden in plain sight. Framed by the Pacific and the Santa Monica Mountains, and surrounded by Santa Monica and Malibu, it’s a picture-perfect pocket of relaxed beauty right in the middle of LA.

Conor McCain has been soaking up the good Pacific Palisades vibes for most of his life. He grew up on its beaches, playing in the sand as a kid, working as a junior lifeguard in his teens, and as an adult, turning his passion into his career as the co-founder of the Sunrise Surf Academy, which teaches surfing to both kids and adults.

“To me, Pacific Palisades is a little piece of tranquility in a big city. It’s super authentic Southern California but without the crowds and the hassle,” says McCain. Pacific Palisades—known as The Palisades by locals and “Pali” by resident teens—has a spirit that makes everyone feel like a local. “There’s a real community vibe here, with pop-up art markets and lots of community events. And when you head to the beach, you almost always see people you’ve already seen around town.”

And speaking of the beach, you should definitely make time. “The beaches here are unparalleled, with waves that are great for both beginner and more advanced surfers, great water conditions for playing, and big wide empty beaches for just hanging out.”

Whether you’re catching a wave, taking a hike, or kicking back with a cocktail, make like a local and do it at the speed of the Palisades: “No one seems to feel rushed here. When I go to get a coffee everyone is smiling and willing to chat, and if they’re five minutes late somewhere, it’s just not a big deal. For me, that’s a reminder to slow down,” says McCain.

Ready to press pause on your day-to-day and enjoy a Pacific Palisades weekend? Here’s where to go.

—Christine Sarkis, SoCal’s Senior WeekEnder Guide

Culture and nature rule in this laid-back beach town.

You know what doesn’t know the dividing line between Malibu and Pacific Palisades? Nature. At Pacific Palisades’ Will Rogers State Beach, you get your fill of beach life without Malibu’s and Santa Monica’s crowds. Here, there’s over three miles of beach—plenty of room for sunning, surfing, sailing, and swimming. Bonus: Picnic tables with great views and volleyball courts mean you can bring lunch and a ball and make a whole day of it.

We're willing to bet you spent a bonkers amount of time at home these last two years. For many of us, we've had to rethink our living spaces so they could function as a home, office, school, maybe even make-shift gym, which is why you might find this landmark such an inspiring stop. Ray and Charles Eames were treating their home like a design laboratory decades before us. It’s inspiring to stroll the mid-century modern marvel, soaking up inspo for creating welcoming spaces that feel good to live in, invite others into, and work from. You’ll need advance reservations, so plan ahead.

Once upon a time, when people said “The Getty,” they meant the Getty Villa, this recreated first-century Roman house by the sea. Then, the European art collection moved to The Getty Center in Brentwood, giving the Pacific Palisades museum extra room to go all in on Greek and Roman art. The collection’s 4,000 years of ancient art includes a Roman-era mummy, sculptures, and jewelry. Visits are free, though you’ll need to reserve a timed entry ticket in advance. And on Thursdays and Saturdays, there’s a garden tea service inspired by the fruits and herbs that grow at the villa.

You’re at the beach, staring out at the sea, and suddenly you remember that if you turn around, you’ll get another stunner of a view: The Santa Monica Mountains. Yes, Pacific Palisades’ Temescal Gateway Park’s craggy mountains, oak-lined canyons, and wild trails can hold their own against the Pacific when it comes to sheer inspiring beauty. Get to know it up-close by visiting this park’s 141 acres. It has everything you need for a nature adventure, including both easy and moderate trails, picnic tables and restrooms, and crazy-amazing ridgetop views.

You know that whole New Year’s Day plunge tradition where folks in cold climates jump into ice-cold water? Forget that. This is much, much better. Whether you’ve been meaning to surf for years but have never gotten around to it, or you’re looking to hone your style, a lesson with Sunrise Surf Academy is a solid new year kickstarter that gets you all the salt water endorphins with none of the shivers. Boards and wetsuits are included with each lesson, and instructors cover both on-land coaching and in-the-water training, plus ocean knowledge and important safety stuff.

Restaurants so good, you’ll want to plan your day around your meals.

There are sushi spots, and then there’s Pearl Dragon. The Pacific Palisades Japanese restaurant has Instagram-worthy sushi, and a menu with small plates, main dishes, salads, and noodles. It also goes the extra mile by sourcing socially responsible ingredients—including sustainable seafood and organic and local produce and meats. And the romantic, dark-wood and candle-lit dining room? Well that’s just the ume on top.

Juicy Ladies is the antidote to that kinda greasy, heavy feeling that comes from eating out too many times in a row. Ultra-fresh organic ingredients fuel the entire menu, from green juices (and other more medically minded juices like those designed for liver, kidney, and lymphatic support) to smoothies and coffees. There’s also a food menu packed with vegan, vegetarian, paleo, and keto options. Our vote goes to the superfood crepes and steak salad.

Fresh black truffle pizza, homey porchetta, and house-made pastas shine at this Ligurian Italian spot in Pacific Palisades. Chef Gianbattista Vinzoni joins the love and recipes his grandmother taught him with all the seasonal delights of California. The vibe is warm and unfussy, and if you happen to be passing by in the morning, stop in for a warm cornetti, a traditional Italian pastry in sweet flavors like chocolate or sugar or savory ones like pesto and tomatoes or pork belly and cheese.

The Draycott's split personality is clear the minute you pick your seat, inside or outside. Inside, curved velvet banquettes and big leather chairs throw off cosmopolitan London energy. And outside in the super-relaxed garden, the scene is total sun-kissed California. This all-day spot plays up its U.K. + L.A. vibe with dishes fueled by seasonal ingredients—we’re talking fish and chips, steak frites, and avocado tartines. Bonus points for the great cocktails and the strong weekend brunch menu.

If you’ve got healthy and fabulous goals for 2023, Cafe Vida has your back. The Mexicalifornian menu makes the most of fresh, nutritious, and downright delightful combos in a welcoming cafe space with indoor and outdoor seating. For brunch or lunch, treat yourself to brown rice pancakes or a breakfast quesadilla. For dinner, maybe a chicken jalapeno melt or grilled fish tacos. And this is LA, so there are also plenty of fresh juices and smoothies to sip while you wait.

Hit up neighboring Santa Monica for the best upscale beach stays.

Serene seaside sleeps? Yes please. Channel Road Inn’s 15 rooms have the chic style of a boutique hotel and the personal touch and homey feel of a bed and breakfast. And let’s talk included extras: a B&B-worthy daily breakfast like veggie frittatas and banana French toast, afternoon wine and cheese, bikes ready to borrow, freshly baked cookies, and Wi-Fi. And peace-and-quiet-wise, its address may be in Santa Monica, but its heart is definitely in the Pacific Palisades.

If you’re looking to add the energy of Santa Monica to your laid-back Pacific Palisades weekend, the Shore Hotel will do you right. Perched right across the street from the Santa Monica Pier and less than half a mile (so totally walkable) from 3rd Street Promenade, the hotel nails the clean lines and bright colors of seaside boutique design. (Picture platform beds surrounded by vivid teal and orange accents.) Rooms have patios or balconies, and you can book an ocean view that makes you want to pause and stay a while.

Palihouse Santa Monica lets you feel like a local without piling on the headache of a vacation rental and their endless “checkout chores.” This boutique beach lodge has nice standard rooms, but the real magic is in its studios and two-bedroom guest suites with their full kitchens and plenty of space to kick back and relax. The building—which has been used as a hotel since the 1920s—stays true to its Mediterranean Revival style, but also feels super polished and modern. It’s in a residential neighborhood in Santa Monica, but a quick walk will bring you to the Third Street Promenade and Pier.

Here’s the problem with the Viceroy Santa Monica: Once you get there, you’re going to have a hard time motivating to leave. If you’re up for that challenge, then here’s your plan of attack: The pool area is where you want to be, preferably lounging on a chaise lounge or, if you’re in a treat-yourself mood, in an open-air cabana. There’s a sceney lounge, an indoor-outdoor restaurant serving up raw bar goodies, and a menu that spans the spectrum from creative veg to steakhouse standards.

Feeling more Malibu than Santa Monica? Head north from Pacific Palisades for an overnight at Hotel June. The four-acre property is dotted with charming mid-century bungalows. These comfortable and streamlined cottages have just the right design touches—think earth-toned textiles, local art, and macrame hammocks. The property started out as an artists’ enclave, so you know it’s channeling strong creative energy. Other perks: June’s pool is heated year-round, and it keeps a stock of surfboards you can borrow.