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Overview
Located in the upscale wealthy community of Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles County, Palisades Beach is a small but wide golden sand beach. The beach is located just north of the iconic Santa Monica Pier and has a beautiful backdrop of the Santa Monica Mountains and many oceanfront buildings, including the Salt Air Club, Annenberg Community Beach House, Palisades Beach Club, Rogers State Historic Park, the Palisades Park, many opulent, multi-million dollar beachfront homes, nearby hotels, and several restaurants. This beach is part of the famous Will Rogers State Beach, Pacific Palisades, and is promoted as an ecotourism destination, encouraging people to maintain the beach's cleanliness and protect its ecosystem.
Please note that as a result of the Palisades Fire in January 2025, many of the businesses and homes near Palisades Beach have been destroyed, and we recommend not visiting this beach due to unsafe water conditions and poor air quality.
Amenities
Palisades Beach is great for families and has many amenities, including lifeguards, restrooms, showers, changing rooms, volleyball courts, a picnic area, benches, a recreation center, beach equipment rental facilities, hiking trails, bike paths, snack bars, nearby restaurants, and hotels.
Activities
Palisades Beach is a family-friendly beach that offers many fun activities, including swimming, sunbathing, strolling, building sandcastles, beach volleyball, surfing, fishing, cycling, and paddleboarding. If you plan to go into the water, we recommend being careful, as water is known to have unpredictable rip currents. This beach is a popular spot for surfing due to its frequent windy weather. Visitors might spot dolphins, seals, and a variety of seabirds near the shore. Hikers can enjoy the nearby hiking trails, which offer unique insights into the local biodiversity. Visitors can also enjoy biking, as this beach is part of the popular Marvin Braude Bike Trail, which runs along Palisades Beach and connects to the 22-mile-long Strand, a path extending from Torrance to Pacific Palisades. This beach hosts many interesting events, including beach clean-ups, yoga classes, and art festivals. Visitors to this beach can enjoy a Mediterranean climate with mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers. Dogs are not allowed on the beach, and it is open from sunrise until sunset.
Disability Access
Palisades Beach, California, offers an access path for people with disabilities.
Parking
Getting to Palisades Beach is easy - the beach has a very large paid parking lot located near 530 Pacific Coast Highway (the border between Santa Monica and Pacific Palisades) which offers easy access to the beach. Visitors can access the beach through many stairways and ramps from the Pacific Coast Highway and Palisades Park.
Fun Fact
The beach has been featured in numerous movies and TV shows due to its scenic beauty.
Attractions
There are many attractions near Palisades Beach. Getty Villa is an art museum that showcases a vast array of ancient artifacts, including sculptures, pottery, jewelry, coins, and other objects from ancient Greece, Rome, and Etruria, through interesting exhibits. It also has an outdoor amphitheater that hosts educational programs, cultural events, theater performances, and lectures. Santa Monica Pier is a waterfront family entertainment area that offers many fun activities, including a small amusement park, an aquarium, a carousel, a fishing pier, a shopping arcade, and many casual to fine dining restaurants. In addition, it also hosts many interesting events throughout the year, including fireworks shows, pirate shows, open-air movies, and themed events. Tongva Park is a dog-friendly park spread over six acres and features unique structures, art sculptures, modern architecture, efficient landscaping, energy-efficient lighting, and eco-friendly features. It offers many amenities, including playgrounds with swing sets, a splash pad, picnic areas, picnic tables, benches, restrooms, paved paths, bike racks, and a parking lot. Palisades Village is a very upscale outdoor shopping arcade and a dining destination in the neighborhood of Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles. It offers a curated mix of luxury and boutique retailers, fine dining, casual eateries, and entertainment options. In addition, it also hosts many community events throughout the year, including weekly kids' clubs, live music performances, in-store shopping parties, and fitness classes. If you are looking for another nearby attraction, Will Rogers State Historic Park was once the private estate of famous humorist, actor, and social commentator Will Rogers, which was turned into a state park. It features a ranch house where visitors can enjoy guided tours of the house of Will Roger which provide interesting insight into his life and personality. In addition, visitors can enjoy hiking, horseback riding, picnicking, and many interesting events, including talks and events that celebrate the life and legacy of Will Rogers.
Restaurants
If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Palisades Beach. Back on the Beach Cafe is right on the beach that offers an indoor and outdoor seating area. It serves rancheros, soups, burritos, fajitas, salads, tacos, quesadillas, nachos, and enchiladas. Golden Bull Restaurant is an upscale seafood restaurant that serves incredible soups, salads, steaks, seafood, meat, poultry dishes, and desserts. Locanda Portofino serves amazing Italian cuisine, including salads, soups, burgers, sandwiches, steaks, pizzas, pasta, ravioli, seafood, and poultry dishes. Spumoni Pizza Restaurant serves salads, pasta, pizza, gnocchi, seafood, meat, and poultry dishes. If you are looking for another good and affordable nearby restaurant, Pearl Dragon serves incredible Asian, sushi, and Japanese dishes.
Hotels
If you are looking for a hotel near Palisades Beach, there are many great options nearby. If you are looking for an upscale oceanfront hotel, the 5-Star Regent Santa Monica Beach is just four minutes away by car and offers many amenities including an outdoor pool, a fitness center, a spa, hot tubs, and many restaurants. A more affordable hotel is the 4-Star Sandbourne Santa Monica, Autograph Collection, which offers many amenities including an outdoor pool, a fitness center, a rooftop bar, a terrace, and a restaurant. Another moderately priced option is the 4-star Fairmont Miramar - Hotel & Bungalows, which offers many amenities, including a spa, a heated outdoor pool, hot tubs, and a fitness center. A more reasonably priced option is the beachfront 3-Star Holiday Inn Express West Los Angeles-Santa Monica, an IHG Hotel, which has several amenities including a fitness center, a garden, and a complimentary breakfast. If you are looking for another good nearby hotel, the 3-Star Hotel Angeleno has many amenities, including a heated outdoor pool, a fitness center, a restaurant, and complimentary breakfast.
Entry Fee
Restroom Available
Amenities
Playground
Restrooms
Showers
Activities
Bike Paths
Surfing
Rentals
Food
Restaurants
Access
Disabled Access
Foot Access
Parking - Paid
Features
Top Traveler Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Surf through our FAQs to help you find your perfect beach!
Does Palisades Beach have parking? If so, is it free or paid?
No, this Beach does not have dedicated parking but has street parking near the entrance.
Does Palisades Beach have lifeguards?
No, this Beach does not have lifeguards monitoring the beach - please be careful when swimming on this beach.
Is Palisades Beach a family-friendly beach?
No, this Beach is not family-friendly and does not have restrooms, lifeguards, and nearby food.
Is Palisades Beach good for swimming?
No, this Beach is not generally considered a good swimming beach.
Does Palisades Beach have restrooms?
Yes, Restrooms are conveniently available on or adjacent to the beach at this Beach.
Is Palisades Beach a nude beach?
No, this Beach maintains a family-friendly atmosphere and does not allow nude bathing.
Is there food near Palisades Beach?
Yes, this Beach has multiple restaurant options near or on the beach.
What are the activities at Palisades Beach?
Yes, this Beach is renowned for its vibrant beach scene, offering various activities for everyone to enjoy Bike Paths, Surfing.
Does Palisades Beach have accommodations for people with disabilities?
Yes, this Beach offers accommodations for people with disabilities, allowing everyone to relish the coastal experience.
Is Palisades Beach a dog-friendly beach?
No, this Beach is not dog-friendly.
Is Palisades Beach good for surfing?
Yes, surfing is an activity that is frequently enjoyed at this Beach.
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