Inside the upscale enclave that has been devastated by the 2025 wildfires.
By now, the countless images of smoldering homes and fire-decimated neighborhoods in Los Angeles have made their way around the world. Wildfires have reportedly affected 45 square miles of LA's sprawling metro area, burning down thousands of residences and businesses in the process. The most devastating of the current five fires is the one erupting in the Pacific Palisades, which spans approximately 31 square miles.
People who are not intimately familiar with Los Angeles's many different neighborhoods have had a crash course in them this week. Tragedy has suddenly taught us the difference between Altadena and Pasadena and why the Palisades is such a unique enclave. Many celebrities call the upscale area home (and many, tragically, lost homes during the fire), but packed with charm and plenty of Hollywood history, the Pacific Palisades is much more than the sum of its starry inhabitants. It's a historic neighborhood that has long welcomed young families who send their children to Pali elementary and Pali high. Below, we've shared a glimpse of what the beloved neighborhood looked like before destruction blew through. (And here's what to know if you want to support the greater Los Angeles community in this devastating time.)
Nestled between Malibu and downtown Los Angeles, Pacific Palisades has incredible access to the state's stunning coastline.
It's no wonder why celebrities such as Martin Short, Ben Affleck, Reese Witherspoon, and more have been drawn to the neighborhood. The beautiful rolling hills are flush with residences of all architecture styles. Craftsman? Mediterranean? Modern? Check, check, and check.
Perhaps the most notable property in Pacific Palisades is the Eames House. The modernist property was built by Charles and Ray Eames in 1949 and served has their studio until their deaths. The National Historic Landmark has long been a magnet for design enthusiasts, but it is currently closed and its fate remains unclear in the midst of the fire.
Vaudeville legend Will Rogers lived in this sprawling ranch house and owned the surrounding 359 acres, which were donated to the State of California in 1944 and became a state park. The Palisades fire destroyed the home as well as several other historic buildings in the area.
Gorgeous real-estate aside, the Pacific Palisades is also home to the iconic Getty Villa. Since its opening in 1974, the Roman-inspired property has housed thousands of antiquities from all corners of the world. For now, the museum and its artworks are safe from the fire.
Near to the Getty is stands the historic Kauffman Estate. Also known as Villa de Leon, the opulent property was built in the 1930s and has been used as the location for countless movies, TV shows, and music videos. Technically located in Malibu, on the Palisades border, it was partially damaged by the fire.
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