About this landmark

A gift from city founders in 1892 became a beloved coastal gathering place.

Palisades Park was established in 1892 when the land was gifted to the City of Santa Monica by city founders John Percival Jones and Arcadia Bandini de Baker. The park was originally named Linda Vista Park until it was renamed in 1915. It spans 26.4 acres and stretches roughly 1.6 miles along Ocean Avenue. The park's boundaries extend from Colorado Avenue to the north city limit overlooking Santa Monica Canyon, a boundary established in 1908. The park sits atop an uplifted, unconsolidated sedimentary coastal Quaternary terrace with exposed bluffs and dramatic vistas of the Pacific Ocean.

Historic structures and early design

Landscape plan design by H. Rowland Lee in 1898 set the aesthetic vision. Rustic eucalyptus-branch fencing was installed under Park Commissioner E. H. Sweetser and completed in 1913. A redwood pergola in the park dates to 1909, and the Craftsman-style "Idaho Gate," attributed to architects Greene and Greene, dates to 1911. The park contains an 1861 Rodman seacoast cannon, a Civil War-era gun brought to Santa Monica in 1908. The historic Camera Obscura is located in the park.

A veterans' memorial dedicated in 1999 features four stone pillars designed by landscape architects Wallace, Roberts and Todd. Public art in the park includes works by Eugene H. Monrahan (1934), Baile Oakes (1993), and Jody Pinto (2000). The City undertook a $4.5 million bond-funded renovation of the park in 1998–1999 to improve accessibility and preserve the historic features. These improvements reflected community commitment to maintaining the site's character while enhancing visitor experience.

Modern access and designations

Designated a historic landmark in 2007, the park reflects Santa Monica's commitment to preservation. Barriers keep visitors back from the bluff edge because the cliffs are prone to erosion and landslides, reflecting the geological and environmental challenges of managing a bluff-top site. The park is open daily from 5:00 AM to 12:00 AM (midnight) and is managed by the City of Santa Monica's parks department. Amenities include a rose garden, pétanque courts, picnic tables, benches, restrooms, and walking paths.

Visitors enjoy views of the Pacific coastline and neighboring communities from the elevated vantage point. The site's elevation and bluff setting make it a popular destination throughout the year for walkers, photographers, and people seeking respite overlooking the ocean. Public requests regarding park maintenance or concerns can be routed via 311.santamonica.gov. The park represents a successful model of public stewardship, maintaining both historic features and contemporary amenities for community use.

Insurance connection: Homeowners and wildfire coverage

For residents in areas near coastal parks, understanding home insurance is essential. Standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood, earthquake, earth movement, and mold damage. Insurers writing homeowners coverage are required to offer earthquake coverage for an additional premium. The California FAIR Plan provides basic fire insurance for homeowners who cannot obtain coverage from private insurers, though it has coverage limitations and excludes liability and burglary coverage. Policies vary between "guaranteed replacement cost" (covers full rebuilding cost regardless of policy limits) and "actual cash value" (subtracts depreciation). Eligibility and limits depend on the individual policy. The issued policy controls.

Visit the official park page

Primary sources: Wikipedia's Palisades Park article, Santa Monica Conservancy property page