Pacific Palisades

In a city of great farmers markets, the one in Palisades Village is a standout. There are two big sections for great produce and prepared foods, and it’s never too crowded.

Nonprofit, female-focused, and fair-trade, The Little Market is our Pacific Palisades go-to for thoughtful gifts, stunning homewares, and (best baby gift ever) the tiniest leather moccasins you ever did see. Better yet, the beautifully designed rattan trays, acacia salad bowls, and fringed booties are handmade by artisan women from tough-to-access communities throughout Africa and Latin America, among others. The founders regularly travel the globe sourcing every incredible, handcrafted item in the store.

Rick Caruso, the real estate mogul behind the Grove and the Americana, has built, in his signature classic California style, 2019’s answer to the mini mall. It’s contemporary, mostly outdoors (this is LA, after all), and frankly, too beautiful to be called a mall at all. Veronica Beard, Jennifer Meyer Jewelry, and Vince are just a sampling of the thirty-three stores on the property that manages to feel more like a quaint little village than a retail experience. The restaurants deliver, with Porta Via, Sweet Laurel Bakery, and the more casual Edo Little Bites leading the charge.

An ethical home brand that seeks to empower artisans economically while preserving their traditional craft, St. Frank works with artisan organizations from Free Trade to sustainably source colorful, beautifully crafted home goods from around the globe.

As one of six siblings, Laurel Gallucci spent a fair share of her childhood in the kitchen baking. Brownies, cookies, you name it. But years later, she was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder and suddenly sugar, dairy, and gluten—the foundations of baking—were out. She went back into the kitchen to experiment. Could a dairy-free almond-flour cake taste good and look beautiful? Very much yes. Today, her cakes—towering layers of coconut-lemon, vanilla, or chocolate sponge iced to perfection and decorated with fresh-cut flowers and fruit—are not only great to look at, but virtually every guest can eat them.

Starting at the end of Los Leones Drive in the Palisades, the best version of this hike ends at the Parker Mesa Overlook in Malibu, which is the perfect perch to have a snack or a meal after a roughly three-mile ascent. (About a mile in, make sure you take a hard left at the Paseo Miramar Trail junction.) There’s not a lot of shade—and because of the unsurprisingly gorgeous view of the Santa Monica Bay and surrounding area at the top, it’s fairly well-traveled—so it’s best to go in the early morning. You’ll see “Los Leones” and “Los Liones” used interchangeably; don’t worry, they’re the same thing. There are a couple small parking lots at the bottom, and ample (free) street parking. Note: No dogs allowed.

As far as we’re concerned, Josh and Zoe Loeb can do no wrong—their adorable ice cream shop, which is a partnership with Shiho Yoshikawa (she used to work with Zoe at Tartine), only strengthens their case. Shiho picks up ingredients for her inventive flavors at the Santa Monica farmers market, and her milk and eggs are from local purveyors as well. Favorites include matcha, fig, and goat cheese, and the old-fashioned strawberry, which tastes fresh off the vine. This is LA, so there are also some dairy-free options: If that’s your vibe, definitely try the horchata. The original is at the Brentwood Country Mart, but now they have locations all over the city: Studio City, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, and the Palisades.

This organic take-away spot on the main drag in the Palisades offers delicious sliders (turkey, grass-fed, hormone-free beef, etc.) and loads of well turned-out veggie sides. It's the perfect fix for a hearty take-away when you feel like something warm and a little more substantial for lunch. There's also a location in Brentwood.

If you’ve got little ones in tow or only an hour or so to stretch your legs, this hike is your ticket: It’s under two and a half miles, and it starts and ends in the stunning Will Rogers State Park (which is also perfect for a picnic).

At 2,000 square feet, this mini department store is expansive but manageable, and the racks are filled with everyone from Rag & Bone to Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen. Don’t miss the shoe and bag selection, which includes the greatest hits from Louboutin and Lanvin.