Palisades Park (Santa Monica)

Palisades Park in Santa Monica

Palisades Park informational sign

Palisades Park is a 26.4-acre park in Santa Monica, California.^[1] The park is located along Ocean Avenue on top of the coastal sandstone bluffs, offering breathtaking scenic views of the Pacific Ocean and the coastal range. It extends over 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from the Santa Monica Pier at its southern end to Adelaide Drive at its northern end. It is lined with more than 30 varieties of plants and trees, including eucalyptus, pine, palm, and fig trees.^[2]

The park includes benches, picnic areas, pétanque courts, and restrooms. A bust of Arcadia Bandini is located in the park's rose garden. A nearby wood sculpture entitled Gestation III is notable because of its alignment with the setting sun on the winter solstice. A distinctive Native American Totem Pole donated to the City in 1926 is located at the park's northern end. Cannons are on display at the park's southern end. Near the California Incline, a sculpture named Overlook Beacon evokes a sailing ship with mast and wooden deck.

A Santa Monica City Ordinance prohibits smoking in any City park.^[3] Barriers discourage visitors from approaching the cliffs, which are prone to erosion and landslides.^[4] Use of the park by fitness instructors has generated some controversy.^[5]

Trees

Some of the tree varieties at Palisades Park include:

• Monterey Cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa)
• Weeping Indian Laurel Fig (Ficus microcarpa)
• Rusty Fig (Ficus rubiginosa)
• Yate (Eucalyptus cornuta)
• Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis)
• Stone Pine (Pineus pinea)
• Canary Island Date Palm (Phoenix canariensis)
• European Fan Palm (Chamaerops humilis)
• Mexican Fan Palm (Washingtonia robusta)
• Mexican Blue Palm (Brahea armata)
• Windmill Palm (Trachycarpus fortunei)
• Cuban Royal Palm (Roystonea regia)
• Senegal Date Palm (Phoenix reclinata)

Coordinates: 34°01′33″N 118°30′49″W / 34.02583°N 118.51361°W

References

1. "City of Santa Monica Community & Cultural Services: Palisades Park".
2. "Conservancy tour features history of Palisades Park". Los Angeles Times. 2010-06-09. Retrieved 2013-08-31.
3. "City of Santa Monica Community & Cultural Services: Codes & Rules for Use of Parks".
4. "Cliffs at Palisades Park are slowly crumbling from erosion". Los Angeles Times. 1995-03-23. Retrieved 2013-08-31.
5. "Santa Monica weighs limits on fitness classes in Palisades Park". Los Angeles Times. 2013-01-09. Retrieved 2013-08-31.