pricey communities, but many younger families appreciate the break on their pocketbook.
This easy-to-access Westside location not only offers plenty to choose from in terms of housing, but its small commercial center with a good selection of neighborhood restaurants and easy shopping along Motor Avenue is also popular with the locals.
Boundaries run from the North at the 10 Santa Monica Freeway; East from Motor Avenue; South from Venice Boulevard; and West from the 405 freeway.
Palms is the oldest community on the Westside; the first streets were paved in 1886, and the Palms Depot first served the Southern Pacific Railroad and then the Pacific Electric Railway. In the 1920’s, Laurel and Hardy comedy flicks were often shot in Palms, using its famous Red Cars on the railroad as a backdrop. Over time, this historic area fell into disrepair, but in 1975 it was restored by the Heritage Square Museum. To day, this modest middle-class town offers mostly rental housing.
Between Palms and Mar Vista, the latter is more geared toward family living, offering a bigger selection of single-family homes and fewer apartment buildings. Affordable home prices in Mar Vista attract many young families. A few streets running atop the hill in Mar Vista boast ocean views. Vista Park, at McLaughlin and Palms, is usually filled with families (or kids with nannies). The park’s recreation department caters to children, offering summer caps, gym classes and toddler programs. The Santa Monica Airport, which sits on the northern border of Mar Vista, can be a noise nuisance. (Those viewing Mar Vista should know that many people often confuse this neighborhood with the housing project located west of Culver City called Mar Vista Gardens.)
Venice Boulevard, the southernmost boundary, is a commercial strip seemingly overflowing with businesses where you can find everything from ethnic food to discount futons and auto parts. A short drive or walk north on Motor Avenue just under the 10 Freeway leads to lovely Cheviot Hills, a hilly residential enclave of mostly vintage Southern California homes. Continuing north on Motor Avenue will lead to the popular Cheviots Hills Park, offering 14 (well lit) tennis courts, archery, swimming pools, basketball courts and baseball diamonds; and to Rancho Park, reputed to be one of the busiest public golf courses in the county. Motor Avenue continues north into the Twentieth Century Fox studio lot, and although it’s closed to the public, you may spot the old movie set street from “Hello, Dolly” as you drive by.
Community Resources include: Mar Vista Recreation Center, 11430 Woodbine St., 310-398-5982; Palms Recreation Center, 2950 Overland Ave., 310-838-3838; Chevoit Hills Park and Recreation Center, 2551 Motor Avenue, 310-837-5186, www.laparks.org; Rancho Park Golf Course, 10460 West Pico Blvd., 310-838-7373; Hillcrest Country Club,10000 West Pico Blvd., 310-553-8911; Brotman Medical Center, 3828 Delmas Terrace, Culver City, 310-836-7000, www.brotmanmedicalcenter.com
For further information: www.palms-california.us, www.cityofla.org, http://lacounty.info |
