There is no other word that best describes the Pacific Palisades than community. From the plethora of schools to the vast amount of local small businesses, from restaurants to newspapers, the Pacific Palisades had it all. But then, when no one expected it, the Palisades Fire, spanning more than 23,700 acres, took more than 5,000 structures, destroying the vast majority of a truly beloved community.
Growing up in Los Angeles, I went to the Pacific Palisades on a daily basis, as it is where I attended school, played with friends, and explored the city. Los Angeles residents and fellow Palisadians alike all know that the Pacific Palisades was a town of small businesses. You knew the owner of the local pizzeria on the corner, and you grew up visiting frozen yogurt shops after school. Growing up in the Palisades was like no other. And now, a town that I and so many others cherish so deeply has been swept away by tragedy.
Homes surrounding Topanga Canyon and Will Rogers State Park have been reduced to a pile of rubble, and the businesses around them have unfortunately shared the same fate. Many, if not most, of my favorite childhood memories growing up in Los Angeles are derived from this small little community in between Santa Monica and Malibu.
And now that many of the places I grew up frequenting have been destroyed, there are no words left to convey the utter sadness that I as well as local Palisadians, are feeling right now. Schools have also been destroyed. My elementary school situated in the heart of the Pacific Palisades, Village School, has burned down, leaving my former classmates and myself in heartbreak. The brother and sisterhood that Village brought to the community was unmatched; it truly felt like everyone was looking out for you.
My friend and fellow Angeleno, Lenya Naraghi said, “I regret not visiting Village earlier, it’s always been a thought at the back of my mind. Just 2 miles away from home. Now I will never see my [elementary] school again.”
Another loved school, Palisades Charter Elementary, has also been reduced to ash, leaving local families in distress about where to go next. Many don’t know what to make of the situation as fires have occurred in Los Angeles before, but nothing to this extent of destruction.
“The grief didn’t strike me until I actually saw the site. Driving through every street caused memories to flood, memories I didn’t even know I had,” Naraghi said.
The famous Malibu Reel Inn, a favorite spot for locals and tourists, has been destroyed as well, along with many other locally-owned restaurants in the Pacific Palisades and along the Malibu coast. Reel Inn, known for its fresh seafood, is currently distraught, and the owners are wondering what to do next, according to the L.A. Times. The great part about the tight-knit community the Pacific Palisades brings to Los Angeles is the fact that Palisadians are willing to go out of their way to support local businesses. Countless Palisadians have started fundraisers on common platforms such as GoFundMe in order to support burned-down restaurants, businesses, and family homes. Another beloved business, Cafe Vida, was also destroyed in the blaze. Popular pizzeria Beech Street Cafe, another scorched small business, is also working to recover from the situation, receiving support from local Palisadians and other businesses that are still standing. Erewhon, a local luxury grocery store and cafe, has created an L.A. Strong Smoothie from which all the proceeds go to helping the Pacific Palisades recover from the fire damage.
It truly resembles a war zone; if you didn’t know any better, you would probably think a bomb had been dropped. From the Alphabet streets to the Palisades Village, there is nothing but destruction. The Palisadian Community is a strong one, though, and many Los Angeles residents believe the city will be able to rebuild and be better than ever before.
The frozen yogurt shop I grew up visiting every day after school, The Yogurt Shoppe, was also decimated by the Palisades fire. The Yogurt Shoppe locations in the Pacific Palisades were a true representation of Palisadian life as animals, people, and business owners all congregated at these locations frequently. Even though The Yogurt Shoppe has other locations, the location that burned down, nestled adjacent to Palisades Charter Elementry and Village School, was the place to be, especially during the summer. Through these other locations, The Yogurt Shoppe is hosting drives and fundraisers in order to help support their community.
“After the recent devastation of losing two of our shops, we hope to remain a community pillar and to see everyone’s face,” The Yogurt Shoppe captioned a post to their Instagram on Jan. 21st.
The Palisadian community grieves as they recover from such a devastating loss. The third most destructive California wildfire in L.A. history, according to Cal Fire, has destroyed one of the most cherished cities in L.A., but we have to stay #LAStrong and keep faith in the Palisadian Community. Although the Pacific Palisades will never be the same, the community will rebuild and make the sense of community the Palisades brings even stronger than before.
