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1 Castellammare in Pacific Palisades

Lake Shrine Temple, Self-Realization Fellowship (see facing page)

BOUNDARIES: Pacific Coast Hwy., Sunset Blvd., Topanga State Park, Surfview Dr.

DISTANCE: About 1.25 miles

DIFFICULTY: Strenuous (includes stairways)

PARKING: Free street parking is available on Castellammare Dr.

This whimsically named neighborhood in the Pacific Palisades lies between the rolling green hills of Topanga State Park and the crashing surf of the Pacific Ocean—talk about exclusive real estate. Castellammare’s lucky residents enjoy the soothing breezes and sweeping pano­ramas of the Pacific Ocean from their vantage point high in the hills. When money is no object, people tend to go nuts building their dream homes, making this an especially diverse neighborhood architecturally speaking. As you might expect on streets with names like Posetano and Tramonto, many of the homes are Mediterranean in style, but you’ll also find a surprising hodgepodge of traditional, ranch-style, and modern houses in this rarefied coastal enclave.

Walk Description

Begin on Castellammare Drive, just southeast of Stretto Way, and walk northwest on Castellammare, past Stretto. At 17501, stop to admire the gorgeous Spanish-style home with colorful tile work. This stunner is the former abode of John Barrymore. Right next door is another Mediterranean-style home with elegantly carved wood trim; sunset views afforded by the row of windows on the second floor must be breathtaking.

Continue to where the paved road ends, and then go ahead on the dirt path. This pleasant, well-worn trail dips down toward PCH before heading back uphill to reconnect with the continuation of the paved street on what is still Castellammare Drive, passing a stairway on your right.

Climb the next stairway you come to on your right, near the intersection of Breve Way, enjoying the sounds of crashing surf behind you.

Turn right on Revello Drive at the top of the stairs. At the intersection of Posetano Road, you’ll see a staircase heading about two-thirds of the way up the hill before it dead-ends in the brush. If you’re looking for an extra workout, head up and down the steps a few times to get your heart pumping.

Nearby and Notable

The Self-Realization Fellowship’s gorgeous flagship Lake Shrine Temple, at 17190 Sunset Blvd., about 0.3 mile north of Sunset’s intersection with Castellammare Drive, is absolutely worth a visit. The lake and surrounding gardens provide numerous spots to sit and meditate or simply to enjoy the peaceful, lush surroundings. The ornate temple overlooking the grounds blends Eastern and Western architectural styles to stunning effect. The gardens, lake, and visitor center are open to the public Tuesday–Sunday; call 310-454-4114 for visiting hours. (To learn more about the Self-Realization Fellowship, see Mount Washington.)

Turn right on Posetano Road.

Look for a staircase on your right just before the road ends, and descend back to Castellammare Drive.

Turn left at the bottom of the stairs, and retrace your steps along Castellammare, crossing the dirt path once again. When the paved road begins, follow it all the way to Stretto Way.

Turn left on Stretto Way and follow the road as it winds up the hill.

Turn right on Posetano Road. At 17531 Posetano, you’ll see a towering Italian-style villa named Castillo del Mar. The home’s garage was the site of movie star Thelma Todd’s mysterious death from carbon monoxide poisoning in 1935.

Ascend the staircase on your left just before 17445 Posetano. The long stairway is pleasantly bordered by bougainvillea, succulents, cacti, and wildflowers.

Turn right on Revello Drive at the top of the steps, and follow the road as it curves around to the left.

A Castellammare garden overlooks the ocean.

Bear left onto Tramonto Drive at the intersection. Watch out for cars because this street is a little more heavily traveled and there are no sidewalks. A gorgeous view of the ocean will open on your left as you continue up the road.

Turn right on Quadro Vecchio Drive. In contrast to the pre­dominance of Mediterranean homes in the lower portion of the neighborhood, this street is populated by mostly ranch-style houses, with the exception of a striking modern structure at 266 Quadro Vecchio.

Turn left on Bellino Drive and continue to the intersection of Tramonto Drive.

Turn left on Tramonto and continue back to Revello Drive.

Castellammare in Pacific Palisades

Points of Interest

Former John Barrymore House 17501 Castellammare Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90272

Castillo del Mar (former Thelma Todd House) 17531 Posetano Road, Los Angeles, CA 90272

“Nearby and Notable”:

Lake Shrine Temple, Self-Realization Fellowship 17190 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90272; 310-454-4114, yogananda-srf.org

Bear right to retrace your steps along Revello Drive. Continue all the way back to the last staircase you ascended, which you’ll find on your left just past some towering bamboo.

Head down the stairs and turn right on Posetano Road, continuing to retrace your steps back to Stretto Way.

Bear left to go back down Stretto Way.

Turn left on Castellammare, heading back to your starting point.