Palms

Palms was founded in 1886 as a stop on the Los Angeles and Independence railroad and annexed to Los Angeles in 1915, which makes it one of the oldest neighborhoods on the Westside. The original station now sits at the Heritage Square museum in Highland Park. Through the twentieth century the single-family streets gave way to apartment buildings, and Palms became one of the most densely populated parts of the city.

The neighborhood runs from the 10 Freeway on the north-east to Culver City on the south and west, with Motor Avenue, National Boulevard and Overland Avenue as the main routes. The Expo Line runs along the northern edge with a station at Palms.

Condos and apartments are most of the housing, in buildings from 1960s dingbats to new mid-rises along Motor, National, Overland and Venice boulevards. Condo prices are among the lowest on the Westside, and the neighborhood draws first-time buyers and investors.

Single-family homes survive on the quieter side streets, mostly 1920s to 1950s Spanish and traditional houses on small lots, along with newer small-lot subdivisions and townhome rows. Prices for houses are set by proximity to Cheviot Hills and Culver City and by lot size.

Los Angeles Unified School District serves the neighborhood, with Palms Elementary and Palms Middle School inside the area and Hamilton High School nearby. Boundaries follow streets, so check a specific address with the district.

The 10 borders the neighborhood with exits at Overland, National and Robertson, and the 405 is a few minutes west. The Expo Line station at Palms gives direct rail service to downtown and Santa Monica, and downtown Culver City is a short walk or ride from much of the neighborhood.