This was the scene after a pedestrian was hit at Sunset Boulevard and PCH.
Photo: Rosalie Huntington
The Los Angeles Times has analyzed and identified the most dangerous intersections in the in the more than 7,500 miles of streets in Los Angeles. The Times analysis included high traffic volume and frequent crashes dating back to 2010.
The top 14 are highlighted and two are from Pacific Palisades. Garnering top honors in the poll was Highland Avenue and Sunset Boulevard. Palisades streets making the list were Pacific Coast Highway and Sunset Boulevard ranked 7 and PCH and Channel Road/Chautauqua Boulevard was 14.
It comes as no surprise to Pacific Palisades residents that two of the only three entrances and exits to the town are in that list.
Number 7 on the list is Pacific Coast Highway and Sunset Boulevard. Many may need to be reminded that during the Palisades Fire, residents trying to exit from the Highlands and the west side of Palisades found themselves in a huge gridlock in that area and were told to exit their cars and run.
For official fire/police vehicles to gain access to the Palisades during the fire, a grader had to plow cars to the side. Most residents oppose any added density to the town, because as recently proven, it is nearly impossible to evacuate in an emergency.
Evacuation was nearly impossible at Palisades Drive and Sunset Boulevard, with the result of people having to leave their cars and flee on foot to the Gladstones parking lot.
When a controversial five-story, 60-ft.-high, 32,225-sq.ft. mixed-use building with 39-dwelling units was approved in 2016 by the City for the Jack-in-the-Box site near the corner of PCH and Sunset, residents wanted a traffic study, done. The study in the project file was from 2016, but a new one was not required. If the project is revived, maybe residents will now be able to request an updated study.
Number 14 on the list is at PCH and Channel Road/Chautauqua Boulevard. Chautauqua, one of the three evacuation points out of the Palisades, is a two-lane road. It widens to four lanes, about 100 yards from PCH.
When a tree fell across Chautauqua on February 18, 2025, the entire road was shut down more than six hours, closing a major arterial. During the Fire, this road, too, was backed up as people tried to exit.
Chautauqua Boulevard, a two lane road, is only one of three roadways for nearly 26,000 Palisades residents to evacuate.