“Coming Back” is a USA TODAY series spotlighting destinations that are ready to welcome visitors in the aftermath of hardship.
Set between the mountains and coastline of Southern California, the community of Pacific Palisades is at a turning point.
It’s been just over a year and a half since powerful Santa Ana winds and a drought fueled the biggest fire in Los Angeles history. Burning for 24 days from Jan. 7 until Jan. 31, 2025, the fire forced the evacuation of around 30,000 residents, destroyed over 23,000 acres, and contributed to the death of 12 people. In March 2025, researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles estimated the fires’ economic impact a wage loss of $297 million for local businesses and workers…