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Palm Trees in California
Facts, History, and Iconic Locations

Palm trees in California are the iconic symbols of the Golden State.

We'll take you through fascinating facts:

  • Their historical significance
  • Their famous locations where these majestic plants makes a go of enticing others.
  • Their role in California's landscape and culture.

We lived in Southern California for a bit over 10 years. We intend our info to show others what we learned. Take a look:

Why Are There So Many Palm Trees in California?

Spanish explorers, and the missionaries brought some of the early palms to Southern California.

But most of the palm trees in California you'd see today were planted during the early 1900s. During the real estate boom developers used them to create a tropical paradise image. They felt that would attract buyers.

The warm climate, particularly in Southern California, was noted as ideal for multiple palm species. And people began experimenting with Various Palm Species, hoping they would do well.

Many of them did, as you'll see a variety of palm trees throughout California. Even in places you'd not expect. I always remember the first time we spotted a palm growing in Corning California.

Today, these towering plants line streets, beaches, and neighborhoods throughout the state.

Map outlining climates in California with a key telling where palms can growWe edited this to show the California climates where palms can grow.

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Are Palm Trees Native to California?

Only one palm tree is historically native to the state of California.

The California Fan Palm Tree (Washingtonia filifera) is endemic to areas in Southern California. Since that species is drought-tolerant, it's been a Palm Able to Grow in Desert-Climates. Near tiny streams, oasis ponds, and Dry Arroyos.

You'll see these fan palms growing alongside the famed Tall Palms Trees in California.

two stout palms growing on either side of a tall palm trunkTwo California Fan Palms on Either Side of a Tall Palm Trunk

Most Common Palm Species in CA

You'll find many species of palms in California. We'll show you the most popular:

Mexican Fan Palm - Washingtonia robusta is the most acclaimed palm tree in California. It is native to Mexico. It's those thin-trunked palms rising to a dizzying height.

tall palms growing behind a building with a Mexican tile roofSeveral tall thin-trunked Mexican Fan Palms

Canary Island Date Palm - Phoenix canariensis is native to the Canary Islands - off the east coast of Africa. Not requiring much water, it does well in arid areas.

several Canary Island palm trees growing in some parklandGive it a bit more water for a full round crown.

California Fan Palm - Washingtonia filifera is the one and only Native Species in the state. It's elegant, and found lining streets and beautifying landscapes throughout the state. A popular palm throughout the Southwest U.S.

Three Washingtonia filifera palm treesSturdy filifera palms.
Better to let them shed their fronds.
CLICK TO FIND OUT WHY

Queen Palm - Syagrus romanzoffiana epitomizes that tropical look. It's a fast-growing palm. Very popular all around Southern California.

Queen Palms on the grounds of a California WineryTwo Queen Palms in Temecula California. Over-trimmed again!
Doing that detracts from its tropical look.

Manambe Palm - Dypsis decipiens is a favorite, with an usual, yet stunning look. With lengthy pinnate Palm Fronds. It's ideal for USDA Zones 10-11.

DyThis young Manambe Palm has only begun to get its stunning looks!

Guadalupe Palm - Brahea edulis, a Baja California native, has a nicely shaped, full, round crown of palmate fronds. Found in parts of California that aren't rainy, and don't have freezing winters.

California's lush tropic-like scenery supports these common species. They'll do well with best-practice horticulture and Good Advance Planning.

Brahea edulis palm treeThey enrich California's lush landscapes.

Iconic Places to See Palm Trees in LA & SoCal

Los Angeles and other cities in Southern California, Like In San Diego, are home to some of the world’s most recognizable palm tree-lined streets and landscapes.

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From the glamorous Sunset Boulevard to the historic Beverly Gardens Park, these towering palms define the region’s symbolic scenery.

Iconic Palm-Lined Boulevards of Los Angeles

overhead imagery to depict that there's so many palms along LA streets

We've seen that Los Angeles is synonymous with towering palm trees lining its boulevards.

Convenient for a pictorial backdrop for films, postcards, and social media. These palms are still here from their installment in the early 20th century.

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Los Angeles boasts several iconic streets graced with palm trees. Which certainly enhance its postcard-worthy skyline. Notable streets include:

These locations not only epitomize the aesthetic appeal of LA, but also help attract tourists and film crews. Regular favorites in the entertainment industry.

Beyond Los Angeles, the metropolitan vicinity offers more palm-lined streets worth exploring. These all personify Southern California's relaxed yet spirited lifestyle.

  • Santa Monica Boulevard in Beverly Hills offers a mix of star-struck glamour and natural beauty.
  • In Pasadena, Colorado Boulevard is renowned for its palms and events like The Rose Parade.
  • Ventura Boulevard in the San Fernando Valley charms visitors with its scenic palm stretches
  • Hunting Beach along the Pacific Coast Hwy. offers coastal views paired with majestic palms.
People on the walkway in Huntington BeachPalms decorate the Huntington Beach walkway between the ocean & Cal. Hwy. 1

Mapping Palm Trees on California Streets

North Beverly Drive in Beverly Hills lines up the palms for a pic!

Adjacent N. Canon Dr. is worth a look also (see it below). Both accessed by turning North off Santa Monica Blvd.

Aerial view of North Beverly Drive in Beverly HillsNorth Beverly Dr. has stunning photo ops!
Overhead view of North Canon Drive in Beverly Hills with an ideal Palm photographic spot.North Canon Drive is Recommended for Palm Lined Street photos.

Foothill Road in Beverly Hills is also an ideal place to get your iconic palm tree photograph.

  • Either turn south from West Sunset Blvd.
  • Or turn north from Santa Monica Blvd.
Aerial view of Foothill Road, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles CaliforniaPalms line up along Foothill Rd. in Beverly Hills.

Clinton Avenue in West Hollywood's Melrose Shopping District is a good place for palms and shopping!

Find it off Melrose Ave., just east of the La Cienega Blvd. intersection.

Overhead view of the palm lined street on Clinton Ave in HollywoodGorgeous, full palm crowns along Clinton.

Famed Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills has numerous places to see those tall palms. It runs west from California State Hwy. 110, going all the way across town.

  • Passing through MacArthur Park, the La Brea Tar Pits, then into Beverly Hills. 
  • Crossing Santa Monica Blvd, and going through the Los Angeles Country Club grounds.
  • Finally ending at Santa Monica State Beach.
Overhead view of Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills

FAQ: California’s Palm Tree Questions Answered

Why are palm trees dying in California?

It's kind of sad, that many aging palms, are near their lifespan's end. Plus the fungal attack (which is fatal) Fusarium Wilt has been affecting Canary Island Palms. The Palm Weevil had also attacked, but steps are being taken to overcome their threat.

Now with heat-islands helping to increase city temperatures, there are shifting urban priorities.

So it seems palm-lined streets lately face an uncertain future.

City planners are encouraging their replacement with woody shade trees. Yet because they're representative of the SoCal style, especially for Los Angeles, the city also recognizes their value.

It will become a balance.

References:  latimes.com/projects/la-me-palm-trees-dying-skyline-los-angeles/ ---- ipm.ucanr.edu/home-and-landscape/palm-diseases-in-the-landscape/pest-notes/#gsc.tab=0

Do palm trees in California have coconuts?

There are many Palm Tree Species. The Coconut Palm is only one of them.

See the Difference Between Palm Trees & Coconut Trees>

California does not have the ideal climate for Cocos nucifera, the Coconut Palm. That's the palm species that produces coconuts. Coconut Palms love a humid climate, a typical tropical climate. For instance, Florida is an ideal state for them to grow.

But California has that desert type of Mediterranean Climate, where Coconut Palms are more difficult to grow. You may encounter one here and there - but that's not typical of the state.

Photo Gallery: California’s Most Photographed Palms

Palms surround a clock towerMexican Fan Palms aside a clock tower in Bakersfield, CA
Sunset in the background of a palm tree lined street.Street lined with Mexican Fan Palms as the sun sets in Redlands, CA
Palm lined street in a suburbPalm lined avenues are found all throughout Los Angeles California
Sunset in Los Angeles with the cityscape and palmsPalms contrast with the glowing sky at sunset in Los Angeles

Palm trees in california takeaways

California has many palms, the most popular were summarized here.

The palm trees in California give the state its move-star, topic-like atmosphere. Attracting visitors year-round, with its pleasant Mediterranean climate. Yet it is a desert, when thinking of rainfall. Driving through Los Angeles, San Diego and many other SoCal towns, you won't miss the palm trees growing there!

Most people love them. I know we do - do you?

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