After an iconic half-century presence, the famed Gladstone’s restaurant in Pacific Palisades is poised to bring its long-standing run to an end. The picturesque oceanside eatery, situated along the Pacific Coast Highway, is anticipated to shutter its doors in October, marking the conclusion of an era. Los Angeles County, the proprietor of the prime coastal land on which the restaurant rests, is actively seeking new lessees to establish a fresh chapter in its history.
Gladstone’s has grappled with uncertainty before. Reports of its jeopardy surfaced as early as 2016, yet it emerged resilient from that particular challenge and persevered. The establishment boasts a storied lineage, having once been owned by the late Richard Riordan, a former Mayor of Los Angeles, who passed away earlier this year. Although the motivations behind this move remain unclear, there are questions surrounding whether Riordan’s estate is involved in the decision to draw the curtain on Gladstone’s legacy.
Renowned for catering to tourists, Gladstone’s also garnered a devoted local following in areas like Malibu and Santa Monica. It carved a niche for itself as a favored locale for sundown cocktails and dinners against the breathtaking backdrop of the Pacific. Since its inception in 1972, Gladstone’s has etched its presence into the coastal landscape.
In 2016, former Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl vocalized concerns about the property’s condition, deeming it “seriously deteriorated and outdated.” This critique was put forth as part of a motion presented before the Board of Supervisors. As the restaurant operated under a 20-year lease, Kuehl and her peers endeavored to lure potential lessees with the incentive of an extended 40-year lease, with the expectation that it would catalyze either the revitalization or modernization of the existing infrastructure.
As a new chapter beckons for the iconic site, a competitive bidding process is on the horizon. Hopeful contenders will soon vie for the opportunity to reimagine and reinvent the cherished piece of coastline, paying homage to Gladstone’s legacy while propelling it into a vibrant new era.
Gladstone’s was featured on TravelZoo a few years ago. Watch Below.
