Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt is about as local as it gets. The eldest child of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver, Pratt grew up on the westside in Pacific Palisades and Brentwood, where she currently resides with her husband, actor Chris Pratt and their three little kids. “I loved it so much I never left,” she laughs. “The reason I am raising my kids here is because of how magical I thought it was growing up and how much I love looking back on my childhood and just loving every minute of it.” Despite her famous family—her father was at the height of his movie career and then served as Governor of California for a good portion of her childhood; her mother is an award-winning journalist and member of the Kennedy clan—Pratt’s parents were able to instill a sense of normalcy for her and her three tightknit siblings, Patrick, Christina and Christopher. They also inspired a love of animals and the great outdoors. “I grew up right on the street below Will Rogers State Historic Park, and I spent pretty much every weekend there, riding our horses as a family, watching polo matches and going on walks and hikes under the towering Eucalyptus trees,” she recalls. “I hiked those trails while I was dating Chris and then for all three pregnancies and now with my own children.” Sadly, much of the park—including Will Rogers’ historic house and stables—were lost in the Palisades Fire, but Pratt remains hopeful that the magic of the area will be restored. “It’s so hard to see how much it was impacted,” she says. “It was such an incredible place for me growing up and also for my kids to go back to and so special for me to be able to share that with them.”
It is Pratt’s experience riding horses at Will Rogers that inspired the New York Times bestselling author’s latest children’s book, Kat and Brandy, a story about her own childhood horse and the powerful connection between animals and humans. “I learned to be comfortable around horses, and I really got lost in the experience of being around them at a very young age,” says Pratt, adding that her mother is a lifelong equestrian and she recalls watching her parents bond over their love of riding together. “For me, it really started with falling in love with caring for them—brushing their hair and grooming them—and then I slowly started to feel comfortable enough to ride.” Pratt always knew she wanted to write a story about her own pony, Brandy. “She came into my life out of nowhere, and we instantly had a connection,” she says. “She wasn’t a horse that people recommended—she was really head shy and had a tough history and a scar on her face. She was different and unique, and it took a lot of time and patience, but we developed a big, beautiful, blossoming friendship that was really deep and moving for me.”
Pratt’s third children’s book tells the story of a girl and her horse, but is also about responsibility, bravery, resilience and overcoming fears. “I think it’s important for kids to see themselves as brave,” she says. “My grandmother and mom always taught us about overcoming fears, and that’s something I want to pass down.” And now as a mother herself, years of bedtime reading with her own kids have reshaped her storytelling. “I’ve read hundreds of children’s books now, and I see what sparks curiosity, holds their attention and opens up conversations,” she says. “That really influences how I write today.” It is also how she discovered renowned children’s illustrator Petra Brown, whom she commissioned to create the beautiful colored images that accompany her words.
These days, Pratt’s home life is still filled with animals. In addition to her rescue dog, Maverick (the subject of her first children’s book, Maverick and Me), her family has chickens and fish, and Pratt works as a passionate advocate and ambassador for Best Friends Animal Society and the ASPCA. And although Brandy is no longer alive, Pratt often travels to Santa Barbara to the barn where her other longtime horse, Cinco, now enjoys retirement. “He’s been with me since I was eleven, and I visit him all the time,” she says. “To see him with my kids now is incredible."
Pratt’s passion for connection extends beyond the barn and the page. She also hosts BDA Baby, a podcast that was conceived during the early days of the pandemic. Feeling isolated after the birth of her first child, she longed for a space to share questions and find support. “I wanted one place where we could talk about everything—pregnancy, postpartum, relationships, egg freezing, even [sexual health],” she explains. The podcast has since grown into a trusted space where experts and parents alike share experiences openly.
Gratitude, too, remains a cornerstone of Pratt’s daily life. “It’s a huge theme in our family. Every night at dinner, we go around and say what we’re grateful for. My kids now remind me if I forget!” she laughs. It’s a tradition that Pratt grew up with and now cherishes as part of her own family. That spirit of gratitude is especially poignant as Thanksgiving approaches and signifies the start of the holiday season, her favorite time of year. Each Thanksgiving brings cherished family traditions, from attending church together to serving dinner to the homeless in Santa Monica to gathering around the table for her mom’s famous holiday feast. “It’s about pausing, being present and remembering all the blessings around us,” she says.
For Pratt, home is much more than just a place. It’s a patchwork of memories, family experiences and—now, with her own children—stories passed from one generation to the next.
Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt’s Brentwood Picks
Brentwood Country Mart
A longtime go-to for family-friendly shopping and dining.
225 26th St.; 310-458-6682; brentwoodcountrymart.com
Brentwood General Store
A neighborhood gem for unique finds.
1230 Montana Ave. #108, Santa Monica; 310-394-9225; brentwoodgeneralstore.com
Sinclair Gas Station
They’ve been there forever and always remember your name.
13060 San Vicente Blvd.; 310-451-1818; sinclairoil.com
Keetan
A beloved Palisades-born children’s boutique that has now reopened on Montana Avenue.
1233 Montana Ave., Santa Monica; 310-459-0011; keetankids.com
A Votre Santé
A favorite spot for brunch and lunch with family.
13018 San Vicente Blvd.; 310-451-1813; avotresantela.com
Amici
Local Italian that’s a family staple.
2538 San Vicente Blvd.; 310-260-4900; amicibrentwood.com
Vicente Foods
A classic Brentwood institution for fresh, local groceries.
12027 San Vicente Blvd.; 310-472-5215; vicentefoods.com
Haven & Co.
A go-to boutique for stylish gifts and home treasures.
11965 San Vicente Blvd.; 310-476-3060; havenandcompany.com
"The reason I am raising my kids here is because of how magical I thought it was growing up."