Long known as a leading behavioral scientist and bestselling author, Dr. Zelana Montminy’s work took on new meaning after the Palisades Fire. “It was such a devastating experience that words can barely contain,” says the longtime resident and mother-of-three. “Every place we cherished as a family in this little bubble we were so lucky to call home was obliterated. When you lose your community all at once, you lose the rhythms, rituals and familiar spaces that give life stability.” In the aftermath, Montminy has become one of the Palisades’ most prominent voices, using social media as a platform to post heartbreakingly beautiful poems and writings that reflect on the collective feelings of all of her neighbors who have gone through the unthinkable together. Yet as is often the case in trying times, the experience has only deepened Montminy’s sense of gratitude for her community and those around her. “Gratitude is not a posture or a platitude, it’s a practice of noticing what remains, even in loss,” she explains. “It’s choosing to anchor in the small rituals, the voices, the breaths that remind us that life is still unfolding with possibility. Practiced daily, gratitude becomes less about listing what we’re thankful for, and more about living in relationship to what matters most.” Now, in honor of the release of her newest book, Finding Focus: Own Your Attention in the Age of Distraction (Hachette), Montminy reveals her favorite local places of gratitude and resilience. drzelana.com
“Recently reopened, Spruzzo Restaurant & Bar is a symbol of comfort and resilience. It’s where neighbors reconnect over simple, delicious meals and where my family always finds something nourishing and inventive that everyone loves. Walking back in after the fire felt like reclaiming a piece of normal life.” 538 Palisades Dr., Pacific Palisades; 424-426-5900; spruzzopalisades.com
“Palisades Garden Café has long been the afterschool gathering spot for kids in the neighborhood, my own included. Returning there after the fire was incredibly emotional, a reminder that the smallest rituals—the daily snacks, the quick hello—are what tether us to a sense of home.” 15231 La Cruz Dr., Pacific Palisades; 310-459-6160; paligardencafe.com
“The Palisades Village has always been more than shops—it’s our town square, our connective tissue. Rick Caruso poured heart into supporting the neighborhood even through devastation, also investing in spaces that weren’t his own. Its renewal will be a powerful symbol of community spirit reborn.” 15225 Palisades Village Ln., Pacific Palisades; 310-525-1380; palisadesvillageca.com
"The Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine is a sacred, meditative space that has been woven into my family’s story. During the fire, a family stayed behind and saved it and its survival feels miraculous. Now, being there feels like standing on holy ground, a reminder of the power of focus, intention and love to protect what matters most.” 17080 W. Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades; 310-454-4114; lakeshrine.org
“In an age of fleeting texts and quick emails, Sugar Paper is a love letter to permanence. Their stationery makes slowing down feel beautiful again. For me, hand-writing a note is about presence and this shop transforms that ritual into something extraordinary.” 225 26th St., #27; 310-451-7870; sugarpaper.com
“When the fire destroyed their Palisades space, Flour Pizzeria didn’t disappear, they reopened again in Brentwood. Their story mirrors our story of loss and resilience. Every slice tastes of renewal and possibility, proof that even in destruction there can be rebirth.” 11684 San Vicente Blvd.; 424-330-0220; flourpizzeria.com
“Rudy of Gracias Señor Taqueria is one of the kindest souls, and during the fire, he partnered with World Central Kitchen to feed first responders. His food carries generosity and gratitude. Sunset Smash, created by two Pali High grads, represents the next generation: delicious, joyful and rooted in homegrown community pride.” Gracias Señor Taqueria; 323-386-3424; graciasenor.com; Sunset Smash, 310-905-1166; @sunsetsmash; both at 11941 San Vicente Blvd.