Palos Verdes

Palos Verdes Estates (PVE) is situated on the northwest area on “The Hill”. With a population just over 13,000 and covering just shy of 5 square miles, it has some of the best coastline in the country. It has its own Homeowners Association that is governed by what is called The Palos Verdes Art Jury, which oversees all development and/or remodeling that takes place within the city. It is designed to maintain a level of conformity and standard that is noticeable as you drive throughout the city: a rarity in most Southern California Cities.

 

PVE is a semi-rural community with a small town atmosphere, tree-lined streets and spectacular ocean and city vistas. There are two business areas: one at Malaga Cove plaza and the other at Lunada Bay Plaza. The is a mix of homes ranging from older mid-century homes to large estate homes with ocean views. It is the only city on Palos Verdes Peninsula to have its own police department (the other three peninsula cities contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department).

 

There are several accessible beaches although most of the predominantly rocky shoreline is marked by high cliffs. Three noteworthy Palos Verdes Estates surf beaches exist among the estate homes along the coastline, and include: Haggerty’s (the rock beach below the Neighborhood Church of Palos Verdes), the Palos Verdes Bluff Cove Beach (around the point, south of Haggerty’s, which includes “Indicator”, “Little Reef”, “Middle”, and “Boneyard” surf breaks), and Lunada Bay (occasional large winter waves). Other significant features of the city are the scenic Palos Verdes Golf Club, a challenging 18-hole golf course and country club designed by George C. Thomas Jr and William “Billy” Bell in 1923 and the Palos Verdes Tennis Club. Both premier facilities are restricted for recreational use by city resident-members and guests, and are centrally located within the city. Another popular city landmark atop Palos Verdes Estates is the La Venta Inn. Built in 1923, La Venta Inn was the first known building structure on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Architects Walter and Pierpont Davis designed the building and the famous landscape architects, the Olmsted brothers, designed its gardens. The La Venta Inn has views of the Southern California coastline.

 

Rancho Palos Verdes (RPV) sits atop the Palos Verdes Hills and is the largest city on “The Hill”. Spanning 13.5 square miles and a population just over 42,000, it covers much of the rest of the Peninsula. Home to Terranea Resort and the Trump National Golf Club, Rancho Palos Verdes has stunning ocean views of Catalina Island, and is secluded from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles.

 

RPV has plenty of cosmopolitan shopping within the city, as well as its own public golf course, Los Verdes Golf Course. It is also home to Portuguese Bend Riding Club, the famous Point Vicente Lighthouse and the historic Wayfarers Chapel.

 

The area is also home to several state-of-the-art golf courses; both private and public, including Trump National Golf Course that has been said to rival famed Pebble Beach in Northern California. It is located just down the road from the luxury resort community known as Terranea which truly equals any oceanfront luxury resort in the entire world.

Rolling Hills is a gated community located atop the scenic hills of the Palos Verdes Peninsula. It is boarded by Rolling Hills Estates to the north and Rancho Palos Verdes on all other sides. With a population approximately 2000 and covering only 3 square miles, it maintains a rural and equestrian character, with no traffic lights, multi-acre lots with homes spaced widely apart and streets lined with equestrian paths. All homes are one-story ranch style houses, and are required to have white exterior. Homeowners are also required to maintain horse property on their lots or at a minimum keep land where stalls can be built.

 

Rolling Hills Estates

For more information on the Palos Verdes Peninsula region, including: Local Business Directories; Links to Schools; Demographic Information; City Calendar of events; City Government, Services and Organizations Directories, please visit: