Palos Verdes Areas

Palos Verdes (often called “PV” by the local residents) is the name used to refer to a group of coastal cities on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in the southwestern corner of Los Angeles County in California. This affluent bedroom community is known for its dramatic views, excellent award winning schools, extensive horse and hiking trails as well as its upper end home prices.

Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills and Rolling Hills Estates are the predominant cities in the area. There is also a small unincorporated area with a postal address of Palos Verdes Peninsula. The charming community of San Pedro, the harbor district of the City of Los Angeles, is located on the eastern side of the peninsula.

Palos Verdes is home to multiple city parks and recreation facilities. There are several golf courses, including the public Trump National Golf Club, Terranea Resort and Los Verdes as well as two private country clubs. Multiple tennis facilities including the private Jack Kramer Club can also be found on the peninsula. Equestrian centers are also numerous. The South Coast Botanic Garden, The George F Canyon Nature Center and Palos Verdes Land Conservancy protected natural open space parks preserve the rural nature that once covered the entire peninsula. The Palos Verdes coast was once the home of the aquatic park, Marineland of the Pacific, visited by tourists from around the world. Today the site is the location of the Terranea Resort, a quiet haven for locals and visitors alike. Also found along the rustic coastline are Wayfarers Chapel, designed by Lloyd Wright, and Point Vicente Lighthouse, both of which are on the National Register of Historic Places. And, Point Vicente Park is a popular spot for watching the migration of the Gray Whales to and from their breeding lagoon in Baja California and their Alaska summer home.

Palos Verdes Drive West

Nestled along the coast between Lunada Bay and Palos Verdes Drive South is the region of West Palos Verdes.  Here you will find four main housing developments: Point Vicente, Lunada Pointe, Oceanfront, and The Enclave. 

Pointe Vicente is a development of homes built in the 1960’s that extends along the hillsides on the East side of Palos Verdes Drive West.  Many homes here have 180-degree ocean views, yet are affordable by Palos Verdes standards. Also located in this development is Point Vicente Elementary School. On the west side of Palos Verdes Drive are two developments of opulent estates set on 132 acres of coastline.  The developers were sensitive to the site’s relationship with nature and they maintained the views and public access to the bluff.  Oceanfront Estates and The Enclave each have beautiful Mediterranean style homes sitting on lots ranging from one-half to three-quarters of an acre.  The D’Amico Team was the on-site sales team for Oceanfront from 2002 until it was completely sold out in 2006. Lunada Pointe, located along the ocean bluff west of Palos Verdes Drive and north of Oceanfront Estates, is an exclusive area of large, luxury, custom homes situated on large parcels of land along the Pacific Ocean cliffs.

The Golden Cove Shopping Center is located at the corner of Hawthorne Boulevard and Palos Verdes Drive. The restaurants and coffee shops located there are neighborhood favorites. Other services located there include a convenience store, gas station, cleaners, and a Trader Joe’s Market. Peninsula Montessori School shares the site.

Lunada Bay and Margate

Lunada Bay and Margate are adjacent communities located along the West side of Palos Verdes Estates and sit on the bluff above the Pacific Ocean, a popular area for running, walking, and bicycling. 

Lower Lunada Bay, west of Palos Verdes Drive, is home to the community’s commercial plaza with a market, service station, shops, and restaurants.  At its center is "Fuente de los Ninos,” The Fountain of the Children, named for the 250 neighborhood school children that raised the funds to build it. Also nestled in the area are Palos Verdes High School , Lunada Bay Elementary, and Palos Verdes Intermediate School. 

The neighborhood’s community spirit is demonstrated each year when the Lunada Bay Homeowners Association hosts the Harvest Festival and Summer Concert Series in the Lunada Bay Park. Nestled on its quiet streets, homes in this area range from some of the most extravagant estates in California along the bluffs of Paseo Del Mar that feature deep setbacks, gated approaches, and unparalleled ocean views to homes in the three-bedroom 1500 square foot range. Developed midcentury, Rocky Point Estates is zoned for single story homes. Near the area’s commercial plaza there are some great condominiums and townhouses.

Montemalaga

Montemalaga is the locale above Lunada Bay, North of Rancho Palos Verdes to the Malaga Cove area near The La Venta Inn.

Granvia Altamira is the main road accessing this area and is easily reached from Hawthorne Blvd.  Many of the largest homes on the peninsula are located in this hilltop community on lots that are typically among the largest in Palos Verdes Estates.  Montemalaga is home to the highest elevation in Palos Verdes Estates and has some of the most breathtaking ocean and city views.  Most of the new homes in PVE are being built in this area with architectural styles ranging from contemporary and Mediterranean style and are very large (up to 39,000 square feet). Allende El Mar (also know as New York Hill) is a development of 30 luxurious custom homes. With a quarter mile entry road, Paseo la Cresta, which runs along a canyon rim, takes you into the Allende El Mar development.   There are also many opportunities in Montemalaga to find older smaller homes in a great neighborhood.

Montemalaga Elementary School, with kindergarten through fifth grade, is the neighborhood school.  Children of intermediate school age attend Palos Verdes Intermediate School and high school students have the choice of attending Palos Verdes Peninsula High School or Palos Verdes High School.

Malaga Cove

Malaga Cove is the region along the northern most shoreline of Palos Verdes Estates from the Malaga Cove Triangle to Bluff Cove, inland from the ocean bluffs up the hill to the La Venta Inn area, and eastward to include the Palos Verdes Country Club.  This was the first area developed in Palos Verdes Estates and includes the famous Malaga Cove Plaza commercial district modeled after Bologna, Italy, replete with a replica of its Neptune Fountain. The historic Malaga Cove Library, as well as the Palos Verdes Police Department, city government offices, and county fire station are also located in Malaga Cove Plaza.

Among the earliest developed sites, The La Venta Inn, was built in 1923 and is a popular Wedding and party venue, boasting views of the coastline. In 1924 the Palos Verdes Golf Club opened and only property owners in Palos Verdes Estates can apply for membership. The private Palos Verdes Beach and Athletic Club is located on the beachfront with Malaga Cove School and the Neighborhood Church above it. Haggarty’s Point, just below the church, has been a favorite surfing spot on the Peninsula since the 1960’s.

Malaga Cove homes have some of the most sought-after views in California.  With much of this area on the hillside facing the Santa Monica Bay, many have breathtaking queen’s necklace views where the city lights meet the ocean.  This is the closest Palos Verdes neighborhood to the South Bay Beach Cities making it a convenient commute to LAX and many South Bay business districts

Valmonte

Valmonte is located just east of Malaga Cove and borders the Hollywood Riviera area of Torrance on the North and East. This is one of the most charming areas of Palos Verdes and its protected location provides the area with nearly perfect weather; not too much fog, wind, or heat. The topography is relatively flat and dense Eucalyptus groves that characterize the neighborhood streets. There are no sidewalks, street lights, or traffic signals but a wide park-like median on Palos Verdes Drive North (the main road through this area), which provides a safe place for residents to run, walk, and bike ride. The Palos Verdes Stables are located in the northeast area of Valmonte. The golf course of the Palos Verdes Country Club runs along the southwest side of Valmonte providing lush canyon views for a number of properties.

Homes in this area tend to be somewhat smaller and older as this was one of the earlier developed areas on the peninsula throughout the 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s. Valmonte was subdivided into lots that were sold and the homes were individually built by owners who purchased the lots. This is not a tract neighborhood and there is a rich mix of architectural styles including ranch, contemporary, craftsman, Cape Cod, and Mediterranean as well as others. Typical of an attractive older area, many residences here have been updated from the original construction. The homes in this area fall under the jurisdiction of the Palos Verdes Art Jury. 

Silver Spur

Silver Spur, also called Grandview, is a large area of mid century homes along Montemalaga Drive and Silver Spur Road, Northwest of Hawthorne Blvd. The homes located in the most northern area of Silver Spur have an excellent view of the Pacific Ocean, canyons, the Palos Verdes Country Club, the Beach Cities, Los Angeles, the Santa Monica and San Gabriel Mountains. Also, on the clearest days, the view includes the San Bernardino Mountains. These priceless views are why the neighborhood area is called 'Grandview'. The Silver Spur area holds ownership opportunities for houses with great views and modest family homes near schools and shopping. 

This is another area great for families and it is home to Silver Spur Elementary and Palos Verdes Peninsula High School. The Palos Verdes Peninsula School District schools attended by the children of this neighborhood are, Silver Spur Elementary, Ridgecrest Indermediate School and either Palos Verdes Peninsula High School or Palos Verdes High School. 

Palos Verdes Drive North

The city of Rolling Hills Estates is located on the north border of the Palos Verdes Peninsula and runs from Torrance to the Peninsula Shopping Center at the top of the hill and stretches east to the area near the Palos Verdes Reservoir. Rolling Hills Estates offers opportunities for condos, modest homes, and equestrian estates. 

Originally incorporated in 1957, Rolling Hills Estates was characterized by its white split rail fences. Still, true to its equestrian origination, the city has many homes permitted to maintain horse facilities. There are both tract and custom-built homes here, many with city light views. You will also find condominiums and townhouses within the city of Rolling Hills Estates.

The city has multiple equestrian centers and 25 miles of public horse trails. The George F. Canyon Nature Center and The South Coast Botanical Gardens showcase the area wildlife. Rolling Hills Estates is also home to the Rolling Hills Country Club and Golf Course and the Jack Kramer Tennis and Swim Club.

The Palos Verdes regional shopping district known as the Peninsula Center includes The Promenade on the Peninsula an outdoor mall that has many shops and entertainment venues including a large movie theater complex and the Norris Center for the Performing Arts . The Palos Verdes Library District main library is also located here.

Palos Verdes Drive East and Miraleste

The East side of Palos Verdes borders the city of Rolling Hills on the West and the Eastview section of Rancho Palos Verdes and San Pedro on the East. Many properties have great Los Angeles Harbor and City Light views and are a mixture of equestrian properties and small subdivisions. It is also home to the historic “red tile roof” area known as Miraleste; the first section developed on the east side of the peninsula and is under the jurisdiction of the Palos Verdes Art Jury. Some of the homes date back to the 1930’s. The architecture in this neighborhood typically has a Spanish or Mediterranean feel and all buildings must have red tile roofs. The Miraleste community has a small commercial plaza that boasts one of the oldest Los Angeles County Fire Companies as well as convenience businesses and a branch of The Palos Verdes Library.  Miraleste Intermediate School and Miraleste Early Learning Academy, two of Palos Verdes’ most picturesque schools, are located adjacent to the Miraleste Plaza.

The 110 Harbor Freeway and the Vincent Thomas Bridge are in close proximity to the homes in this area and offer a convenient commute to Long Beach or Downtown Los Angeles. 

Mira Catalina

 Mira Catalina includes the regions along and off of Palos Verdes Drive East from just beyond the La Vista Verde gatehouse to Palos Verdes Drive South and to the top of the hill up Crest Road.  Some of the highest elevations on the peninsula are located in this area named for its beautiful Catalina Island views.  You can find homes with views in almost every direction: City Lights, Harbor, and Catalina Island.  The award winning Mira Catalina Elementary School makes this area popular with young families and its proximity to Miraleste and San Pedro offers the convenience of the freeway and shopping. Marymount University makes its home on Palos Verdes Drive East and has been part of the community since the 1960’s. 

Custom and tract homes of various architectural styles can be found in the Mira Catalina area. The Del Prado tract is the oldest and was built in the early 1950’s. Two additional tracts, Mira Catalina and Mediterranea, were built above the drive in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. They have long been favorites with families as the homes are large and are close to schools.  The newest tract sits at the peak of the hill off Crest Road and was built by S and S Homes. This upscale community is gated and has commanding views of the Los Angeles basin, the harbor, and Catalina. Interspersed among the tracts are streets with custom homes of various size and style.

Palos Verdes Drive South

The region of Palos Verdes Drive South runs along the southern coast of Rancho Palos Verdes and includes residential homes, vast areas of vacant land, multifamily developments, and commercial and recreational facilities.

The oldest homes are in the Portuguese Bend gated community. In 1916 Frank Vanderlip founded the Palos Verdes community and built the first modern home on the peninsula at his favorite spot in Portuguese Bend. Most homes  here were built prior to the slow-moving landslide that began in 1956 and continues to this day. The Palos Verdes Land Conservancy is very active in acquiring open space in the landslide area and along the ocean to preserve the open space and wildlife. The famous 'Wayfarer's Glass Chapel’ designed by, Lloyd Wright, the son of Frank Lloyd Wright is located here.

The Portuguese Bend Beach Club is a small community of homes located above one of the few private beaches in California. Nearby Trump National Golf Course  sits on the oceanfront with public hiking trails and new luxury estates. Terranea, on the former Marineland site is a resort hotel ithat includes villas, bungalows, and casitas. Point Vicente Park and Interpretive Center is a favorite whale-watching venue. The Coast Guard mans the nearby 67-foot high Point Vicente lighthouse built in 1926. 

San Pedro

San Pedro is located on the southeast and east sides of the Palos Verdes Peninsula. It was annexed to the City of Los Angeles in 1909 and is the largest working seaport in the nation. Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo discovered and named the bay for St. Peter of Alexandria on November 24, 1542 his feast day , claiming it for the Spanish Empire. The area became an important part of the Spanish land grants and has a rich early California history. However, the anglicized pronunciation, popularized by the English-speaking settlers from the Midwest is "san-pee-dro."

The community of San Pedro has many diverse places to visit including beaches bordering the Pacific Ocean, the Port of Los Angeles with the Vincent Thomas Bridge and cruise ship terminals, parks, historical monuments, museums, aquariums, restaurants and the historical downtown area.

Old San Pedro is just steps away from the waterfront and features, shopping, dining, art, and entertainment. Several restaurants, pubs and coffee houses have outdoor dining and nightly entertainment.  The historic Warner Grand Theatre offers a variety of live entertainment and movies.    Waterfront attractions include the USS Iowa and the SS Lane Victory, the Los Angeles Maritime Museum and the Ports O' Call Village. The San Pedro Waterfront Red Car Line runs along the waterfront between downtown San Pedro and the busy Cruise Ship Terminal.

The Los Angeles Harbor and the 29 parks of San Pedro present many opportunities for sports and recreation. Surfing, diving, jet skiing, sailing, and Windsurfing as well as exploring tide pools full of marine life can be experienced at its beaches. Sport fishing boats leave daily from 22nd street landing and whale watching is year round. The Frank Gehry designed Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, the Victorian era Point Fermin Lighthouse and museum and the Korean Friendship Bell are great places to visit and picnic near.

San Pedro is an ethnically diverse town with many great neighborhoods offering a variety of lifestyles.

South Shores

Located in Southwest San Pedro, features condominiums, townhouses and single-family homes, many of which offer panoramic ocean and Catalina views with varying architectural styles from the 1950’s to the present.  Divided into Upper and Lower South Shores, this bedroom community is nestled on the coastline and includes some bluff properties. Convenient shopping and restaurants make this a desirable area of San Pedro, and is just a 5-minute scenic drive to Trump National Golf Club and Terranea.

The Palisades

The Palisades, on the southwest facing bluffs above Royal Palms State Beach, offers many ocean and Catalina view homes. Homes can range from small 1940 tract-style to custom homes taking advantage of the views. The new San Pedro High School campus is located on the hillside between the Palisades and Point Fermin.

Point Fermin

The southeast San Pedro neighborhood of Point Fermin is a short walk to the ocean, Cabrillo Beach and the Korean Friendship Bell, Point Fermin Park and restaurants. The area includes apartments, condominiums and single-family homes, many with harbor, city and ocean views.  This neighborhood dates back to the early 1900’s with small older homes interspersed with newer multi-family properties.

The Plaza

Downtown San Pedro is flourishing with numerous high-rise condominium developments located on the Los Angeles harbor and bordered by Pacific Ave on the West. The historic Vinegar Hill district offers single-family homes built in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s with architectural character and charm. The Plaza is surrounded by walking and biking trails, is just a short distance to the marina. The Red Trolley runs in this area and travels between the cruise ships, the harbor waterfront sites, the Ports O’ Call Marketplace and 22nd street restaurants and attractions. 

Vista Del Oro

Located in the center of San Pedro, Vista Del Oro is just west of the downtown harbor area and east of Western Avenue.  This popular neighborhood offers mixed-use properties with apartment buildings, condominiums, townhomes and highly sought-after single-family homes, many with views panoramic views of the city and harbor including the Vincent Thomas Bridge.  The Los Angeles Unified School District Richard Henry Dana Junior High School and San Pedro High School campus are located in this neighborhood. Also located here is one of the commercial and business centers of San Pedro. 

Holy Trinity

Holy Trinity is an older, more established neighborhood to the North of Vista Del Oro named for the Holy Trinity Catholic Church which sits at its center.  With mostly single-family homes, some of which have views of the harbor, the Vincent Thomas Bridge and city lights, it is a popular affordable neighborhood. Peck Park and Recreation Center are located here.

North San Pedro

This neighborhood sits between Western Ave and Gaffey Street on the northern end of San Pedro. Several tracts of homes built in the 1960 through the 1980’s populate this area as well as multiple townhouse and condo neighborhoods. The Gardens popular townhome development features woodsy exteriors, lush landscaping and mature trees.  There are community swimming pools and tennis courts and is within walking distance to major shopping areas, restaurants and schools. 

Western Ave is a major commercial center for San Pedro and the east side of Palos Verdes.

Eastview

This community of single-family homes built in the early 1970’s is located west of Western Avenue in the Rancho Palos Verdes area annexed from San Pedro.  The Eastview neighborhood is close to schools, shopping and a short distance to the freeway. It attracts families whose children can attend schools in the award winning Palos Verdes Unified School District.