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Palos Verdes Estates

Palos Verdes Estates History

   Palos Verdes means "green trees" in Spanish, and Palos Verdes Estates certainly lives up to the name. In 1913, Frank A. Vanderlip, president of the National Bank of New York, bought the 6,000-acre Palos Verdes Peninsula from a local rancher in hopes of developing a  residential area on the site.
   The construction of the first homes in Palos Verdes Estates began in the early 1920s. The new community was designed and landscaped by the Olmsted Brothers, whose father designed New York's Central Park. Because of the brothers' love of nature, 28 percent of the city was dedicated to permanent open space. The city's flowering trees, lush paths and winding roads made it among the most scenic spots on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The city still boasts 849 acres of pure parkland, which gives Palos Verdes Estates its reputation as a "garden suburb."
   Today, the peninsula is made up of four cities: Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills and Rolling Hills Estates. Palos Verdes Estates, which was incorporated in 1939, is the oldest residential community on the peninsula. Spanish-style architecture blends seamlessly with the city's lush landscapes to create a lovely place to live or visit.

Activities

   Palos Verdes Estates’ most notable landmark is the Neptune Fountain, a two-thirds-scale replica of an antique Italian statue, which is located in Malaga Cove Plaza. The plaza offers several shopping, dining and entertainment options for those seeking a leisurely adventure.
   For those who prefer a little more action, Palos Verdes Estates offers a variety of outdoor activities, including golf and tennis, horseback riding, and walking and jogging trails.

Palos Verdes Estates Fast Facts

   Location: Palos Verdes Estates is located on the northwestern coast of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, about 28 miles from downtown Los Angeles
  *Total area: 4.79 square miles
  *Population: 13,340
  *Housing units: 5,202
   Average annual rainfall: 14.79 inches
   Average temperatures: 70ºF in summer, 56ºF in winter
*Information provided by 2000 Census

Schools

  There are four public schools in Palos Verdes Estates:

• Lunada Bay, Montemalaga and Valmonte elementary schools
• Palos Verdes Intermediate

  Older students attend schools in neighboring communities.

Beaches

   Malaga Cove is one of only two places in Southern California where the shoreline faces north, which makes it a popular spot with divers. The cove offers a secluded beach for swimmers, who can gaze down at the dive area from a gazebo atop a nearby bluff.

Real Estate

   There are a variety of designs in Palos Verdes Estates. These pictures give a few examples:

Maps of Palos Verdes Estates

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