Palos Verdes

Palos Verdes is often used to refer to a group of coastal cities on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in the Los Angeles/South Bay area of California. This affluent bedroom community is known for its dramatic views, good schools,^[1] extensive horse trails,^[2] and high home prices.^[3]

Aerial view of the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Los Angeles in the distance.

Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, and Rolling Hills Estates are the predominant cities in the area, with a part of San Pedro protruding on the eastern end of the peninsula.

The area is home to several golf courses and country clubs, and the South Coast Botanic Garden. On the coast is the location of the former Marineland of the Pacific, an aquatic theme park wich is currently being turned in to the 5* GOlf Resort and Hotel,Restaurants you can catch more on Terranea here.

There is a lighthouse on Point Vicente, and Point Vicente Park is a popular spot for watching the migration of gray whales to and from their breeding lagoon in Baja California. There is also a lighthouse at Point Fermin in San Pedro.

The Peninsula was originally inhabited by Native Americans belonging to the Tongva (sometimes referred to as “Gabrielino̶ tribe, and first described in 1542 by Portuguese explorer Juan Cabrillo. In 1827, Don Jose Dolores Sepulveda procured a parcel of the original, 1784 Rancho San Pedro Spanish land grant from Manuel Dominguez, and named it Rancho de los Palos Verdes (”range of green trees”), which was used primarily as a cattle ranch. By 1882 ownership of the land had passed from the Sepulveda family through various mortgage holders to Jotham Bixby of Rancho Los Cerritos, who leased the land to Japanese farmers. After the turn of the century most of Bixby’s land was sold to a consortium of New York investors who created The Palos Verdes Project and began marketing land on the peninsula for small horse ranches and residential communities.

Palos Verdes Estates was the first city incorporated on the Peninsula and was one of the first master planned communities in Los Angeles County. The other incorporated cities on the Palos Verdes Peninsula include Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills Estates and Rolling Hills.

The Wayfarers Chapel opened in 1951 and is a well-known landmark overseen by the SwedenborgianPortuguese Bend, one of the most geologically unstable areas in the world. Constant tectonic shifts (approximately 1/3 of an inch a day) and rock slides mean that Palos Verdes Drive South, the main road through the bend, is under constant repair. And for years, the wreck of the Dominator, a freighter that ran aground in 1961, was a rather bizarre attraction for those willing to hike down the cliffs to the shoreline. Very little is left of the ship today. In 2006, the 45 foot cabin cruiser Lady Hawk sank 2 miles from the Palos Verdes coast due to an engine fire [1].

The area is a very affluent one, with expensive homes overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the Los Angeles Basin, and with Santa Catalina Island almost always visible just across the channel.

The Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District has one of the highest rated API scores in California ^[4] , and has one of the highest average SAT scores ^[5] and one of the highest percentage of students successfully completing the Advanced Placement exams ^[6] in the county. There are two high schools, Palos Verdes Peninsula High School (formerly called Rolling Hills High School) and Palos Verdes High School (the latter located just a half block from the Pacific Ocean). Marymount College, a co-ed Roman Catholic two-year college is located in Rancho Palos Verdes. A private K-12 school, Chadwick School, is also located there. Rolling Hills Preparatory School [2], a private 6-12 school is also located on the peninsula.

The Peninsula is served by the Palos Verdes Library District which operates the Peninsula Center, Miraleste, and Malaga Cove Libraries.

The area is frequented by runners, hikers, horseback riders, bird watchers, surfers, scuba divers, and bicyclists. In addition, nude sunbathers formerly frequented Sacreds Cove (or “Smugglers Cove̶ until the city of Rancho Palos Verdes enacted a 1994 ordinance that ended such use of that beach.

The infamous Palos Verdes surf spots have been in the spotlight many times over issues of “localism“.

The most notorious surf spot for localism in Palos Verdes is Lunada Bay, which can hold any winter swell and has been known to rival Sunset Beach, Hawaii on a big day. Localism in Palos Verdes reached a turning point in 2001 when a civil rights lawsuit was filed after a particularly violent confrontation with Hermosa Beach surfers. [3] Surveillance cameras were placed in the surfing area but were later removed

These great tidbits were courtesy of Palos Verdes Wiki Pedia.

For Current Real Estate Articles in Palos Verdes see below:

http://activerain.com/blogsview/403208/Palos-Verdes-Home-Owners

http://activerain.com/blogsview/487163/Interst-Rates-up-Dont Save money on interest buy now

http://activerain.com/blogsview/388938/32646-Coast-Site-Rancho Rancho Palos Verdes

http://activerain.com/blogs/palosverdesrealtor4god/tags/homes%20historical Pasadena Victorian

http://activerain.com/blogsview/306368/4134-Pacific-Coast-Hwy Torrance Newer Home

More articles:

Senior Care & Events

http://activerain.com/blogsview/471828/Senior-Long-Term-Care

http://activerain.com/blogsview/472230/Keep-Safe-Coalition-Protecting

http://activerain.com/blogsview/467528/Reverse-Mortgage-is-it

http://activerain.com/blogsview/471828/Senior-Long-Term-Care

Real Estate http://activerain.com/blogsview/503521/Still-Have-an-Adjustable

http://activerain.com/blogsview/503468/Is-this-the-Final (interest Rate cut)

http://activerain.com/blogsview/452990/Los-Angeles-County-Grea FHA

Family Info & events
http://activerain.com/blogsview/500245/-Top-4-Best Brunches in the Pv & South Bay

http://activerain.com/blogsview/142901/Searching-for-Best-Schools

http://activerain.com/blogsview/233943/Internet-Safety-for-Children

Best Brunches in Palos Verdes and the South Bay from $5.00-$50.00

Great Brunches for MOM- Beautiful Places to take your mother on Mother’s day!!
If you want to take Mom for a five star Gourmet Brunch then try Chey Melange located in the Palos Verdes Inn on Pacific Coast Hwy near Palos Verdes Blvd.(Bristol Farms)

Wonderful Gourmet selections, don’t miss their mini fresh donuts, great pastry, champagne brunch, fantastic eggs Benedict other gourmet omelette’s and some items straight from England like English Bangers. Reservations required

Chez Mélange
1716 Pacific Coast Hwy.
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Phone (310)540-1222

http://www.chezmelange.com/?gclid=CLnjsrnflJMCFRRZiAodzQNTxA

Misto Caffe & Bakery

Misto’s off Hawthorne just past Rolling Hills Road is the best kept secret for a lovely brunch. Breakfast is served on the weekends only

Very Quaint , tucked away in the Hillside Village very cozy an private. You can also dine al fresco on their patio.

They serve the best scones, mini muffins and pastry in the South Bay They bring it to you steaming hot with butter. Breakfasts range from Eggs Benedict to fantastic Spinach and veggie omelettes. Very California Cuisine style and Lunches have a great selection also. We think Misto’s has the Best Burger in Palos Verdes and great fries but then my sis loves the meatloaf and mash potatoes. Truly comfort food with fantastic desserts. my weakness, huge pecan cookies and my favorite place for creme brulee, perfectly made creamy and delicious. The Best Creme Brulee in the South Bay. Check out their website. Prices from $8.00 and up for Breakfast. Great Kids Menu.

(310) 375-3608

http://www.yelp.com/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mistocaffe.com%2F&src_bizid=oDUdaiCxhqLyCnOs-kJc0A

And of course if you are up for very public place to meet new people, Since the tables are very close together, you can have a great time at the Original Pancake House in Redondo Beach

The Best Pancakes in Los Angeles. Don’t miss their spectacular puffy omelette’s. incredible and huge, you will want to share. Try my favorite the Buckwheat pancakes and ham and cheese puffy omelets overflowing with cheddar cheese and ham. $6.00-10.00 Great Kids Menu

Now if you are really looking for the ultimate in Luxurious Brunches with a spectacular Ocean view and any item your palette desires you must try the Brunch at the Pacific Cafe Restaurant at the Trump Golf Course

It’s not often most folk get to say the phrases “bottomless Champagne” or “all-you-can-eat sushi.” But that’s exactly what’s so right about the Trump brunch. The $50 per head tab is steep enough to make this a special occasion; but that’s when you go back to the aforementioned phrases. In addition to trays of spicy tuna and mounds of oysters and shrimp, there are also plenty of pastas, fresh-grilled omelets, turkey and roast beef carvings and various salads. Forget picking one thing for dessert: there’s chocolate torte, pie, cookies, pastries and of course the towering fountain of chocolate just waiting to be dipped with fresh strawberries. As upscale brunches go, some dishes can be hit and miss, but between the mimosas and Trump’s breathtaking perch on the Pacific, you can’t go wrong. — L. Lerner

• Trump National Golf Club
• One Ocean Trails Drive
  Palos Verdes, CA 90275

• Cuisine: Californian
• Neighborhood: Rancho Palos Verdes
• Price: $31 to $50

Phone: 310-303-3260

Breakfast Served
7:00am - 11:00am (Mon. thru Sat.)

Lunch Served
11:00am - 3:00pm (Mon. thru Sat.)

Dinner Served
5:00pm - 9:00pm (Sun. thru Thurs.)
5:00pm - 10:00pm (Fri. and Sat.)

Sunday Brunch
10:00am & 1:00pm (2 Seatings)

Bar Menu
3:00pm - 5:00pm (Mon. thru Sat.)
4:00pm - 5:00pm (Sun.)

High Tea
11:00am - 3:00pm (Mon. thru Sat.)
Reservations Are Necessary

Featured Homes of the Week:

http://activerain.com/blogsview/388938/32646-Coast-Site-Rancho Rancho Palos Verdes

http://activerain.com/blogs/palosverdesrealtor4god/tags/homes%20historical Pasadena Victorian

http://activerain.com/blogsview/306368/4134-Pacific-Coast-HwyMore articles:

Senior Care & Events

http://activerain.com/blogsview/471828/Senior-Long-Term-Care

http://activerain.com/blogsview/472230/Keep-Safe-Coalition-Protecting

http://activerain.com/blogsview/467528/Reverse-Mortgage-is-it

Real Estate

http://activerain.com/blogsview/487163/Interst-Rates-up-Dont Save money on interest buy now

http://activerain.com/blogsview/452990/Los-Angeles-County-Grea FHA

Family Info & events:

http://activerain.com/blogsview/142901/Searching-for-Best-Schools

http://activerain.com/blogsview/233943/Internet-Safety-for-Children

http://activerain.com/blogsview/462789/Renting-Versus-Buying-In

http://activerain.com/blogsview/389098/Tax-Savings-on-Moving

Wedding Floral Designer-The Best Kept Secret the South Bay has to offer! 

If you are planning for a ultra wealthy once in a lifetime wedding event floral designer or hosting a exclusive celebration, you must check out Emily Cristiano at Cristiano Designs.

Emily specializes in events held at La Venta Inn, Trump National, Beverly Hilton, Private Estates and the Hoiday Homes Tour. Events also done in Manhattan Beach and the South Bay.

Cristiano Designs has gone from creating romantic moods at the La Venta Inn to a wedding at the Portuguese Beach Club decorating a empty sandy beach into Hawaii Wedding Spectacular, which included staging a empty sandy beach with Palm Trees, Hawaiian Flowers, elegant candle lite mood lighting, custom designed Tiki Torches and adding a moment to remember Hawaiian gazebo laced with exotic Hawaiian blooms and plants, all  just steps away from the crashing surf waves..  I had the pleasure of viewing this wedding myself.

                  What ever your wedding dream is Cristiano Designs can make it come true. Victoria, Romantic, Hawaiian or the Latest Trend, Cristiano Designs can design it all.

Emily is gifted, has unique talents and very upscale prices but her events will take your breath away and create an evening to remember for a long time to come.

Here is her website for the best kept secret on the Palos Verdes Peninsula..http://www.cristianodesigns.com Enjoy the Website Tour, The website alone is a spectacular site. Must See!

Picture courtesy of homeloans.com

Great Article in the Los Angeles Times about the Luxury Multiple Homeowners that want Luxury and location convient to Downtown….fantastic spectacular Los Angeles developments This is a few highlights of Jennifer Lisle article in the LA Times, March 30,2008..

High-rises, high prices

With luxury penthouses in Los Angeles, developers pursue the ultra-wealthy buyer.

By Jennifer Lisle, Special to The Times
March 30, 2008

IF you want a killer condo in L.A., the stakes are getting higher. Several über-luxe penthouses are defying the gravitational pull of the housing market and redefining the meaning of luxury.

Mostly new, they are set atop buildings awash in every service and amenity imaginable and target the ultra-wealthy multi-property owner more concerned with maintaining an upscale lifestyle than the cost of it.

“The multimillion-dollar luxury housing market held up much better than the overall market in 2007,” said Andrew Le- Page, a market analyst at DataQuick Information Systems. “There was no evidence the rich were getting poorer.”

These 10 units will include six that are 6,000-square-foot half-floor condos priced at $18 million, two 8,000-square-foot two-level units priced at $27 million each, and two full-floor 10,000-square-foot units priced at $30 million. http://www.latimes.com/classified/realestate/news/la-re-penthouse30mar30,0,4446484.story

For more information on ultra luxury market, I would be happy to help you!

Featured Pasadena Home of the Week:
http://activerain.com/blogsview/433530/-Special-Home-of

Featured Ocean View property of the Week:

http://activerain.com/blogsview/388938/32646-Coast-Site-Rancho

Real Estate is like a box of chocolates because as a Realtor you never know what you are going to get.

1. A wonderful Client with an excellent buy on a house

2.A client that turns you into a detective. Everything is a mystery about them until you build the trust. So it takes you a long time to service them and meet their needs.

3. Some clients are like a quick trip to the dentist. The intial meeting is like pulling teeth to gather information and then once you see how you can help them you move swiftly and quickly to find the perfect real estate investment for this client.

4. Some clients , married couples in particular play good cop and bad cop with their needs. After hours of showing them property, they go home and talk about their needs and when things are great the wife will call and when things need to be negotiated you hear from the husband or vice a versa.

5.I never have in 25 years ever had one real estate transaction that are alike. Just like a box of chocolates, clients are individuals and no two clients ever have the same needs . SO an excellent Realtor has to juggle many hats and be very knowledgeable about many aspects of real estate.

I have been blessed in my career of having the nicest and most wonderful clients to work with and I love everyone of those chocolates in my box. Real Estate is a very exciting and rewarding career.

If you need to know where the best schools in California are and you are new to California, you can search great schools.net. If you want to check your school rating compared to the neighborhood you are moving into all you do is place your zip code. This site is across the USA so you can check any state.

This site is a great relocation tool for families moving across country.

Palos Verdes are the best rated schools in the state of California. If you live in the South Bay of Los Angeles County 90275 and 90274 zip codes than you are very fortunate. Palos Verdes has 2 High schools currently to choose from, Both are college preparatory and excellent test scores. The latest article written on the high schools said that Palos Verdes High School excels in athletics and Peninsula High School excels in academic scores and accelerated classes. Don’t be deceived, the “Jock” school still has great test scores as usual so those athletes have to hit the books hard.

The difference is in the class schedules. Palos Verdes High School has a block schedule. Some students prefer this because they go to class for a longer period and only on certain days. They have their homework schedule several days ahead and can prepare early. Peninsula High School has the regular schedule and is very popular also. Make sure your Realtor as a Palos Verdes Specialist Designation if you arel ooking in the Palos Verdes School District.

It is a good idea to check with the elementary school in your neighborhood prior to making an offer because many of our schools have a waiting list in certain grades. Silver Spur Elementary is # 1 in the sate of California. #10 in the Nation.

I have met several families who’s realtor did not tell them to check the school for availability prior to purchasing and they live across the street from the school but have to drive their children to another elementary school because their child’s grade was full.

Torrance- South High(90505) Zip and West High are also excellent schools and tested over 800. If Palos Verdes is too pricey you maybe able to scale down a little bit in South Torrance and still have excellent schools. Happy House Hunting!Relocation Packets are available from Mary Thomas with Remax Palos Verdes.