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A Day on the Palos Verdes Peninsula: A Driving Tour
Though it feels remote, Palos Verdes is not difficult to reach. Interstate 110 (the Harbor Freeway) links to down town Los Angles while the Interstate 405 (the San Diego Freeway) runs north to south.
Getting around the Palos Verdes Peninsula once you arrive is easy if you follow Palos Verdes Drive. The drive circles around the entire peninsula and changes directions becoming: Palos Verdes Drive North, Palos Verdes Drive South, Palos Verdes Drive East and Palos Verdes Drive West. If you are planning a trip to the peninsula, contact Pamela Lieb (310-544-1365) and she will send you a map.
Following the Coast from North to South
As you follow Palos Verdes Drive around the Peninsula, you will encounter amazing views as well as surfers, horseback riders, joggers, walkers, bicycle and motorcycle riders and possible the occasional hang glider, picnickers, painters, photographers and a kite or two.
Malaga Cove, Palos Verdes Estates
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Start your journey in the beautiful Malaga Cove Plaza in Palos Verdes Estates with its Mediterranean architecture. Take a break and enjoy a leisurely cappuccino at a sidewalk café. Once a month, there is even an art show to entice you to stay and visit. The Plaza is also the site of a famous Palos Verdes landmark: King Neptune's Fountain. This large Italian fountain was a gift to the city over 75 years ago.
Malaga Cove is also the location for a popular beach which is locally known as RAT Beach! The name was derived from its location:
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Right after Torrance Beach! Beach access is off Paseo del Mar near the Palos Verdes Beach and Swim Club (private for members only!). Malaga Cove is also the location of a wonderful, old stone building that was the original library - still open today and the site for many wedding pictures.
Located nearby off Via Campesina, is the Palos Verdes Golf Club which is also open for lunch. Paseo del Mar is a spectacular street which travels along the bluff and offers fabulous ocean views. There is open parkland with walking paths with excellent access to steep cliffside paths to the tidepools below. From the bluffs, you can picnic and watch the sailboats, spot a grey whale or watch seals frolicking on offshore rocks. From Paseo del Mar continue your journey on Palos Verdes Drive West which will take you into the Peninsula's largest and newest city: Rancho Palos Verdes . This city is the proposed site for a new resort to be developed on the closed Marineland Aquarium land, as well as Trump National Golf Course.
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Point Vicente Light house, Rancho Palos Verdes
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For a great introduction to the Palos Verdes Peninsula, a visit to the Point Vicente Interpretive Center is recommended. The Interpretive Center is located along the coast on Palos Verde Drive South. From the parkland on the bluffs, the rugged Peninsula coastline is visible as well as the 1926 Point Vicente Light house which is still in use today. On clear days, it appears Catalina Island is close enough to touch; the island view is spectacular! During the winter, the bluff at Point Vicente is a favorite spot to watch the grey whales migrating between Mexico and Alaska.
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Abalone Cove Shoreline Park, Rancho Palos Verdes
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Another lovely piece of open shoreline is located at Abalone Cove Shoreline Park. This is a federal ecological reserve which is located on Palos Verdes Drive South. If you are lucky, Annie’s flower and vegetable stand will be open. Annie’s Stand is a Palos Verdes tradition dating back to the 1930’s. The same Japanese family has leased and farmed this land for several generations to the delight and appreciation of Peninsula residents.
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Wayfarers Chapel, Rancho Palos Verdes
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Shortly thereafter, begins the Portuguese Bend area, which is the site of active land movement. In 1956, more than 100 homes were destroyed by the landslide and today there is a land conservancy which has preserved the open hillside. Located in the Portuguese Bend area is the world famous Wayfarers Chapel which was designed by Lloyd Wright. This “glass” church is the location of choice for many celebrity weddings.
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Marymount College, Rancho Palos Verdes
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Palos Verdes Drive South continues up a steep and winding road to become Palos Verdes Drive East. At the top of the hill, is located Marymount College. Marymount is a private 2 year college with an international reputation and enrollment. It is also home to some of the smartest preschoolers and kindergarten students on the Peninsula.
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Palos Verdes Drive East, Rancho Palos Verdes
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Palos Verdes Drive East, commonly shortened to PVD East is a winding scenic drive through historical and charming Miraleste and small horse properties. It offers unbelievable views of the San Pedro and LA Harbors as well as the Vincent Thomas Bridge. If you are lucky, you will see the arrival or departure of a super tanker or cruise ship. PVD East ends at the bottom of the hill at an intersection that boasts a reservoir, a riding ring and a golf course.
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Palos Verdes Drive North, Rolling Hills Estates
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Starting at the base of the Hill a favorite nickname for Rolling Hills Estates is Palos Verdes Drive North. PVDrive North runs between two cities which are difficult to tell apart. In addition to having almost identical names, Rolling Hills and Rolling Hills Estates – both cities are equestrian communities with many miles of beautiful horse and hiking trails. At the intersection of Rolling Hills Road you will see the main gate for the gated city of Rolling Hills. It is one of only six incorporated cities in the United States that is totally gated.
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If you are disappointed because you can’t tour the private city of Rollin Hills, stop across the street at the Rolling Hills General Store. This is a historical landmark on the national registry. Despite its name, the General Store is located in the city of Rolling Hills Estates. It is home to Kelly's which is a wonderful sandwich shop, an equestrian equipment store and a nursery school.
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South Coast Botanic Garden, Rolling Hills Estates
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Continuing on to the intersection of PVDN and Crenshaw, is the location of Los Angeles County’s South Coast Botanic Garden which is a leading horticultural center. This is also a peaceful and beautiful spot to picnic and view Mother Nature at her best. Palos Verdes Drive North will take you back to the beginning of your Palos Verdes journey in Malaga Cove Plaza.
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Palos Verdes Peninsula Center & Palos Verdes AVENUES, Shopping Mall, Rolling Hills Estates
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However, I recommend a detour to the center and top of the Hill Peninsula Center. Referred to as the heart of the Peninsula, the Center is actually a mile-long commercial and shopping avenue with retail stores, doctor's offices, restaurants, shopping malls, ice skating rink, movie theaters, and the main branch of Palos Verdes Library to mention just a few.
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If you want to drop in and say Hi, continue down Hawthorne Blvd to Rolling Hills Road and look for suite 100, Thomas J. Lieb Accounting Firm and Pamela Lieb, Re/Max Palos Verdes Realty in the Medical Professional Building on the corner.
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After your visit to our office you can continue back up Hawthorne and make a quick right onto Palos Verdes Drive East which will return you Malaga Cove Plaza in Palos Verdes Estates. I hope you enjoyed your visit to the Palos Verdes Peninsula, as much as I have enjoyed sharing it with you. Send me an e-mail, I would love to hear about your Palos Verdes adventure.
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