Palos Verdes Estates is situated on the northwest edge of the beautiful Palos Verdes Peninsula and is recognized internationally as a charming, sophisticated and picturesque community with the Pacific Ocean at its doorstep. The oldest of the Peninsula’s four cities, Palos Verdes Estates was originally part of the Spanish land grant, Rancho San Pedro. The City’s modern history began in 1913, when New York banker Frank Vanderlip purchased 16,000 acres of the peninsula and commissioned the Olmstead Brothers, designers of New York’s Central Park to design a new community. Sweeping roadways with ocean vistas, green hillsides, walking paths, groves of eucalyptus, pepper and coral trees were established and 28% of the land area was permanently protected as open space or parkland. The parklands are maintained in their natural state helping to provide Palos Verdes Estates with a spacious, pastoral openness. The City was incorporated in 1939 and is governed by a City council and the Palos Verdes Homes Association.

Palos Verdes Estates has retained its natural beauty over the years by maintaining strict building and development codes. The non-profit Homes Association, commonly referred to as the “Art Jury”, has long maintained jurisdiction over construction, and a zoning ordinance severely restricts commercial sites to selected areas in the City. There is no industry in Palos Verdes Estates or on the peninsula as a whole.

In Palos Verdes Estates, there are two mini commercial areas located in Malaga Cove and Lunada Bay, confined primarily to banks, restaurants, and real estate offices. The City has remained a residential haven with approximately 5,161 single family homes, 37 single attached homes and 363 multiple residential units, all under the jurisdiction of the Palos Verdes Art Jury which strictly controls development and growth. The Art Jury strictly enforces the C.C. & R’s which were established at the time of the city’s inception in the 1920’s.

Although Palos Verdes Estate is known for its mansions, much of the housing consists of older, well-maintained single-family homes limited to 30% lot coverage. Very few lots are available for residential development and as a result, there is a lot of demolition of older homes as well as remodeling. Many of the homes have spectacular ocean views from the Santa Monica Bay to Catalina to Newport Beach. Moving back from the awesome bluffs above the Pacific, the town rises into gentle, rolling hills. Horse trails meander from the city owned stable and near Malaga Cove, can be found the city owned golf course, tennis club and swim club. The area of the city is about 4.75 square miles and features approximately 850 acres that have been designated as permanent park land; including the bluffs along the coastline. The city’s population has been steadily increasing since the 1970’s and is currently approximately 16000 residents.

The City’s main thoroughfare is Palos Verdes Drive which circumvents the Peninsula and changes direction from West to East and North to South. It meanders along the edge of the peninsula through green, lush hills, lined with Eucalyptus trees and past Hawthorne and Crenshaw Boulevards.

The City is served by the Palos Verdes Unified School District which is known nationwide for its excellent school scores. In recent state tests, all schools scored above the 90th percentile, the highest in the state, and several scored in the 98th percentile.

Palos Verdes Estates has a very low crime rate and is the only City on the Peninsula to have its own police force and jail. The three other cities contract with the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department for police protection. All four Peninsula cities contract with the Los Angeles County Fire Department for fire protection. There are three fire stations located on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

Cultural activities on the Peninsula revolve around the Norris Center for the Performing Arts, the Palos Verdes Symphony and the Palos Verdes Art Association. Each offers numerous events and classes throughout the year. Frequently on the weekends in Malaga Cove Plaza, there are art shows featuring local artists which make for a wonderfully relaxing afternoon of shopping and lunch at a sidewalk cafe.

Palos Verdes Estates has an international reputation for scenic beauty; combined with an old world ambience the City captures the heart of its residents and visitors.