Palos Verdes Peninsula is actually composed of 4 different cities – Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills and Rolling Hills Estates (and 2 Los Angeles County areas known as Westfield and Academy Hills). They are all part of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District.
This is the first of 5 posts which will describe the unique qualities of each of the cities from weather to real estate to shopping. The main road that surrounds the Peninsula (in a loose circle) is called Palos Verdes Drive North, South, East and West. Pretty original, huh?
First some history – Several years ago, I was certified as a Palos Verdes Specialist and during the classes I learned that the Peninsula was pushed up out of the sea (much like an island) and the ocean waves eroded the land forming terraces. I am told that from the air, one can still see some of those terraces.
In 1913, the entire Peninsula was purchased for development for $1,500,000 by a group headed by Frank Vanderlip, Sr. After the stock market crash in 1929, portions of the property were sold off. 1,000 acres were set aside and offered for free for a California University but Westwood was chosen instead (UCLA). Can you imagine how different Palos Verdes Peninsula would be if the university was built here?
