Palos Verdes Source

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?