Palos Verdes Source

What are the names of the Bays and Coves in Palos Verdes?  That questions was asked of me a couple of weeks ago.  And as a 30 plus year resident, I could not name them all.  How lucky are we here on the Palos Verdes Peninsula that we have so many that we can’t count or name them all!  Our coastline is truly magnificent!

Matt Waters at Rancho Palos Verdes Parks and Recreation Department did some research for me and came up with the map below taken from Don Gales book, “Wildflowers, weeds…”   I realize it may be challenging to read so I am listing the Coves and Bays starting from RAT (Right At Torrance) beach which is the northern border of the Palos Verdes coastline (and the Points are in parenthesis).

In Palos Verdes Estates there is Malaga Cove, Bluff Cove, (Rocky Point) Lunada Bay (Resort Point) and Christmas Tree Cove (which is shared with Rancho Palos Verdes).  The shoreline begins in Rancho Palos Verdes with Christmas Tree Cove and continues with Golden Cove, (Point Vicente) Fisherman’s Cove (Long Point), Abalone Cove - photo above, (Portuguese Point) Smuggler’s Cove/Sacred Cove (Inspiration Point) and Portuguese Bend Cove (Halfway Point).

Recently, there have been Blue Whale sightings only two miles off the Palos Verdes Peninsula coast near Point Vicente.  The Peninsula News reported that the whales are here to eat the abundant krill that are attracted to the nutrients near the continental shelf off our coast.  The blue whale is the largest mammal on earth (as long as 3 school buses) and can weigh up to 336,000 pounds.  They are an endangered species with approximately 2,000 living in the Pacific Ocean (the largest grouping) and hundreds more in the Antartic and Atlantic Ocean.

Dudley Wigdahl, Curator of Mammals at the Aquarium of the Pacific said the blue whales will be swimming up and down the coast for the next 3 to 6 months before they migrate south for the winter.  To see the blue whales, Captain Dan Salas of Harbor Breeze Cruises has special blue whale excursions (562-432-4900) .  Tom Underhill, photographer for Peninsula News has posted more photos of the blue whale which can be accessed by clicking here.

Above photo courtesy of Tom Underhill, Peninsula News 

Recently I enjoyed “High Tea” at Trump National, one of the few locations in the Palos Verdes/South Bay area to offer this tradition.  It felt like a mini vacation — relaxing, pampering and beautiful scenery.  One can make reservations (at least three days in advance 310-303-3260) for high tea Monday through Saturday from 11:00 to 3:00.  I have had the traditional tea sandwiches and the vegetarian (my favorite but must be ordered ahead of time). 

After tea, we took a walk on the public trails at the bluff with fabulous views of the ocean.  You can also walk down a path to the beach and walk along the shoreline.  Tip: We brought our walking shoes and hats in a festive bag which we placed under the table during our tea. 

Currently there are 5 luxury homes for sale at The Estates at Trump National between $3,900,000 (for a 5 bedroom, 6.5 bath, 5,670 square foot home) and $5,900,000 (for a 5 bedroom, 6 bath, 6,945 square foot home).

Rancho Palos Verdes was the last city on the Peninsula to incorporate in 1973.  The city has 7.5 miles of coastline and 12.3 square miles of land.  Rancho Palos Verdes is the largest city on the Peninsula.  According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the estimated population in the year 2003 was 42,265. 

Current real estate prices for single family residences are between $619,000 (for a 2 bedroom, 1 bath, 853 square foot home) and $6,890,000 (for a 5 bedroom, 8 bath, 7,220 square foot home) with 127 active listings.  The least expensive townhome of the 35 active listings is $299,900 (for a studio, 1 bath, 431 square foot townhome).  Rancho Palos Verdes has properties that are zoned equestrian.

Rancho Palos Verdes has several landmarks and points of interest such as the Wayfarers Chapel (also known as the Glass Church), Point Vicente Lighthouse - top photo -(operated by the Coast Guard with tours the 2nd Saturday of each month, 310-541-0334), Palos Verdes Art Center, Marymount College (private 2-year college), Trump National Golf Course, the new Terranea Resort which is currently under construction scheduled to open Summer 2009 (see my At Last! We Have Our Very Own post dated 3-9-08), Los Verdes Golf Course (a public course), Whale Watching (December thru April)  and “Whale of A Day” at Point Vicente Interpretive Center, Abalone Cove Beach and Shoreline Park (with extensive hiking trails),   - photo above -  and the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve (1200 acres purchased by the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy).  One of the most renowned landslides in the country can be found in the Portuguese Bend and Abalone Cove area (click here for current evaluation from the city).

Rancho Palos Verdes has shopping/commerce centers at Golden Cove, Crest/Hawthorne, Miraleste Plaza and along Western Avenue in the Eastview area.  Every Fourth of July an all-day celebration is held at the Point Vicente Park/Civic Center.  Shakespeare by the Sea is performed at Hesse Park (click here for 2008 Summer schedule for entire South Bay).

Palos Verdes Estates was the first city on the Peninsula to incorporate in 1939.  The city has  4.5 miles of coastline.  Twenty-eight percent of city land is permanently deeded as parkland and maintained as dedicated open space.  According to Palos Verdes Estates Resident Handbook, the population in the year 2000 was approximately 13,572.

Most homes are custom built and one can only find multiple housing in the Malaga Cove and Lunada Bay areas. Palos Verdes Estates has a Homeowner’s Association (known as the Art Jury) which approves the architectural and design aspects of each home even the color of paint (see my Palos Verdes Art Jury Disclosure post dated 1-6-08).  There are no street lights (better for stargazing), traffic lights (stop signs only) and minimal amount of sidewalks.

Current real estate prices for single family residences are between $1,099,000 (for a 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1,962 square foot home) and $12,990,000 (for a 7 bedroom, 8.5 bath, 18,227 square foot home) with 56 active listings.  The least expensive townhome of the 4 active listings is $599,000 (for a 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 1,258 square foot townhome).  

Palos Verdes Estates has 2 shopping/commerce areas each with a market, restaurants and shops - one in Malaga Cove (photo above) and one in Lunada Bay.  The Library, Palos Verdes Police Department, Fire Department and City Offices are located in Malaga Cove.   Palos Verdes Golf Club (top photo), Palos Verdes Beach & Athletic Club (310-375-8777), Palos Verdes Stables (310-375-9322),  Palos Verdes Tennis Club, and La Venta Inn (events only) are located within the 4.75 square miles that makes up Palos Verdes Estates.  

Every Fourth of July an all-day celebration is held at the former Malaga Cove Intermediate School.  Concerts in the Park are held every Wednesday in July and August in the park next to Malaga Cove Library.

 The Cherry Blossoms are blooming at South Coast Botanic Garden.  It is so magical to see the blossoms “rain” down onto the ground.  This is the perfect time for a visit as the cherry, plum and peach trees are in full bloom.

South Coast Botanic Garden is one of Palos Verdes’ best-kept secrets.  It is never crowded.  One is free to amble for hours through 87 acres of beautiful settings.  There is plenty of parking in their large paved lot. 

And here’s a tip - Get the family membership for $50 a year.  Not only can you visit this Garden but also nine other gardens in Southern California.

Summer of 2009, Palos Verdes Peninsula will have its first hotel and a luxury hotel no less.  Terranea Resort will have 400 rooms, a spa/fitness center (25,000 square feet), three restauants, three swimming pools, a 9-hole golf course,  meeting rooms (63,000 square feet), a wedding venue, an ampitheater, a sand beach, and a bluff-top trail connecting to miles of on and off resort trails.   Terranea is being built on 102 acres on the Pacific Ocean where Marineland once stood.

This is big news for the Peninsula where our visitors are currently asked to stay in nearby Torrance or Redondo Beach.  Plus - new restaurants are always something we look forward to.  There are also 82 Villas/Casitas for sale (32 remaining) on the property.

I am looking forward to walking along the new bluff trails, dining at new restuarants, attending functions at the new resort and perhaps a weekend getaway stay.  I am hoping Terranea will offer afternoon high tea for those of us who enjoy that tradition. 

Palos Verdes Peninsula won’t be a secret anymore.  With its Mediterranean beauty and feel, some travelers may decide to experience our area rather than going all the way to Europe.

After a public vote - winning with 50% of the vote - the new name for The Avenue (of the Peninsula), our shopping center, is Promenade (on the Peninsula).

Why was the name changed? At a recent meeting, Elizabeth Griggs, General Manager of Stoltz Management Company, the new owners of the shopping center, explained the prior owner had branded “The Avenues” at all their national locations. Part of the Stoltz agreement to purchase the center required a name change within two years.

Ms. Griggs also laid out their plans for the Promenade.

• The flow from the parking lot will be enhanced to make it easier to reach all levels of the center.
• There will be new greenery/screening to soften the “edges” of the structure.
• The corners at Crossfield and Drybanks will be reworked with possible store access from the streets and maybe a new cafe.
• Stroller/wheelchair access will be increased to upper levels.
• A permanent stage area may be built on the east side of the fountains.
• More comfortable seating areas will be added.
• A community room on the second floor near Borders may be used for community meetings.
• The third floor will have professional services like doctors, dentists, etc.
• Stoltz is proposing residential units to be built above the strip of stores near the parking lot.

Stoltz Management is hoping to attract more business to the center with these changes. Let’s assure its success by shopping, dining, ice skating, going to the movies etc. at our own center, the Promenade.