Palos Verdes Source

There were 9 homes on the November 24, 2009, Palos Verdes real estate Broker’s Tour.  We currently have 215 active single family homes for sale in Palos Verdes ranging in price from $800,000 in Rancho Palos Verdes to $14,900,000 in Rolling Hills (the low in Eastview is $699,900).  There are 47 townhomes/condos for sale priced between $230,000 and $1,500,000. My favorites were:

Gary Myer’s, (Remax Palos Verdes Realty) 23 Hillcrest Manor, Rolling Hills Estates 90274 (above left), is a 4 bedroom, 5 bath, 4,124 square foot home for $2,295,000.  This Hillcrest Manor home has a resort-like backyard with pool/spa, gourmet kitchen and separate office.  Mary Thomas’s (Remax Palos Verdes Realty) 900 Via Nogales, Palos Verdes Estates 90274 (above right), is a 4 bedroom, 3 bath, 2,205 square foot home for $1,599,000.  This remodeled Monte Malaga home has ocean/coastline/city views, separate den and pool/spa.

Jerry Tainer’s (Northwest Realty) 208 Via Pacheco, Palos Verdes Estates 90274 (above) is a 4 bedroom, 3 bath, 1,901 square foot home for $1,395,000.  This remodeled Lower Lunada Bay home features a gorgeous new kitchen and outdoor entertaining area and is just a short walk to the bluffs.

Photos courtesy of MRMLS

Palos Verdes Estates does not have residential street lights.  Tennis courts and pool areas are also restricted.  According to Sue Van Every, Palos Verdes Estates Homeowners Association Manager, in a recent article in the Peninsula News “there is a city ordinance, as well as the Art Jury (which) has not allowed any (lights))…because of the surrounding neighbors…”  Of course, that means no night games at Palos Verdes High School.

The same is true for Peninsula High School which is in Rolling Hills Estates.  However, there have been a few exceptions over the years.  According to Doug Prichard, City Manager of Rolling Hills Estates, in a recent Peninsula News article, “The standing policy of the school has been that they do not want to disrupt the neighborhoods in the quiet evenings with night games, they’ve never had lights go up there.  Every few years, we’ll get the booster club interested in having a night game or two during the season – particularly homecoming games – and they’ve done that in the past with temporary lights on sort of a one-off basis.”

There are street lights in Rolling Hills Estates and Rancho Palos Verdes which makes navigating unfamiliar areas at night easier.  As a resident of Palos Verdes Estates, I do enjoy not having streetlights.  You can really see the stars at night!

The upcoming holiday season will offer several events to be enjoyed by owners of Palos Verdes real estate. This year there are 4 beautifully decorated homes featured in the 53rd Yule Parlor Parade sponsored by The Neighborhood Church (benefiting South Bay charities) to be held on December 4th and 5th from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with a Christmas Tea served at the Neighborhood Church from noon 4:00 p.m.  Call 310-378-9353 for more information.  The Neighborhood Church Christmas Pageant will be held on Sunday, December 13 at 5:30 and 7:30.

The 2009 Holiday Festival presented by Las Amigas at Torrance Memorial Medical Center ( south parking lot) features beautifully decorated holiday trees.  The schedule is Dec.2 from 5 pm to 9 pm, Dec. 3 from 4 pm to 9 pm, Dec. 5 from 10 am to 9 pm and Dec 6 from 10 am to 4 pm.

The 2009 Rolling Hills Holiday Parade of Lights which is sponsored by the City of Rolling Hills Estates, will be held Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 6:00 p.m.  There will be marching bands, drill teams, equestrian entries, floats, etc.  The parade will take place on Silver Spur Drive.

The Promenade on the Peninsula will have several  2009 holiday events beginning with the Annual Tree Lighting Event on November 21, 2009 at 6:00 pm.  Pictures With Santa will be held November 28 and December 19 from 1 to 4 pm.  Breakfast With Santa will be held December 12 from 8:30 to 10 am (tickets available at Ruby’s Diner).

Photo courtesy of Promenade on the Peninsula

The 22nd Annual Palos Verdes Street Fair and Music Festival will take place Saturday, June 6 (10 am to 10 pm) and Sunday, June 7 (10 am to 9 pm). The theme this year is “Taking the Greener Path”.

The Palos Verdes Street Fair will feature 2 days of events and live music, jazz festival, nearly 200 street vendors, eco-friendly goods, “Living Green” Demonstrations, Carnival & Kiddie Rides, Pony Rides & Petting Zoo, International Food Court, Student Art Walk and Top Dogs dog show. This year the Carnival Rides will also be open on Friday, June 5 from 6 pm to 10 pm.

The Fair is located on Crossfield Drive in Rolling Hills Estates between the Promenade on the Peninsula and Peninsula Shopping Center. There is free parking at the Promenade parking structure (enter on Indian Peak Road). Click here for a map and parking information. My suggestion is to get there between 10 and 11 because the parking is easier and it’s a bit cooler before the mid day sun.

Photo courtesy of Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber of Commerce

Palos Verdes Peninsula has a total of 67,162 residents as of 2008. The city of Rancho Palos Verdes has the largest population at 42,964. The city of Palos Verdes Estates has 14,046 residents. Rolling Hills Estates has 8,185 residents. Rolling Hills has 1,967 residents.

The Palos Verdes Peninsula measures 26.3 square miles. Palos Verdes is the oldest city (incorporated in 1939) and located on 3,038 acres. Rancho Palos Verdes is the youngest city (incorporated in 1973) and the largest city located on 13.6 square miles. Rolling Hills Estates encompasses 4.18 square miles and was incorporated in 1957. Rolling Hills also incorporated in 1957 and covers 3 square miles. Additionally, there are about 500 homes in Academy Hills and Westfield which are two unincorporated areas governed by the County of Los Angeles and are located off Palos Verdes Drive North.

Palos Verdes is known for its outstanding public schools and there are over 12,000 students enrolled in kindergarten through 12th grade. On the California statewide level, the Palos Verdes Peninsula district is in the top 1 to 5% in achievement. There are also several excellent private schools on the Peninsula – Chadwick, Rolling Hills Country Day, Rolling Hills Preparatory, Peninsula Montessori and Peninsula Heritage.

The Silver Spur area (also known as Grandview) is located in Rancho Palos Verdes. The best thing about this neighborhood is its close proximaty to schools and shopping. It is home to 3 award winning schools — Palos Verdes Peninsula High School, Silver Spur Elementary and Cornerstone Elementary. Peninsula Shopping Center and The Promenade are at it’s southern border.

The Silver Spur neighborhood is about 1 mile by .75 miles. Grandview Park is located here. This area of single family homes built in the 1950s and 60s average in size between 1,300 and 4,900 square feet. There are currently 16 single family homes for sale ranging in price from $845,000 (1,612 square feet) to $1,295,000 (2,700 square feet).

I recently visited the new 55 and over community of Rolling Hills Villas located in Rolling Hills Estates on Deep Valley Drive. This is a welcome addition to Palos Verdes real estate. It is conveniently located within walking distance to the Promenade, Bristol Farms, medical buildings, the post office, library and many other shops in the area. The condominium units are beautiful with granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, fireplaces, balconies and interior laundry areas with a washer/dryer.

Rolling Hills Villas have 7 different floor plans – one, two, and two plus den models ranging in price from $419,900 to $929,900. All are on one level. Nine of the 41 units have been sold. Homeowner Association dues are approximately $200 per month. The complex is within a secure building, has a gated garage, a rooftop deck with barbecue grill, a walking trail and sitting areas.

This complex is perfectly located in the center of the Peninsula. Rolling Hills Villas will be great for those homeowners wishing to downsize or for parents wishing to move closer to their families that live on the Peninsula. Models are open daily from 11:00 to 5:00. Floor plans can be accessed by clicking on the links above. For more information, call RH Villas at 310-377-6200.

The 21st Annual Palos Verdes Street Fair and Music Festival takes place this weekend. The theme this year is “Going Green” and will feature “Green Street” with exhibitors giving away free energy-efficient light bulbs, eco-friendly shopping bags and lots of free merchandise. There will also be demonstrations and seminars.

Palos Verdes Street Fair will also feature over 150 street vendors, a Student Art Walk, Top Dogs dog show, Pony Rides and Petting Zoo, Carnival & Kiddie Rides, Jazz Festival, International Food Court and Two Days of Events and Live Music. Admission to the Fair is free. Hours are Saturday, May 31, from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm and Sunday, June 1 from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm. The Fair is located on Crossfield Drive in Rolling Hills Estates between the Promenade and Peninsula Shopping Center. There is free parking at the Promenade parking structure (enter on Indian Peak Road).

And stop by the Chamber of Commerce booth where you can pick up a free Peninsula Privileges card for discounts from local merchants. This new program currently has 44 local businesses participating (listed on the Chamber website). What a good way to support our local Palos Verdes businesses and save some money, too!

Photo courtesy of PV Street Fair

Rolling Hills Estates is the 3rd largest city on the Peninsula both in size (4.18 miles) and population (7,676) according the the Residence Handbook. Their are 30 neighborhood areas within the community, each with its own special character. Overall, the city has tried to maintain it’s rural residential atmosphere and many lots are 1/2 acre or more and many are zoned equestrian. The city has 178 acres of parks (photo above of Highridge Park) , 25 miles of city equestrian trails, 10 miles of city bike paths, its own tennis club and stables.

Real estate prices in Rolling Hills Estates for single family residences currently range from $999,000 (for a 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1,994 square feet home) to $2,475,000 (for a 4 bedroom, 4 bath, 3,286 square foot home) with 30 active listings. The least expensive condo/townhome of the 19 active listings is $269,000 (for a 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 659 square foot condo).

Rolling Hills Estates is also the commercial center of the Peninsula with The Promenade (see my March 2, 2008 post), the BrickWalk, Peninsula Shopping Center (with a weekly Sunday Farmers’ Market – 2nd photo above). The Norris Theatre stages many local community and touring shows. The main Palos Verdes Peninsula Library and Post Office can also be found in this commercial district. The South Coast Botanic Gardens (see my March 13, 2008 post) is located on Crenshaw Blvd and is operated by Los Angeles County. Rolling Hills Country Club and The Jack Kramer Club are both private clubs located in Rolling Hills Estates.

The City of Rolling Hills offers many special events, for example Mayor’s Breakfast Ride in May, the Tracy Austin Doubles Tournament in July, The Hills Are Alive 10K/5K Run in August, and the Peninsula Holiday Parade in December.

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?