Palos Verdes Source

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?

 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.

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.