2011 Palos Verdes homes sales for the Palos Verdes Drive South neighborhood of Rancho Palos Verdes increased to 32 single family homes sold in 2011 from 21 sold in 2010.  Price per square foot for Palos Verdes Drive South houses that sold in 2011 increased to $482 compared to $462 in 2010. Average sales price for Palos Verdes Drive South homes sold in 2011 was $1,401,766 compared to $1,329,190  – a 5% increase.

Currently as of 5/06/2012, Palos Verdes Drive South has 35 active Palos Verdes homes for sale.  They range from 17 condo/town homes priced from $489,000 for a 2 bedroom, 2 bath, 1,433 square foot unit, to $2,696,000 for a 3 bedroom, four bath, 2,808 square foot unit.  There are 19 single family homes ranging from $$825,000 for a  3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1,500 square foot home, to $10,000,000 for a six bedroom, 8 bath, 7,669 square foot home.

For background and history on Palos Verdes Drive South Multiple Listing Service #169, please click here to read my prior article on this neighborhood.

To view current Palos Verdes real estate statistics for the entire Peninsula click here or on the Statistics tab above.

Photo courtesy of Terranea Resort

2011 Palos Verdes homes sales for the Palos Verdes Drive East neighborhood increased to 58 homes sold compared to 36 in 2010 – a 61% increase.  Price per square foot for Palos Verdes Drive East houses that sold in 2011 was $385 compared to $394 in 2010.  However, average sales price for Palos Verdes Drive East homes sold in 2011 was $1,082,247 compared to $1,056,658 – a slight increase.

Currently, Palos Verdes Drive East has 19 active Palos Verdes homes for sale.  They range from $280,000 for a 0 bedroom, 1 bath, 663 square foot building on a 1,312 square foot lot (originally built as a commercial office which now is on a residential zoned lot) to $4,295,000 for a 6 bedroom, 9 bath, 10,000 square foot home on a 43,902 square foot lot.

For background and history on Palos Verdes Drive East Multiple Listing Area 167, please click here to read my prior article on this neighborhood.

To view current Palos Verdes real estate statistics for the entire Peninsula, click here or on the Statistics tab above.

Photo above is night view of Harbor which can be seen from many properties in this neighborhood

One of the wonderful opportunities that Palos Verdes homes owners have is to enjoy the beautiful Terranea Resort right here on our peninsula.  This fantastic site not only offers exquisite views and a great destination hotel, but offers local residents a chance to experience wonderful restaurants and other amenities.

What would be better than to join them for Easter Brunch on April 8, 2012?  In addition to offering a fabulous  brunch, Terranea will have a wonderland egg hunt – twice that day for diners to enjoy after their meals. The seating times are as follows:  10:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m (12:00 egg hunt); then 1:00 p.m. & 1:30 p.m. (3:00 egg hunt).  They also have a petting zoo, family activity station where you can paint eggs, make cards, etc.  However, these are complimentary for the Brunch and Resort guests, and not open to the public.

The cost for brunch is:  adults $85 (includes sparkling wine), children 5-10 $40, and children 1 to 4 are free. These Easter activities will fill up quickly, so it is recommended you make reservations as soon as possible.  You can visit www.Terranea.com, or call (310) 265-2836.

Terranea Resort is located at 6610 Palos Verdes Drive South, Rancho Palos Verdes 90275.

Photo courtesy of Arvin Design

Join the Docents of the Los Serenos de Point Vicente on Saturday, March 24, 2012, at 10:00 a.m, for a free public hike at Forrestal Nature Reserve.  The docents will lead you on this moderate hike of about two hours and will teach you about the local geology.  You will be enjoying the preserve’s hiking trails which offer beautiful views, majestic canyons, and magnificent foliage.  You might also see red-tailed hawks, wild rabbits, and threatened plants and animals such as a coastal sage scrub, the cactus wren or the California Gnatcher.  This sometimes overlooked preserve is on the south side of the Palos Verdes Peninsula located just off Palos Verdes Drive South.  Parking is at Ladera Linda which is the former elementary school site.  The Ladera Linda Discovery Room is located there also, with its extensive collection of samples of the area’s geology and wildlife.  It has been staffed since 1982 and is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 -5:00 p.m.

Forrestal Nature Reserve is located at 32201 Forrestal Drive, Rancho Palos Verdes.  For more information call (310) 377-5370, or go to www.losserenos.org .  

Photo courtesy of Forrestal Nature Reserve

Palos Verdes real estate area #177 is known as Eastview/RPV, and is located in the city of Rancho Palos Verdes.  Multiple listing service area 177 has an irregular shape and is an annexed community (from San Pedro) located West of Western Avenue from Summerland north almost to Palos Verdes Drive North, and a strip east of Western Avenue between Toscanini and Caddington Drive.

The Eastview area includes many single family developments, and also some large condominium and townhome complexes.  Also incorporated in this area is a short strip of land near Palos Verdes Drive North which was previously used for military housing.

This area is home to three schools.  Residents in this area have the choice of enrollment in the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District or the Los Angeles school system.  Christ Lutheran Church & School is located at 28850 S. Western Avenue and offers preschool through 8th grade classes.  Dodson Middle School (Los Angeles City School District) is located at 28014 Montereina Drive, and Crestwood Street Elementary School (Los Angeles City School District) is located at 19461 Crestwood Street.

This area contains not only residential areas but also quite a few commercial centers.  Some of the larger centers are the Terraces (Regal Cinemas, Trader Joe’s, Marshalls), Park Plaza (Sprouts, Petco, Ross, Payless) and Westmont Plaza (Smart & Final, Albertsons).

Eastview Park (photo above) is located in this area and is maintained by the City of Rancho Palos Verdes.  The park sits on 9.9 acres and includes a children’s playground, jogging path and large picnic area.

Currently there are 9 condo/town homes in this area.  They range from $239,000 for a 2bedroom/2bath, 1,207 square foot unit, to $399,000 for a 3bedroom/3 bath, 1,436 square foot unit. There are 9 single family Palos Verdes homes in this area for sale.  They range from $497,000 for a 3bedroom/2bath, 1,409 square foot single family residence, to $769,000 for a 5bedroom/2bath, 2,301 square foot single family residence.

Photo courtesy of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes

The City of  Rancho Palos Verdes is offering a Junior Ranger Program for children from 7 to 12 years of age to learn about the Palos Verdes Peninsula.  The program will teach them about our local trails, the wildlife and outdoor preparedness to enable them to have basic trail etiquette, and safety practices here on the Peninsula.

The program will start with an introduction class on Saturday, January 28, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., at the Ladera Linda Community Center, located at 32201 Forrestal Drive, Rancho Palos Verdes 90275.  They will be able to view the documentary “The Thin Green Line” which will give the children an informational training on the “leave no trace” principles.  The program will have five sessions through June 23rd.  Upon completion of the program the children will be recognized at a graduation ceremony.  This program is free for all participants.

It is recommended one register for the program as soon as possible.  Call the recreation services manager at (310) 544-5264.

Photo courtesy of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes

Do you know where Miltenburger Park is located?  I had never heard of it and when I went searching to take this photo, I realized I had driven by it many times without realizing it.  It is located on the upper hillside of Palos Verdes Drive East, across the street from the Miraleste Auto Center (at Miraleste Plaza) in Rancho Palos Verdes.

Years ago, Val E. Miltenburger helped form the Miraleste Park District and served on its board until 1943.  The board so appreciated his efforts, the Miraleste Park District created and named a park in his honor.  When the park was originally dedicated the area had a watering system and was beautifully landscaped with annual native flowers.  After years of inattention, it is one of the areas on the Peninsula that is targeted for restoration when funds become available.

What would be better than bringing home a new pet as a Christmas gift?  According to children in this area, absolutely nothing.  There are so many animals that are looking for a home for the holidays, and this is your chance to help them find one.

The City of Rancho Palos Verdes is partnering with the Los Angeles Harbor Animal Center to hold a Palos Verdes pet adoption at Hesse Park on Saturday, December 10, 2011, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  This is a great opportunity to see pets in person and to be able to walk, hold or just play with these loving animals.  The animals will be located in the upper picnic area which gives you plenty of visiting space.  Hesse Park is located at 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard, Rancho Palos Verdes 90275.

You can view the animals that are available at the Harbor Shelter by going to www.laanimalservices.com or call (310) 544-5268 for more information.  Cash or checks are accepted for adoption fees.

Photo courtesy of the Rancho Palos Verdes Parks & Recreation

Palos Verdes real estate area #174 is known as Crest, and is located in both the city of Rancho Palos Verdes and Rolling Hills Estates.  Multiple listing Service Area 174 has a very irregular shape and is bordered by Hawthorne Boulevard, then south on Indian Peak to Crenshaw to Crest to Highridge to Armaga Springs into Indian Valley to Hawthorne.

The Crest area includes the single family developments of Seaview, Stonecrest, and Mesa Verde and a large tract of single family Palos Verdes homes near Whitley Collins Drive (which is located near Highridge and Crest Road.  It also includes the Highridge condos, and several gated townhomes – Mira Verde, Ridgegate, Hilltop, and the Terraces.

Ridgecrest Intermediate School is located in this area as well as the Harlyne J. Norris Pavalion which is located across from the Norris Theatre.  This multi-function facility is used for meetings, education, and special events.  The Schaffer Forum which is located inside the premises can seat from 250-300 for receptions and parties.

Currently there are 13 condo/town homes in the Crest area ranging from $334,900 for a 2 bedroom/2 bath, 1,165 square foot unit to $799,000 for a 2 bedroom/2 bath, 1,834 square foot condo.  There are 5 single family Palos Verdes homes in this area for sale.  They range from $995,000 for a 3 bedroom/4 bath, 3,017 square foot single family residence to$1,295,000 for a 3 bedroom/4 bath, 3,064 square foot single family residence.

Photo courtesy of the Norris Theatre

Palos Verdes real estate area #173 is known as Los Verdes and is located in the city of Rancho Palos Verdes. Multiple listing Service Area 173 is mostly composed of track homes on the west side of Hawthorne Blvd, and is bordered by Palos Verdes Estates to the north and west and Hesse Park to the south.

This MLS area is home to Vista Grande Elementary School, and Hesse Park.  Hesse Park is one of the favorite parks on the Peninsula.  It houses a large community center which is used for not only the Senior Citizen lecture series, and summer concerts in the park, but is also the registration and game site and for many of our local sports teams.  This facility has multiple rooms that are available for public use. This park is well manicured with the upper level home to baseball and soccer fields, and a large picnic area with barbecues. It has a large playground area that has not only great equipment for older children, but also a great facility for toddlers.  On the lower level there is a sand volleyball court and also more picnic areas.  The park has great walking paths.  As you stroll along, you can take in the ocean and Catalina views.

Currently there are 13 single family homes for sale in this area.  They range from $695,000 for a 4 bedroom/2 bath, 1,834 square foot home, to $1,449,000 for a 5 bedroom/4 bath, 2,788 square foot single family residence.

Photo courtesy of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes