Palos Verdes Source

Not only were owners of Palos Verdes real estate eagerly awaiting the opening of our first hotel, Terranea, which is a world class resort, but most area residents were curious about the building on the old Marineland site which I chronicled on this blog.  Over a year has passed since the grand opening and I have only had fabulous experiences at Terranea.

As a guest at a Terrenea casitas looking out at the ocean, bays and coves, I could imagine myself in Hawaii, Italy or the south of France – no need to get on an airplane.  As a matter of fact, a friend with 4 preschoolers decided not to get on a plane with the little ones and changed her plans from Hawaii to Terranea.  The accommodations at Terranea were deluxe and the stay relaxing.

I have dined at 4 of the 7 Terranea Restuarants.  Dinners at Mar’sel have been fabulous.  The food is delicious and the view is unbeatable.  I love their beet salad!  Lunches at Catalina Kitchen have also be delicious and I love their chocolate cake and the outdoor seating – it’s all about the views.  I had one lunch at Terranea Grill which was just okay – I am not moved to return.  I have also enjoyed the Sea Bean for salad, sandwiches, gelato and desserts.  I am still waiting for Terranea to offer high tea service in the afternoons.

I have not yet enjoyed the Spa but plan to do so this Fall.  Non-Resort Guests can use the Spa facilities including the pool on Monday – Thursday for a $40 fee.  On weekends non-resort guests can access the Spa area with the purchase of a spa treatment (click here for more info).   I am eyeing their “Recover From Summer Spa Sampler” which includes two treatments (choose from 30 minute facial, 30 minute massage and/or 45 minute spa pedicure) for $150 Monday thru Thursday until October 15, 2010.

I have both given and received Terranea Gift Cards which can be used for food, hotel stays, spa treatments, golf, and merchandise.  It really is the perfect gift.  There are public walking trails along the bluff and down to the beach.  There is also public parking just to the left as you enter the resort property.  During my many visits, it appears that everyone is welcomed at the property.  The staff is very gracious whether you are coming to dine or to walk along the bluff.

Photos courtesy of Terranea Resort and Arvin Design

My new lease listing at 4112 Palos Verdes Drive South, Rancho Palos Verdes 90275 is a fabulous opportunity to experience resort living at Portuguese Bend Club with access to a private beach.  This 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 2,122 square foot home is for lease at $4,200 per month.  Sit inside or outside on your deck and watch the sunset.  Lounge by your own solar heated pool. 

This bright home has abundant skylights.  The open floor plan includes a nearly 20′ x 30′ living room with built-in desk area behind louvered doors.  The living room and family room both have fireplaces.  The kitchen has a glassed-in eating area with wide open 180 degree ocean views.  You can walk to Trump Golf Course, restaurants and trails.  A separate laundry room/bath is conveniently located off pool area.  You and your guests will enjoy views of Catalina, Trump Golf Course and Terrenea Resort.  Tenant may purchase membership to Portuguese Bend Beach Club with its own private beach, barbecue area, etc.

We have been patiently and excitedly waiting for our new Trader Joe’s in Palos Verdes.  It was to be open in early 2010.  This feels like early 2010.  And yet, when I drive by it doesn’t look ready.  Last month, I called Trader Joe’s headquarters and was told to keep checking their website under “Store Locations”.  It now has the store listed with hours (9 to 9) and a phone number (310-541-1727) so the opening looks closer than last month.

I also checked the Rancho Palos Verdes city website and there was not any new information for the Trader Joe’s opening other than “open in early 2010″.  There was an opportunity to join a “Listserve” to receive new information about Trader Joe’s and, of course, I signed up.

Currently, there is work being done in the parking lot and it looks like finish work on the exterior of the building.  But still my question remains – When will our new Palos Verdes Trader Joe’s be open?  I am ready!

                         Whale watching is a welcomed event in Palos Verdes and Saturday, March 6, 2010, is our official “Whale Of A Day” at Point Vicente Interpretive Center, 31501 Palos Verdes Drive West, Rancho Palos Verdes from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  In addition to whale watching from the bluff, there were be games, events and “inflatables”.  Admission to Whale Of A Day is free and parking/shuttle service will be available at the Rancho Palos Verdes City Hall on Hawthorne Blvd.

The Point Vicente Lighthouse will also be open for complimentary tours by the Coast Guard.

As of February 22, 2010, 361 whales have been spotted since the beginning of the whale watching season (December).  292 whales were traveling south and 69 were heading north, according to the Peninsula News.  Whale watching season runs through April.

Photo couresy of Tom Underhill Peninsula News 2008

Hiking in Palos Verdes takes you through varied terrain usually with spectacular ocean views. There are 4 different trails which can be accessed from Del Cerro Park.  All four trails are part of the Canyons Ecological Reserve and vary in length from 2 to 4 miles.

Rim Trail is 3.9 miles round trip, Ailor Cliff Trail is 3.2 miles round trip, Peacock Flat Trail is 2.1 miles round trip, and Del Cerro To Ladera Linda Trail is 2.9 miles one way.  All trails begin on the dirt Crenshaw.  Hikers are advised to bring water.  Some trails in the Portuguese Bend Reserve are closed following the August fire.  Please click here for a map of the open trails.

There were 14 homes on the December 9, 2009, Palos Verdes homes Broker’s Tour.  We currently have 215 active single family homes for sale in Palos Verdes ranging in price from $750,000 in Rancho Palos Verdes to $14,900.000 in Rolling Hills (the low in Eastview is $625,000).  There are 47 townhomes/condos for sale priced between $210,000 and $899,000.  My favorites are all in Rancho Palos Verdes and are:

Heidi Brown and Young OK Lee’s (Keller Williams Associates) 53 Paseo Del La Luz, Rancho Palos Verdes 90275 (above left) is a 5 bedroom, 6 bath, 8,000 square foot home for $4,800,000.  This Oceanfront  estate features panoramic ocean views, a gourmet kitchen w/butler’s pantry, large art studio and salt water pool/spa.  Rachale and Kathy Tyndall’s (Remax Palos Verdes Realty) 6716 Birchman Drive, Rancho Palos Verdes 90275 (above right), is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1,920 square foot home for $968,000.  This well-priced Los Verdes home has been recently remodeled, has ocean views and a peaceful lush garden with a pond.

Al D’Amico’s (Keller Williams Palos Verdes Realty) 16 Nuvola Court, Rancho Palos Verdes 90275 (above left) is a 3 bedroom, 4 bath, 3,956 square foot home for $1,950,000.  This Peninsula Point home has unobstructed ocean/coastline views and custom balustrades on the staircases leading to a magnificent landscaped backyard.  Pearl Kaperl’s (Remax Palos Verdes Realty) 32 Via Capri, Rancho Palos Verdes 90275( above right) is a 3 bedroom, 3 bath, 2,282 square foot townhome for $899,000.  This Villa Capri townhome has a beautiful upgraded kitchen, soaring cathedral ceilings and ocean views.

Photos courtesy of MRMLS

This year there are on-line coupons available for 56 businesses and restaurants in Rolling Hills and Rancho Palos Verdes (click here for the link) as part of the Peninsula Privileges program.  These are available to all not just owners of Palos Verdes real estate.

Participating merchants range from Terrenea Resort to Ice Chalet, Restoration Hardware, Equinox Fitness, Norris Center for the Performing Arts, Chicken Dijon, Mayer’s Bakery, Marmalade Cafe and many more.  This is a great opportunity to support our locale businesses and save money too!

 The Annenberg Foundation has an Environmental Impact Report in progress for its multimillion dollar project at Lower Point Vicente.  Plans have also been submitted to the city of Rancho Palos Verdes for approval and a formal application is anticipated soon.

“The proposal, based on a comprehensive study of the community done in concert with the development of the Coast Vision Plan, includes using architecture, art and exhibits to inform the public about Palos Verdes geology, history, marine ecology, terrestrial animals and habitats…” according to the Rancho Palos Verdes site (which can be accessed by clicking here).  The Center would focus on providing education, science, behavior and care of animals and animal adoption opportunities.  There will be an outdoor reconstructed Tongva Village, an archaeological dig, picnic areas, restroom facilities, and trails.

All this at “Zero cost to the city” according to the Annenberg power point presentation (which can be accessed by clicking here).  The Annenberg Foundation’s budget for this project is $38,000,000 to $42,000,00 and they will also to fund operations.  This will be a project to watch!

Photo courtesy of Annenberg Foundation

Palos Verdes experienced 2 different fires within one week and owners of Palos Verdes real estate were lucky that there was no loss of life or homes. The most recent fire on Thursday (above) was caused by a single car accident on Crenshaw resulting in a fire which quickly spread uphill toward Chadwick School and homes in Academy Hill. There were 2 large scooper planes that filled themselves with ocean water and came back over the fire and dumped their water. They flew overhead on their way back to the ocean and they were so big that the ground vibrated from their passing. Click here for a link to full story in Peninsula News.

The fire last week (above) that begin in the Portuguese Bend area of Rancho Palos Verdes and spread into Rolling Hills was a much bigger fire that burned 230 acres through the night on Thursday, August 27th. Again we were very lucky as there was almost no wind. 4 helicopters and 1 helitanker scooped ocean water to extinguish the fire and 500 area firefighters also helped to extinguish the fire. Two homes on Cinchring and Quail Ridge in Rolling Hills were damaged. The Peninsula News had the full story including the reminder “Where homes were saved, they had (completed) proper (city- and county-mandated) brush clearance and they had fire-resistant vegetation…”

Photos courtesy of Tom Underhill, Peninsula News, and Blake Shoemaker

The Point Vicente neighborhood is located in Rancho Palos Verdes near the intersection of Palos Verdes Drive West and Hawthorne Boulevard. This is a small neighborhood of only a six streets and about a half a mile long. This is one of my favorite neighborhoods because nearly every home has ocean views. As you enter the homes, you are greeted by a full ocean view from the living room and dining room. There are also ocean views from the backyard. Point Vicente Elementary School is located in this neighborhood and a new Trader Joe’s is opening just down the street!

Currently, there are no active homes for sale in the Point Vicente neighborhood. The last two sales were $975,000 for a 4 bedroom, 2 bath, 1,670 square foot home and $1,200,000 for a 4 bedroom, 2 bath, 2,364 square foot home.