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).
