Palos Verdes Estates was the first city on the Peninsula to incorporate in 1939. The city has 4.5 miles of coastline. Twenty-eight percent of city land is permanently deeded as parkland and maintained as dedicated open space. The estimated population in the year 2021 was 13,052.

Most homes are custom-built, and one can only find multiple housing in the Malaga Cove and Lunada Bay areas. Palos Verdes Estates has a Homeowner’s Association (known as the Art Jury) which approves the architectural and design aspects of each home, even the exterior color of paint. There are no street lights (better for stargazing), traffic lights (stop signs only), and a minimal amount of sidewalks.