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. The estimated population in the year 2021 was 41,295. 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 – (operated by the Coast Guard with tours the 2nd Saturday of each month, 310-541-0334), Palos Verdes Art Center, Trump National Golf Course, Terranea Resort, 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),  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 which is why portions of Palos Verdes Drive South are repaved.

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.