The 'Old Cowboy'

Harry Phillips managed the Phillips Cattle Ranch before the Peninsula was sold to the Vanderlip consortium. The ranch house was located just North of the main gate to Rolling Hills at the current site of the 'Empty Saddle Club'.

Cattle Ranch - The Early Years

Cattle Ranch Near Rolling Hills Gate - The Early Years. The Peninsula was a barren land used for grazing cattle and later for farming vegetables. 'Palos Verdes' means green sticks, named after the growth in the marshy area of the Peninsula foothills.

Frank Vanderlip Sr

Frank Vanderlip Sr - Photo of the cottage oil painting.
Frank Arthur Vanderlip was born in Aurora, Illinois. He was a student at the University of Illinois. On January 12, 1909, he was elected president of the National City Bank. He was responsible for the first school in the United States to adopt the Montessori Method of kindergarten instruction.

Frank Vanderlip Sr. at work

Frank Vanderlip Sr. - Formed the syndicate that bought the 16,000 acre Palos Verdes Peninsula in 1913 for $1,500,000. His New York home was "Beechwood", at Scarborough-on-Hudson.

Frank and Narcissa Vanderlip Sr.

Frank and Narcissa Vanderlip Sr. planned their Portuguese Bend estate (Villa Narcissa) to resemble the 'Villa Papa Julio' in Italy. Importing of marble and other materials began in 1928 but the grand plan was curtailed due to the great depression.

Vanderlip - The Original Cottage.

Frank Vanderlip Sr and his wife Narcissa lived in this cottage which is now the home of  Susan Vanderlip, widow of John Vanderlip, their youngest son. The 'Villetta' next door is the home of Elin Vanderlip, widow of elder son, Kelvin Vanderlip.

Vanderlip Cottage Grounds.

The cottage property has many of the marble columns imported during the 1920s. The cages for the various animals and peacocks the Vanderlips brought in are still located by the old drained duck pond.

Palos Verdes Estates - Malaga Cove

The early years. This was the main entrance to the 'Palos Verdes Project' in Malaga Cove at the Eucalyptus grove next to the city of Torrance at Palos Verdes Boulevard.

Dedication of the First Commercial Building

The Gardner Building, designed by Weber, Staunton and Spalding, was completed in 1925 at a cost of $57,500. Over the years it has housed the 'Palos Verdes Project' office, a post office, school, grocery store, meat market, and a drugstore. It is now a real estate office.

Palos Verdes Estates - Malaga Cove Plaza

The early years. The Gardner building stands at the West end of Malaga Cove Plaza as the first commercial building of the 'Palos Verdes Project'.

Malaga Cove Plaza - The Business Hub

The early years. The Gardner building in Malaga Cove Plaza was the hub of activity and a boarding stop for the bus line. Land was set aside throughout the development to accommodate 'trolley car' service.

Malaga Cove Plaza - The Gardener Building

First Commercial Building as it appears in 2005

The 'Syndicate Building' - Malaga Cove Plaza

Also known as 'Casa del Portal', was notable for the drive through arch over Via Chico. This was a real estate income property ad that ran in 1941.

Palos Verdes Project - Selling Lots

A wide array of ambitious projects were on the table requiring many workers, mules, and equipment. The sales staff had many lots to sell.

Palos Verdes Estates - Building Roads

The early years. Via del Monte ascends toward 'La Venta Inn'. Mule trains were common in construction and road building.

Horse Riding in Malaga Cove - The Early Years.

Horse riding was a popular activity throughout much of Palos Verdes Estates. A large stable area still exists (the 'Palos Verdes Stables') at the east end of Valmonte.

Riding Horses on the Beach -

The Early Years. Horse trails extended from Malaga Cove along the coast and evidently there was less rock on the beach. Horse riding was common throughout the Palos Verdes Project.

'The Douglas Cut' - Bluff Cove

Palos Verdes Drive West joined Malaga Cove and Margate. Sixty tons of TNT was detonated as 20,000 people came to watch. The TNT stone storage bunker was recently removed fto build a new house, but the stones are kept on site.

Completion of 'The Douglas Cut'

Douglas Hill at Bluff Cove. The 420 foot high ridge was cut at the 320 foot level to provide a convenient roadway connecting Malaga Cove and Margate, replacing the old 'zenith' road that snaked up and over the ridge.

Lunada Bay - Developing Palos Verdes Dr West.

This appears to be at the intersection with Avenida Mirola where a major shopping plaza had been planned.

Palos Verdes Estates - Road Rally

The early years.  The crowd gathers in Malaga Cove Plaza to begin the caravan dedicating the opening of the coast road around the Peninsula.

Road Rally on Palos Verdes Dr East

Opening of the Coast Road. Three hundred car caravan leaving Miraleste heading to Palos Verdes Drive South.

Entrance to Rolling Hills - The Early Years.

Rolling Hills was developed by A. E. Hanson, a landscape architect, marketing small (5 to 20 acre) dude ranches. Rolling Hills became a private gated city on January 24, 1957.

Malaga Cove Coast - The Early Years.

The Haggerty estate enjoyed a magnificent coastline panorama of Santa Monica Bay. The estate was purchased by the Neighborhood church for $65,000 in 1950.

The lavish Haggerty Estate in Malaga Cove.

Completed in 1928 and designed by architect Armand Monaco for department store magnate J. J. Haggerty, this colossal 290 foot long Italianate villa featured a pier, boat dock, and miniature golf course.

Haggerty Estate - 'Neighborhood Church'

The Haggerty Estate was purchased by the Neighborhood church in 1950 and is a very popular wedding venue.

Palos Verdes Swimming Club

Malaga Cove. The saltwater pool at the beach next to Torrance was completed in 1930. The Haggerty estate pier can be seen in the backgroung. The pool had also been named in honor of the first mayor, Fred Roessler.

Palos Verdes Swim and Athletic Club

Located in Malaga Cove on the bluff next to the beach. The facility had fallen into disrepair and was completely rebuilt in the original Mediterranean motif, with private membership funds . There is about a 10 year wait list for membership.

La Venta Inn - Malaga Cove

Built in 1923 and designed by Pierpont and Walter Davis, La Venta has a spectacular view of the coastline. This is where lot buyers were taken to close the sale. 'La Venta' means 'The Sale' in Spanish. Later it became a renown restaurant frequented by celebrities, and is now a famous wedding venue.

Neptune Fountain Dedication

Located in Malaga Cove Plaza, it was a gift from the Palos Verdes Project. 'La Fontana del Nettuno' was imported from Italy and became the focal point of the Plaza and a symbol of the city. The original was a 100 year old 2/3 size replica of the Neptune fountain in Bologna, Italy that was imported from a villa outside Venice, Italy. It later crumbled and was replaced in 1969, slightly smaller, and with a fig leaf added to King Neptune.

Malaga Cove 'Neptune Fountain' in 2007

Completed in 1930 the fountain was originally a 2/3 replica of the bronze Neptune fountain in Bologna, Italy. The fountain is currently under 24/7 video surveillance transmitted to the police station.

Malaga Cove Plaza Walk

Buildings maintain a mediterranean motif. The Neptune fountain is  the centerpiece of the Plaza. Lavish parties have been featured in the Plaza and the 'old world' charm has been a lasting theme.

Palos Verdes Estates - Malaga Cove Plaza

The plaza was revitalized with brick walkways and up-lighted tree arbors in the 1990s.

Malaga Cove Plaza Portico -

The Casa del Portal building features a drive through arch over Via Chico.

Malaga Cove - Farnum Martin Park

Located adjacent to the Malaga Cove Library, this park was dedicated in memory of Farnum Martn who was killed in a car crash. Farnum was a landscape architect with the Olmsted Brothers firm. The city closed for the entire day in honor of his service to the city. The magnificent fountains cascade down into a spillway.

Farnum Martin Park Fountain Spillway

The park features free concerts during the summer. Families gather on the lawns in front of the massive fountain to enjoy the music.

Palos Verdes Library in Malaga Cove

The Malaga Cove Library was designed by architect Myron Hunt and completed in 1930. Myron Hunt was also president of the 'Art Jury'

Malaga Cove Library Reading Room

The library is located in Malaga Cove next to Farnum Martin Park. Furniture, carved by local woodworker Meredith Watts, was Renaissance period replicas of the Vanderlip antiques imported from Italy.

Malaga Cove - The First School

The first school built in Palos Verdes was opened April 5, 1926, on a 7 acre site next to the ocean bluff. The school 's opening enrollment was 35 students.

Malaga Cove School -

The first building built on the Peninsula specifically as a school. It was described as having a 'crown'. The auditorium has a middle ages motif and hosted Colonial Balls. The building is in need of an estimated $4 million restoration as of 2007.

Olmsted Home (First Bluff top Home)

The home of Frederick Law Olmsted sustained damage in the 1933 Long Beach earthquake. The ocean side of the terrace overhangs where the bluff fell away. It was the only home designed by Myron Hunt and is located in Malaga Cove. The home is dedicated as an historic site.

Home of Frederick Law Olmsted

Fredrick Law Olmsted walks to his Rosita Place home on the bluff. The Olmsted brothers were selected as landscape architects for the Palos Verdes Project. Their father designed New York Central Park as well as the grounds of Frank Vanderlip's New York Home.

Olmsted Park

Olmsted Park is located in the heart of Malaga Cove Plaza. The Olmsted brothers were contracted as landscape architects for the 'Palos Verdes Project'. Their father was famous for designing New York's Central Park.

The Gazebo

The gazebo overlooking the bay in Malaga Cove has been restored and is dedicated to the first mayor of Palos Verdes Estates, H. F. B. Roessler. He served as mayor for 25 years and had a great influence on city development.

The Palos Verdes Yacht Club

The yacht club was to have an opulent bluff top clubhouse at Bluff Cove. There was to be an elevator to a harbor for 400 craft on 66 water acres, inside of a breakwater. The first regatta was completed in April 1927. It was another victim of the depression era.

The Grand Italianate Plaza

This opulent plaza was planned for Lunada Bay along Avenida Mirola and was to extend from Palos Verdes Drive West to the ocean. The plan featured shops along a 100 foot wide walkway. The great depression ended the plan and the lots were sold as residential.

Lunada Bay Plaza

This view is looking west down Avenida Mirola which was the original planned site for the Lunada Bay Shopping Plaza.

Lunada Bay Plaza Beach Club Plan

The Grand Italianate Plaza once slated for Avenida Mirola included an incline railway down the bluff to beachside bath houses and a breakwater across Lunada Bay.

Valmonte Plaza

A Plaza was once planned for the corner of Valmonte Plaza and Palos Verdes Dr North. Plans were dashed due to the great depression and commercial lots were sold as residential.

Veteran's Park - Malaga Cove

Located across from the Palos Verdes Estates city offices stands a memorial to residents killed in war, and two police detectives slain in the line of duty. The park proudly displays the American Flag, a reflecting pond and commemorative plaques. This was also the original location of Palos Verdes Realty before the park was built.

Palos Verdes Estates - Bluff Cove

This is the view along the coastline from Malaga Cove toward Lunada Bay/Margate. This location was often referred to as 'Little Waikiki' especially among the surfers, due to similarities to Hawaii surfing. The 'Douglas Cut' is the hillside scarp that opened the roadway .

Bluff Cove Overview

Bluff Cove as viewed from New York Hill (aka Douglas Hill)

The Tower House

The Tower Gatehouse, also known as 'Mirlo Gate', is a two story stone habitable structure with 18 inch thick walls and is fifteen feet in diameter. Via Mirlo was an entrance from Torrance and later became an extension of Hawthorne Blvd. Hawthorne Blvd was later re-routed over the hill , and Via Mirlo was renamed Via Valmonte. The tower house has been rented over the years.

Sentries of Palms

The entrance to Valmonte in Palos Verdes Estates from Rolling Hills Estates on Palos Verdes Dr North is lined with towering palms

Malaga Cove View

View of Los Angeles basin from above Palos Verdes Country Club

Palos Verdes Country Club

The club was completed in 1925 at a cost of $40,000 and features a beautiful championship course on 213 rolling acres with magnificent landscaping and breathtaking ocean views.

Palos Verdes Country Club

The country club was included in the development of the Palos Verdes Project. Membership requires owning property in Palos Verdes Estates. There is a waiting list for membership. The Tennis Club is also located at this site. The club was enlarged and completely remodeled in 2007.

The newly rebuilt Palos Verdes Country Club

The new clubhouse was completed January 2007

Palos Verdes Country Club

 The new clubhouse was enlarged an additional 18,000 sq. ft.

Palos Verdes Country Club

Beautiful landscaping is in full array throughout the course set along rolling hills with ocean views.

Palos Verdes Country Club

The course is magnificently maintained throughout the year.

Palos Verdes Country Club

View over putting green.

Beauty Abounds in Palos Verdes

Palos Verdes Estates has many areas of lush landscaping along country lanes. The city was dedicated to preservation of beauty and included a massive planting campaign from the beginning.

Pierre LaMure - Famous Author

Editor of the Palos Verdes Bulletin, Pierre was a U. S. naturalized citizen from France, who authored 'Moulin Rouge' while residing on Via Elevado in Malaga Cove. He previously lived at 'Lost horizon' on Chelsea Road. He also wrote biographies, in French, of John D. Rockefeller and Thomas Edison.

'Lost Horizon' - Margate

Once leased to screen star Ethel Barrymore, 'Lost Horizon', was also owned by Pierre LaMure, author of 'Moulin Rouge', in 1941.

Lunada Bay - The Children's Fountain

'La Fuente de Los Ninos' located in the median strip in the heart of Lunada Bay emphasizes the relationship this area has with children. All three school levels are located within Lunada Bay and many athletic events are held at the school sites.

Lunada Bay Fountain

'La Fuente de los Ninos'  is the children's fountain and is dedicated in memory of building commissioner G. Brooks Snelgrove.

Spectacular trees grace the Peninsula. .

The land was barren in the early 1900s. A massive planting campaign was instituted with the Palos Verdes Project and citizenry. This is a Moreton Bay Fig tree located in the median strip of  Palos Verdes Dr. West in Lunada Bay.

Street Signs of Palos Verdes Estates

The Palos Verdes Estates street signs have been the same design since the city began. They are made of redwood with overlaid raised letters.

Chadwick Academy opened in 1938

This prestigious private school for grades K through 12 is located at the upper end of Academy Drive off of Palos Verdes Dr. North. It was developed by Commander Joseph and Margaret Chadwick on  land donated by Frank Vanderlip Sr. There is always an entry wait list for just over 800 openings.

Palos Verdes College

A liberal Arts college, located off of the Crest Road entrance to Rolling Hills, opened in 1947 and closed under financial difficulty in 1955. The site is currently the Rancho Del Mar continuation high school.

Palos Verdes College - Graduation Day

The first graduation class was 1949 when the enrollment reached 100. Film star Leslie Caron was enrolled as well as Elizabeth Taylor's brother, Howard.

'The Dominator'

Crash of the Greek freighter 'The Dominator' on March 13, 1961. Loaded with meat and grain, the ship caught on a reef and floundered in a big storm. View photos and video at
http://www.cawreckdivers.org/Wrecks/Dominator.htm

The Dominator Breaks Apart

The Dominator crashed at Rocky Point on March 13, 1961 breaking in two halves. The rusting hull could be seen from as far away as the Redondo Pier, leaning near the bluff for many years before the sea wore it into rusted fragments.

The Dominator's Journey Ends

The Dominator was a freighter of the Liberty class and was 441 feet long by 57 feet wide and weighed 7160 tons.

Resort Point - Lunada Bay

View from Resort Point looking at the point off  Via Segovia where the helicopter attack scene in 'Lethal Weapon' was filmed.

A Grand Estate

This opulent blufftop estate graces 'Resort Point' in Lunada bay. The property has nearly 1000 feet of coastline. The home is of the architectural style of Andrea Palladio. Local lore is that the 'chicken race scene' with James Dean in 'Rebel Without a Cause' was filmed on the site.

Lunada Bay

Rocky Point is on the north side of Lunada Bay. Rocky Point is restricted to one level homes.

Surfer's Outpost at Lunada Bay

A stone pavilion and surfboard gallery was built by the Lunada Bay surfers on the shore of Rocky Point.

Big Surf at Lunada Bay

Fifteen foot waves attract a crowd of surfers at Rocky Point.

Sunset at Lunada Bay

Spectacular sunsets are a common sight along the coast.

Palos Verdes Sunsets - A sight to behold.

City Lights View

Palos Verdes Country Club view across golf course from clubhouse with downtown Los Angeles in yhe distance.

Lunada Plaza Park

July 4th Party - One of many 'pocket parks' throughout Palos Verdes Estates.

Lunada Bay Shops

Sunday at Lunada Bay usually features a gathering of car buffs at the coffee shop. Often many Ferrari and fine antique car owners spend several hours at the location around noontime.

Lunada Bay Little League

The little league complex has 2 fields, batting cages and snack shack.

Lunada Bay Park

Developed in 2006, the park featured a free David Benoit concert. Local events are held at the park including the annual Harvest Festival.

Lunada Bay - Paseo Lunado Median

Palos Verdes Estates was master planned with many wide boulevards and open spaces. 29% of the city is parkland and another 20% is street right of way, school sites and golf course.

Crystal Cove

Crystal Cove in Lunada Bay viewed from Lunada Point

Santa Monica Bay

View of Santa Monica Bay from Malaga Cove - red tile roof is a requirement of many Palos Verdes Estates neighborhoods in order to maintain a Mediterranean ambiance.

RAT Beach

RAT Beach (Right at Torrance) as it is called by the locals. Located between the Palos Verdes Athletic and Swim Club and Torrance Beach.

Queen's Necklace

The Queen's Necklace view from Malaga Cove looks like a string of pearls at night.

City Lights View

Downtown Los Angeles View from Rancho Palos Verdes.

Rancho Palos Verdes - South Coastline

South Coastline looking toward Trump National Golf Course in the distance. Many vegetable farms were located here in the early 1900s.

Marineland

Marineland  opened on  8/28/1954 and closed on 2/11/1987. It was then demolished in 1988. The sky tower was demolished in 1995. This was a major aquatic show venue and the former home of killer whales Orky and Corky. It was also a Hanna Barberra theme park in the early 1980s.

Marineland Pier

The old pier at Marineland was demolished. The pier was used to  transport sea animals to and from the facility. It was essentially a sea animal hospital and foster home, in addition to being an aquatic park and entertainment center.

Long Point

Long Point in 2006 (Former Marineland Site) - The Marineland facilities have all been removed. The vacant site has been the location of many movies and productions over the last 20 years including, Pirates of the Carribean, Hidalgo, Hotshots, Fun with Dick and Jane, and many more.

Terranea Resort

Terranea at Long Point (Development Underway) - This development by Destination resorts is a five star production with a 360 room hotel, 82 casitas, villas and bungalows, 65,000 sq. ft. convention center, health spa, restaurants, and a golf academy with a 9 hole executive course. Visit Terranea at  http://www.Terranea.com

Terranea Development

Terranea Resort is the 'Flagship' resort of Lowe Destination Development; situated at the former Marineland site on the 102 acre Long Point promontory.

Terranea Layout

The Terranea Resort features luxury hotel accommodations, convention center, blufftop world class health spa, fine dining, pools, waterslide, garden amphitheater , nature trails, private beach, golf academy and 9 hole executive course.

Terranea Ocean Casitas

Terranea Ocean Casitas - ownership offerings were overwhelmed with the first release selling out within the first 2 1/2 hours at an average price of $2.5 million. Thirteen Casitas four plexes feature 3 Bedroom, 3 Bath ocean front suites.

Terranea Ocean Villas

Terranea Ocean Villas feature 3 floor plans of 1850 to 2800 square foot suites in triplex and duplex configurations.

Terranea Elegance

Terranea maintains a Mediterranean theme throughout, reminiscent of the seaside villages of Italy and Spain.

Pt. Vicente Lighthouse

Pt. Vicente Lighthouse was established in 1875 and the present structures were built in 1926. The point was named by Captain Vancouver for a padre he knew named Vincente, however the first 'n', was lost at some time.

Pt Vicente Lighthouse Ghost

There is a myth about a ghost in the lighthouse. When the Peninsula became more populated, residents complained of the light sweeping across their bedroom windows. The landward side of the lighthouse glass was painted to block the light, which caused an eerie vision to rotate across the glass when the beacon turned - hence the ghost myth began.

Palos Verdes Interpretive Center

Palos Verdes Interpretive center, recently remodeled and expanded,   is a popular history source and whale watching sight. It is located along the coast next to the Pt. Vicente Lighthouse.

Nike Missile Site

A nike missile site was established in 1954 and Ajax missiles were in place by 1958. The missiles were located in the current location of the Rancho Palos Verdes city maintenance yard. The radar (IFC) was located at the current site of Del Cerro Park.

Villa Francesca

Historic Monument at Portuguese Bend east gate - Harry Benedict, an associate of Frank Vanderlip Sr. built his home and named it 'Villa Francesca' in honor of his wife, Frances.

Wafarer's Chapel

Wafarer's Chapel , also known as the 'Glass Church', located at Portuguese Bend was designed by architect Lloyd Wright (son of Frank Lloyd Wright). It was dedicated in 1950 by local resident and celebrity, Charles Laughton.

The Chapel

Wayfarer's Chapel is like a prism of light in a wooded glade.

Wafarer's Chapel Reflecting Pond.

Wafarer's Chapel Entry

A colonnade of pines grace the entry path to Wafarer's Chapel.

Wafarer's Chapel - Rancho Palos Verdes

Wafarer's Chapel is a very famous wedding venue conducting over 800 ceremonies each year. It has a spectacular ocean coastline view in lush garden setting.

Wafarer's Chapel View

The view of the Palos Verdes Coastline from Wafarer's Chapel is absolutely stunning.

Famous Movie Scene

The 'Mad Mad World' movie scene with the 'W' shaped palm tree formation can be seen in this photo of Portuguese Point.

Portuguese Point

Portuguese Point is a spectacular formation on the coastline next to Abalone Cove Beach Park. Caves and tunnels have been carved by the waves at Portuguese Point and Inspiration Point (an adjacent point). The movie 'Mad Mad World' (the W shaped palm trees) was filmed on this site.

Oceanfront Estates and the Enclave

Oceanfront was a Capital Pacific Holding company development of  79 home sites on 132 acres with extensive open space, along the ocean bluff. The Enclave comprises 22 of the southernmost lots. This site was under development for condos in the 1970s. SOC (Save Our Coastline) initiated formation of the city of Rancho Palos Verdes  to stop the condo development and protect the coastline.

Coastal Development & Trails

The Enclave is a Warmington development of 22 upscale homes by the ocean, that features extensive nature trails along the bluff.

Rolling Hills Country Club

Rolling Hills Country Club is a private golf club in Rolling Hills Estates with a beautiful clubhouse. The course is slated to be combined with the Chandler gravel quarry on the north boundary and redesigned. There will be a new clubhouse and about 200 upscale new homes.

Los Verdes Country Club

Los Verdes Country Club is a very popular 18 hole par 72 golf course located in Rancho Palos Verdes but owned by Los Angeles County. There are spectacular views from the clubhouse and most of the course. The clubhouse is a very popular wedding venue.

Aerial of Palos Verdes - circa early 1970's

Bluff Cove Aerial photo circa early 1970s

Old Military Bunker

Bunker at former Nike missile facility on site of Rancho Palos Verdes city office. The US government donated the old launch sight to the city after city formation.

Palos Verdes Promenade

Cooling it at the Peninsula Promenade - the walkway fountain is a popular scene especially on hot days.

Promenade Ice Arena

Ice Skating at the Peninsula Promenade ice arena. Initially it was a covered mall but was rebuilt as an open air shopping development. Located in the commercial shopping district at the Peninsula Center.

Monaco Entrance

A large development of homes from the 1960s era with spectacular views.

Wallace Ranch Entrance - Rancho Palos Verdes

A newer development of 82 large homes on 1/4 acre lots built in the 1990's.
The entire development was formerely the ranch home of a well known ham radio operator named Wallace. The entire property was strung with antennas and aided the war effort in WWII.

Entrance toThe Ranch - Rolling Hills Estates

A guard gated Community in Rolling Hills Estates of homes on 1/3 to 1/2 acre lots with a very rural atmosphere.

Rolling Hills Country Estates

Equestrian and Park area of gated development 'Rolling Hills Country Estates' located in the city of Rolling Hills Estates, near Crest Road and Highridge.

Vantage Point Entrance

Vantage Point Entrance (Former Northrop Research Center) is a guard gated development of 68 homes on 31 acres with prices typically above $3 million.

Entrance to Island View Development

Entrance to Island View Development - Located southwest of Crest Road and Crenshaw Blvd, with 98 upscale homes on 1/3 to 1/2 acre lots, built in the 1980s. Many homes have ocean views.

Entrance to Sea Breeze Development

Entrance to the Sea Breeze Development in Rancho Palos Verdes - Located south of Crest Road, with 63 large homes on 59 acres with 24 acres of open space. It was developed in the 1990s.

Ocean Terrace Development

View looking across the Ocean Terrace development of 72 large custom homes on typically 1/2 acre lots, along the ridge south of Crest Road. Most homes were built in the 1990s and have spectacular views. Most of the large open space is part of the Palos Verdes Land Conservancy.

Nansen Field

Nansen Field is located in the Hidden Valley area of Rolling Hills Estates. Owned by the seamen of Norway, this 8.6 acre site features a soccer field and a small clubhouse and caretakers cottage. Sundays look like a European display of 'Futbol'. Rod Stewart is known to play here and sponsors an annual meet.

Academy Hills Entrance

Academy Hills Entrance - An island of Los Angeles County located off of Palos Verdes Dr North just west of Crenshaw Blvd. Chadwick Academy's 57 acre Campus is located at the upper end of the development.

Westfield Entrance

Westfield is an island of Los Angeles County located off of Palos Verdes Dr North just east of Crenshaw Blvd. This is designated a park district of the county and has 302 homes on 175 acres with about one half of the lots equestrian. Many old homes are being replaced with large estates.

Horses Riding

Horses can often be seen along busy streets such as the intersections along Palos verdes Dr North. The street lights have a second set of change buttons located high on the poles to accommodate horse riders.

The General Store

The General Store in Rolling Hills Estates is considered an historic site. It was once a post office and has been a general store and feed and tack store for many years.

Trump National Entrance

The entrance to Trump National Golf Course, located along the ocean on the south side of the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

Trump National Golf Course

Trump National Golf Course is situated on 261 acres and features a colossal par 72 championship course, over 40,000 sq. ft clubhouse, upscale restaurants, trails, parks,and 75 home sites. About 18 home sites have been used for a driving range. Catalina Island stretches 25 miles across the horizon from 26 miles across the sea.

Trump National - Ocean Trails

Trump National Golf Course was originally developed by the Zuckerman family and was known as 'Ocean Trails'. Just  weeks before the grand opening, the 18th hole slid into the ocean. Eventually the property went into default and Trump bought it for $27 million. Trump has rebuilt and upgraded the entire project.

Trump National

Donald Trump has added spectacular and challenging features to Trump National Golf Course.

Trump National Cost

Trump National Golf Course is without doubt, the most expensive course ever built. Repair of the landslide is estimated to have cost around $35 million.

Trump National Homesites

The East end of Trump National Golf Course. The white building is a condominium project from the 1970s named 'La Rotonda', which existed before the golf course project. Some of he Trump home sites can be seen just beyond La Rotonda.

Trump National Golf Course

Trump National Golf Course is meticulously maintained and every hole has ocean view. The traps are crushed marble to maintain the bright white look.

Trump National - Hang Gliding

Hang gliding along the ocean bluff with Catalina Island and the Pacific Ocean as a backdop is a frequent sight at Trump National.

The Trump Flagpole

The Donald Trump Flagpole proudly displays the colors at Trump National Golf Course in Ranch Palos Verdes

Dapplegray Entrance

Dapplegray, located in Rolling Hills Estates, is an equestrian area of moderate to large homes with horse facilities on the lanes off of Palos Verdes Dr North. There are many older and remodeled homes.

Strawberry Lane Entrance

Strawberry Lane, located in Rolling Hills Estates, is an equestrian area of moderate to large homes with horse facilities on the lanes off of Palos Verdes Dr North with many older and remodeled homes.

City of Rolling Hills

A Rolling Hills ranch overlooking Portuguese Bend (Photo by Mary Donovan). Rolling Hills is a private guard gated city with very large equestrian lots and most have spectacular views. The city has 23 miles of trails.

Rolling Hills - The Gated City

Altitudes range to over 1400 feet and many multi-acre properties enjoy not only great privacy but spectacular views as well. Lots are typically well over one acre.

Rolling Hills - A rural Ambiance

The Gated City - allows all domesticated animals except swine. Many homes have large corrals and barns. An area for a barn is required on every lot.

Golden Cove Shops

Golden Cove Shops are located where Hawthorne Blvd meet Palos Verdes Dr South - Totally remodeled in the past 10 years, the development features Montessori school, restaurants, Starbucks, and a beautiful ocean view.

Golden Cove Shops

Golden Cove shops are located across from the ocean and new upscale home developments and near the planned Terranea Resort.

Lunada Point Entrance - Rancho Palos Verdes

Lunada Point is an upscale development of custom  homes located along the ocean bluffs just south of Palos Verdes Estates on Marguerite Drive

Ocean Front Entrance

Ocean Front is a CPH development with open space, ocean blufftop trails, and large upscale homes.

Oceanfront

Oceanfront is a Capital Pacific Homes (CPH) development of elegant estates along the coast of Rancho Palos Verdes featuring panoramic ocean and Catalina Island views.

Coastal Trails at Oceanfront

The coastline at Oceanfront in Rancho Palos Verdes. The bluffs are open space with public hiking trails.

Land Conservancy.

Large expanses of open space are part of the Palos Verdes Land Conservancy.

Portuguese Bend Club Entrance

The Portuguese Bend Club is an exclusive gated enclave of homes with a private beach on the south shore of the Peninsula.

Portuguese Bend Club

Overview of the Portuguese Bend Club on the South Shore of the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

Portuguese Bend Club Beach

The Portuguese Bend Club has a private beach with recreational facilities.

Palos Verdes South Slope

View across the south side of Rancho Palos Verdes toward Portuguese Bend and Trump National Golf Course.

Vanderlip Park

Frank Vanderlip Sr. Park located on the ocean bluff in the Sea Cove area along the south coastline.

Portuguese and Inspiration Point

Portuguese Point and Inspiration Point are located in the Portuguese Bend landslide area of Rancho Palos Verdes and appear nearly unchanged by time. The points are extremely stable although surrounding land is sliding around them.

Portuguese Point

Portuguese Point in Rancho Palos Verdes stands like a reminder of a bygone era. One can just imagine a pirate ship sailing by. Portuguese Bend was named after the Portuguese Whaling Company that operated a whaling station on the beach.

A Pirate Ship

A Pirate Ship off the Palos Verdes coast? Actually it was a movie filming scene.

Sea Cove

The Sea Cove area of Rancho Palos Verdes includes bluff top mansions and moderate homes next to a rustic environment of natural habitat.

Portuguese Bend Overview

Portuguese Bend landslide viewed from Del Cerro park looking toward Catalina Island.

'Portuguese Bend Side Zone'

Palos Verdes Drive South snakes through the infamous 'Portuguese Bend Slide Zone' in Rancho Palos Verdes. The utility and sewer lines can be seen above ground along the roadway.

The Bay Club

The Bay Club seniors condominium project features beautiful grounds overlooking the South coastline.

The 'Livingston Quarry'

The 'Livingston Quarry' operated from 1945 to 1956. The remaining 'scar' in the hillside landscape is easily observed from Palos Verdes Drive South on the east side of Portuguese Bend. Detailed history is discussed in the 'Geology and Landslides' section.

Hiking Trails

There are fascinating hiking trails throughout the Livingston Quarry area (Forrestal Preserve). It can be reached at the end of Forrestal Drive across from Trump National Golf Course.

Livingston Quarry Mining

Livingston Quarry mining produced minerals such as Barite, Quartz, gypsum and Dolomite as well as Basalt.

Catalina Island Views

Catalina Island - 26 miles across the sea from Palos Verdes - a beautiful sight

Marine Life

A sea lion sunbathes on a rock along the Palos Verdes shore.

The Peacocks

Palos Verdes Peacock - This controversial bird roams freely throughout many areas of the Peninsula including; Malaga Cove, Espinosa Circle area of Lunada Bay, Rolling Hills, the 'Lanes' of Rolling Hills Estates, Westfield, and Portuguese Bend.

The Racoons

Lunada Bay Racoons Panhandle at the Vaught home in Lunada Bay.

The Squirrels

'No Lie' - The Peanut was this Big! A Palos Verdes Squirrel visits the Vaught home in Lunada Bay. Until about 1990, there were no squirrels evident in Palos Verdes.

Palos Verdes Realty

This was the original office of  'Palos Verdes Realty', the first real estate firm in Palos Verdes. This office was located at the current site of the 'Veterans Memorial Park, across from the city offices of Palos Verdes Estates. This ad appeared in the Palos Verdes Bulletin.

Palos Verdes Realty Office

The Palos Verdes Realty office is located in the Lunada Bay area of Palos Verdes Estates. Celebration Bridal, owned by Diane Vaught, is located on the left side of the building and Palos Verdes Realty, owned by Roger Vaught, is on the right side.

The First Real Estate Firm

Palos Verdes Realty - The First Real Estate Firm in Palos Verdes - Serving the Peninsula for over 77 Years