Palos Verdes Estates

According to the book Los Angeles A to Z, the name of the city means “green sticks” or “green trees.” Some of our friends have given us the Spanish nickname “Palo Verde,” so we are sure this city is really called “Greenwood Estates.” The community and the Miraleste area of Rancho Palos Verdes were developed as a “millionaire’s colony” between 1926 and 1931 by Frank A. Vanderlip and an associate. A member of the Vanderlip family still lives on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Celebrated Boston architectural firms were brought in and selected the Spanish architectural style which is required to be maintained by clauses in the deed restrictions in both communities. Half the area was reserved for parkland and public right of way. The city owns the Palos Verdes Golf Club, riding stables, an athletic club and the adjacent beach. The peacocks in the area were introduced about the time it was developed. They are beautiful, but also noisy and messy. The city now tries to limit the number of these birds. Palos Verdes Estates incorporated in 1939 after Los Angeles County threatened to take parkland to compensate for back taxes owed by depression era residents. The city prides itself on its beauty and on being a safe community.  It was the safest community of 10,000 or more in California in 2003, with only one reported act of violence during the year.  The city is isolated and has only two main commercial areas, Maliga Cove and Lunada Bay.  Both of these factors limit the city's exposure to outside crime.  According to the Daily Breeze, previous residents of the city include Rod Stewart, Joe Montana, George Allen and Buddy Epsen.  The 2000 population is 13,340.

City Website: www.palosverdes.com/pve