Palos Verdes Estates

Palos Verdes Estates is a residential community on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in Los Angeles County with Mediterranean buildings and views of the Pacific Ocean. The streets follow natural terrain lines and wind through tree-lined avenues to different hillside neighborhoods.

Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. designed this planned community in 1923 following landscape architecture principles with curving roads and green spaces. The city officially incorporated on December 20, 1939, and retained its original design guidelines.

The city preserves its Spanish Mediterranean character through a design review board that examines every building proposal before approval. White stucco walls with red tile roofs define the streetscape and create a consistent appearance across all residential neighborhoods.

The community sits on hilly terrain with some steep approaches, so expect gradients and winding roads throughout. Footpaths and parks are accessible through public entry points that begin at different locations and pass through residential areas.

Local regulations require half of each development parcel to be dedicated as common land, leading to an extensive network of parks and walkways. This founding-era requirement still shapes how open the neighborhoods feel to walkers today.

Location: Los Angeles County

Inception: 1939

Elevation above the sea: 64 m

Shares border with: Redondo Beach, Rancho Palos Verdes, Torrance, Rolling Hills Estates

Website: http://pvestates.org

GPS coordinates: 33.78694,-118.39667

Latest update: December 13, 2025 15:30