The Palos Verdes Peninsula is four separate cities: Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills Estates and the gated city of Rolling Hills. Together they offer coastal bluffs, canyon trails, horse country and wide views of the Pacific and Catalina Island, a short drive from the rest of the South Bay.
The four cities and their neighborhoods
- Palos Verdes Estates: five districts, Malaga Cove, Valmonte, Montemalaga, Margate and Lunada Bay. Malaga Cove Plaza, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has a 1930 Neptune fountain and a cluster of shops and cafes.
- Rancho Palos Verdes: the largest of the four, covering most of the southern coastline, from Miraleste and Eastview in the east to the Portuguese Bend area. Parts of Portuguese Bend are in an active landslide area (see below).
- Rolling Hills Estates: an equestrian community with city-maintained horse trails, home to Promenade on the Peninsula and Peninsula Center.
- Rolling Hills: a fully gated private city of just under 700 homes, all on lots of at least one acre zoned for horses.
Schools
Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District serves all four cities, with ten elementary schools, three intermediate schools (Palos Verdes, Ridgecrest and Miraleste) and two comprehensive high schools, Palos Verdes High and Palos Verdes Peninsula High; families can choose either high school. Two exceptions to check: the Eastview area of Rancho Palos Verdes is in the LAUSD area, where state law lets families choose LAUSD or PVPUSD schools, and a few Rolling Hills Estates addresses fall outside PVPUSD.
Coast, trails and the outdoors
The Palos Verdes Nature Preserve covers about 1,500 acres in 11 reserves, with trails through canyons and coastal sage. Some Portuguese Bend trails are closed, so check before you go. The Point Vicente Interpretive Center is open daily and is a great spot for watching gray whales from December to May, and the neighboring 1926 Point Vicente Lighthouse holds open houses on the second Saturday of the month.
Down on the water, Bluff Cove and Malaga Cove have trails to the rocky shoreline and its tide pools at low tide, and Terranea Resort sits on the former Marineland site. South Coast Botanic Garden, 87 acres just outside Rolling Hills Estates, is a favorite for an easy walk.
Dining and shopping
Promenade on the Peninsula in Rolling Hills Estates is the main shopping and dining center, with Peninsula Center nearby for everyday errands. Smaller village centers at Malaga Cove Plaza and Golden Cove Center serve their own corners of the Peninsula.
Jesse’s picks:
- Malaga Cove Ranch Market in Malaga Cove Plaza: a family-run market, deli and bakery.
- Catalina Kitchen at Terranea Resort: brunch with views of Catalina Island.
Events through the year
- Whale of a Day: April, at Point Vicente.
- Palos Verdes Street Fair: June, in Rolling Hills Estates.
- Portuguese Bend National Horse Show: September.
- Rolling Hills Estates City Celebration: September.
- Palos Verdes Farmers Market: Sundays from 8am to 1pm, near Hawthorne Boulevard and Silver Spur Road.
The Portuguese Bend landslide
Parts of Rancho Palos Verdes around Portuguese Bend have been affected by an accelerated landslide since 2023, with utility shutoffs and a FEMA-funded buyout program. As of September 2026 the city reported that movement had slowed to under an inch a week. If you’re looking at homes in or near this area, read the City of Rancho Palos Verdes landslide updates and ask Jesse about disclosures, insurance and inspections before you make an offer.
Getting around
There’s no freeway on the Peninsula. Pacific Coast Highway, Hawthorne Boulevard, Crenshaw Boulevard, Western Avenue and Palos Verdes Drive North connect to the I-405 and I-110. By road it’s about 11 miles from Malaga Cove to LAX and around 20 miles from Rancho Palos Verdes City Hall, and Downtown Los Angeles is roughly 25 to 30 miles away.
Buying a home in Palos Verdes
Homes on the Peninsula range from mid-century ranch houses and Spanish-style homes in Palos Verdes Estates to equestrian properties in Rolling Hills Estates and Rolling Hills and view homes along the coast. Views, lot size, geology and local design rules all play into value, so local advice matters here. The live figures at the top cover all four cities; browse every Palos Verdes home for sale.
Frequently asked questions
What cities make up Palos Verdes?
The Palos Verdes Peninsula has four cities: Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills Estates and Rolling Hills.
What school district serves Palos Verdes?
Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District serves all four cities, with Palos Verdes High and Palos Verdes Peninsula High. The Eastview area of Rancho Palos Verdes is an exception where families can choose LAUSD or PVPUSD.
Is Rolling Hills a gated community?
Yes. Rolling Hills is a fully gated private city of just under 700 homes, all on lots of at least one acre zoned for horses.
Is the Portuguese Bend landslide still moving?
The City of Rancho Palos Verdes reported in September 2026 that movement had slowed to under an inch a week. Check the city’s latest updates for current conditions.
