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Palos Verdes is a name often used to refer to a group of coastal cities on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in southwestern Los Angeles County in California. Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, and Rolling Hills Estates are the predominant cities in the area, with a part of San Pedro protruding on the eastern end of the peninsula. This affluent bedroom community is known for its dramatic views, great schools, extensive horse trails, and high home prices.

The name "Palos Verdes" is Spanish for "green sticks." Legend has it this name was taken from the indigenous 'Palo Verde' trees of the area, whom early Spanish explorers named for their many green, stem-like leaves, which resemble poles. But the most logical origin of the name is that in Spanish "palos verdes" refers to a green forested area, which describes Palos Verdes. When Spanish arrived, Palos Verdes was one of the few naturally green areas in dry southern California. In many ways this name is an accurate description of its geographical characteristics as the peninsula protrudes into the ocean like a "green stick."

The peninsula was originally inhabited by Native Americans belonging to the Tongva (sometimes referred to as "Gabrielino") tribe, and first described in 1542 by Portuguese explorer Juan Cabrillo. In 1827, Jose Dolores Sepulveda procured a parcel of the original, 1784 Rancho San Pedro Spanish land grant from Manuel Dominguez, and named it Rancho de los Palos Verdes ("range of green trees"), which was used primarily as a cattle ranch. By 1882 ownership of the land had passed from the Sepulveda through various mortgage holders to Jotham Bixby of Rancho Los Cerritos, who leased the land to Japanese farmers. After the turn of the century most of Bixby's land was sold to a consortium of New York investors who created The Palos Verdes Project and began marketing land on the peninsula for small horse ranches and residential communities. Palos Verdes Estates was the first city incorporated on the Peninsula and was one of the first master planned communities in Los Angeles County. The other incorporated cities on the Palos Verdes Peninsula include Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills Estates and Rolling Hills.

Practically the entire commercial district is in Rolling Hills Estates. There are many shopping centers there, including The Promenade of the Peninsula. This outdoor mall includes a megaplex movie theater, many eateries, and an ice rink.

Areas of commerce include "The Promenade" mall, Malaga Cove, and Lunada Bay. Lesser known shopping centers include the Peninsula Center, Town and Country, and The Village.

The area where Marineland of the Pacific once stood now serves as an outdoor set for commercials, film productions, and, in 1996, the MTV Beach House. Fox filmed some scenes of its teen drama, The OC, at locations in and around Palos Verdes. Donald Trump's latest venture is Trump National a golf course on the Ocean Trails cliffs.

The Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District has one of the highest rated API scores in California, and has one of the highest average SAT scores and one of the highest percentage of students successfully completing the Advanced Placement exams in the county. There are three high schools, Palos Verdes Peninsula High School (formerly called Rolling Hills High School), Palos Verdes High School (the latter located just a half block from the Pacific Ocean), and Rancho Del Mar High School (located in Rolling Hills). Marymount College, a co-ed Roman Catholic two-year college is located in Rancho Palos Verdes. A private K-12 school, Chadwick School, is also located there. Rolling Hills Preparatory School, a private 6-12 school is also located on the peninsula. Rolling Hills Country Day School, adjacent to the Botanic Garden, offers a private K-8 education .

The Peninsula is served by the Palos Verdes Library District which operates the Peninsula Center, Miraleste, and Malaga Cove Libraries.

The area is frequented by runners, hikers, horseback riders, bird watchers, surfers, scuba divers, and bicyclists. The area is home to several golf courses and country clubs.

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Page Copyright 2009 - Norma Toering

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