All The Wonderful Things About Palos Verdes Estates

Palos Verdes Peninsula is a fantastic place and a necessary stop on any tour around Southern California.

My hometown, Palos Verdes Estates, California, is located right along the cliffs of the Pacific Ocean, about an hour south of downtown Los Angeles and an hour north of Orange County. If you look on a map, it is a little peninsula that looks over the “South Bay” (the Pacific Ocean), with Malibu straight across. No matter where you grow up, sometimes it’s easy to be oblivious to the beauty around you because you experience it on a daily basis. Living in a different city now really makes me appreciate the wonderful things that I miss about home.

1. The Sunsets

I don’t think I could ever get tired of the beauty of a colorful sunset if I tried. Because of more particles in the air in Southern California (mainly caused by smog), the sunsets are more vibrant, bringing out wonderful reds, oranges, and pinks. Whether you are on the beach or away from the water in your backyard, if there are enough clouds in the sky and the colors are deep enough, you can experience the sunsets from anywhere in the area!

2. The Coastal Views

The pictures of the coast really sell themselves. Even from the heart of Palos Verdes, you are never more than a ten to fifteen-minute drive from the sands of the beach. And, sometimes the higher you go up in the Palos Verdes hills, the more breathtaking the coastal views are! Especially at sunset, of course. There’s nothing like going for a drive along the coast and looking out onto the Queen’s Necklace (the name for the bay between Palos Verdes and Malibu) and the cliffs.

3. The Great Food

Mexican food from Southern California is considered exceptional by most. A local favorite of mine is called the Red Onion, and has the best enchiladas I have ever had, even to this day. The restaurant never fails to serve hot chips straight from the fryer, accompanied by delicious homemade salsa. Yum!

4. The Laidback “SoCal” Culture

Getting into the middle of Los Angeles can make you feel the stress that the working population is constantly under. With the constant honks of cars in the legendary “405” traffic and the high-rise corporate buildings, the city blues can often take hold. Palos Verdes is a great escape from that. It is close to the excitement of Los Angeles, but also has the laid-back culture that Southern California is known for. Everyone is easy-going, loves to hang out at the beach, goes on hikes, and will often go for a drive along the coast. It is easy to feel relaxed and carefree in Palos Verdes.

Article written by Sarah Graham.