One interesting event that occurred in 1961, which people still talk about, was the running aground of the Greek freighter Dominator just off of Rocky Point. The freighter was heading south along the Palos Verdes coast line, and thinking they had reached the Los Angeles harbor, made an ill-fated left turn too early and ran aground. Only a small amount of remnants of the ship can still be seen at low tide.The freighter Dominator getting pounded by surf (see video) after running aground at Rocky Point For more secrets about the Palos Verdes Peninsula go to Palos Verdes Secrets & Little Known Facts 08/25/2008

The Palos Verdes Peninsula population grew rapidly after World War II. In 1946, construction began on several housing tracts in Hollywood Riviera. The best route for construction trucks at the time was up Hawthorne Boulevard, which at that time did not go all the way up the hill to the top of the Peninsula, but instead veered to the right at Via Valmonte (which at the time was Hawthorne Avenue) and ended at the Palos Verdes Country Club. The residents of the Valmonte area of Palos Verdes Estates were so irritated and inconvenienced by the large amount of traffic of dump trucks, bull dozers, etc. traveling to the Hollywood Riviera housing tracts that they prevailed upon the City Council of Palos Verdes Estates in 1948 to construct barriers in the middle of Via Alameda, Via Pasqual, and V... 08/25/2008

Many of my clients have asked me what the difference is between "Lower" and "Upper" Lunada Bay.  Lower Lunada is comprised of the neighborhoods west of Palos Verdes Drive West and Upper Lunada Bay, those neighborhoods to the east of the Drive (but excludes the mega houses further up the hill). As many of my clients have already learned from my postings, "value" changes as a function of the size of a home.  There always exists the economic principle diminishing rate of return and this is true with real estate to the extent that larger homes within a neighborhood will sell for a lower $/sqft value than smaller homes.  This is because of relative land constants and the diminishing utility of each marginal square foot. Agents that don't understand this concept are doing their clients a diss... 08/23/2008

  Great Brunches and Beautiful Places to spend your Weekend Mornings!  Are you craving a 5 Star Brunch then try Chey Melange located inside the Palos Verdes Inn on Pacific Coast Hwy near Palos Verdes Blvd. next to(Bristol Farms)  Wonderful Gourmet selections, don't miss their mini fresh donuts, great pastry, champagne brunch, fantastic eggs Benedict other gourmet omelette's and some items straight from England like English Bangers. Reservations required Chez Mélange1716 Pacific Coast Hwy. Redondo Beach, CA 90277 Phone (310) 540-1222 http://www.chezmelange.com/?gclid=CLnjsrnflJMCFRRZiAodzQNTxA   And of course if you are up for the busy and public place to eat and meet new people, Since the tables are very  close together, you can have a great time at the Original Pancake House in Redondo... 08/19/2008

Meet my partner/mom Kathy. Together we make your real estate transactions smooth and enjoyable. You won't be let down. Call us when you are ready to make a move. www.thepvrealtor.com www.rtyndall.com Search our listings: www.pvhomes.com www.realtor.com   08/07/2008

Did you know that the Wasington Post ranked Palos Verdes Schools #8th in the United States! Palos Verdes Estates in addition to having the famous Queen's Necklace View of the Coastline from Redondo to Malibu also has it's own Police Department. The only one on the Peninsula.  (the other three peninsula cities contract with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, using the station in nearby Lomita). Palos Verdes Estate homeowners can also be eligible for a membership to the Palos Verdes Country Club for the golf aficionados this weighs heavy in their choice of home locations.. Rolling Hills also has it's own Country Club too.. Average Home prices range from $1Million to $10 Million+ The Average Home Price is around 1.5-3 Million in the Palos Verdes Estates. Palos Verdes Estates incl... 08/06/2008

Why are the streets between Via La Selva and Hollywood Riviera blocked off? Well, they used to go thru, and here's the story: As I assume everyone knows, Hollywood Riviera was administered by the Palos Verdes Homes Association until 1939, when PVE incorporated and cut the Riviera loose. That's why so many of those old Spanish homes in the Lower Riviera look like they could be in Malaga Cove -- they just as easily could have. In 1946 construction began on the first of several housing tracts in the upper Riviera. By far the best access to that area at that time was thru Palos Verdes Estates -- streets like Vista Montana didn't exist. As a result, all the heavy construction equipment (dump trucks, graders, back-hoes, etc) were rumbling up Hawthorne Blvd (now Via Valmonte), down the Drive, ... 08/06/2008

As a PV resident since 1947, I've seen a lot of stuff and can tell you the history behind Palos Verdes generally from a first-hand perspective. Here's one: Did you know that there was once a prison roughly where Long's Drugs is now in the Peninsula Center? It was an "Honor Farm" (minimum security) and the prisoners worked on putting Crenshaw Blvd thru to PV Drive South . . . which, of course, was a proximate cause of the landslide. I'm not sure when it was opened (I was only born in 1947, after all), but it closed around 1955 when land movement began and work on Crenshaw ended. I don't recall much else in that valley during the early 1950's, but I was a kid and not taking notes. More on the history of the Slide later -- I remember when it started -- oh baby! 07/31/2008

  Today's Tour Tip for Palos Verdes Real Estate Broker's Tour is my own listing at 838 Rivera Place, Palos Verdes Estates, which has spectacular panoramic ocean and Catalina views - and is a 4 bedroom, 3 bath, 3,025 square foot home on a 14,600 square foot lot for $2,499,000.  To continue reading, click here... 07/29/2008

  The Valmonte neighborhood is located in Palos Verdes Estates.  The best thing about this neighborhood is that it is a family neighborhood.  There are usually groups of children playing outdoors on any given day.    The topography is relatively flat which is great for walking, riding bikes, playing ball, etc.   It is a very friendly area with lots of people taking walks and stopping to chat.  To continue reading, click here.. 07/28/2008

  The Malaga Cove neighborhood is located in Palos Verdes Estates.  The best thing about this neighborhood is the the ocean view and many properties also have the "Queen's Necklace" view which is a view of the coastline from Redondo Beach all the way around the coast to Malibu.  It is spectacular and one of my favorite views (above).  To read more, click here.. 07/14/2008

I have the only web site information on the exact property tax rates for each of the beach cities in the South Bay Los Angeles and Palos Verdes Peninsula real estate market (including the cities of El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Torrance, Redondo Beach, Palos Verde sEstates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, San Pedro, and Lomita. Your property tax rates are a combination of the statutory rate of 1% of the property's original purchase price (increased a maximum of 2% oer year), but also includes additonal taxes for votere approved bonded indebtedness, as well as other voter approved specialty parcvel taxes. If you visit my website at http://www.maureenmegowan.com/convertedpages/palosverdespropertytaxes.html you can get a very close approximation of ... 07/13/2008

Eucalyptus tree-lined streets and stunning homes grace the Valmonte neighborhood in Palos Verdes Estates.  It borders Redondo Beach and is just minutes from miles of sandy beaches, shopping and freeway access. Numbers are in for the first half of 2008 for Single Family Homes in Valmonte: Active Listings:  18 homes priced from $1,075,000 to $2,675,000 are currently for sale. In Escrow:  3 homes priced from $1,250,000 to $2,299,000 are currently in escrow. 2008 Sales:  15 homes priced from $912,000 to $2,685,000 sold in 2008. In 2007 a total of 37 homes sold in Valmonte. Valmonte is a favorite with many Palos Verdes residents.  If you're interested in living in the Valmonte neighborhood, let us help you find the right home for you. Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty(310) 493-... 07/10/2008

Malaga Cove is a neighborhood in Palos Verdes Estates, California and is adjacent to Redondo Beach.  The magnificent homes with red tiled roofs are reminiscent of the French Riviera, and many have spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and surrounding coastline. The numbers are in for the first half of 2008 for Single Family Homes in Malaga Cove: Active Listings:  11 homes are currently for sale priced from $1,665,000 up to $5,500,000. In Escrow:  1 home is currently in escrow priced at $1,995,000. 2008 Sales:  5 homes sold priced from $1,635,000 up to $5,150,000. In 2007 a total of 25 homes sold in Malaga Cove priced from $1,375,000 up to $8,650,000. If you would like to call Malaga Cove home, call Norma Toering & Team at REMAX Palos Verdes. Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Rea... 07/09/2008

Monte Malaga is an exclusive neighborhood in Palos Verdes Estates.  Located high in the hills on the Palos Verdes Peninsula the area is home to many of the finest homes in the coastal region of Southern California. The numbers are in for the first half of 2008 for Single Family Homes in Monte Malaga: Active Listings:  24 homes priced from $1,252,000 up to $12,990,000. In Escrow:  6 homes priced from $1,299,000 to up to $4,995,000. 2008 Sales:  9 homes priced from $1,400,000 up to $6,800,000. In 2007 23 single family homes sold in Monte Malaga.    For more information on homes available in Monte Malaga call Norma Toering & Team at  310.493.8333 or 310.831.0800. Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800 South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell... 07/09/2008

Most people don't know that the public can use the Palos Verdes Beach and Athletic Club, located at the base of the Palos Verdes Cliffs in Malaga Cove Palos Verdes Estates by purchasing a daily pass for $45 per person per day. The club has a beautiful infinity pool, jacuzzi, gymnasium work-out faciltiy, steam room, sauna, and snack bar, and three built-in gas grills for bar-b-queing. You can learn more about this at my page on my website about Parks, Sports and Recreation on the Palos Verdes Peninsula at http://maureenmegowan.com/PageManager/Default.aspx/PageID=1258089&NF=1 07/08/2008

Lovely Lunada Bay offers a wide selection of homes--some just steps from the Pacific Ocean, others are perched high in the hills above the ocean.  Located on the west side of the Palos Verdes Peninsula with some of the most spectacular views in the area, it is a highly sought after residential neighborhood.   The numbers are in for the first half of 2008 for Single Family Homes in Lunada Bay: Active Listings:  21  homes priced from $1,149,000 to $3,295,000. In Escrow:  5 homes priced from $1,100,000 to $2,550,000. 2008 Sales:  20 homes priced from $1,065,000  to $3,200,000. In 2007 a total of 66 homes sold in Lunada Bay.  Lowest price:  $1,015,000 Highest price:  $6,125,000   If you're looking for a Lunada Bay Home there are some exquisite ones to select from! Norma Toering & Team RE/MA... 07/05/2008

  "Palos Verdes Estates City Council recently reviewed completed reports on the slow, yet consistent, land movement at the north end of Bluff Cove, located at Palos Verdes Drive West near Via Montemar" reported the June 12th Peninsula News.  I have noticed the red pylons decorating the road for months.  To continue reading, click here 06/26/2008

I held an open house Sunday.  Maybe you haven't heard, but it's hot here, really hot.  I wondered if anyone would brave the heat and use $5 a gallon gas to see my listing at 2321 Chelsea Rd. in Palos Verdes Estates, CA.  Even though it is only one block from the ocean, with no breeze blowing the house was hot---sweat-through-your-blouse-hot!   With my iced tea slushy stowed in the Sub-Zero I prepared to soldier on. Hey, I'm not the type of agent to close early or cancel out on a scheduled commitment!     The people trickled in. The sweat trickled down my back. Nine groups attended.  I met some really nice people.  There were curious neighbors and serious buyers.  There were also some professional lookers and out-of-state visitors.  As I pulled the open house sign from the yard, I was pl... 06/23/2008

Well, according to a recent article in the Los Angeles Times recently, it looks like the best deal in town for Jumbo loans is a full document loan from FHA.  It has been slow in starting but now the program is coming together and starting to move.  The rates are great and I just heard that the San Francisco Home market is starting to pick up as per 3Oceans Real Estate.com. The best source for Bay Area Real Estate. Which means to us in Southern Californian that we will soon be following suit, as Southern California usually runs 6 months behind Northern California in home market trends. So all you buyers that have been prcrastinating and waiting for the market to drop should make your move now or get caught in the rising market. Here is some partial  info from the article, link to full st... 06/18/2008