Palos Verdes Estates Lines the Coastline on Palos Verdes Peninsula
Cliffside Mansions Line the Coastline on Palos Verdes Peninsula
Jaw-dropping views can be found from Palos Verdes Estates, California.
Take selfies on the oceanside cliffs in Palos Verdes Estates.
Go for hikes around the endless cliffside trails in Palos Verdes Estates, CA.

Palos Verdes Estates, CA

Area Guide

Avg Rent

$2,864

Population

12,940

Renter Mix

12% Rent

Beautiful homes and sprawling parks overlook the Pacific in this southwest LA enclave

Coastal Beach Ocean

Perched on a dramatic bluff above the Pacific Ocean, Palos Verdes Estates is a master-planned coastal city in Los Angeles County where sweeping ocean views and carefully preserved open space define the character of everyday life. Designed in the early 20th century by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., the city's curving streets, rolling hillsides, and protected greenbelts still reflect that original vision. Though small in size at just five square miles, the community offers a quietly refined atmosphere that feels worlds apart from the bustle of greater Los Angeles, while still keeping downtown LA and South Bay business corridors within a reasonable commute.

Palos Verdes Estates is almost entirely residential in character, anchored by two small neighborhood shopping centers rather than large commercial corridors. That intentional design keeps the pace of life unhurried. The city sits alongside neighboring communities Rancho Palos Verdes and Rolling Hills Estates, giving residents easy access to additional coastal trails, golf courses, and the broader peninsula lifestyle. The rental landscape here leans toward single-family homes, condominiums, and smaller apartment communities, many featuring architectural styles that echo the area's Spanish and Mediterranean influences. For those who value natural beauty, a strong sense of place, and proximity to the Southern California coast, Palos Verdes Estates is a genuinely compelling place to call home.

Explore the City

Jaw-dropping views can be found from Palos Verdes Estates, California.

Take selfies on the oceanside cliffs in Palos Verdes Estates.

Go for hikes around the endless cliffside trails in Palos Verdes Estates, CA.

Ocean views are just outside your front door in Palos Verdes Estates, CA.

Get a taste of nature at Malaga Dunes in Palos Verdes Estates California.

Malaga Hills Hiking Trail in Palos Verdes Peninsula takes you up the hill for amazing views.

Demographics

Median Household Income

$209,371

Average: $208,227

Education

7,926

Residents Have a Degree

Job Market

5,680

Workers Employed

Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.

Median Age

53 Years

Largest Age Group

55-64 Years

Approximately 17% of Residents

Under 20

20%

Over 65

31%

Housing Distribution

Palos Verdes Estates has more homeowners than renters.

Renters
12%
Non-Renters
88%

Education Distribution

Review this city's overall education levels.

Bachelor's or Higher
60%
Other Education
40%

Rent Trends

As of June 2026, the average apartment rent in Palos Verdes Estates, CA is $2,864 for one bedroom, $2,353 for two bedrooms, and $5,043 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Palos Verdes Estates has increased by 0.8% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$2,864/month
708 Sq Ft
House
$11,318/month
2,674 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Palos Verdes Estates, CA

Getting Around

Somewhat Walkable

Walkability

30 / 100

Limited Public Transit

Transit

30 / 100

Exceptionally Drivable

Drivability

90 / 100

Fairly Bikeable

Bikeability

50 / 100

Schools

Montemalaga Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

416 Students

Montemalaga Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

416 Students

Lunada Bay Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

329 Students

Lunada Bay Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

329 Students

Palos Verdes Intermediate

Public

Grades 6-8

735 Students

Palos Verdes High

Public

Grades 9-12

1,484 Students

Palos Verdes High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,484 Students

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • South Coast Botanic Garden
  • Point Vicente Interpretive Center
  • Abalone Cove Shoreline Park
  • George F. Canyon Preserve & Nature Center
  • Forrestal Nature Reserve

Airports

  • Los Angeles International
  • Long Beach (Daugherty Field)

Top Apartments in Palos Verdes Estates

Houses for Rent in Palos Verdes Estates

Living in Palos Verdes Estates

History

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Palos Verdes Estates stands as a meticulously planned community that emerged in the 1920s from the vision of renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. The city retains much of its original Mediterranean Revival character, with distinctive architecture and winding roads designed to harmonize with the dramatic coastal bluffs. Historic landmarks like the Malaga Cove Plaza, designed by the Olmsted firm, still anchor the community with its Spanish Colonial Revival style and central fountain. The Palos Verdes Library and Art Gallery, housed in a charming historic structure, serves as a cultural hub showcasing local heritage. Residents can explore the Point Vicente Lighthouse, a working beacon since 1926 that offers glimpses into the area's maritime history. The city's commitment to preservation means much of the original landscape architecture and development guidelines remain intact, creating a living example of early 20th-century planned community design that continues to shape daily life.

Transportation

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Palos Verdes Estates is a hillside community on the southwestern edge of Los Angeles County, where most residents rely on personal vehicles to get around. Palos Verdes Drive forms the backbone of local travel, looping around the peninsula and connecting to Pacific Coast Highway and the wider South Bay road network. From there, commuters can access the I-110 and I-405 freeways heading into Los Angeles and beyond. Los Angeles International Airport is roughly 30 minutes away under light traffic. The area's hilly terrain limits traditional transit options, but the scenic coastline and dedicated paths along Palos Verdes Drive offer opportunities for cycling and walking for those looking to explore without a car.

Parks

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Palos Verdes Estates is a nature lover's paradise, offering residents access to some of the most scenic outdoor spaces in the South Bay. Bluff Cove and Lunada Bay offer dramatic coastal views, tide pools, and rocky shorelines perfect for exploring. The Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy maintains miles of preserved trails through native habitat, connecting residents to sweeping ocean panoramas. Malaga Cove Plaza and its surrounding greenways provide charming open-air strolling, while Hesse Park offers sports fields, open lawns, and community recreation facilities. The rugged coastal bluffs and protected wildland areas make outdoor living a daily highlight for anyone calling this community home.

Highlights

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Palos Verdes Estates is a coastal city perched on the scenic Palos Verdes Peninsula in Los Angeles County, offering sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, Catalina Island, and the Los Angeles Basin. Known for its rugged bluffs, pristine hiking trails, and the iconic Wayfarers Chapel, the city blends natural beauty with a tranquil, upscale atmosphere. Residents enjoy access to secluded beaches, top-rated schools, and the charming Malaga Cove Plaza, all just a short drive from downtown Los Angeles and major South Bay employment centers.

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Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in June 2026.

Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.