Palos Verdes Area Map
Those visiting Palos Verdes for the first time are often astonished that it is not only close to everything in L.A., including Los Angeles International Airport, but that the peninsula itself teems with attractions and destinations.
Palos Verdes Peninsula & Rancho Palos Verdes
Abalone Beach and Ecological Reserve
310.377.1222 | 5970 Palos Verdes Drive South, Rancho Palos Verdes
www.palosverdes.com (City Departments/Recreation & Parks)
Coastal Sage Scrub, the California Gnatcatcher the Cactus Wren and tide pools are found here. Swimming and picnic areas are available. Outdoor fires or dogs are not permitted.
Farnham Martin Park and Malaga Cove Library
Located at Malaga Cove, corner of Palos Verdes Drive & Via Chico
www.palosverdeschamber.com (Things to Do)
The library and art gallery opened in 1930. The lawn is the setting for free concerts in the summer and home to some of the peacocks that reside in many places on the Peninsula. The present library contains a history room that contains documents, photos, newspapers, yearbooks and tapes all relating to peninsula history.
George F. Canyon Nature Center
310.547.0862 | 27205 Palos Verdes Drive East
www.pvplc.org (Preserves)
The 36-acre canyon cuts through the hills of Rolling Hills Estates - ideal for hikes. There are markers along the way for information about indigenous plant life. The Nature Center features exhibits about Peninsula plants and wildlife.
Ice Chalet
310.541.6630 | 550 Deep Valley Drive, Rolling Hills Estates
Drive Time (approximate): 7 miles/11 minutes
www.promenadeonthePeninsula.com
This year-round ice rink is on the first level of Promenade on the Peninsula.
Korean Bell of Friendship and Bell Pavilion
1976 South Gaffey Street, San Pedro
Drive Time (approximate): 6 miles/11 minutes
www.sanpedro.com/sp_point/koreanbell.htm
Museum features the bell presented to the people of Los Angeles by the people of the Republic of Korea in 1976.
Malaga Cove Plaza
Located at the corner of Palos Verdes Drive & Via Chico
www.palosverdeschamber.com (Things to Do)
This Spanish Renaissance style plaza was the Peninsula's first commercial area that began in 1925. The plaza features shops, a food market, flower stand and a small restaurant. The centerpiece of the plaza is the Neptune Fountain, which is a two-thirds size copy of a fountain in Bologna, Italy. The fountain was a gift to the Palos Verdes Community and dedicated in 1930.
Marine Mammal Care Center and Center for Marine Studies at Fort MacArthur
310.548.5677 | 3601 South Gaffey Street, San Pedro
www.marinemammalcare.org
Center for Marine Studies activities focus on marine and environmental sciences for all students, offering close-up observation of sick or injured pinnipeds that are being rehabilitated at the Marine Mammal Care Center at Fort MacArthur. Students can observe animal care, feeding procedures, and learn about the rehabilitation processes that enables these wild animals to be returned to the ocean.
Norris Center for the Performing Arts
310.544.0403 | 27520 Crossfield Drive, Rolling Hills Estates
Drive Time: 7 miles/10 minutes
www.norristheatre.org
Norris Theater for the Performing Arts, an elegant modern facility seating 450, serves professional resident and touring companies presenting dance, drama, and music productions.
Point Vicente Interpretive Center
310.377.5370 | 31501 Palos Verdes Drive West
www.palosverdes.com (City Departments/Recreation & Parks)
The Interpretive Center features exhibits on the natural and cultural history of the Peninsula, with a special emphasis on the Pacific gray whale. This premier whale watch site provides spectacular opportunities to view the annual migration of the Pacific gray whale, from December through April. The Interpretive Center is open daily and the park grounds may be enjoyed from dawn to dusk.
The Point Vicente Lighthouse
310.541.0334 | 31550 Palos Verdes Drive
www.palosverdes.com (City Departments/Recreation & Parks)
Standing on the most southwesterly point of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, Point Vicente Lighthouse has long been one of this area's jewels. To the landsman, the lighthouse is scenic delight and continual attraction to sightseers, tourists, photographers and painters. To the mariner, the lighthouse is an aid to navigation which marks the northern end of the Catalina Channel on the Pacific coast. It helps him plot his position and warns him to avoid the rocky schoals which surround the nearby shore and, in a heavy fog, its horn will warn him if he gets too close to the dangerous shore. The tower and a small museum are open to the public.
Portuguese Bend
This mile-long stretch of road experiences some of the most dramatic geological shifts anywhere. Located just east of Abalone Cove Shoreline Park, this area has seen more than 100 homes lost to landslides since 1956. A drive along provides plenty of evidence of the area's infamous geologic history as the road is crooked and bumpy in many parts.
Promenade on the Peninsula
310.541.0688 | 550 Deep Valley Drive, Rolling Hills Estates
Drive Time (approximate): 7 miles/11 minutes
www.promenadeonthepeninsula.com
Promenade on the Peninsula is a Spanish-style, three-level, open-air center, with more than 50 name brand and boutique specialty stores and restaurants including Borders Books & Music, Equinox Fitness Club & Spa, The Ice Chalet ice skating rink and a state-of-the-art 13-screen Regal Cinemas Theater. The pedestrian-friendly center invites shoppers to stroll among shops, colorfully tiled stairways and pop-up fountain beneath beautiful sky views.
South Coast Botanic Gardens
310.544.6815 | 26300 South Crenshaw Boulevard
www.southcoastbotanicgarden.org
An 87-acre garden built on a landfill offers guests lectures, flower shows, bird walks, concerts, car shows and special events throughout the year. Admission fee and tram ride available by appointment.
Wayfarer's Chapel
310.377.1650 | 5755 Palos Verdes Drive South, Rancho Palos Verdes
www.wayfarerschapel.org
Designed by Lloyd Wright - son of Frank Lloyd Wright, the Chapel is often referred to as the Glass Church and is a famous and popular place for weddings. Many soap operas, television and movie weddings have been filmed there. The Chapel is open to all faiths and denominations. It is open daily for prayers and meditation.
Los Angeles & Surrounding Area
Aquarium of the Pacific
562.590.3100 | 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach
Drive Time (approximate): 15 miles/30 minutes
www.aquariumofpacific.org
Located on five acres of waterfront property in downtown Long Beach, the Aquarium of the Pacific features marine life of the Pacific Ocean. More than 47 exhibits represent more than 550 species.
Beverly Hills
310.285.2442 | Trolley Hotline
Drive Time (approximate): 25 miles/45-50 minutes
www.beverlyhills.org
Take a ride through Beverly Hills on a 40-minute narrated tour of art, architecture historical and renowned areas of the City.
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
310.548.7562 | 3720 Stephen White Drive, San Pedro
Drive Time (approximate): 7 miles/14 minutes
www.cabrillomarineaquarium.org
Learn about the natural history of the area through live exhibits. Beach walks and classes are held all through the year. From March to August, during the full or new moon you can participate in a Grunion run. The admission is free.
Catalina Island
Boat Ride Time (approximate): 32 miles/45 minutes
www.catalina.com
A place where the gentle rhythm of waves makes time slow down. It's a place where paddling through crystal clear waters in the crisp morning air is followed by Mai Tai's and sun soaked massages on the beach. Moonlit walks are the norm and a sense of timelessness surrounds you. That Catalina feeling of tranquility is better known as Island Time.
Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure
714.781.4000 | 1313 S. Harbor Boulevard, Anaheim
Drive Time (approximate): 40 miles/45 minutes to an hour
www.disneyland.com
"The Happiest Place on Earth," Disneyland has stood as an icon of magical story telling for decades. No trip to Southern California would be complete without a visit to Disneyland. Disney's California Adventure theme park is a magical festival of shows, parades and attractions celebrating California's storied past and exciting future.
Getty Center
310.440.7300 | 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles
Drive Time (approximate): 32 miles/40-45minutes
www.getty.edu
Designed by one of America's celebrated architects, Richard Meier, the Getty Center showcases paintings; drawings; sculptures; illuminated manuscripts; and French, European and American photographs. The astonishing permanent collection includes Van Gogh's Irises, as well as paintings and drawings by Rembrandt, Monet, Monet, Renoir and Cézanne.
Griffith Observatory
213.473.0800 | 2800 E Observatory Avenue, Los Angeles
Drive Time (approximate): 38 miles/45-50 minutes
www.griffithobs.org
Griffith Observatory's unique architecture and setting, compelling programmatic offerings, and Silver Screen cinematic exposure have made it one of the most famous and visited landmarks in Southern California.
Heritage Square Museum
323.225.2700 | 3800 Homer Street, Los Angeles
Drive Time (approximate): 30 miles/40-45 minutes
www.heritagsquare.org
A living history museum reflecting the settlement and development of Southern California from the Civil War to the early 20th Century, Heritage Square Museum offers visitors a look into the everyday lives of Southern Californians at the close of the 19th Century.
Hermosa Beach
www.hbchamber.net
The city's flat sandy beach is ideal for sunbathing, beach volleyball, surfing and paddle boarding. Pier Avenue offers a thriving concentration of restaurants and nightlife.
Hollywood
Drive Time (approximate): 38 miles/50 minutes to 1 hour
www.hollywoodchamber.net
Match your hand and footprints with over 170 screen legends such as Clint Eastwood and Marilyn Monroe in the courtyard of the most famous movie theatre in the world, Mann's Chinese Theatre. Hollywood offers a multitude of exclusive boutiques, gourmet restaurants and of course the Kodak Theater, home of the Academy Awards.
Knott's Berry Farm
714.220.5200 | 8039 Beach Boulevard, Buena Park
Drive Time (approximate): 35 miles/45 - 55 minutes
www.knotts.com
The gang's all here! Snoopy, Charlie, Lucy and Linus await your arrival to a world of fun and fantasy at every turn. From high-flying rollercoaster rides to whimsical characters and yummy eats, Knott's Berry Farm is a rockin' realm of entertainment just waiting to be discovered.
La Brea Tar Pits
323.934.7243 | 5801 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles
Drive Time: 21 miles/45-50 minutes
www.tarpits.org
Rancho La Brea is one of the world's most famous fossil localities, recognized for having the largest and most diverse assemblage of extinct Ice Age plants and animals in the world. Visitors can learn about Los Angeles as it was between 10,000 and 40,000 years ago, during the last Ice Age, when animals such as saber-toothed cats and mammoths roamed the Los Angeles Basin.
L.A. LIVE
800 W. Olympic Boulevard, Los Angeles
Drive Time (approximate): 25 miles/45-55 minutes
www.lalive.com
As a one-of-a-kind entertainment campus, L.A. LIVE is a genuine world-class sports and entertainment destination.
Manhattan Beach
www.manhattanbeachchamber.org
Manhattan Beach is the home of volleyball and surfing. The quaint downtown area offers an eclectic array of boutiques, shops and restaurants. An attractive aquarium sits at the end of the expansive pier.
Museum of Latin American Art
562.437.1689 | 628 Alamitos Avenue, Long Beach
Drive Time (approximate): 15 miles/30 minutes
www.molaa.org
Dubbed as "more than just a museum," the Museum of Latin American Art is the place to come, if you're interested in Latin American art work. It displays works by artists, which date from World War II to recent years.
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles
213.763.3466 | 900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles
Drive Time: 21 miles/45-50 minutes
www.nhm.org
Visit one of the world's most extensive and valuable collections of natural and cultural history. As the largest natural and historical museum in the Western United States and an active research center, NHM safeguards more than 35 million spectacular, diverse specimens and artifacts covering 4.5 billion years of history.
The Original Farmers Market
3rd Street and Fairfax (Los Angeles)
Drive Time (approximate): 35 miles/50 minutes to 1 hour
www.farmersmarketla.com
The Original Farmers Market remains the number one tourist destination in Los Angeles. Offering visitors international cuisine, a wide range of gifts from around the world, regularly scheduled special events for the family and outdoor flavor, not to mention the freshest and finest meats, poultry, seafood, produce and flowers in all of Los Angeles County.
Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles County
213.972.7211 | 135 North Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, 90012
Drive Time (approximate): 25 miles/45 minutes
www.musiccenter.org
Located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles, the Music Center is one of the three largest performing arts centers in the nation and welcomes more than 1.3 million people each year. The Center isn't limited to performances, offering visitors great architecture, tours, museums and restaurants.
Queen Mary
800.437.2934 | 1126 Queen's Highway, Long Beach, 90802
Drive Time (approximate): 15 miles/30 minutes
www.queenmary.com
Come aboard the legendary Queen Mary and see restored areas that have been under wraps since the final voyage in 1967, including the Isolation Wards and the aft Machine Rooms.
Redondo Beach
Drive Time (approximate): 4 miles/10 minutes
www.redondochamber.org
The Strand, a paved path that runs from South Redondo north to Santa Monica, is a haven for beach goers, bicyclists, skateboarders, and rollerbladers enjoying the sun and surf. Beach Volleyball is another important aspect of Redondo Beach's lifestyle.
Regal Cinema
310.544.3042 | 5500 Deep Valley Drive, Rolling Hills Estates
www.regmovies.com
Features all new films and offers comfortable stadium seating.
Rodeo Drive
Drive Time (approximate): 25 miles/45-50 minutes
www.rodeodrive-bh.com
This California shopping district is famous for designer labels and haute couture fashion.
Santa Monica
310.458.8900 | 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica
Drive Time (approximate): 31 miles/40-45 minutes
www.santamonica.com
Nowhere embodies the spirit of Southern California quite like the sandy beach of Santa Monica and world famous Santa Monica pier. Since 1909, the Pier has been serving up beachside fun to visitors from across the globe seeking the quintessential California experience.
Sony Picture Studios
310.244.4000 | 1020 W. Washington Boulevard, Culver City
Drive Time (approximate): 35 miles/45 - 55 minutes
www.sonypicturestudios.com
Located on one of the world's most famous studio lots, this walking tour gives you a rare glimpse of old Hollywood's glory days and an insider's view of a state-of-the-art motion picture studio.
Universal Studios Hollywood
818.717.1000 | 70 Universal City Plaza, Universal City
Drive Time (approximate): 40 miles/45 minutes - 1 hour
www.universalstudioshollywood.com
From the blazing infernos of red-hot explosions to jump-out-of-your-seat thrills of great white shark attacks, Hollywood is ablaze in scintillating movie magic crafted from the firing synapses of the world's most creative minds.
Warner Bros. VIP Studio Tour
818.972.8687 | 3400 Riverside Drive, Burbank, 91522
Drive Time (approximate): 42 miles/50 minutes
www.warnerbros.com
See "Behind-the-scenes" and "into-the-scenes" of your favorite shows and movies at the world's busiest motion picture and television studio.
