Zip code 90274, Mar 2026 to May 2026, from the Redfin Data Center. 90274 covers Palos Verdes Estates plus Rolling Hills and parts of Rolling Hills Estates and Rancho Palos Verdes, so these figures blend several Peninsula cities. Zip codes don't line up neatly with neighborhood borders, and medians hide a wide range of homes, so treat these as a rough feel for the area.
Banker Frank Vanderlip bought most of the Palos Verdes Peninsula in 1913, and the Olmsted Brothers firm later planned Palos Verdes Estates as a garden community of curving roads, parkland and homes under strict Art Jury design review. Malaga Cove Plaza, whose first building by Webber, Staunton and Spaulding opened in 1925, became the community's village center, built in the Mediterranean style that set the tone for the whole city. Its centerpiece, first installed in 1930, is a copy of the Fountain of Neptune in Bologna.
The homes
Palos Verdes Estates was planned in the 1920s, with the Olmsted Brothers landscape architecture firm shaping its curving roads, parklands and village centers. From the start, the community set a Mediterranean look: Spanish and Italian-inspired homes with white or cream stucco walls and red tile roofs, many tucked into the hillside to frame views of the ocean, Catalina or the Santa Monica Bay.
Later decades added California ranch homes, mid-century designs and newer traditional houses, but the tile roofs and earthy colors still dominate because design review has been part of the deed restrictions since the beginning. Lots are generous by LA standards, and a good share of the city's land is set aside as open space and shoreline parkland.
The feel
- Malaga Cove Plaza is the original village center, with a marble Neptune fountain modeled on the one in Bologna, arcades, a library and a handful of shops and restaurants.
- The bluffs run along Palos Verdes Drive West, with trails above the water and wide views down the coast. Bluff Cove and Lunada Bay sit below, with rocky shoreline and tide pools.
- Lunada Bay Plaza is a smaller second village center with cafes and everyday shops.
- Palos Verdes Golf Club sits in the middle of the city, its fairways adding to the open, green feel of the hillside.
Eat, drink, shop
- Mar'sel (Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes). The main dining room at Terranea, with ocean views and polished resort cooking. The Infatuation
- Bettolino Kitchen (Palos Verdes Blvd, Redondo Beach). A small, family-run Italian spot in Riviera Village, a short drive from Malaga Cove, best known for its handmade pastas. Time Out
- Bread, Espresso & (Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach). A Japanese bakery-cafe near Riviera Village known for cube-shaped milk bread. The Infatuation
- Sushi Chitose (Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach). An easy-to-miss building hiding an affordable sushi omakase. The Infatuation
Getting around
Palos Verdes Drive West and Palos Verdes Drive North are the main routes off the hill, leading toward Redondo Beach, Torrance and the 110 and 405. Off-peak, the Torrance shops are about 10 to 15 minutes away, LAX roughly 30 to 40, and Downtown LA around 40 to 45. There's no rail on the Peninsula, so plan on driving.
What's new
- K Line Extension to Torrance. The nearest new rail project: in January 2026 the Metro board approved extending light rail from Redondo Beach to the Torrance Transit Center, with completion listed around late 2036, pending funding.
Good to know
- Its own city. Palos Verdes Estates incorporated in 1939 and handles its own planning and permits. Note that a 90274 address doesn't always mean Palos Verdes Estates, so confirm which city a home is in.
- Art Jury review. New homes, additions, and even exterior color changes generally need approval through the Palos Verdes Homes Association and its Art Jury, along with the city. Expect a careful process and plan for time.
- Deed restrictions. Many lots carry original restrictions covering use, height and views. Ask for the restrictions on any property and read them before you buy.
- Fire and slopes. Parts of the Peninsula fall in fire hazard severity zones, and hillside lots deserve a geotechnical look at slopes, drainage and foundations. Get insurance quotes early.
- Transfer taxes. The City of LA's Measure ULA generally doesn't apply here. Verify current transfer taxes with your escrow officer.