Malaga Cove

Malaga Cove was the first community on the Palos Verdes Peninsula built in the 1920's as part of one of the first master planned communities in the country. The City of Palos Verdes Estates was initially known as the Palos Verdes Project and was governed by a homeowners association until it was incorporated in 1940. Any exterior changes to homes must still be reviewed and approved by a local art jury to maintain the consistency of architectural style throughout the City.

Most of the homes in the Malaga Cove area are Spanish in design with many dating to the 1920's and 1930's, and many enjoy spectacular views, particularly those built above Palos Verdes Drive on the upper part of Malaga Cove. Although there are no official parks in the City, local residents use the grass athletic fields at Malaga Cove school, and also have access, for a daily fee, to the Palos Verdes Beach and Athletic Club in lower Malaga Cove next to Malaga Cove School. Malaga Cove School, the first school constructed on the Peninsula, houses only the school district administration and is not an active school.

Access to schools is not great here, as the High schools,the intermediate school , and the nearest elementary school are a 5 minute drive. The schools are among the best in the State. Access to shopping is also not great, as the local shopping plaza at Malaga Cove Plaza has mostly realty offices. The local food store is Malaga Cove market, which although is very small and you would not do your weekly shopping there, has some great deli and take out foods. The closest shopping area is Riviera Village down the hill in Redondo Beach.

The Malaga Cove area has spectacular ocean and city light views, and is a beautiful neighborhood.

Malaga Cove is a beautiful village inside the city of Palos Verdes Estates which is situated on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, in Los Angeles County. With the median home prices appraised at nearly $1,500,000, Malaga Cove has beautifully landscaped homes and amazing views of the South Bay and Catalina Island. The approximately 8,000 residents of Malaga Cove have access to a beach that is predominantly rocky and is marked by high cliffs. It is also a popular dive spot (with no currents and shallow water) for beginning divers. Since the location is somewhat remote, the locals are known to be a bit territorial of their hidden treasure. Malaga Cove beach is not ideal for sun bathing, but the beautiful cliffs and reefs offer a picturesque scene.

Malaga Cove Plaza is a small overpriced shopping center for the residents of Malaga Cove. The Plaza has several small stores, banks, as well as a post office, a local fire department, and a police station nearby. Palos Verdes Estates is the only city on the Peninsula with its own police department. Palos Verdes (or PV, as the locals call it) has no street lights or traffic lights. Speed traps are very common on Palos Verdes Drive.

In the center of the Plaza, stands the Neptune Fountain which is a replica of a 16th century fountain in Bologna, Italy. It was donated to the city of Palos Verdes in 1930. Parking in the plaza is free, but with strictly-enforced one or two-hour time limits.

Malaga Cove Library is located right next to the Plaza. The library looks like an old mansion from the outside. It is an old Spanish style building high on a hill, surrounded by eucalyptus trees that are sometime occupied by peacocks. The building was erected in 1930 and is now on the National Historic Register. The library also has amazing views of the beach and Palos Verdes.

For families with children, the Palos Verdes Unified School District oversees two elementary schools and one middle school for Malaga Cove. High school students have a choice between Palos Verdes High School and Palos Verdes Peninsula High School. All schools have amazing scores. The high schools rank among the highest in the country. Each school has more than a dozen Valedictorians and National Merit Scholars.

In 2007, Palos Verde Estates was voted as one of “the best places to live in the US” by CNN Money. Malaga Cove is a very safe and clean community. Their residents are educated, wealthy people. Education in PV is a high priority for those with children. Many parents volunteer huge amounts of their time in schools or on the school board.