The town has an interesting name and origin story. Around 1810, Juan Jose Sepulveda was granted the right to run cattle on a portion of the Rancho. This land eventually became the 31,629-acre Rancho Palos Verdes, formally granted to his heirs in 1846. While at Ranch Palos Verdes, we stayed at the Terranea Resort. This sprawling resort comprises a luxury hotel with 480 guest rooms, twenty oceanfront bungalows, 50 ocean-view casitas, 32 villas, eight restaurants, and four pools. The property is mammoth. We enjoyed the extensive walking trails that flow through the property, and the dramatic cliffs overlooking the beaches rival the stretch between San Francisco and the Big Sur on Route 101.

During our stay, we spent most of our time enjoying Terranea’s property; however, we did venture out a couple of times. Our first excursion was to Point Vicente. Point Vicente is a park no more than 1 mile from the Terrenea Resource. The park’s most prominent feature is the Point Vicente Lighthouse, built in 1937. The site was initially selected for its strategic location to guide ships from around the world through Los Angeles Harbor and up to Long Beach. It is one of only three United States West Coast lighthouses still operating and guiding ships. Our second excursion was to Pelican Cove, which is ensconced between Terranea and Point Vincent. It’s a small park with a pebble beach and spectacular views. Rancho Palos Verde is an excellent choice for a long weekend if you’re visiting Los Angeles and are looking to escape the hustle and bustle.