Cute place! If it…read morewere taller, I'd think that Rapunzel lived here! Actually, real people do live here in this one bedroom/one bathroom structure, but we didn't invade their privacy. We just quickly walked around the front after parking the car on the side of the road. It's a curvy, narrow road, so we didn't stay for very long. We really liked the way the mailbox matched the tower! Cool, huh?

The city is looking for a tenant/caretaker right now…read more https://www.dailybreeze.com/2018/12/07/this-tiny-medieval-like-stone-tower-in-palos-verdes-estates-needs-a-new-caretaker/amp/ The city will not be doing a remodel of the interior and they would have to clear any changes to the tower. "Nobody would be able to come in there and gut it and make it into a triplex," he said. There was discussion about making it a non-occupied historical monument, but there was worry that it would require security or police presence. "It was decided the most logical and practical way to deal with this is to have a tenant who cares about the property," he said. "For some people, it's like a dream come true." To inquire about applying for tenancy, contact the Palos Verdes Estates City Manager's Office at Citymanager@Pvestates.Org

Park at abalone cove shoreline park…read more Parking opens 9am. Cost 12 dollars for 2 hours. Super scenic hike as you loop through the beach and up the hills. Recommend you bring some water shoes if you want to go look at the tide pools. The park benches are clean.

California has so many great places to hike and this is one of the nicest trails out there. We…read morestarted at Del Cerro Park and hiked down to the beach just east of Inspiration Point using the Archery Coastal trail. The hike wasn't difficult as the cool ocean breeze helped keep the temperature down. Our watch showed almost a 7 mile roundtrip route.

Landmark in Rolling Hills Estates, California…read more.. I've had this place bookmarked for years, but wasn't in the area and didn't make time to find the Palos Verdes Flower Talking Clock. This evening after dinner, we searched our lists of things to do. I drove to this shopping plaza and finally found The Flower Clock at the exit lane of a bank. I should have parked on the street, but I was so happy to see The Clock that I ran out of the car and blocked the driveway! My impressions: It's very pretty with live flowering plants! The hands of the clock work! It's amazing! After reading a few reviews, I learned that at noon, it plays The National Anthem daily! It also announces the time on the hour! Michel Medawar, a watch repairer from Beirut, Lebanon, created this masterpiece in appreciation for his new country (The USA) when he moved here in 1975. The Talking Flower Clock was dedicated in 1987 by Actor Danny Thomas. I'll have to return at noon someday!

Located off Silver Spur Road in Palos Verdes. You can park on the street to quickly check it out…read more It's working clock with everything made of flowers. It also is supposed to talk but we didn't hear anything maybe it does every hour, 30 mins or 15 mins I dunno there was no signage mentioning it. Overall something interesting to see lol.

Beauty can often be found in the simplest of things, and the B17 known as the "Aluminum Overcast"…read moreis as simple and beautiful as anything you will ever see. I crawled around her after she landed at Zamperini Airfield in Torrance, and it occurred to me, hell, these things are just sheet metal and engines. No comfortable seats for long missions, no bathroom, no insulation, no anything except bombs. It must have been terribly uncomfortable and freezing cold during long bombing missions, especially at 20,000 feet when the bomb doors were open, and horribly loud with all the .50 cal. guns pouring out rounds into the sky. When my father, a B17 bombardier, first boarded his brand new B17 in Texas, he found notes written by Boeing workers in Seattle saying things like, good luck, God bless you, F*** Hitler!. They were in such a hurry to get B17s to the front lines, the workers even left wrappers from their lunches. Not long after, he was jumping out of that B17 as it burned and fell out of the sky over Ploesti. She is as real flying airplane, a museum, and a living tribute to the men who served, sacrificed, and, in many cases, gave up their lives defending freedom.

This is a great event that happens every year at Torrance Airport Zamperini Field in the spring…read more This give those an opportunity to experience flying in a B-17G Flying Fortress or taking a ground tour. They usually make a couple stops in the Southern California area and this is the only one in the South Bay. This bomber has been lovingly restored back to WWII condition. The flight lasts for about 45 mins. I think the best part is the run up of the engines on the first flight of the day. The sound of those 4 powerful radial engines resonates your core. So stop by and experience this rare occurrence in the in our neighborhood.

Great views! Can't lose coming here and taking a few pictures for posterity. Make sure to bring a…read morejacket just in case the weather is cold though.

This location is noted on maps as "Scenic Outlook - Vista Point" but we just call it the Hawthorne…read moreOverlook. Considering the light traffic in the area, the spot is as popular as one would expect...i.e., not crowded. It must be accessed going uphill on Hawthorne due to the median. Heading up, the overlook is steps before the stoplight at Vallon Drive. There's room for about 5 cars in the turnout (no meters). There's also a bus stop (bus line 344) but in more than a decade I've never seen a bus. No overnight parking is allowed - from 10pm-5am. The overlook has one bench, that's it. But people pull over to take in the panoramic views often without getting out of their cars: Terranea Resort far below, Catalina offshore, protruding peninsulas to the south. You'll sometimes see a red-tailed hawk circling around. And when yellow wild mustard covers the surrounding hills in early spring, hang onto your hat. The view is dramatic in any weather conditions, including fog. Sunrise, sunset, clear days, overcast days.....the changes in the landscape & sky are the enticing draw. Easy to understand why I take this "scenic route" when driving up the hill to do errands. I've never not been able to pull over & park - people don't stay long, just long enough to snap a few photos/videos. A couple days ago the view was so stunning that a lady pulled her car in behind me & jumped out so fast with camera she left her car door wide open. I'm so glad this overlook exists because there's really no other place to park on this stretch of Hawthorne offering unobstructed views. So if you're driving up or down the coast, take a minute (literally) to go up Hawthorne to check it out. The rugged beauty of the Palos Verdes Peninsula coastline is truly breathtaking. I'm completely in love with this magical area.

Valmonte is my favorite neighborhood in Palos Verdes Estates (with Malaga Cove in second place &…read moreLunada Bay third). Valmonte borders the Hollywood Riviera neighborhood of Torrance on the north & Palos Verdes Golf Club on the southwest. Valmonte homes are on both sides of Palos Verdes Drive North, a picturesque road with a wide, tree-filled median. (PV Dr N takes you into Rolling Hills Estates as you leave Valmonte heading south.) That PV Drive median is so generous because it was intended to accommodate a train during the development of the City of Palos Verdes Estates in the early 1900s. For various reasons the train didn't happen....but today the lengthy median boasts a lovely, curving, gravel walking path & an adjacent wood chip trail for horse riders from nearby Palos Verdes Stables. Yes, horses, meandering right down the middle of the divided road. The residential area called Valmonte Grove is my choice walking territory on the planet. It's downright enchanting, especially just before sunset when golden glowing rays beam thru tall eucalyptus trees, casting shadows of intricate patterns. The green hills of Malaga Cove are the background. The ocean is a few blocks away. I took an out-of-towner, someone who has travelled the world for decades, on a walk though Valmonte Grove. He remarked, "This is the prettiest little neighborhood I've ever seen, anywhere. All the trees!" Yeah, all those trees. To preserve the character of the area, the city won't allow for them to be removed unless diseased. It's not unusual to count 15-20 eucalyptus trees on a single property. Gutters & lawns fill up with endless tree debris and, although eucalyptus seem to have shallow roots, not so great for underground plumbing pipes, I'm told. And the trees have been known to topple over occasionally. Worth the hassle for such unique beauty? I say yes. I see Valmonte Grove as a collection of vintage homes, of many different architectural designs, built into a eucalyptus grove. I've heard, but can't confirm, that the eucalyptus were originally planted there more than 100 years ago to be cut down & used for firewood. That would explain their density. Valmonte has no streetlights, sidewalks or traffic signals....only stop signs. There is an Art Jury, in place since the City of Palos Verdes Estates was created, that oversees any new residential building projects, including size & style of homes, as well as modification to existing houses. Changes to exterior doors & windows, roofs, even landscaping....must be approved. Exterior paint colors are restricted. If your new porch railing does not conform to your 1940s Colonial style house, you'll be replacing it. Strict, yes. But stroll through Valmonte & you'll understand why such rules endure. Photos cannot capture the intoxicating scent of eucalyptus, the sound of song birds or the charming peacefulness of Valmonte. The prettiest little neighborhood anywhere, where sunlight filters thru tall trees, where kids can safely play on narrow quiet streets, where meticulously manicured flower gardens abound, where neighbors all know each other.....this is where I've wandered on foot for years, allowing the magic to envelop me. It never gets old or boring - it only gets better as time passes.

Recently stopped by here about a year after trying it for the first time…read more I have to say, Pasta Stories really stepped up their game in terms of serving time! The first time I ate here, it took maybe 20-25 minutes for me to get my food. This time, I had my food in around 10 minutes. I was very impressed with this big decrease in wait time. This time I tried the new Hokkaido cream pasta, which tasted super fresh and made to order. The cream was warm and rich without feeling over the top like some other cream-based pasta sauces from Italian/American places. I liked the addition of spinach and mushrooms as well. The restaurant is in a food court with a few other options, and a decent amount of seating. It's also inside of a grocery store, so if you're with a picky group, everyone could theoretically order something different and eat together. I remember I was a little put off by the anime branding of the restaurant at first (it seemed a little childish to me) but Pasta Stories is really a solid wafu pasta place, and I love that they focus on different regional flavors of Japan. Prices are very affordable as well, with most pastas being around $15 and under.

For a cost friendly meal, the expectation in quality generally tends to be low but Pasta Stories is…read morethe exception. With meals ranging from $10-$17, there is something for everyone. I personally have tried the following: Hokkaido Cream Pasta (newest addition as of late) Fukuoka Mentaiko Butter Pasta Kyoto Matcha Cream Pasta (one of my favorite dishes here - pair with salmon for a strong, umami flavor profile) Iwate Triple Mushroom Pasta Okinawa Pork Ragu Spaghetti (THE number 1 pick, however was not on the menu when I visited last) Osaka American Wagyu Meat Sauce There is a strong attention to Japanese flavors fusing with traditional Italian pasta dishes and are all made with love and care. I always recommend this place to friends and family, I can't get enough of it!

Why does it take years and moving away to actual experience places that's been there for a while. A…read morenice sunny afternoon driving around and seeing what's there to offer. Plus it's been decades since I was last around this area. There's so many stops along the way during our drive which this was the first along the path. It's a nice decent size park that it part of. A good amount of parking in the lot next to the basketball courts. Right along the bell is a massive grassy knoll where people were enjoying picnics and laying out. Of course today was beautiful but it was quite windy. Didn't help that the park was little higher than the rest so it made the wind a bit more aggressive. The focal point, the massive bell. With a walkway that leads you to the prize possession. Right in the middle looking out to the Pacific Ocean, she sits there on full display. The bright beautiful color of the details painted was a sight to see. Stairs leading up to the bell where you could walk around. It is roped off. Regardless whatever side you're looking at, it's was quite amazing. Something like this on a hill that's part of the city. If you walk down the grassy knoll, the view of the pacific ocean and cliffs were spectacular. Having a seat and just taking it all in was nice. It was windy so it did get cold but on a nice sunny and clear day, you could see miles and miles of the coastline and tide pools. These little hidden spots in the city are cute when you find them. There's also a little playground around the corner from the bell by the exit and entrance.

If you haven't been to the Korean Bell of Friendship, you're missing out on a hidden gem in the…read moreSouth Bay. It is a symbol of friendship and community not just to South Korea, but Koreans living in United States. It is also a beautiful landmark surrounded by the cliffside vista of the Pacific Ocean below. There is also a basketball court nearby and a good amount of picnic grounds. It can get pretty windy and cold here, so be sure to come prepared for both!

Wow! A beautiful and intriguing fountain in the middle of a small parking lot…read more The mermaids are in a peculiar stance and doing special things with their hands. Don't remember too much of those poses/statues in high school history classes.

Dec. 2011 review update:…read more I'm obsessed with this fountain. I might need an intervention. I'm in Malaga Cove Plaza every couple days: post office, market, coffee shop, cafes, gift shop, newspapers....recently I was there to get my hair done. I got to Malaga 40 min early so I could check out fountain photo ops. I was almost late for my appt.. Two hours later, hair cut & colored, I'm back at the fountain waiting for sunset. I was freezing. I was hungry. Should've gone potty before I left the salon but was in a hurry to get back to the fountain....(TMI, apologies). Sometimes in the plaza I avoid looking at the fountain. Resist. Don't take that first pic, you'll be hooked. A couple times they shut off the fountain's water & I felt a sense of panic. Withdrawal symptoms. I never check-in here. People will get wise. She's at the fountain again. Complete transparency: I haven't posted all the pics I've taken, not even close. It's embarrassing. This has been going on for 8 years. I'm exhausted. That Beach Boys song, "Help Me Rhonda", plays in my head but I altered the words: Help me Neptune Help, help me Neptune Help me get him out of my head. I've seen a lot of beautiful fountains in my day (e.g., Chicago's landmark Buckingham Fountain) but none so captivating as this one. It's got me. And there are no barriers here to keep people at a distance. It's so easy to use the sky as a photo backdrop, as water squirts & drips from every cherub, mermaid & dolphin orifice. Flowering trees surround the fountain in late winter/early spring. And Neptune, the star of the show, appears to reach for clouds & contrails. Sometimes it looks as if they emanate from his giant hand. He's powerful. I'm smitten. Another Yelper managed to capture Neptune holding the moon, well done. And then there's that pic where the stature is purple, captioned "photo class". Creative. And btw....about that fig leaf: Originally Neptune was not wearing one, which apparently caused a bit of an uproar as did the topless mermaids which remain. I'm guessing that today, almost a hundred years later, there'd be an even bigger uproar over a completely naked Neptune in the middle of a parking lot. So we've got half-nekkid Nept with the girls spraying water from their bosoms & a crazy lady taking pictures & everybody's just doin' their thing. A glimmer of hope: I'm not tempted to take photos when it's raining. Yet. But whoa, what interesting shots those could be. Uh oh

It might be the last year. If you have never taken the time, please do it now. Lines move fast and…read morethe caramel popcorn is delicious.

BEST CARAMEL POPCORN I'VE EVER HAD! Mom and Dad used to bring the whole family out every year,…read morestarting back in 1978. This is the same great caramel corn I remember, and I'm sorry if this is the last year. Smilin' Jack 4-EVAH!