This area is so rich in recreational opportunities a person can have fun 365 days a year if he or she has time! The great weather here results in venues for outdoor sports. 

Whether your passion is horses, tennis, hiking or the water, we have it all! I am happy to provide you with a brief overview on this Web page. Take a look! 

EQUESTRIAN FACILITIES & RIDING RINKS  

Therapeutic Riders Of LA 

Click Here To Visit The Palos Verdes Equestrian Website 

Palos Verdes Stables - public - in Palos Verdes Estates – 4057 Via Opata, Palos Verdes Estates – 310-378-3527 or 310-375-9005. Call for information about rides, lessons and summer camp. 

Equestrian Center in Rolling Hills Estates – 26401 Crenshaw Blvd., Rolling Hills Estates – 310-541-9487. 

Chandler Park (call RHE City Hall) - 310-377-1577  

Dapplegray Park (call RHE City Hall) - 310-377-1577  

Empty Saddle Club - private - 310-377-9059  

Portuguese Bend Riding Club - private - 310-377-9059. 

Equestrian Center in Rolling Hills Estates – 26401 Crenshaw Blvd., Rolling Hills Estates – 310-541-9487.  

The nationally known Portuguese Bend Horse Show - is held in September at Ernie Howlett Park on Hawthorne Blvd. 

CONTACTING THE EQUESTRIAN COMMITTEE 

The Equestrian Committee meets on the 2nd Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. at the City Hall Community Room, 30940 Hawthorne Boulevard. The most effective manner to communicate with the Equestrian Committee is to submit a written letter, fax or e-mail message, the submitted comments will be included with the Staff Report (for agenda items) or with the agenda packet (for non-agenda items), which the Committee Members receive on the Thursday before the scheduled meeting. 

This provides the Committee Members with the most opportunity to review the comments before the public hearing discussion. Written comments or e-mail messages submitted to the Department after 5:30 pm on Wednesday are distributed to the Equestrian Committee at the meeting. There is no preference or difference in effectiveness with regards to typed letters or e-mail messages. They are all handled equally, provided they are submitted timely. 

THE PALOS VERDES PENINSULA HOREEMAN'S ASSOCIATION 

This is a non-profit organization with the following purpose: 

* To preserve horse keeping on the Palos Verdes Peninsula
* To protect and promote trails and equestrian facilities
* To encourage good horse keeping and support education
* To stay in touch via a Monthly Dispatch
* To maintain the only trail guide of the trails on the Palos Verdes Peninsula (available at local feed and tack stores for $10) 

Meetings are held monthly, the third Thursday of every month at: Empty Saddle Club, Rolling Hills Estates.  

Interesting lectures and demonstrations are the highlight of each meeting. 

Family memberships cost only $30 per year. 

TENNIS FACILITIES  

Ernie Howlett Park --- 310-541-4585
Jack Kramer Club --- 310-326-4404
Palos Verdes Tennis Club --- 310-373-6326
Peninsula Racquet Club --- 310-541-2523  

PARKS & NATURE WALKS 

Hesse Park --- 310-541-8114
Ladera Linda Community Center --- 310-541-7073
Point Vicente Interpretive Center --- 310-377-5370
Rancho Palos Verdes Park --- 310-377-2290
Highridge Park (call RHE City Hall) --- 310-377-1577
Ernie Howlett Park --- 310-541-4585
Chandler Park (call RHE City Hall) --- 310-377-1577
South Coast Botanic Gardens --- 310-544-6815
Monthly walks led by PVP Land Conservancy --- 310-373-0202  

SWIMMING & ICE SKATING 

Palos Verdes Beach and Athletic Club --- 310-375-8777
Abalone Shoreline Park --- 310-377-1222
Jack Kramer Club --- 310-326-4404
Ice Capades Chalet --- 310-541-6630  

WHALE WATCHING 

1. Q.) When is whale season and what is the best time of day to see a whale? 

A.) The Pacific gray whale migration period is typically from December to April. Although whales do not appear on a regular schedule, it is usually easier to spot them in the morning when the water is calmer.  

2. Q.) Since the Point Vicente Interpretive Center is closed, where may I go to watch the whales?  

A.) The Pacific Gray whale's annual migration season from the frigid waters of the Arctic seas to the warm lagoons of Baja California is December through the end of April. Although the Interpretive Center is closed, the Visitor's Annex located on the grounds adjacent to the Center is open to the public Monday through Friday, 1pm to 5pm and weekends, 10am to 5pm.  

B.) Another ideal location is The Fisherman's Access, between the Point Vicente Lighthouse and Long Point (formerly Marineland).  

C.) Commercial whale watch boats offer you an up-close look at whales: Call Redondo Sports Fishing in Redondo Beach at 372-2111 or 22nd Street Landing in San Pedro at 832-8304.  

D.) Also, visit the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro to learn more about the whales, or call them at 548-7562.  

3. Q.) How can I arrange for a tour of the Lighthouse?  

A.) The United States Coast Guard operates the Point Vicente Lighthouse. The Coast Guard Auxiliary conducts regularly scheduled tours on the second Saturday of each month, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Call 541-0334 for more information. 

OTHER RECREATIONAL & FUN PLACES IN PALOS VERDES 

Click Here To Visit ThePalos Verdes Chamber Of Commerce Website 

The Ice Chalet - is on the first level of The Avenue of the Peninsula – 550 Deep Valley Drive, Rolling Hills Estates – 310-541-6630.

Ernie Howlett Park – 25851 Hawthorne Blvd, Rolling Hills Estates – 310-541-4585

Jack Kramer Club – 11 Montecillo Drive, Rolling Hills Estates –31-326-4404

Palos Verdes Tennis Club – 3303 Via Campesina, Palos Verdes Estates – 310-373-6326

Peninsula Racquet Club – 30850 Hawthorne Blvd, Rancho Palos Verdes – 310-541-2523

Hesse Park – 29301 Hawthorne Blvd., Rancho Palos Verdes – 310-541-8114 – There are picnic tables, a barbecue area, children’s play equipment, baseball, sand volleyball and walking trails.

Ladera Linda Community Center – 33201 Forrestal Drive, Rancho Palos Verdes – 310-541-7073 – There are picnic tables but no fires allowed. The center offers baseball, soccer, paddle tennis court, a discovery room for children and guided docent tours available by appointment (call 310-377-0360 ext. 309).

Robert E. Ryan Community Park – 30359 Hawthorne Blvd., Rancho Palos Verdes – 310-377-2290 – There are picnic tables, barbecues in a designated area, a ship with a sandbox all around it, play equipment and classes available through individual instructors. Call the park for more information. 

The Point Vicente Lighthouse - was built in 1926. Capt. George Vancouver originally named the promontory point in 1795 while he was exploring the Pacific Coast for King George III. He sighted a “very conspicuous promontory” and named it after the Friar Vicente Santa Maria, who was stationed in the Mission San Buenaventura. The lighthouse was decommissioned in 1975. A free tour is offered on the 2nd Saturday of the month between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tours are also available by appointment. (310) 541-0334.

Point Vicente Interpretive Center – 31501 Palos Verdes Drive West, Rancho Palos Verdes – 310-377-5370. Gray whales migrate during December through March. There is a museum to visit all year long and a beautiful place to picnic, bird watch and view Santa Catalina Island. It is under renovation at the present time. CLOSED. They hope to complete the renovation in 2003. You can still watch whales from the fisherman’s access if you continue a short distance down Palos Verdes Drive South. There is a parking lot just before you reach York Long Point (formerly Marineland). When the tide is out you can take the long path down to the beach for tide pooling.

There are monthly walks led by the P.V.P. Land Conservancy – 310-373-0202. Walk leaders tell you about the history of the Peninsula, birds, wildlife, plants and the geology of this very unique community. All walks are free. Reservations are not required. Call for information about the regular monthly walks or request a schedule. There are children’s walks designed especially for young people.

George F. Canyon Nature Center – 27205 Palos Verdes Drive East, RHE – 310-547-0862. This 36-acre canyon cuts through the hills of Rolling Hills Estates for hikes. There are markers along the way for information about indigenous plant life. The Nature Center is open on weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring exhibits about Peninsula plants and wildlife.  

REDONDO BEACH 

Redondo Beach provides visitors infinite opportunities to enjoy the sheer pleasures of the endless summer lifestyle.  

* Water sport enthusiasts cruise by the Marina Fishermen enjoy a plentiful bounty on a deep sea fishing excursion.  

* Put some excitement in your life with a thrilling coastline ride--the Ocean Race! 

* Enjoy fresh seafood elegantly served at one of the Redondo Beach Marina's fine Restaurant  

* Photography enthusiasts enjoy the panoramic views of the ocean an surrounding sights every day at the Redondo Beach Marina. 

There's so much to do in Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills Estates, Palos Verdes Estates and Rancho Palos Verdes Estates! Let me send you my FREE relocation package about this great area. There's NO obligation, and I promise to respond quickly...