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Palos Verdes Hills facts for kids

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Palos Verdes Hills
Palos Verdes (aerial view).jpg
The Palos Verdes Hills atop the Palos Verdes Peninsula, extending into the Pacific Ocean at the southwest corner of Los Angeles County.
Highest point
Elevation 1,457 ft (444 m)
Geography
Palos Verdes Hills is located in California
Palos Verdes Hills
Location in California
Country United States
State California
District Los Angeles County
Range coordinates 33°44′50.063″N 118°20′9.259″W / 33.74723972°N 118.33590528°W / 33.74723972; -118.33590528
Topo map USGS San Pedro

The Palos Verdes Hills are a group of low mountains. They are located on the coast in Los Angeles County, California. These hills are part of the Palos Verdes Peninsula. This area is near the big city of Los Angeles. The Palos Verdes Hills are actually connected to the Channel Islands. These islands are part of a larger mountain system called the Transverse Ranges.

The Portuguese Bend Area

The Portuguese Bend area in the Palos Verdes Hills is a special place. It has a landslide area that is always moving. Because of this, it is not safe to build houses there.

However, this moving land makes it a great spot for scientists to study nature. They learn about how plants and animals live on islands. They also study how living things change over time.

The Palos Verdes Peninsula was once an island long ago. This means it shares many plants and animals with the nearby Channel Islands. For example, a special plant called the Dudleya virens grows only here and on the Channel Islands. This plant is a succulent, which means it stores water in its leaves.

Cool Features of the Hills

The Palos Verdes Hills are home to several nice suburban towns. These towns are all part of the Palos Verdes area. They include Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, and Rolling Hills Estates.

Wayfarers Chapel

The Wayfarers Chapel is a beautiful glass church on the south side of the hills. It looks out over the Pacific Ocean. Famous architect Lloyd Wright designed it in 1951. The chapel is surrounded by a forest of Coast redwood trees. It is a well-known local landmark. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

South Coast Botanic Garden

The South Coast Botanic Garden is a large and interesting garden. It is located in the middle of the Palos Verdes Hills. This garden covers about 87 acres. It has over 150,000 plants and trees. These plants come from California and all over the world. It is a great place to learn about different types of plants.

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