Los Angeles family guide
Things to Do in Palos Verdes Estates with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Palos Verdes Estates on the map
📍 Where Palos Verdes Estates is
Palos Verdes Estates sits in Los Angeles, Southern California. Nearest major airport: LAX (Los Angeles Intl) (~5 mi / 9 km). It's roughly 10 mi (16 km) from Downtown LA and 107 mi (172 km) from San Diego — SoCal traffic can make a drive take far longer than the distance suggests, so plan around it.
Visiting? See SoCal at a glance, getting around and which airport.
Things to do in Palos Verdes Estates
Malaga Cove Plaza & Neptune Fountain
The Spanish Revival plaza with red tile roofs, arcades and a Neptune fountain is the heart of Palos Verdes Estates, and its historic district joined the National Register of Historic Places in 2021. A pleasant 20-minute stop, easy to combine with a deli lunch on the plaza and a walk to the library next door.
Free
Malaga Cove Library & Farnham Martin Park
A 1920s Palos Verdes Library District branch at 2400 Via Campesina beside Farnham Martin Park. The district runs free drop-in storytimes and Rhyme Time sessions for babies through age 5, but the posted schedule is district-wide — call the branch at (310) 377-9584 for which run here.
Free
Malaga Cove Beach
The southern end of the flat sand beach on Santa Monica Bay, reached by a trail from the free lot at the end of Paseo del Mar. The rocky beach continuing downcoast is difficult walking with some impassable spots, so check the tide before heading downcoast with kids.
Free (free parking lot per the California Coastal Trail)
Bluff Cove Overlook & Paseo del Mar bluff trail
The Shoreline Preserve bluff-top trail runs along Paseo del Mar with a small free lot at the Bluff Cove overlook. There is no safe beach access from the overlook and parts are landslide area, so stay on the bluff-top trail with kids.
FreeLocal restaurants in Palos Verdes Estates
Lunada Kitchen & Deli (Lunada Market)
Local market and eatery at 2201 Palos Verdes Dr W with a deli, juice bar, made-to-order sandwiches and a scratch-cooking restaurant, The Kitchen. The site advertises a patio with a view of Catalina Island and Sunday waffles; the restaurant is listed as open Wed–Sun and the deli every day.
Raffaello's Pizza
Bake-to-order pizza at 720 Yarmouth Rd, plus pasta, sandwiches, burgers, salads, soups and breakfast, delivered by its own drivers. Open daily 10am–9pm.
Salsa Verdes
Regional Mexican kitchen at 2325 Palos Verdes Dr W in Lunada Bay, with Yucatan and northern and southern Mexican dishes made from scratch. Open Tue–Sun, closed Monday; reservations and takeout by phone.
Malaga Cove Ranch Market
Family-owned deli, bakery, market and wine and beer bar at 43 Malaga Cove Plaza. The kitchen makes rotisserie chicken, enchiladas, lasagna and banana bread daily.
Seasonal & outdoors near Palos Verdes Estates
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Palos Verdes Estates.
More Los Angeles family guides
Palos Verdes Estates family FAQ
What are the best things to do in Palos Verdes Estates with kids?
Family favorites in and around Palos Verdes Estates include Malaga Cove Plaza & Neptune Fountain, Malaga Cove Library & Farnham Martin Park, Malaga Cove Beach and Bluff Cove Overlook & Paseo del Mar bluff trail. Our guide lists 4 spots, sorted by distance from you with hours, prices and tips.
Are there free things to do in Palos Verdes Estates?
Yes — free family spots near Palos Verdes Estates include Malaga Cove Plaza & Neptune Fountain, Malaga Cove Library & Farnham Martin Park, Malaga Cove Beach and Bluff Cove Overlook & Paseo del Mar bluff trail. Use the "free only" filter in the finder above to see them all.
Where can families eat in Palos Verdes Estates?
Local, family-friendly spots in Palos Verdes Estates include Lunada Kitchen & Deli (Lunada Market), Raffaello's Pizza, Salsa Verdes and Malaga Cove Ranch Market — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
What does the YourSoCal Palos Verdes Estates guide cover?
Our Palos Verdes Estates family guide includes 4 things to do and 4 local eats — all hand-curated, locally owned, and sorted by distance from you.
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.
Where to stay in Palos Verdes Estates
Hotels & rentals via Stay22 · we may earn a commissionCompare hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals near Palos Verdes Estates on one map — then book on your favorite site.