05.3.12
From the issue In Plain Sight
Roadie Oh!
Palos Verdes Peninsula may be known for beautiful homes, but one of its greatest assets doesn't require a downpayment. A 10-mile loop around the western waterfront, and over aptly named Rolling Hills, delivers some of the best bluffside ocean vistas in Southern California. Start on the bike-friendly Palos Verdes Drive and ride up to Bluff Cove where steep rust-colored cliffs drop dramatically to the surf. Leave the main drag and head inland, switching gears for the climb up a quiet residential street with tidy lawns. The 2-mile ascent passing Spanish-style homes might have you huffing and puffing, but the long views north up sandy beaches will take your breath away. After gaining 850 feet in elevation, you’ll top out where the coast is clear—literally. The zippy descent on Hawthorne Boulevard’s bike lane features miles of blue sea spreading out below. Enjoy the breeze.
BURRITO BONUS: Post-ride, Casa Prontos (2325 Palos Verdes Drive West) in Palos Verdes Estates is ready to help you refuel with one of their 12 burritos. Get experimental or stick with The Classic: beans, rice, onions, cilantro, and your choice of meat (the shredded pork practically melts in your mouth).
From I-405 in Manhattan Beach, take the Rosecrans Ave. exit and drive 1.5 miles west on Rosecrans to Sepulveda Blvd./PCH. Turn left and drive 6 miles south. Turn right on Palos Verdes Blvd. Go 1.4 miles, and turn right on Palos Verdes Dr. Continue 2.8 miles, passing Yarmouth Rd., and find street parking along Palos Verdes Dr. outside the plaza containing Casa Prontos. Take the crosswalk to the east side of the street and turn left to begin biking north. After 1.5 miles, as the road rounds Bluff Cove, turn right up Via Montemar. Go half a mile and turn right around a bend to stay on Via Montemar. After another 1.3 miles, turn right on Granvia Altamira and bike 1.2 miles across the top of the hill. Turn right on Hawthorne Blvd. and go 3.4 miles downhill to Palos Verdes Dr. Turn right and bike 2 miles back to the crosswalk at Via Carrillo across from Casa Prontos, open from 11:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
BURRITO BONUS: Post-ride, Casa Prontos (2325 Palos Verdes Drive West) in Palos Verdes Estates is ready to help you refuel with one of their 12 burritos. Get experimental or stick with The Classic: beans, rice, onions, cilantro, and your choice of meat (the shredded pork practically melts in your mouth).
From I-405 in Manhattan Beach, take the Rosecrans Ave. exit and drive 1.5 miles west on Rosecrans to Sepulveda Blvd./PCH. Turn left and drive 6 miles south. Turn right on Palos Verdes Blvd. Go 1.4 miles, and turn right on Palos Verdes Dr. Continue 2.8 miles, passing Yarmouth Rd., and find street parking along Palos Verdes Dr. outside the plaza containing Casa Prontos. Take the crosswalk to the east side of the street and turn left to begin biking north. After 1.5 miles, as the road rounds Bluff Cove, turn right up Via Montemar. Go half a mile and turn right around a bend to stay on Via Montemar. After another 1.3 miles, turn right on Granvia Altamira and bike 1.2 miles across the top of the hill. Turn right on Hawthorne Blvd. and go 3.4 miles downhill to Palos Verdes Dr. Turn right and bike 2 miles back to the crosswalk at Via Carrillo across from Casa Prontos, open from 11:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
