Rancho Palos Verdes (also known by the abbreviation RPV) is a city in Los Angeles County atop the hills and bluffs of the Palos Verdes Peninsula. A suburb of Los Angeles, it is known for expensive homes amidst large tracts of open space with expansive views of the Pacific Ocean, Santa Catalina Island, and the Santa Monica Bay. The city incorporated on September 7, 1973.

The Point Vicente Interpretive Center is a premier whale-watching site that provides spectacular opportunities to view the annual migration of the Pacific gray whale from December through April. The center opened in 1984 with a mission to present and interpret the unique features and history of the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The Point Vicente Lighthouse which is adjacent to the center is the subject of many photographers and is on the National Register of Historic Places. At another location along the RPV coast is Wayfarer’s Chapel, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and also on the National Register of Historic Places.
Together with the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy in 2009, the city of RPV completed the acquisition of a total of two square miles of open space, the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve, the largest preserve of coastal open space north of San Diego and south of Santa Barbara. The site of the former Marineland (1954–87) was redeveloped and is now occupied by the Terranea Resort, which opened in June 2009. Many locals make this their staycation destination. The city of Rancho Palos Verdes is also home to Los Verdes Golf Course and Trump National Golf Course.

Children living in the Eastview area of Rancho Palos Verdes have the option of attending public school in either the PVPUSD or the LAUSD. Also, Rolling Hills Country Day School (K-8) and Chadwick School (K-12) are well-known private schools that serve the area. Marymount California University, a private liberal arts institution offering bachelor’s and master’s degrees, is located in Rancho Palos Verdes.