Palos Verdes Villa is perched atop a hillside in front of a church. The surrounding area is both residential and commercial, and is safe to walk if residents can handle the half block up and down the steep hill. A wrought-iron fence hems in a beautiful garden courtyard near the front entrance. Hanging plants, a shade tree, a small lawn area and a gorgeous fountain offer an outdoor oasis. Benches provide comfortable seating amid birds-of-paradise and other lush plantings.
The interior resembles a nice hotel. The foyer is alive with potted plants and a small tree. The polished tile floor stands out in a facility awash in shades of rose, green and beige. The dining room is a large and elegant space with striped wallpaper topping the otherwise solid green walls. A wall of large windows fills the cheerful room with sunlight. Residents are served three meals a day as well as snacks. Weekly coffee and donut socials and evening snacks are always popular. Assigned seating at linen-topped tables adds an air of consistency in residents’ lives. The nearby Fireside Lounge is an appealing and spacious activity lounge with a brimming bookcase, piano and large fireplace. The large mirror hanging over the fireplace, many windows and lovely framed artwork further enliven the space.
A full activity schedule includes outings to the zoo, casinos and local shopping destinations. Morning walks, exercise classes, religious services, parties, arts and crafts and bingo are staples at Palos Verdes Villa. A monthly newsletter highlights the resident and staffer of the month. The theater room boasts a big-screen TV with plenty of seating for watching movies. During our tour, we sat in the Fireside Lounge and listened to a musician play. He was very good, and had a great back-and-forth banter with residents, who really seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Most resident rooms have balconies or patios. Some have views of the Port of Los Angeles and Vincent Thomas Bridge, or the Palos Verdes Hills. There are no kitchenettes, but residents may bring their own small microwave and refrigerator. The room we viewed was cozy with rose-colored carpet and pale pink striped wallpaper. A second outdoor patio has umbrella-topped tables and is a popular spot for summer barbecues.
The current owner has been with the facility for twenty years. Staff members have longevity here, too, and are very friendly and helpful. One resident had slept through lunch and we observed a staff member arranging for the resident to get something to eat. Residents were very animated and engaged in socializing with each other. We spotted several people visiting on the two patios. As we were about to leave the facility after our tour, one resident stopped us to ask why we were leaving so soon. She said to come back to visit again, and to have a great day! The friendly sentiment made us want to do just that.