Perhaps the most beautiful photograph of the Point Vicente lighthouse! The photo was taken from the coastal bluff top located at the City's Point Vicente Interpretive Center. The U.S. Coast Guard's lighthouse was captured while looking south over the bluff at Point Vicente. Catalina Island is visible in the distance, behind remnants of clouds from one of the infrequent rainstorms experienced in Rancho Palos Verdes. The broad spectrum of natural colors found in this photograph is characteristic of Ms. Donovan's work.

This is the photograph that so many visitors of Rancho Palos Verdes wish they had taken from the scenic turnout along Hawthorne Boulevard. The calm of the still morning sea is broken only by a brilliant sunrise. The alignment of Portuguese Point (in the foreground) and Inspiration Point (behind) inspired former Mayor Tom Hollingsworths' design of the City's official logo.

Perhaps the most beautiful photograph of the Point Vicente lighthouse! The photo was taken from the coastal bluff top located at the City's Point Vicente Interpretive Center. The U.S. Coast Guard's lighthouse was captured while looking south over the bluff at Point Vicente. Catalina Island is visible in the distance, behind remnants of clouds from one of the infrequent rainstorms experienced in Rancho Palos Verdes. The broad spectrum of natural colors found in this photograph is characteristic of Ms. Donovan's work.

A marine layer (of fog) provided a reflective floor for a spring sunrise. The open space seen in the foreground has been transformed into picturesque neighborhoods for many residents of Rancho Palos Verdes. Still, the City maintains more coastal open space then any other community in the County of Los Angeles.

A canyon leading to the ocean, a majestic bluff top, waves crashing over tidepools, native plants and flowers … so much captured in one picture! The tidepools that fill the center of the picture are found in Abalone Cove, with Portuguese Point on the left. The shoreline of Abalone Cove Shoreline Park is home to a beautiful system tidepools.

Late day storm clouds provided a backdrop for a beautiful California sunset. Though sunny days are the norm, the combination of sunlight, clouds and the deep blue ocean provides multi-colored scenes, each one unique. Residents of the City rarely see Catalina Island more clearly than this.

The wave action along the shore of Portuguese Point contributes to the colorful erosion visible on a sunny day. Some geological experts believe that the erosion contributes to the land movement experienced in the Portuguese Bend area of the City. The destructive beauty can be seen from many vista points on the south side of the City.

Sometimes residents live above the clouds... when the morning fog rests along the coast of Rancho Palos Verdes. The brilliance of a morning sunrise shimmering over the clouds can often be seen from the top of "the hill". Most of the residents live at least 1,000 feet above sea level. Looking down over the clouds is a frequent experience during spring and summer mornings.

This is a photograph of the south side coastal view of the City taken from Hawthorne Boulevard in Rancho Palos Verdes in spring. You may take a nine-mile drive along Palos Verdes Drive South to see the coastline viewed in the photograph and experience views of waves crashing, coves and bluffs.

Perhaps you have walked along the beach of the ocean? If so, you have seen waves turn to foam and the clear film of water as the wave recedes back to the ocean. Have you ever taken a picture of waves like this before?

Bluff tops, coves, tiered landscape, open space and varied shoreline depths contribute to one of the most beautiful segments of the California coast…in Rancho Palos Verdes.

A great place to enjoy the natural beauty of the California coastline. Groups of hikers, walkers, bird-watchers, surfers, docents and botanists frequently enjoy the morning sunrise in Rancho Palos Verdes.