Palos Verdes

So here I am in Southern California, specifically on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. This is a smallish spot in the Grand Scheme of Locations, but for me it is the epitome of the perfect place to live.

                        And I should know that because I used to live here, way back in the day. I’ve been back here before only for a few hours at a time and always with someone else. So, trying to scope out my old haunts, trails, tide pools, vistas, playgrounds, and bookstores was impossible without that person rolling their eyes at my enraptured reveries that were impossible (for them) to join in with.

In other words…. BORING.

                        So, this activity was added to my PBL (Personal Bucket List) probably the moment that I left here, which was the first week of March in 1964. I do not remember the exact date but if you want me to, I can figure it out. I was then, and still am, enamored with all things Palos Verdes. My Dad’s work brought us out here from a year in St. Louis, before that we spent a year in Atlanta, and before that stint, we suffered year in Detroit, and that was before numerous moves all around the Northeast. It was great fun explaining to people that we were in the Witness Protection Program when trying to clarify the frequency of our moves, but the reality was that my Dad received (earned!) a promotion every year which necessitated a move to a different area. I made a lot of friends back then as I was always the FNG in school, although I do not think we used that nomenclature when we were that young.

                        My venture was decided upon when Paula decided to accompany Danny and Maddie on a trip back to New Jersey to visit Matt, Anne, and Aubrey and engage in a flurry of Family Activities that peaked on this particular weekend. Matt is in several One Act Plays in Madison and Aubrey has her usual Big-Time Swimming Qualifiers for Regions, States, and the whole Northeast.

                        So…. while the Cat’s away, the Mouse don’t stay!

                        He flies the coop for Sunny California!

                        In reality this opportunity plunked itself in front of me and I had to remember that I wanted to fulfill this item on that PBL, so here I am.

                        Getting here is a piece of cake (or Key Lime Pie as you will soon see) as it entails a 35-minute trip to the tiny, but tidy, airport in College Station, flying for 37 minutes to Dallas and then flying the rest of the way to LAX, renting a car and 28 minutes later (no traffic!) I found myself ignoring Miss Google Guidance because I actually knew a better way, and as I passed my old grammar school, feeling relieved that I was in fact, back where I belonged.

                        My goal for the evening was to get to the Coast and a restaurant specifically.

The place is named Nelson’s.

As in Mike Nelson.

AKA, Lloyd Bridges.

Remember Sea Hunt?

Wanna know the How’s and Why’s?

Sea Hunt used Marineland of the Pacific for technical advice and filmed right off of their location here on Palos Verdes. If you remember the series, think back to the closing credits which showed the stern of the Argonaut (Mike Nelson’s dive boat) churning along the coastline which was the cliffs of Palos Verdes.

                        I knew that.

                        Even back then.

This made my connection with Palos Verdes even stronger. The series was shot in the years between ’58 and ’61, and I arrived on the scene in ’62, with Marineland of the Pacific quickly solidifying itself as my Favorite Place on the Planet.

And it was in my backyard.

            But….. (and this is a big one….)

            There is no more Marineland of the Pacific.

            Marineland had what no one else had back in 1987 when SeaWorld San Diego purchased it.

                        A breeding pair of Orca’s, Killer Whales….. Shamu.

                        They came and picked up Orky and Corky and…..

                                    Bam!

Closed it down basically the next day.

I could go on and on with the minutiae about Marineland but let us just leave it here.

But….. as I mentioned, this site was the first stop on Don’s Big Reminiscing Tour of 2025.  Upon visiting I also found out that the present owners of this location have a genuinely nice ‘Wall of Remembrance’ having everything to do with all things Marineland.

So…. my first stop out of LAX was the coast of the Palos Verdes Peninsula and dinner at Nelson’s! It did not disappoint, and I was successful in making the acquaintance of a couple that could help me with my Ultimate Quest and that was to gain access to the location of our second home that we occupied there. This one was in a gated community, Rancho Palos Verdes. It was gated back then and still is today, with the security being a tad tighter than it was back in ‘63.

            I met Cathy and Miles immediately after I exited my car. I asked them if they knew the way to Nelson’s and they invited me along as that was their destination also. We had an enjoyable conversation on the 15-minute walk down to the clifftop where Nelson’s sits. They heard all about my Quest and as local’s, were quite favorable of my decision to come back here. We went our separate ways for dinner, they sat outside by a firepit, me, as a ‘single’ with no reservation on a Saturday night was quite content with my individual small table inside.

When I was finished my dinner (accompanied by that Key Lime Pie) I went outside by the firepit and joined them for a few minutes as a Brainstorm had found its way into my head.

‘Maybe they know someone in Rancho Palos Verdes and could

arrange for me to sneak in!’

As I regaled them with my tale of woe, Miles said that he did in fact have a client of his and he would endeavor to get the Secret Code from him and ‘vouch’ for me. We exchanged all of the necessary info and as they were by the fire and this was a much too nice an opportunity to pass up, I took their photo and said as soon as I was done working it, I would pass it along to them.

            ‘Goodnights’ exchanged; I waited for the Code.

I went back to Nelson’s the next morning for Sunday Breakfast and to see the entire resort in the daylight. While I would rather have Marineland still be there, these folks (3^rd owners since Marineland left) have an incredible spot. The obvious views of Catalina Island and the rugged shoreline just below the cliffs make for quite an experience. This is what I had remembered from the past as the coast, cliffs and views have thankfully not changed one bit!

Shortly after my breakfast was finished the Code came through and I was on my way into the neighborhood that I had not visited for years. It was easy to find our house, the only thing that was different was that this area is now in that dreaded Slide Area that has homes being swept down hillsides and roads buckled and broken with incredible frequency. I parked my rental in front of the house and went to the front door to introduce myself as I did not want them wondering who was outside taking photos and wandering around. They could not have been nicer and even invited me inside for quick (non-intrusive) look. We had a friendly conversation about the way it was back then (they’ve only been there 20 years), I took my photos, roamed the neighborhood, and left satisfied.

I scoped out a few other spots to further check out in the next few days while I was on my way back to San Pedro and my room. Eventually I was on my way to have dinner with Linda and Dan, (Lorelyn’s In-Laws) at an incredible place that could rival Katz’s Deli in Manhattan, and yes, it was in Los Angeles!

Tomorrow is another Day of Exploration, reports to follow!