California mansions on the edge following a bluff collapse

Talk about a real cliffhanger in California. 

In one of Southern California’s wealthiest coastal enclaves, gravity has become an unwelcome houseguest.

A major portion of a seaside bluff along Marguerite Drive in Rancho Palos Verdes collapsed Saturday night, leaving luxury homes suddenly much closer to the Pacific Ocean than their owners had bargained for. 

City officials say no houses are currently at risk of toppling into the water, but the collapse sent shockwaves through the community — along with perfectly trimmed backyards now resting in ruins below.

“The coastal bluff essentially dropped approximately 30 to 40 feet,” Rancho Palos Verdes City Manager Ara Mihranian told local affiliate ABC7. 

“And it’s in a crescent shape, and that crescent shape is approximately about 300 feet wide.”

Despite the striking images of splintered cliffs and caution tape strung along patios, no evacuations were ordered. 

Residents were advised to avoid the shoreline directly beneath the affected section while officials investigate the cause. Geologists have been brought in to assess the damage and determine next steps.

“We are concerned. Residents are concerned. The neighborhood is concerned,” Mihranian told ABC. “We are looking into it, and we are working very closely with the property owners that have been affected by it.”

While Mihranian stopped short of calling the incident a landslide — preferring the term “isolated land subsidence” — the sudden drop has reignited fears in a region no stranger to geological instability.

“I live not too far from here, occasionally see a crack in the foundation,” nearby resident Scott Leslie said. “There’s so much movement going on down here it is very concerning, and it’s not really evident what it is being attributed to.”

Rancho Palos Verdes, located on the Palos Verdes Peninsula about 30 miles south of Los Angeles, has a long and costly history with unstable ground. 

Just 5 miles from Marguerite Drive, the Portuguese Bend neighborhood has been battling ongoing slide activity for years, with residents experiencing gas and electricity outages, crumbling roads and damage to their homes. 

In 2023, Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in response to the worsening conditions.

But Mihranian emphasized the latest incident is unrelated. 

According to the city, recent activity on Marguerite Drive is not linked in any way with the Portuguese Bend area. 

Because the collapse occurred on private property, homeowners are now responsible for the cleanup — another potential headache in an already precarious situation. While some residents appeared unfazed — photos captured poolside lounging just feet from the drop — others are bracing for a long, uncertain road ahead.