Written by Kristin Borden, Photo by Erik Jay
Step through the garden gate at Paul Giuliano’s Rolling Hills Estates home and you are instantly transported – not just across the Palos Verdes Peninsula, but across the Atlantic Ocean. Ciao, Italia. (Read about how Palos Verdes reminds one photographer of his Italian home here)
Beneath the Palos Verdes Peninsula sun, heirloom tomatoes, fragrant basil, zucchini blossoms, citrus trees, and rows of vibrant vegetables flourish in a setting that feels unmistakably Italian.
For Paul, owner of The Original Giuliano’s Original Deli in Gardena — the family delicatessen founded by his parents in 1952 — food has always been rooted in heritage, family, and tradition. His garden is a living tribute to those beginnings.
Inspired by generations of Italian cooking and a deep reverence for fresh, homegrown ingredients, the space reflects the simple beauty of la dolce vita — where meals begin in the soil and end around the table.
Growing Italian Tradition in Palos Verdes
Among the garden’s most prized treasures are the tomatoes, grown from seeds brought back from Pachino, Sicily — the famed Pomodori di Pachino served in restaurants throughout Italy.
Paul carefully starts each plant from seed in a grow house, nurturing the seedlings before moving them into a greenhouse for four to six weeks to strengthen and acclimate. Only then are they transplanted outdoors, where they thrive in the Peninsula’s sun-drenched climate.
The abundance extends far beyond tomatoes.
Rows of sweet onions; from Texas Sweets to classic Maui and red varieties all grow alongside eggplants, corn, bell peppers, melons, figs, pomegranates, avocados, and a wide array of Italian herbs.
Everything is cultivated without sprays or insecticides, preserving both the purity of the produce and the integrity of the soil.
Paul Giuliano shares The Original Giuliano’s Meatballs recipe here.
A Garden Rooted in Family, Legacy, and Love
Tucked within the garden is a charming chicken coop thoughtfully designed by his wife, Joanna, whose spirit and creativity remain woven into the landscape and the quiet details that make the space feel like home.
Each morning, Paul gathers fresh eggs — rich, vibrant, and so fresh they require no refrigeration — a simple pleasure he delights in sharing with family and close friends.
While the garden is a private sanctuary, Paul has graciously welcomed select groups over the years — including youth organizations and community gatherings — to experience the rewards of growing food by hand.
Visitors often leave inspired by his passion for gardening and by the flavors of produce harvested at its peak.
Paul often reflects on how Joanna would transform the garden’s bounty into traditional Italian dishes, turning simple ingredients into meals that nourished both body and spirit.
In many ways, the garden continues to honor those traditions — a place where love, memory, and heritage still flourish season after season.
An Italian Garden in Bloom in Palos Verdes
Together, the garden stands as both sanctuary and celebration — of love, legacy, and the joy of growing something by hand.
In this special spring photo gallery, we invite you to step inside a little corner of Italy, right here in Palos Verdes.
