5 minutes read
Off the beaten path, discover the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Beyond the stunning scenic drive, the terraced lush hills, rocky cliffs, and marine reserve offer a wealth of natural beauty and activities waiting to be explored. Let’s dive deeper into this captivating destination!
A pinch of history
- Before it became a peninsula, Palos Verdes was an offshore island during the late Pleistocene period.
- Numerous fossils from the Miocene period have been discovered on the peninsula.
- Originally, the area was inhabited by the Tvongua, known as the “People of the Earth.”
- In 1784, the area was used extensively for cattle grazing.
- In 1810, it became El Rancho Palos Verdes, which translates to the “Ranch of the Green Sticks” in English.
8:00 AM – Nature adventure at Del Cerro Park, and the Portuguese Bend Reserve.
Del Cerro Park and the Portuguese Bend are great starting points for your journey in Palos Verdes.
Del Cerro Park is a large grassy area offering panoramic views of rolling hills, beaches, Santa Catalina Island, and the Pacific Ocean. Easily accessible, a quick walk around the park provides various vista points.
To explore further, venture to the nearby Portuguese Bend Reserve. This 399-acre natural area consists of numerous trails over the hillside landscape, where you can discover diverse flora and fauna while enjoying multiple scenic viewpoints.
Location : Del Cerro Park, 2 Park Pl, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275.
Location: The Harman Overlook, Eagle’s Nest Trail, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275.
10:00 AM – Explore creativity at the Palos Verdes Art Center.
Home to local artists, the Palos Verdes Art Center is a vibrant community art gallery and school. The center regularly features diverse exhibitions and offers a variety of art classes. While the galleries are intimate, I enjoyed two temporary painting exhibits during my visit.
Location: 5504 Crestridge Rd, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
11:00 AM – The Point Vicente Interpretive Center
Everything you need to know about Palos Verdes! Visit the Point Vicente Interpretive Center to explore the natural and cultural history of the area. The center features various exhibits on geology, human history, and local wildlife, including the migration of the Pacific gray whale.
Location: 31501 Palos Verdes Drive West, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
1:00 PM – Whale Watching at Point Vincent Park
Point Vincent Park is a great location to see migrating gray whales from December through mid-May. These mammals undertake an annual 12,000-mile roundtrip journey from Alaska to Mexico for birthing and nursing. During this migration, they swim 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at speeds of 3 to 5 miles per hour.
Bring binoculars to spot whales and check with a member of the nearby Point Vicente Interpretive Center. During my visit, a docent volunteer was monitoring and counting the number of whales passing by the shore. He also shared numerous explanations about these animals.
Did you know?
Before 1974, Point Vincent Park served as a rifle range for target practice by the U.S. Army. It was called the Nike Site LA-55-Point Vincente Rifle Range.
Location: 31501 Palos Verdes Drive West, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
2:00 PM –Glance at Point Vicente Lighthouse
Originally named Pointe Vicente Bante Maria by Captain George Vancouver in 1793, the site served as a weather station and an offshore buoy. In 1926, a 67-foot (20-meter) lighthouse was built to aid shippers navigating the Palos Verdes Peninsula.
The 3rd Order rotating Fresnel lens, with a radius of 500mm, was manufactured in Paris by Barbier, Benard, et Turenne, the oldest lens-making company in the world. The clamshell lens, named for its resemblance to a closed clam, is housed in the lantern room. This 5-foot lens was used for 40 years in Alaska before being installed in the Point Vicente Lighthouse.
Did you know?
Many movies and TV shows, such as Dunkirk (2017), Pearl Harbor (2001), and Wonder Woman with Lynda Carter, have been filmed at Point Vicente Lighthouse.
Today, the lighthouse is automated and managed by the U.S. Coast Guard. It is open to visitors on the second Saturday of each month.
Did you know?
During World War II, to prevent enemy navigation, the light’s intensity was reduced from 1000 watts to 25 watts.
Location : 31550 Palos Verdes Dr W, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
2:30 PM – Visit the Wayfarers Chapel, the sacred architectural Wonder.
Continue your day at the Wayfarers Chapel. Designed by Lloyd Wright in 1949, this stunning architectural wood structure is composed of large glass panels, blending with surrounding redwood trees. Located on a hillside above the Pacific Ocean, the “Tree Chapel,” also known as “The Glass Church,” hosts numerous weddings and worship services.
Did you know?
Many movies and TV shows, such as The O.C., Beverly Hills 90210, True Detective, and The Bachelorette, have been filmed at Wayfarers Chapel.
Location: 5755 Palos Verdes Dr S, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
2024 UPDATE: The chapel was disassembled in July 2024 due to landslide destruction. The relocation to a new site is currently under review and discussion.
3:15 PM – Sea natural scenery at Abalone Cove Shoreline Park
Across the road from the Wayfarers Chapel, stop by Abalone Cove Shoreline Park. This 109-acre reserve features two beaches: Abalone Cove Beach and Sacred Cove Beach.
In addition, the park offers numerous trails, sea caves, tide pools, and bluff-top views.
Observe also wildlife including four protected species: the EL Segundo blue butterfly, the Cactus Wren, the Palos Verdes blue butterfly, and the California Gnatcatcher.
Location: Abalone Cove Beach, CA 90275.
2024 UPDATE: As of July 9, 2024, Abalone Cove Beach, and Sacred Cove Beach access are closed to the public due to land movement.
4:00 PM – See Portuguese Bend Whaling Station Marker
From 1869 to 1885, Portuguese whalers from the Azores operated the Portuguese Bend Whaling Station seasonally. They hunted gray whales during their annual migration, producing up to 2,166 barrels of whale oil. This oil was used for lighting, machinery lubrication, soap, cosmetics, and more.
The station was eventually abandoned due to the rise of the petroleum industry and the decline in whale populations. Today, the site is a private beach club, and the marker at the entrance designates this site as a California Historical Landmark.
Location: 4100 Palos Verdes Dr S, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
4:15 PM – Escape into Nature at Ocean Trails Reserve
Hiking or golfing? Why not both? The 113-acre Ocean Trails Reserve is nestled right next to the golf course. The reserve offers coastline trails atop cliffs, surrounded by native vegetation. There are various scenic paths to explore, providing a refreshing escape into nature.
Location: Ocean Trails Reserve, La Rotonda Dr, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
6:00 PM – Wrap the day at White Point Beach
Let’s end the day with a sunset at a rocky shoreline. This popular spot for tide pools and diving offers two great options: you can drive down to the beach or enjoy the view from the park above.
On a clear day, you might see Catalina Island.
Location: White Point Beach, Los Angeles, CA 90731.
A perfect day itinerary in Palos Verdes from Del Cerro Park to White Point Beach!
Article based on my visit in 2020 and 2021.
Are you ready to embark on an adventure in Palos Verdes?
Plan your visit:
- Location: Palos Verdes
- More information is available at https://www.rpvca.gov/
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