Explore the Ocean Cliff Trails and Tide pools of Palos Verdes Nature Preserve
Palos Verdes is a coastal city just south of Los Angeles where Spanish style homes sit on rocky cliffs high above the Pacific Ocean. It’s a place where the breeze gently caresses your sun kissed skin, and the smell of the salty sea air fills your lungs. Walk the many beachside trails to discover expansive views and explore tide pools.
Details
Free to visit
Parking - You can find free parking Pelican Cove parking lot
There is also self parking at Terranea Resort for $10/weekdays $15/weekends
Terranea Beach
We started our day at Terranea Beach Resort, an award winning luxurious beach hotel. From here there are public access trails all along the coastline. We started a trail south to Terranea Beach while we waited for a table for lunch at Nelson’s, a casual oceanfront patio. All of the resort restaurants are open to the public as well, so you can start or end your day dining at one of these locations.
From Nelson’s, we walked southeast on Terranea Trail towards Terranea Beach. The paths are well kept and easy to follow since they hug the coastline. The expansive turquoise water is in view all along the route, passing family picnic spots and spiky cacti. The beach is protected from wind within a cove. It’s a great spot to bask in the California sun, or take a kayak out into the ocean. We scaled some rocks to take a peak at Hudson's Bluff Sea Cave.
Climbing the rocks around Terranea Beach
Climbing the rocks around Terranea Beach
Hudson's Bluff Sea Cave
Lunch at Nelson’s
After the short walk, our table was ready at Nelson’s. The menu has casual food like burgers, sandwiches, fish tacos and salads. I had a fresh poke salad with a crisp 310 Blonde Ale. A perfect meal for a delightfully warm day.
Alternatively, you can bring a picnic and dine on one of the beaches or picnic areas.
View Tide Pools at Pelican Cove
Post lunch, we walked north along the Terranea Trail to Pelican Cove. Walk down the steep cliff trail and over smooth large rocks. Tide pools of seaweed, sea urchins, tiny brown crabs and starfish are along the beach.
Overlooking Pelican Cove
Pelican Cove Tidepools
Pelican Cove Tidepools
Pelican Cove Tidepools
Pelican Cove Tidepools
There are more tide pools and hikes to explore in Palos Verdes at Abalone Cove Shoreline Park, and several more nature trails all along this coastline. Any other great info to share about Palos Verdes? Please leave them in the comments below.
