Pelican Cove Park is a stunning secluded cove part of the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve. A steep walk down will allow you to forget life's problems and enjoy the crashing waves against rocky enclaves. Go in the evening for dramatic sunset photography.
#278 South Coast Botanic Garden
South Coast Botanic Garden in Palos Verdes Hills contains 87 landscaped acres of 150,000 plants and trees from all around the world. With its arid desert cacti, palm groves, fruit orchard and fuchsia gardens, the collection has something everyone will love. The garden also shows our ability to change the past. It is built upon an open mine pit which turned into a landfill for eight years from 1957-65. Today, the gardens cover 3.5 million tons of garbage but is a great example of land recycling.
#232 Flat Rock Point
Flat Rock Point at Palos Verdes Estates Shoreline Preserve is a must see along the Los Angeles Coast. Trails take you from the bluffs down to hidden rocky coves while beautiful views of the coast stretch all the way to the Santa Monica Mountains.
#206 Portuguese Bend Reserve
Portuguese Bend Reserve is a 399 acre preserve along the rolling hills of Rancho Palos Verdes. A variety of trails wind along the bluffs and provide stunning views of the ocean. With its rocky canyons and coastal sage scrub, it is the perfect example of the Mediterranean habitat of the Southern California Coast.
#184 Point Fermin Lighthouse
Built in 1874 from California redwood trees, Point Fermin Lighthouse was the first lighthouse constructed on San Pedro Bay. This Stick Style Victorian Lighthouse was designed by Paul J. Pelz who created six in the same style. Point Fermin constantly guided ships until Pearl Harbor in 1941 where its light was forever dimmed. It served as a Navy lookout tower during World War II before being restored for its Centennial in 1974. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places, it opened to the public in 2003.
#141 Wayfarers Chapel
Wayfarers Chapel in Rancho Palos Verdes is a beautiful seaside church designed by Lloyd Wright, son of the famous Frank Lloyd Wright. Nicknamed the 'glass church', it officially opened in 1951. The surrounding landscape and planted redwood trees blend seamlessly to become one with the hillside while views of the ocean and Catalina Island are stunning.
#127 Abalone Cove Shoreline Park
Abalone Cove Shoreline Park in Rancho Palos Verdes is one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in Southern California. This 64 acre ecological reserve includes beautiful coves, tide pools and bluff top trails. Starfish and sunbathing seals surround the deep blue waters while the rolling hills in the background make for a perfect wild afternoon close to the city.
#77 Malaga Cove
Malaga Cove is a hidden cove in Rancho Palos Verdes. The southern edge is rocky shore which opens up to the sandy Los Angeles County stretch. The surrounding bluffs provide seclusion and make for an enjoyable escape from city life. During the winter rains, the hills turn a beautiful shade of green.
#54 Korean Bell of Friendship
The Korean Bell of Friendship in Angel's Gate Park, San Pedro was given to the city of Los Angeles from the Republic of Korea in 1976. It was presented to the United States for the country's bicentennial and honors Veterans of the Korean War. The bronze bell itself weighs 17 tons and is 7 and a half feet tall. Sweeping views of the ocean can be seen from the bell making this an essential sunset spot.
#32 Point Vicente Lighthouse
Point Vicente Lighthouse is one of the crown jewels of Rancho Palos Verdes. On the National Register of Historic Places, this Lighthouse was built in 1926 to help guide ships as they sail the ever-changing California coast. Standing 130 feet on a cliff above the ocean, it was first operated by the United States Lighthouse Service which merged into the U.S. Coast Guard in 1939. The Lighthouse was manned until 1971 where it continues to function as an electronic aids-to-navigation monitoring system.
