Join us for a moderate 4.3 mile coastal walk along the Palos Verdes peninsula, this time from Point Vicente to the Terranea resort! We'll enjoy our bring-your-own picnic lunch, take in the Pacific Ocean, Catalina Island, rugged bluffs and explore a blend of nature and creature comforts.
Meet at the Point Vicente Interpretive Center.
31501 Palos Verdes Dr W, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275. (Google map)
Itinerary: This is our approximate walking route (map) -
- North along the Vicente Bluffs Reserve - protected and restored with coastal sage scrub habitat by the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy.
- Back south to the Point Vicente Interpretive Center - We'll check out the exhibits on natural and cultural history of the Peninsula, including whale migrations.
- Point Vicente Lighthouse - haunted?
- Southeast to Pelican Cove Park, then Terranea Bluff Top Park, then into the Terranea resort property...
Bring your own picnic lunch; we will sit at public benches along the trail.
5. We will eat lunch near Nelson's bluff-top restaurant. Hopefully we can order individual beverages, cocktails, beer/wine (menu) at the walk-up bar, depending on the wait. Consider grouping your order with others, to speed up the billing. As a large group, we will not be able to order food during this trip (we asked the restaurant). Unfortunately the kitchen is too busy to have such a large group place walk-in orders. We will however, spend some time having our own leisurely lunch and soak in the view. Feel free to bring your own refreshment of choice.
6. Afterwards, we'll explore further into the Terranea resort grounds. The public trail system links around and through the site.
7. We'll walk to a small beach cove which accesses a sea cave.
8. The coffee shop Sea Beans outside the main entrance is perfect for a pick-me-up or dessert, before we ...
9. Make our way back to our starting point.
-------------
At any time, feel free to venture on or head back earlier if you wish.
Optional: Wayfarer's Chapel, designed by Lloyd Wright, featuring gardens evoking a redwood forest.
-------------
Biodiversity: The Palos Verdes peninsula is a great area to appreciate native flora and fauna, including plants indigenous to Palos Verdes and the Channel Islands, California Blue and Pacific Gray whales during migration seasons, the endangered El Segundo Blue Butterfly, sea lions, dolphins, pelicans and more. Whale watching season for Gray whales spans from December to May. Humpback and Blue whales migrate during the summer months from June to late September.
Bring: Lunch, sun protection (hat, sunscreen), water, proper shoes, money if desired. Jacket in case of wind/cold weather.
-------------
Hike leaders: Bryan Matsumoto and John Blasco
Contact: Bryan: 626-246-8634. John: 562-726-4165
Registration is free and required.
-------------
Photo credits: Terranea resort, Google Maps reviews, Singleplatform
