Discovering Rancho Palos Verdes, CA: Clifftop Vistas, Beaches & Outdoor Adventures

Located in Rancho Palos Verdes on the cliffs above the ocean, Glass Church / Wayfarers Chapel is a magnificent modern glass structure, a part of the Swedenborgian Church of North America. The church was built as a memorial to its late founder Emanuel Swedenborg. Designed by Lloyd Wright, the son of Frank Lloyd Wright, in 1940s and completed in 1951, the church is a departure from the traditional material. Glass walls allow the surrounding nature to “define the sacred space.” A tower and a visitors center were added later, but the center was lost in a landslide in 1960s. The chapel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a popular wedding destination.

Address: 5755 Palos Verdes Dr S, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275

Point Vicente is a beautiful park that surrounds the Point Vicente Lighthouse. It is a popular recreation spot with great educational opportunities. The park’s 10,000-square-foot Interpretive Center was opened in 1984 in order to present and explain the history of the Palos Verdes Peninsula and its unique features.The Point Vicente Interpretive Center features a range of exhibits on the cultural and natural history of the peninsula and the Pacific gray whale. The park is a premier whale-watching site, especially from December to April during the annual migration of the Pacific gray whale. There are picnic tables throughout the park, but fires and barbecues are not allowed.

Address: 31501 Palos Verdes Drive West , Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, Phone: 310-544-5375

If you are a photographer, don't miss:

Point Vicente Lighthouse was built in 1926 on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, between Point Loma Lighthouse and the Point Conception Lighthouse. It is located in Rancho Palos Verdes, just north of Los Angeles Harbor, near rocky shoals that sank many ships in the past. The lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its light was dimmed during World War II to avoid being seen by the enemy. The Coastguard automated it in 1971. Its original Fresnel lens still turns around in the lantern room, and during the frequent periods of low visibility, the lighthouse also sounds a loud foghorn to alert passing ships.

Address: 31550 Palos Verdes Dr W, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275

What to do if you are traveling with kids:

Abalone Cove Shoreline Park is located on a beautiful stretch of coast and features two popular beaches. Here you will find Abalone Cove and Sacred Cove, caves, picnic areas, many tide pools, fantastic views from the top of the bluff, and great hiking trails. The park includes a State Ecological Preserve that protects animals and marine life in the park. A long trail from the parking lot on the bluff provides access to Abalone Cove Beach. To get to Sacred Cove beach, there are two trails along Palos Verdes Drive South, between Inspiration and Portuguese Points. There are lifeguards at Abalone Cove during the summer and on weekends. The views of Catalina Island and the ocean are breathtaking. Fires and barbeques are not allowed.

Address: 5970 Palos Verdes Dr S, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, Phone: 310-544-5366

Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:

Located in the beautiful Rancho Palos Verdes, the course at Trump National Golf Club is considered one of the top public golf courses in Southern California. It is the first and only course with a Pete Dye and Donald J. Trump Signature Design. Trump National offers a driving range, practice putting green, and a game practice. It features numerous walking trails that wind through the course and along cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, running all the way to the beach and to a lovely public park on the bluffs in front of the clubhouse. Hiking these trails allows visitors to see the native flora and fauna up close. Many of the species of plants and animals are protected, and the endangered small migratory bird Coastal California gnatcatcher can also be seen here.

Address: 1 Trump National Dr, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, Phone: 310-265-5000

Known for the most beautiful ocean views in all of California, Los Verdes Golf Course is a Billy Bell-designed course located above the cliffs in Rancho Palos Verdes. The proximity of the ocean makes putting a challenge on almost every hole. Nevertheless, Los Verdes Golf Course is considered one of the best golf courses anywhere. In 2011 it received the Los Angeles County Course of the Year Award. With a wide-open layout and a beautiful backdrop, playing on Los Verdes Golf Course is enjoyable for all levels of golfer. Many elevation changes over the 6,617 yards of space make putting a formidable challenge. The most difficult hole on the course is the 441-yard par 4 fourth, along the cliffs above the ocean. The driving range has a recently improved grass landing area with two large putting greens and five brand new target greens.

Address: 7000 Los Verdes Dr, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, Phone: 310-377-7888

Deane Dana Friendship Park and Nature Center is a 123-acre park overlooking the Los Angeles/Long Beach harbor complex, San Pedro, and the Santa Catalina Islands. It has a picnic area, large green open space, children’s play area, picnic facilities, and hiking trails. A natural history museum with classrooms, live animals, and educational displays is located in the park’s 4,000-square-foot nature center. The center organizes bird walks, naturalist classes, craft classes, picnicking, hiking, birthday parties, school field trips, and nature camps. On clear days, visitors can enjoy spectacular panoramic views of Los Angeles and the San Bernardino and San Gabriel mountain ranges. The park is also home to a federally endangered species, the Palos Verdes blue butterfly.

Address: 1805 W 9th St, San Pedro, CA 90732, Phone: 310-519-6115

The Ocean Trails Reserve is a park that protects about 4 miles of trail along a rugged coastline that provides home to many protected species of flora and fauna, including the endangered native gnatcatcher. It includes areas south of Palos Verdes Drive that were restored or preserved by Trump National Golf Course. The trail provides a great hike for beginner hikers. It starts at a golf course with a big American flag and continues on cliff side trails that run down to the ocean. There are some switchbacks that are steep but short. Enjoy watching the flight of the pelicans and seagulls that nest in the cliffs. There is a rest area with two benches and a table, offering breathtaking views. As the trail keeps looping and switching back and forth, it passes by a lovely waterfall in the middle of the golf course.

Address: 5970 Palos Verdes Dr S, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, Phone: 310-377-1222

Located in Rancho Palos Verdes, Green Hills Memorial Park is a large cemetery established in 1948 on 120 acres of property in a partnership between community members and local business owners. The beautiful park-like setting overlooking Palos Verdes Peninsula, the Pacific Ocean, and the Los Angeles skyline is the location of an upscale, award-winning facility that offers a last resting place for the loved ones of the local residents. The beautiful, meticulously landscaped grounds provide peaceful, serene experience to those who visit, whether they are visiting the graves of loved ones or of one of the many celebrities interned in Green Hills.

Address: 27501 S Western Ave, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, Phone: 310-831-0311

The McBride Trail provides a fun 2-mile hike through Lake McBride State Park and the adjacent McBride Recreation Area. It offers fantastic ocean views and an aerial view of the hills and cliffs of the Palos Verdes Peninsula. It is not a wilderness hike since it passes through a residential area, but it is not too busy and offers a quiet, pleasant hike. The trailhead is at the end of Ocean Terrace Drive. From there, it runs through the Three Sisters Reserve and the Upper Filiorum Nature Reserve before hitting a short steep stretch. After that the trail levels out until Crest Road. From there, you can go back or make it a loop by taking one of side roads.

Address: Lake Macbride State Park, California