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Recreational Activities in Palos Verdes, CA

Palos Verdes is a rare gem in Los Angeles County. Home to expansive properties, countryside roads, and gorgeous beaches, it will make you forget you’re only minutes away from the constant bustle of downtown Los Angeles.

The lifestyle in this scenic peninsula is all about enjoying nature to the fullest. Outdoor activities top residents’ list of the best things to do, taking them from the woodlands to the ocean, and everywhere in between.

Equestrian

The communities of Rolling Hills and Rolling Hills Estates are well known for their equestrian tradition, excellently preserved over the years. More than 90 miles of riding trails meander through these two communities, encompassing 25 miles of city bridle paths bordered by charming white rail fences. The pleasant weather allows for horseback riding in Palos Verdes any time of the year, and equestrian events are staged all year round.

Many homes in Rolling Hills and Rolling Hills Estates are horse properties that back up to riding trails, equipped with everything you need for raising equines. You’ll also find a number of equestrian centers, offering horse boarding services, riding lessons, and other related services. These include:

Hiking

There’s no better way to enjoy the fascinating Palos Verdes outdoors than traversing its picturesque hiking trails. Marvel at rugged bluffs rising above the ocean along these trails. Explore wide open spaces, canyons, and nature preserves. Discover little-known historical landmarks, such as Battery Bunker at White Point Nature Preserve. You can even get a bird’s-eye view of the busy downtown from one of the area’s highest peaks.

The trails in Palos Verdes range from easy to difficult. You’ll find everything from kid-friendly paved loops to more challenging uphill paths that will test your endurance.

Find some of the best hikes in Palos Verdes here.

Whale watching

Every year, from November to May, an estimated 20,000 grey whales make their way from the frigid Bering Sea in Alaska to the warm waters of the Baja Peninsula in Mexico. The waters along the Palos Verdes Peninsula are part of their journey, and whale-watching season has become an occasion locals and tourists eagerly await each year.

Since 1984, the Point Vicente Interpretive Center has been the main site for whale watching in Palos Verdes. This 10,000-square-foot facility located next to the Point Vicente Lighthouse has designated a special oceanfront area where people can come with their binoculars to spot these massive mammals. In addition, the center also features walking trails along the coast where you can spot pelicans and sea birds flying at eye-level.

If you want a more intimate encounter with the grey whales, you can join one of the whale watching cruises offered by private operators and resorts in the area. Get on a boat or catamaran and have the chance to get a closer view of these beautiful sea creatures. You might also get to see humpback whales, orcas, fin whales, and other marine life while on the cruise.

Parks and open spaces

The communities in the peninsula feature beautiful parks, gardens, and open spaces where you can find the best views in Palos Verdes. The top spots to visit include:

Founded in 1988, the conservancy encompasses 1,600 acres of open space that serve as habitat for a wide array of animal and plant species, including the at-risk El Segundo blue butterfly, the Palos Verdes blue butterfly, and others. The conservancy’s topography includes beaches, bluffs, canyons, and ridgelines, providing stunning views that can’t be found elsewhere.

Aptly called “The Jewel of the Peninsula”, this beautiful 87-acre botanic garden is home to over 2,000 species of plants originating from various parts of the world, including cherry blossoms, rose varieties, fig trees, succulents, fuchsias, and more. The abundant plant life has attracted over 200 species of birds that make their home in the garden at different times of the year.

This 10.5-acre park features breathtaking views of the Gulf of Santa Catalina and the Pacific Ocean. There are various trails in the area, one of which connects the park to the shoreline.

Part of the Palos Verdes Estates Shoreline Preserve, this overlook features spectacular views of Bluff Cove and the Santa Monica Bay coastal area. Bluff Cove is a scenic surfing spot that also serves as a wintering area for shorebirds.

Get more information on parks and nature destinations in Palos Verdes here.

Beaches

Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Redondo Beach – collectively known as the Beach Cities of the Palos Verdes Peninsula – boast some of Southern California’s most popular beaches. Featuring boardwalks, parks, restaurants, and other facilities, these iconic California destinations buzz with activity from day to night.

If you want something a bit more peaceful, go further south and explore the rugged coastline of Palos Verdes Estates. Gorgeous coves with large swells, perfect for some serious surfing, just might be your idea of the best beaches in Palos Verdes.

Related topics

For more tips on what to do and where to go in Palos Verdes, check out these pages:

  • Popular Activities for Palos Verdes

    Palos Verdes’s coastal setting promotes outdoor recreation and physical activity, enabling residents to live rich, full lives that are in tune with nature. This is where you go to enjoy life to the fullest.

  • Your Guide to the Best Hiking Trails in the Palos Verdes Peninsula

    The Palos Verdes peninsula is often touted as a playground for outdoor enthusiasts, most particularly hikers who love to explore the area on foot. It is fitting, as Palos Verdes’ local trail system is one of the finest in the state. In this blog article, get to know the best hikes and trails to experience in Palos Verdes.

    Start with trails that jump-off from one of the most popular beaches in Palos Verdes, wind up in a protected sprawl in Rancho Palos Verdes, experience the rolling trails of Lunada Bay, and experience the coastline at its finest along the Ocean Trails Reserve. Click here to learn more.

  • Fun places to visit in Palos Verdes with your kids

    The Palos Verdes Peninsula is an amazing place to raise a family. If you’re relocating to this corner of Southern California with some kids in tow, you’re in for a treat – you’ll find a wealth of family-friendly attractions in Palos Verdes, from museums and centers with age-appropriate exhibits to safe outdoor spaces where children can roam freely.

    This guide will acquaint you with some of the most popular child-friendly attractions in the area. But this list is by no means exhaustive. Palos Verdes is meant to be rediscovered every single day, with new family-friendly establishments opening their doors to residents with growing children.

  • The best golf courses in and around Palos Verdes, CA

    Palos Verdes, a peninsula that lies within the southern part of Los Angeles County, is known for its spectacular views, dramatic landscape, and outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and surfing. However, there’s another outdoor occupation that’s often overlooked – golf.

    Palos Verdes has some of the best golf courses in the US, topping lists for their amenities and gorgeous ocean views. In this article, we’ll introduce you to four of the top courses in and around Palos Verdes. You can hit the links on a cliffside course, stay the night at a golf course resort, or enjoy the facilities of a restored 1924 golf club. Read on to find out about course highlights and other amenities these links have to offer.

  • Tips for perfecting your golf swing

    Golf is regarded both as a sophisticated game and as a competition sport. Whether you enjoy a genial round among friends or participate in serious tournaments, it will require work and many hours of practice to be good at the sport. Even seasoned players clock in several hours in the fairways, continuously working hard tomake their game better. Where do they start in their training to become the best golfer? In the aspect of the swing. Given the right training, focus, and practice, the perfect golf swing can certainly be achieved.

    Read on to learn more about the proper execution of the golf swing, as well as its impact on your overall golf game.

  • What to wear for horseback riding

    The clothing you choose for horseback riding isn’t just for appearances only, but for comfort and safety purposes as well. Horseback riding is an enjoyable activity, but we need to remember that things can go wrong if you’re not careful, and part of this is knowing what to wear. Sleeves can get caught in the reins, or your jeans might get pinched in the saddle for example, which will not only ruin the experience, but could put you in danger as well.

    In this page, we give you some helpful information on how to choose the right type of clothing for horseback riding.

  • The ultimate guide to Abalone Cove

    If you’re looking forward to scenic views, the reinvigorating ocean breeze, and spending time at the beach, Abalone Cove is one of the best places to visit in Rancho Palos Verdes.

    This picturesque destination is a popular spot for many visitors, with its gorgeous beaches, incredible tide pools, and miles of trails surrounded by captivating scenery. This is the perfect place to relax, unwind, and breathe in the fresh air, especially if you’re tired of spending so much time locked in at home!

    Ready for a fun outdoor experience? In this page, we give you a closer look at some of the activities you can enjoy as well as the best spots to visit when you visit Abalone Cove.

  • Great Palos Verdes picnic spots

    With its stunning natural attractions and sunny weather almost all year round, you can enjoy a fun and relaxing picnic any time in the Palos Verdes Peninsula. And picnicking in the area is more than just a run-of-the-mill experience. Getting to the best picnic spots can mean hiking through the peninsula’s fantastic trails where you get the most amazing views of the ocean, hills, and bluffs. Your choices for a destination include beaches, where you can also do numerous activities, such as swimming, surfing, diving, and more. Immaculate city parks with convenient picnic tables, benches, and other amenities also abound. These are our top picks for a picnic spot in the peninsula.

  • Bring your dog with you to these Palos Verdes Peninsula hiking trails

    It’s an amazing experience to hike through the various scenic trails of the Palos Verdes Peninsula and to revel in the beauty of nature. But this experience is taken to the next level when you have your beloved four-legged companion with you while trekking through interesting terrain and splashing through natural pools of water. Not only is this a great way to bond with your dog, but it is also a guaranteed means of spending your dog’s energy and keeping them physically fit and pleasant in demeanor.

    You can watch the tide pools in Abalone Cove Shoreline Park, pass by Battery Barnes in the Alta Vicente Reserve, or take to the waters of the Palos Verdes Estates Shoreline Preserve – all of these, you can do with your best canine buddy.

Learn more about the distinctive luxe life in Palos Verdes with Stephen Haw

Find the perfect home in the peninsula’s beautiful communities. Contact Stephen Haw and his team at 817.550.6666 or email [email protected] today.