A Coastal Drive Through Palos Verdes, CA | How To Local Travel Guide

I know for a fact that I’ve explored more of Europe than my home state of California. While I have zero regrets, I do think it’s important to appreciate what’s in our own backyard every now and then. Whether it be playing tourist for the day, or planning a stay-cation for the weekend, I encourage you to get out there and see more of what your city, state, or country has to offer!

Last week, I decided to take my own advice and drove about 30 minutes to Palos Verdes. For those of you not familiar with this charming Southern California city, it’s a very ritzy area. Some tourists visit to gawk at the insane mansions and cars, while others find themselves on the extensive horse trails. I was happy just driving along the coast and making a few scenic stops along the way.

The Palos Verdes Peninsula is a gorgeous sight to behold. I’m pretty sure it’s impossible to take a bad picture here, especially if you’re driving along the coast where you’ll discover dramatic ocean views. Whether you’re a tourist or a local looking to escape Los Angeles for an afternoon, Palos Verdes is definitely worth a visit on a sunny day!

Quick tip: This area is known for being quite foggy in the early mornings, thanks to a thick marine layer, so I’d recommend visiting in the later afternoon.

If you only have a few hours to spare, here are a few stops that you must not miss during your coastal drive.

#1 – The Wayfarers Chapel, also known as “The Glass Church”

Can you see why they call it the Glass Church? The Wayfarers Chapel is open every day to the public. Religious or not, anyone can appreciate this architectural masterpiece. It is such a peaceful and beautiful place to visit. Oh, and don’t forget the ocean views!

#2 – Point Vicente Lighthouse

I had never actually seen a lighthouse before so when I heard about Point Vicente, I made a point to visit it. Okay, bad pun. Anyway, this stop was a bit of a fail on my part. The lighthouse and the grounds are almost always closed to the public. As you can see from my picture, I couldn’t get very close but I still enjoyed the view. If you do want to visit the lighthouse, it’s only open on the second Saturday of each month. It’s free to climb up! Also, the beautiful Terranea Resort is just around the corner if you fancy a round of golf or a nice meal. Even if you’re not able to visit the lighthouse, it still makes for a great photo op!

#3 – Miramar Park & Torrance Beach

Alright, technically this isn’t in Palos Verdes. However, this spot offers some beautiful views of the Palos Verdes Hills and Peninsula so I thought I’d include it. A photo really doesn’t do it justice. This is also a great beach to visit after your coastal drive for some quality rest and relaxation.

My afternoon in Palos Verdes had me falling in love with my state all over again.

How to Turn Your Palos Verdes Cruise into a Perfect Half-Day (or More!)

You hit the highlights—Point Vicente Lighthouse and those dreamy Miramar/Torrance views. Now let’s stretch that drive into a golden-hour mini-escape, with a few updates on what’s changed along the way.

Quick heads-up before you go: a slow-moving landslide along the Portuguese Bend area of the peninsula has forced several long-closed sites to shut down entirely in recent years. Wayfarers Chapel (the “Glass Church”) has been fully dismantled and is awaiting rebuilding at a new site inland; Abalone Cove Beach, Sacred Cove Beach, and the tide-pool trails in that reserve are closed indefinitely; and Portuguese Bend Reserve’s trails, including the Ishibashi Trail, are closed as well. The stops below reflect what’s actually open right now.

The Loop (so you don’t backtrack)

Aim for a counter-clockwise loop to keep the ocean on your right and turnouts easy: Palos Verdes Dr N → Palos Verdes Dr W → Palos Verdes Dr S. This strings the accessible viewpoints together and sets you up for a west-facing sunset finale.

Why So Much of the Coast Is Closed Right Now

The closures aren’t random maintenance — they’re the result of an ancient landslide complex beneath the Portuguese Bend and Abalone Cove areas that has sped up dramatically in recent years, driven largely by heavy winter rains soaking into the region’s bentonite-clay soil. In the most active stretches, the ground has shifted several feet in a matter of months, cracking roads, tilting utility poles, and eventually making Wayfarers Chapel’s own foundation and glass panels unsafe. The city has spent tens of millions of dollars on emergency response and dewatering wells to slow the movement, and while some neighborhoods have seen the rate ease, the affected trails and beaches remain closed with no fixed reopening date.

The upside for visitors: plenty of the peninsula sits outside the slide zone and is unaffected. Point Vicente, Pelican Cove, Del Cerro Park, Terranea’s public paths, and Torrance Beach are all open and worth the drive.

Sample Half-Day Timeline

The Scenic Stops (expanded)

1) Point Vicente Interpretive Center & Bluff Trail

Even if the lighthouse grounds are closed (they’re open just a handful of days each month), the interpretive center is worth 20–30 minutes. You’ll find exhibits on the gray whale migration and the peninsula’s geologic story, plus a bluff-edge loop with head-on views of the beacon and Catalina Island hovering on the horizon. Bring binoculars in winter; volunteers often set up scopes.

The Lighthouse’s Ghost — and Its Century-Old Lens

Point Vicente Lighthouse has carried a ghost story for decades. Locals call her the Lady of the Light: a woman in a pale gown said to pace the tower’s walkway at night. Some tellings say she’s the widow of an early keeper who fell from the cliffs in fog; others say she’s waiting for a sailor lost at sea. Coast Guard staff eventually traced the sightings to reflections off the tower’s huge rotating lens, and a thicker coat of paint on the windows largely ended the reports — though longtime visitors still like to bring it up on the second-Saturday tours.

The lens itself is worth seeking out on its own merits. It’s a hand-ground Fresnel lens made by Parisian craftsmen in the 1880s, originally installed at a lighthouse in Alaska, then moved south decades later when Point Vicente was built. After nearly a century of service, it was retired from the tower and now sits on permanent display at the Interpretive Center — a genuinely rare piece of 19th-century engineering you can walk right up to, no tour required.

2) Wayfarers Chapel — Currently Closed and Rebuilding

Correction for readers who remember this stop from photos above (or from previous visits): Wayfarers Chapel, the redwood-and-glass “Glass Church” designed by Lloyd Wright, was closed to the public after the same accelerating landslide cracked its foundation, buckled its parking lot, and fractured several of its glass panels. Rather than lose the structure entirely, the chapel’s board had it carefully disassembled and placed into storage, with plans to rebuild it at a new site about a mile away, adjacent to the Rancho Palos Verdes City Hall grounds. There’s no confirmed date for the rebuilt chapel to open, so it isn’t a stop you can currently work into a coastal drive — worth knowing before you plan a visit around it.

3) Pelican Cove

With Abalone Cove’s beach and tide-pool trails closed indefinitely due to the landslide, Pelican Cove is the reliable pick for a coastal walk on this stretch. It’s more about wave drama and basalt rock textures than tide pools, but the short, steep bluff path delivers big scenery for relatively little effort. Free small lot plus street parking, and no fixed restrooms, so plan accordingly.

Safety: Rock is slick. Never climb wet algae. Stay well clear of surge channels. If any part of you thinks, “Maybe not,” you’re right — save it for a safer tide.

4) Terranea Coastal Trail (public!)

Yes, it’s a resort; no, you don’t have to be a guest to enjoy the public coastal access. Park in the signed lot and wander the bluff-top path past sea caves, pocket coves, and benches that look out to Catalina. There are snack stops, bathrooms, and flat trail stretches for all ages.

If you want to turn the drive into an overnight, Terranea Resort itself is the obvious splurge: a 582-room oceanfront property spread across 102 acres with 270-degree ocean and Catalina views, five restaurants, a full spa, and a nine-hole oceanfront golf course — a good fit for a honeymoon or milestone trip. For something more moderate, Portofino Hotel & Marina in nearby Redondo Beach is an oceanfront boutique property with marina views, well suited to couples who want a scenic stay without resort pricing. Families or anyone wanting more space might prefer Residence Inn by Marriott Los Angeles Redondo Beach, which offers suites with full kitchens — handy if you’re stringing this drive into a longer South Bay stay.

5) Del Cerro Park

With Portuguese Bend Reserve’s trails closed indefinitely, Del Cerro Park is the best bluff-top substitute on this side of the peninsula. It sits at the southern end of Crenshaw Boulevard with sweeping views of canyons, coastal headlands, and Catalina Island from a flat, easy overlook — no serious hiking required, though trails do drop down into the preserve for those who want more. Parking requires a permit through the city’s ParkMobile app, so set that up before you arrive; there are no restrooms on site.

6) Lunada Bay & Malaga Cove Pullouts

Further up the loop, outside the landslide zone, are a handful of quieter viewpoints locals favor now that some of the classic pullouts are closed. The Via Buena stairs above Lunada Bay offer a quick cliffside view without a real hike, and Malaga Cove — past the Neptune fountain and library — makes for an easy, shaded stroll under eucalyptus trees. Neither delivers quite the drama of the old Inspiration Point turnouts, but both are currently open and worth the short detour.

Whale & Wildflower Calendar (what shows up when)

If you’d rather see whales up close than from the bluffs, the West Harbor LA Dolphin & Whale Watching Cruise departs from San Pedro’s West Harbor, right next to the LA Maritime Museum and the San Pedro Fish Market — an easy pairing with lunch before or after. Marine mammal educators from the Aquarium of the Pacific are typically aboard, which makes it a solid pick for families or anyone traveling with curious kids. For a more active option, Redondo Beach: Kayak & Snorkel with Sea Lions in Calm Harbor puts you in the water in the sheltered harbor rather than out on the open coast — a good fit for adventure-minded travelers who want a slower, closer wildlife encounter than a boat tour allows.

Parking & Access Notes

Smooth-Sailing Tips (learned the easy way)

• Marine layer math: If PV is socked in, check Torrance or Redondo cams; sometimes the beach is clear while the bluffs are fogged. The layer usually peels back after lunch.
• Wind wins: Afternoon breezes can be spicy. Keep a light puffer or wind shell in the trunk and a phone lanyard for cliff-edge photos.
• Shoes: Flip-flops for resort paths, sneakers for dirt, closed-toe for rocky shore. Your ankles will thank you.
• Food on the go: There are cafes at Terranea and simple eats near Malaga Cove, but a car-picnic works well too: bakery stop in Redondo, fruit from a farm stand, and a thermos of something warm for sunset.
• Leave it better: PV’s remaining coastal areas are fragile, and the landslide has already narrowed what’s accessible. Pack out everything, stay off ice-plant edges, and respect every closure sign — they’re not there for decoration.

Pocket Road-Trip Prep

Palos Verdes Coastal Drive: Local’s Half-Day FAQ

Why visit Palos Verdes for a coastal drive?

The Palos Verdes Peninsula strings together dramatic cliffs, glassy coves, and hilltop vistas just ~30 minutes from LA. It’s perfect for a low-stress afternoon: park-hop scenic pullouts, stroll short bluff trails, and finish with a sunset.

What’s the best time of day to go (marine layer issues)?

Late afternoon to sunset. Mornings often sit under a thick marine layer; by mid-to-late afternoon it typically burns off, giving you golden light and clearer ocean views.

What’s the simplest loop to avoid backtracking?

Go counter-clockwise so the ocean stays on your right: Palos Verdes Dr N → Palos Verdes Dr W → Palos Verdes Dr S. This keeps turnouts easy and sets you up for a west-facing sunset.

Which stops should I prioritize right now?

• Point Vicente Lighthouse & Bluff: Iconic lighthouse views from the bluff trail, plus the Interpretive Center’s whale exhibits and historic Fresnel lens.
• Pelican Cove: Wave-watching and basalt rock formations, now that Abalone Cove’s tide pools are closed.
• Miramar Park & Torrance Beach: Not technically PV, but stellar end-of-day views back toward the peninsula and an easy beach stroll.

Can I go inside Point Vicente Lighthouse?

The lighthouse and grounds are usually closed; limited openings occur (traditionally the second Saturday of the month). Even when closed, the Point Vicente Interpretive Center and bluff path offer prime photo ops and (in season) whale-watching.

Is Wayfarers Chapel open to visit?

Not currently. The chapel was closed after landslide damage made its site unsafe, and the structure has since been fully dismantled and placed in storage. Plans call for rebuilding it at a new site about a mile away, but there’s no confirmed reopening date, so it isn’t a stop you can plan around right now.

Any short trails or tide pools along the route?

Abalone Cove’s tide pools and beach-access trails are closed indefinitely due to landslide activity. Pelican Cove is the reliable open alternative — more wave drama and basalt textures than tide pools, but a solid short trail with real scenery. Wear closed-toe shoes; rocks are slick and surge channels are dangerous.

Are Terranea’s coastal paths public?

Yes. Terranea Resort includes signed public coastal access with bluff-top paths, benches, and restrooms. You don’t need to be a guest to enjoy the seaside promenade.

Where should I park—and are there restrooms?

• Point Vicente Interpretive Center: Free lot + restrooms.
• Del Cerro Park: Permit parking via ParkMobile (no fixed restrooms).
• Pelican Cove: Small free lot/street (no fixed restrooms).
• Abalone Cove Shoreline Park: Paid lot + restrooms at the park itself, but the beach and tide-pool trails are closed.
• Terranea Public Access: Signed public lot + restrooms.
• Miramar Park/Torrance Beach: Street/lot parking + restrooms.

What’s a relaxed half-day plan?

2:00p Point Vicente (museum + bluff walk) → 3:00p Del Cerro Park overlook → 3:45p Pelican Cove → 5:15p Terranea coastal path (snack stop) → Sunset Torrance Beach/Miramar Park.

Any safety or etiquette tips for cliffs and coves?

Stay inside railings, keep dogs leashed, pack out all trash, and never turn your back on waves. Skip wet algae and slippery edges; if it looks sketchy, it is. Respect posted closures throughout the landslide-affected areas — they’re there because the ground genuinely isn’t stable, not out of caution alone.

When is wildlife viewing best?

Dec–Apr brings gray whales (southbound then northbound with calves). Summer–early fall may show dolphins offshore. Bring binoculars and linger on the bluffs around Point Vicente, or book a boat tour out of San Pedro for a closer look.

When’s the last time you took the time to explore your own city?