The Abalone Cove Preserve was a quiet and beautiful for beach and tide pools in RPV area, I used to come here for picnic and hiking. Unfortunately, it has been temporarily closed because of ongoing land movement, which has created dangerous conditions. I think it has been closed for over a year now, and not sure when it will be reopened to the public. read more

*** I almost rated Abalone Cove 1 star so you wouldn't go there LOL *** BUT sharing is caring after all. And I have to have hope that people won't be total assholes and leave things better than they found them. This area is a state ecological reserve. The water is so clean... well it was before the incident in There is a lifeguard in one area near the Portuguese Bend Nursery School (closed on 7/9/21). The tide pools that I really wanted to get to and allow my girls to explore were closed off due to falling rocks from the nearby cliffs. So much to love about this area... The hike down was both of my daughters' favorite part. Then seeing all the rocks and shells was their favorite. Then the few tide pools. Then the beach. Then the resident lizard. It never stopped with those two. Lol. One reviewer, B T. (from 8/6/20), stated that the sandy beach at Abalone Cove stands out above the rocky shoreline in the Rancho Palos Verdes area. Indeed this is true, but I think because of the hike down, the area does not seem to get too crowded - not a summer Friday morning headed into noon. The parking lot was nearly empty when we arrived at around 10AM and about 50% capacity when we left just before noon. My parking fee was $6. read more

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The tide pools are a hike to get to, but that just means less people go to the tide pools. Parking: Pay lot ($12 max) and 2 or 3 thirty minute spots on the street. Hike: I wouldn't take a kid just learning to walk, unless you have the kid in a carrier. The hike to the tide pools can get narrow and you must walk single file in a very narrow section. One misstep and it's a drop into dry brush or even worse. My 3 and 5 year old did the hike to the tide pools fine. However, I had my husband pick us up on the street on the way back. If you keep an eye out, you'll see spots where it is safe to load and unload. It seems the cave trail and the left side of the sacred cove trail are closed. The tide pools had a ton of crabs, sea anemones, hermit crabs, sea snails, and a few fish. We found some sea urchin skeletons but no live sea urchins. We also saw 2 sea lions sun bathing on a rock in the ocean. My kids had a lot of fun at the tide pools. It's just a bit of work to get to, but more abundant sea life due to limited people. read more

Abalone Cove - Beaches Near Me - Rancho Palos Verdes, California

An amazing beautiful place to take respite from a busy day. Best to come during low tide to check out all the creatures in the naturally created tide pools. There are a couple free 30 minute parking spots at the top along the main road if you just want to check out the view. However I would park in the paid parking lot as you can easily spend the day here. It's a little hike (narrow and steep at times) to trek down to the beach but not too bad. Being here truly feels like being on vacation away from everything. read more

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Abalone Cove is part of Abalone Cove Shoreline Park. It's possible to visit the Cove by hiking the trails and then walking back. A great place to hike and enjoy the scenery. read more

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Views are amazing - you can see dolphins and wildlife although some surfers here Parking available - paid parking The beach width is short and very rocky/unsteady. Not many spots to easily take a seat to enjoy the view. If you're in the area it's great to pop by here, it's gorgeous, just not the kind of place to picnic or bring your grandma due to the uneven ground. read more

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I can not believe I never wrote a review about this place. I love it here. This is the beach I recommend family and friends go to. It is a steep walk down to the beach. I recommend doing it with sneakers, not flip flops. It takes approximately 15 minutes down the trail, then there are the rocks between you and the beach. But, it is worth it because the beach is not crowded. The best part is the rocks to the left, where there are still tide pools. That is my favorite. There are a million hermit crabs, sea anemones, sea urchins, and barnacles living on the rocks. The water is clear and not too cold, so it is worth taking your shoes off and wading in the water. You can see all the starfish, and there are some really large ones. It is educational for the kids! read more

Gorgeous spot for an easy hike with little ones. Any protected public nature reserve is 5* in my book. There are a few small tide pools to find anemones and the occasional starfish. The cliff is fabulously picturesque. We found a lobster head but who knows if it was discarded from part of someone's picnic dinner? Its so crazy how this space is only a few miles away from one of the nastiest industrial ports I've ever laid eyes on. Thankfully you can't see any of that from the beach. But it does make me sad to think of how beautiful the port area probably once was. Please take time out from your over-scheduled frantic life to relax and reconnect here with your friends and family! read more

Small parking lot, so arrive early on weekends and during the summer. Pretty solid hike down to the actual beach, but a nice spot and one of the only areas in RPV where there is a bit of actual sand instead of the rocky shoreline that exists everywhere else. read more

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It can be a hike from the parking area to the water. There is a lifeguard station and road to the bottom, I'm not sure if it's for handicap accessibility but the terrain is uneven. The waters edge is very rocky and as the waves rush back the stones make a unique clatter. read more

Quite possibly one of the most beautiful spots in Los Angeles, these tidepools are filled with ACTUAL sea life in abundance. Mussels, crabs, fish, and more line the pools and create beautiful landscapes. It's breathtaking and really quite beautiful. There are many crevices that are perfect for exploring, and long strands of kelp envelope the entirely of the cove. From the cliff above, you can see the beautiful horizon stretching for miles. The park is completely free to go to, although if you don't want to walk, you can pay like $12 for parking. Get ready to spend the whole day there, this little treat is really worth the drive. read more

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Really great spot for a light hike. Parking isn't difficult, the views are nice, and getting there is relatively easy. The beach is also nice and clean so you can even go for a swim. You can also have a little picnic at the park. The only reason why I'm not giving five stars is because there is always a trail that's closed. This limits the possible short hiking trails that could be really convenient and be finished within half an hour. It also limits the variety of having multiple trails. A thirty-minute hike would be nice because not only would you get a decent amount of exercise but you can also get free parking. But I guess that's how they get your money. Sabotage you to at least be there for 30 minutes so you have no choice but to pay for parking. read more

My wife and went for the first time and this won't be our last for sure! Great place to spend a full day. Bring some food and have a picnic! It's a little bit of a hike so I would advise highly to bring comfortable outdoor clothing. Parking is free the first 30 minutes then $6 for up to 2 hrs then $12. Got some great pictures. This place is a gem to be seen. read more

Abalone Cove - Get all the way down to the bottom of the cliff! - Beaches Near Me - Rancho Palos Verdes, California

BEAUTIFUL shoreline with tide pools filled with mussels, starfish, crabs and many other organisms. Can't believe this is right up my back yard in the South Bay Area! We had this as the destination of a hike from the top of Del Cerro park. Bring a picnic! And if you're up for it there are ocean caves you can jump into for a quick swim. Definitely check it out! read more

Abalone Cove - Tide pools. - Beaches Near Me - Rancho Palos Verdes, California

Truly a hidden gem here in the LA area. DO come here if you get a chance. I bet lots of people don't know about this area because I came on a saturday afternoon around 3pm and there was no one around. Me and the bf took the little hike down to get to the cove. The water was warm and delightful. Unfortunately, it was high tide when we came so I couldn't explore the tide pools. We also parked in a 30 min parking space, not thinking we would spend so much time here so we weren't really able to do much exploring. This area is a protected public nature reserve, which makes it so nice! Such a breathtaking place to be! True peace. It reminds me a lot of big sur back home, where the water is TRULY blue. Keep CA blue! read more

Such a beautiful beach! Water is clean and pretty! There is a little hike down the way. I was there for maybe 30 minutes just for the view and paid $6 for parking. A great place to take pictures read more

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Awesome, beautiful rocky beach w/ a cove and great for a small hike, small climb and awesome to go in the beautiful water I suggest shoes it's very rocky and somewhat sharp at parts. If you're willing to walk theirs free parking on pelican cove about 3 blocks walk thru terrain or just enjoy pelican cove it also very nice! Oh! Yea! Bathroom at both locations. The one at pelican was stinky but the view is worth it!! Lol Also there's a Starbucks about 1/2 ml north and the road is freaken AMAZING!!!! Roller coaster status!! Take snack!! Sun block!!! Water!!! And most definitely a camera!! read more

Great place to come for a relaxing hike or to get your feet wet. This place is one of my favorites to come and hike and unwind for a while. The hikes all lead to the beautiful coves that everyone seems to explore regardless of how dangerous it may be lol read more

gorgeous, serene, beautiful shallow pools for kids to wade in