TRAILS & TIDE POOLING in Palos Verdes
Abalone Cove Shoreline Park is a coastal tide pool treasure, located at the tip of the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The park contains an ecological preserve and is famous for its outstanding tide pools.
It is worth checking tide charts to visit these beaches at low tide for the tide pools and the tunnels.
DAILY TIDE CHARTS HERE
Out at the end and right at the base of the points there are amazing rock tunnels where waves rush in and crash through.
Trails meander on the bluff out to excellent views from two prominent points. Below these points are three separate coves with beaches and tide pools.
Abalone Cove Park features 2 beaches (Abalone Cove and Sacred Cove), tide pools, bluff top viewing areas and trails crisscrossing the area. The park contains a State Ecological Preserve and taking of protected animals and marine life is prohibited. There is direct access to a parking lot off Palos Verdes Drive South. Access to Abalone Cove Beach is by a long trail from the parking lot. To access Sacred Cove, users must walk along Palos Verdes Drive South to 1 of 2 trails between Portuguese and Inspiration Points. Lifeguards are on duty at Abalone Cove Beach during summer hours and weekends only. The views of the ocean and Catalina Island are spectacular. Barbeques and fires are prohibited at this site. Dogs are prohibited on the beach; however, on-leash dogs are permitted in the upper picnic area and on designated trails.
Abalone Cove is FREE, but the parking is not.
- First 30 Minutes FREE
- 30 Minutes to 2 hours $6
- Over 2 Hours $12
- Buses $55
- Seniors 62+ and Handicapped are FREE year-round
Beach Features Include;
- Benches
- Coastal Access
- Drinking Fountain
- Hiking Trails
- Lifeguards
- Paid Parking
- Picnic Areas
- Picnic Tables
- Restrooms
- Tide pools
os Vede
Park Hours
Park grounds open everyday from 9 a.m.- Dusk
Parking Lot Entry Way opened 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. ONLY Abalone Cove Beach
Closed Thanksgiving, Dec.24th & 25th, Jan. 1st
Current News
The City of Rancho Palos Verdes has closed portions of the beach and tide pool area located at Portuguese Point in Abalone Cove Park for public safety due to falling rocks and unstable cliffs above. The closure will remain in place, pursuant to RPVMC 12.16.090 until the issue is resolved and until further notice. Please refer to map below for reference.
Hiking
There’re an abundant amount of trails covering Abalone Cove Park, whether you want to hike down to the beach below, or enjoy the views from high above on the bluffs. Please refer to the trail map below for more information.
Park Resources
For information on State Marine Conservation Areas and fishing restrictions, click here (PDF).
