Let’s Take a Walk From Point Vicente to Abalone Cove…and back

By Tour Guide Extraordinaire Dianne Gowder

Early Spring is such a delightful time to enjoy our coastline and Point Vicente is the perfect place to start. You never know when you might see a whale and it’s always fun to spend a few minutes with the members of the Cetacean society and discover the whale count for the current migration,

I am always thrilled if I am lucky enough to see a blow!

Point Vicente lighthouse, as well as being extremely photogenic, is open for tours the second Saturday of each month.

The Point was named by an Englishman in 1790, Captain George Vancouver during his expedition along the Pacific coast,, he named it in honor of his friend Friar Vicente of Mission Buenaventura. We have six miles to go so, with reluctance we leave Point Vicente and head up to road towards Pelican Cove.

From the Pelican Cove parking lot head down the trail towards Terranea. Keep a look out for Pelicans, Whales and even Raccoons. There are couple of places you can stop and admire the view up close through telescopes and there are some very informative signs along the way giving some history of this particular part of the Peninsula.

The views from here are spectacular, so take your time and enjoy the scenery. Sunset is a wonderful time to walk along this section of the trail. Catalina is seen in the distance and on a clear day it comes into sharp relief

As this part of the trail ends, Take the steps down into the resort property and walk past Nelson’s on your right. You will find some more stairs that lead down alongside the ocean. I have seen dolphins here many time. You can stop and walk out on to the rocks here and get close to the water. Watch out for those waves!

You will come the end of this part of the trail you have a choice to make, to the right, Terranea has a charming little Cove with a small beach, you may chose to walk down there and sit on the beach for a while. I am a walker so, we are headed left and then a sharp right up a couple of flights of stairs and right again along cliff tops to enjoy even more spectacular views.

I like to follow the trail along the cliff top until it runs out and then go up the street to Palos Verdes drive

You might be getting a little weary by now, that was uphill! Don’t give up yet, a shortish walk will get you to Abalone Cove park which is already in bloom with lupine and mustard! A walk around the park and maybe at sit down on one of the benches might be in order. If you still have lots of energy you might take a walk down to the beach.

It’s time to head back. Again you have choices, the most direct route is straight along Palos Verdes drive, but it’s fun to go back the way you came and have a walk through Terranea, maybe stop for coffee, or on a weekend, you might see the falconer giving a talk and showing off his magnificent birds.

I hope you have enjoyed our walk and I look forward walking with you again on another of our beautiful trails.

Dianne Gowder Bio:

Here is a link to my Facebook photography page

https://www.facebook.com/Walking-About-Photography-by-Dianne-Gowder-105661514321435/

Also I can be found on Instagram @dgbrit

Originally from England, but now long time San Pedro resident..

Credit for bio picture: Arturo Garcia Ayala

Dianne loves to walk and she tries to do at least 3 miles every day before she heads out to work. Her love of photography evolved from her walks.

“ I have always been amazed by scenery here and more and more I found myself stopping to capture the beauty of my surroundings. As I shared my work I realized that very few people were even aware of what they have on their doorstep!”

Dianne has made it her mission to share the beauty through her photographs and she takes her friends on walks as often as possible.