Switchbacks and Sweeping Views

Bicycling the Donut Loop on the Palos Verdes Peninsula

A fierce workout and killer coastal views—that’s the fabled Rancho Palos Verdes Donut Loop. One of the best road rides in SoCal, this 24-miler is named for its shape—a loop—and not, alas, for any actual donuts along the way. You can begin anywhere and ride in either direction. Clockwise means right turns only, but you won’t be on the coast side of the road. Counterclockwise means some tricky left turns, but you’ll be on the coast side, making selfie stops more dramatic. Getting lost is not an issue, as the streets all bear the same name, Palos Verdes Drive. Just remember north, west, south, and east, and follow the loop like circling a compass. Or a donut.

Abalone Cove Shoreline Park is a good place to park, and you can stay parked there until dusk. If you ride counterclockwise from the park, you’ll tackle the challenging climb up Palos Verdes Drive East—6 miles of steep switchbacks—early in the ride. You will definitely feel the burn! This toughest part of the ride also boasts the best views—panoramas of the California coast, from the glittering mansions of Rancho PV to the ports of San Pedro and Long Beach. Once you enter the residential area, the ride gets more mild and includes flat and downhill stretches. Most of the 1,800 feet of climbing is behind you.

As you approach Palos Verdes Drive North, the scenery changes drastically. Hint: Watch out for horse crossings! At this point, the bike lane narrows and the road gets busier. The gentle 10-mile stretch along Palos Verdes Drive West and South is a relaxing way to end the ride. Plus those incredible coastal views are back. You might even see some whales!

To begin at Abalone Cove Shoreline Park, take the 110 south toward San Pedro, then make a slight left turn onto N. Gaffey St., followed by a quick right onto W. 1st St. Make a left on Western, then a right onto W. 25th St., which turns into Palos Verdes Dr. South. Abalone Cove Shoreline Park will be on your left: *5970 Palos Verdes Dr. S., Rancho Palos Verdes*. To make the counterclockwise loop, turn right out of the lot, ride south for 3 miles, and turn left on Rancho Palos Verdes Dr. East.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Man hiking up a trail at Montara Mountain, with a view of the Pacific and Grey Whale sand beach in the background

    From Beach to Summit

    No need to decide between a beach and a mountaintop—this hike includes both! Explore the stunning coastal scenery on this 6-mile out-and-back up Montara Mountain and into Rancho Corral de Tierra.

    View
  2. Picnic and a Pedal

    West Marin has all the right stuff for an afternoon getaway: bike paths, babbling brooks, canopy forests, and secluded picnic spots. Combine a picnic and a pedal at Samuel P. Taylor State Park by biking the easygoing Cross Marin Trail.

    View
  3. Sebastopol Food & Wine Roll

    One apple farm, three charming towns, multiple wineries, and infinite natural beauty. Savor a perfect autumn day in Sonoma County by biking the West County Regional Trail from Sebastopol to Forestville via Graton. It’s a 17-mile (round-trip) adventure. 

    View
  4. Go, Tell It on the Mountain

    Want to be king of the mountain? Head to King Mountain, the 108-acre open space preserve just above Larkspur in Marin. Despite its lofty name, hiking King Mountain proves that simp

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Woman walking in the Venice Canals of Los Angeles County

    Canal Contemplations

    With its incense-scented boardwalk, bohemian shops, skateparks, and abundance of body builders, Venice is happily eccentric, and artistic. Exhibit A: Its network of European-style canals with charming bridges, offering a tranquil tour of the town’s history.

    View
  2. Sponsored

    Yes, Seattle!

    Ready to try something new this winter? Seattle’s ready for you! Beautiful by nature with its Puget Sound setting, surrounding mountains, and nearby national parks, winter in Seattle can be a magical and festive time. Ever been in a hot tub boat?...

    View
  3. Wine Down, Dine Out in Lake Chelan

    The fertile soil around Washington State's Lake Chelan is ripe for more than just the amazing apples. Vineyards here yield high quality grapes, and some of the country’s best less-discovered wineries. Locals know it, and you will too when you start choosing from the more than 30 wineries in the region.

    View
  4. What's Up, Winthrop!

    It’s not just its location close to Washington State’s spectacular and less visited national park (North Cascades) that makes Winthrop such a winsome mountain town. This lively enclave in the Methow Valley bristles with a whimsical blend of Wild West charms, contemporary culture, and a mosaic of outdoor adventures—from river to lake to waterfalls, and beyond.

    View