Abalone Sandwich

Exploring the Tide Pools of Abalone Cove in Rancho Palos Verdes

The difference between tide pools and an aquarium? Adventure! You have to work a bit for the tide pools at Abalone Cove in Rancho Palos Verdes, but they’re well worth the effort. The payoff: a great hike with coastal views to awesome tide pools between bluffs and sea. You might call the spot … Abalone Sandwich!

To start, follow the 0.7-mile (one-way) Abalone Cove Trail from the Abalone Cove Shoreline Park parking lot. It’s a steady, but fairly steep, downhill hike passing through coastal sage scrub, lemonadeberry, and wild oats. Sweeping panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean surround you as you descend from the blufftop toward the beach. The Abalone Cove Trail will take you to a nice, albeit rocky, beach, but the best way to reach the tide pools is to take the turnoff for the Sea Dahlia Trail. This trail leads back uphill over the bluffs, but is much faster and easier on the feet than traversing the rocky shoreline. If you do take the beach, just head downcoast to where it ends at the base of the cliffs.

The Sea Dahlia Trail leads right to the tide pools. At low tide, rocks form a large shallow lagoon full of aquatic life. Keep your eyes open for anemones, sea hares, barnacles, and sea stars. Just be sure to check tide times before heading out, and aim to arrive within an hour (give or take) of low tide for the best access to the pools. And keep in mind you still have to hike back up to the top of the bluff afterward. If you time it right, catching the sunset from the parking lot adds yet another awesome reward for your effort.

From Pacific Coast Hwy. in Torrance, take Palos Verdes Blvd. toward the ocean for about 2 miles, then turn south on Palos Verdes Dr. W. Continue for 7 miles to Abalone Cove Shoreline Park, on the right. The first 30 minutes of parking are free; $6 for up to 2 hours; $12 for anything over 2 hours. Aim for the south end of the lot, since that’s where the tide pool journey begins. Trails are dog-friendly, but no dogs on the beach.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. All right, Almaden!

    Take a trip through time on this 5-mile loop in Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Explore the ruins of an old cinnabar mine and enjoy the first hints of wildflower season.

    View
  2. Waterfalls and Wine Pours

    Cooler temps, green hills, and the return of our magnificent waterfalls! This family-friendly 2-mile hike at Uvas Canyon County Park in Morgan Hill is a great way to get the most out of a short hike post-rain.

    View
  3. Woman hiker is climbing up the ladder in the Steep Ravine section of the Dipsea Loop Trail on Mount Tam

    Misty on Mount Tam

    Mount Tam’s 3.9-mile round-trip Steep Ravine and Dipsea Trail Loop weathers the wets and wilds with some confidence, sheltered in parts by redwoods, and wowing with a waterfall.

    View
  4. Mile-Long Cataract Club

    In winter after heavy rains, the north flank of Mount Tam glows with flows. The nearly mile-long series of waterfalls—Cataract Falls—transforms into a supercharged spectacle. Starting at Alpine Dam, a 1.6 mile (one-way) narrow trails threads through redwoods and ferns along Cataract Creek.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Peace Labyrinth

    Hidden in LA’s historic West Adams district, the Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens is a welcome respite from the norms of urban noise.

    View
  2. Weekend Sherpa Podcast: Take It Outside

    Adventure for your earbuds. What's new in the world of the outdoors? Listen to Weekend Sherpa co-founders discuss local hikes, beaches, bike rides, camping spots and all kinds of travel and adventure in California and beyond!

    View
  3. Hikers sitting on a large rock slab next to Three Sisters Falls in Cleveland National Forest Southern California near Julian

    Three Sisters

    Good things come in threes at this hike to a lovely trio-tiered waterfall in Cleveland National Forest. The 4.25-mile out-and-back hike rambles among rolling hills, with rocky mountain views as switchbacks take you down to a lush canyon and the falls.

    View
  4. People gathered around a tree at an LA Park as part of the Tree Tour led by Stephanie Carrie

    LA's Tree Tour

    Los Angeles is famous for its iconic palm trees but did you know that LA is home to one of the most diverse urban forests in the world? With over 1,000 different tree species lining its streets, LA offers a unique urban canopy waiting to be explored. One of the best ways to discover it is by joining a Tree Tour

    View