Octopodes, if You Please

Snorkeling Abalone Cove in Rancho Palos Verdes

Great snorkeling doesn’t require a plane ticket to the tropics. Not when Abalone Cove State Marine Conservation Area in Rancho Palos Verdes is just a quick drive away. It has everything you want for a local undersea foray: kelp forests, rocky reefs, reasonably calm water, and easy access—once you cross the rocky shore and get out beyond the waves. You should be at least an intermediate-level swimmer, and be sure to check the surf report before you go. Ideally, choose a calm day, which will also ensure max visibility in the cove—up to 20 feet.

Stay to the left of the cove (when facing the ocean), and swim toward the rocky tidepool area. Before long, you’ll see dense kelp forests and small reef fish. On exceptionally clear days you can see more impressive wildlife such as octopuses ... or octopodes! (Fun fact: Because “octopus” comes from Greek, some consider the plural “octopodes” more correct than the Latin “octopi.” You can’t go wrong with octopuses, though.) That’s in addition to rays, horn sharks, giant crabs, and dozens of species of fish.

Abalone Cove may not be the most scenic snorkeling spot in SoCal, but it’s easy to get to and a great place to hone your skills and enjoy being out on the water. Wetsuits make the experience easier due to their buoyancy but are not necessary. The water is plenty warm right now. When leaving the water, time your exit so you can ride the waves back to shore. Try taking the Olmstead Trail to exit the cove—it’s a longer route, about a mile, but a gentler grade. The views of the cove below are amazing, and the gentle ocean breezes help you and your gear to dry off before you get back to your car. Win!

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. From the parking lot, take the Abalone Cove Trail and Beach School Trail until it intersects with the Sea Dahlia Trail, then follow that until you reach the beach—about a half-mile, at most, but very steep. Continue down the rocky beach until you arrive at the cove near the base of the bluffs. Trails are dog-friendly, but no dogs on 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