First I checked out the Vicente Bluffs Reserve. It has a nice picnic area above the cliffs, and a few pathways. I walked the Seascape Trail, enjoying views of the ocean and rocky coastline. The Reserve also has a museum and a lighthouse, but I saved those for next time. On the way back to my car I met a man with a large tortoise. He walks it along the bluffs every day.
- Seascape Trail.
- Palos Verdes coastline.
- Tortoise at Vicente Bluffs.
I had promised Ryan a hot dog. So I drove into Torrance and ate lunch at Wienerschnitzel. I then returned to Palos Verdes and parked above Bluff Cove. Ryan wheeled into sight about a half an hour later. He had made a logistical boo boo in Santa Monica, so he couldn't stop for very long. He only wanted a corn dog and some of my lemonade. I snapped a quick photo and he was off. He later finished the race in San Diego in first place!
- Ryan above Bluff Cove.
I checked the map and noticed that Flat Rock Point was nearby. I drove down into a residential area and found the access trail to Bluff Cove and the point. This is a neat section of the coast. I scrambled around the tidal pools and rocks, and found a secluded area to chill out and hunt for crabs.
Next I drove to Roessler Point in Malaga Cove. But here I only stepped out of the car to quickly visit the overlook, from which you can see down to the beach and spy on swimmers in the memorial pool.
- Roessler overlook.
- Roessler Swimming Pool
I then checked the map again. I wanted to do a sunset hike around the crest of Palos Verdes. Del Cerro Park seemed like a suitable starting point. So I made my way up the hills and found the park. Signs indicated that it was for permitted residents only, but I left my car there anyway, hoping for the best.
Del Cerro is a small but relaxing park. The lawn is super green, and you can sit on benches overlooking the Portuguese Bend and the ocean.
- Grass, trees and sky at Del Cerro Park.
- View of Portuguese Bend.
A block away from the park is the gated entrance to Portuguese Bend Reserve. I only had an hour before the gate closed at 7pm, so I did a short walk to Eagles Rest point, which seemed to be a popular destination. There were two couples enjoying the views from this spot. With more time, one could follow the trail system down to the beaches.
- View from Eagles Rest.
- Couple sitting on the bench at Eagles Rest.
- Trail in Portuguese Bend Reserve.
- Crossing Peacock Flat trail.
According to my map, there was a loop opportunity going up a steep ridge from the main Burma Road trail. I couldn't find it though. I asked a mountain biker, who said it was called the Rattlesnake Trail. He pointed me to a spot nearby. Unfortunately I then discovered that it was closed and very overgrown. So I returned via the Peacock Flat trail instead.
Back at Del Cerro Park, I enjoyed the sunset before driving home. For dinner I ate the two mustard dogs that Ryan hadn't wanted for lunch.