Abalone Cove Shoreline Park

Keith at the front entrance directed us to the southern hike, a fantastic 5−½ mile round trip journey with tide pools, ocean views, rocky beaches, ocean caves, and well-​marked trails. A whale that seemed to be a resident of Portuguese Bend circled and fed close to shore for the entire 2−½ hours we were there and we also saw dolphins, a sea lion… and we nearly stepped on a fair sized green snake slithering across the trail. Approx. 2−¾ miles in we had to turn around at the South Bay Archery Club’s Range but not before using one of their picnic tables to drink our water and have a snack.
Honestly, you can spend an hour at any of the tide pools, beaches, or Inspiration Point… but each turn revealed new discoveries that kept getting better and better.
Thank you, Keith for your enthusiastic and informed assistance!

Loved it here, the trail is a little difficult though, and it had a deal end of a tunnel with no light at the end of it so we turned around and headed towards the beach. Got to climb rocks and see big waves! And a cave! Definitely an adventure and totally work out!

Beautiful hike and fun for the kids and the pooch. We had s wonderful time exploring the tide pools. We even saw an octopus!!!

I love the outdoors so I am inclined to give this scenic hike 5 stars! It’s a very easy hike, almost too easy and definitely too short. I saw a helicopter do a close fly-​by and the pilot waived at my friend and I. The highlight of the trip was seeing seals really close to us while we were admiring the waves crash on the rocks. It’s definitely worth a visit. You can visit «Hitlers tunnel» if you’re brave enough. It’s not too far a drive from there.
Ps. there are restrooms at the very beginning of Abalone.

The views are beautiful! Came here the weekend before last (post is extremely late), with my boyfriend and we loved it.
You do have to pay for parking first 30min are free and then I believe it’s $ 2 — $ 12 depending on how long you’re there.
If you make to the water it’s definitely picture worthy. If you have kids they’ll live the star fish and things or even collecting rocks.
The hike is pretty easy going down and up there is a part where it slightly inclines but you’ll definitely be able to make it. Bring water & have fun!
We’ll be back for sure. We have been trying some of the other hiking trails in that area there are few — ALL with amazing views some easy and others slightly harder but still worth it.

This is also a beautiful place to watch the Pacific Sunset! It leaves you with the feeling that you are at the edge of the world as the sun disappears into the vast ocean.
The round trip walk to Portuguese Point is less than 1.5 miles by way of the marked dirt Abalone Cove Trail to the Sea Dahlia Trail that takes you down to the tide pools. There are other trails that take you to the Sacred Cove, but on this trip it was all about the sunset.
The main parking lot is now $ 6.00 for the first 2 hours or $ 12.00 over 2 hours. The only problem, is the lot closes at 4pm and they want you to remove your car by dusk. So if you are there for the sunset, you can park in the upper free 4 car lot on Palos Verdes Drive or by the fire department… if you are lucky enough to find a spot.

After a hike down the Portuguese Bend, the squad decided to stop by Abalone Cove to check out the view. After looking at the Pacific from atop the cove we hiked down to see the cave! It was beautiful!

Review ²⁄₃₆₅
This place is awesome. It’s a short 2 – 3 mile hike. I encourage everyone to hike down to the tide pools, just be careful ’cause the rocks might be slippery! Parking is $ 6 for 2 hours, but there seems to be some street parking available. Head out further and check out Inspiration Point, the tide pools there are better imo.

Had an awesome time here.
Definitely will go back to explore more when the tide is lower.
Quick tips:
— Don’t bring a lot of stuff with you. It’s pointless, and if you’re going to the caves, all your stuff will most likely get wet.
— Don’t expect to stay dry if you want to see the caves.
— Don’t expect to keep your shoes clean if you want to go along the trail to the pipeline and along the beach.
— When going through the pitch black pipeline, watch for random rocks on the ground. Don’t know why they were there, but there were some large enough to easily trip you.
— Use the bathroom ahead of time. There’s only one Port-​O-​Let near the edge of the beach, and it’s as filthy as you would expect it to be.
Tide was high, so getting to the first cave meant walking through water, not more than 2′ deep, though.
Getting past the first cave meant going through more water. We avoided being totally soaked by moving on top of the rocks that were as close to the walls as possible, but the tide still comes in and splashes you every few seconds.
For the second cave, you couldn’t see much of it without swimming into it. However, all of it still very fun.
The pipeline was great. You get there by taking the small random trail that breaks away from the beach and continues through some Indiana Jones-​like narrow passageways. The pipeline lasts for several hundred feet then takes you to an abandoned trailer truck in front of some road.
We will definitely be back to this awesome place.

Today. Abalone Cove –Portuguese Point — Inspiration Point — back to Abalone Cove about 6 km.
Tired but definitely worth it!
Inspiration Point is just like a secret place. Without fence, it’s dangerous especially for pets and children. And because of it, few people came here.
So tranquil, so magnificent, so beautiful.
依照上面路線，今日完成6 公里！
Inspiration Point 像個秘密景點，因為沒有圍籬相對危險，也比較不適合小孩跟寵物，因此沒什麼人來。在這邊靜靜坐著，你可以好好跟死黨觸膝長談，或者聽聽海浪跟你說的心事。
有點危險，但是值得。

Abalone Cove holds a very special place in my heart. Tidepools, cliff diving, and miles of beautiful sunny California coastline. I’ve been fortunate enough to see octopi, crabs, starfish, sea hares, etc.
However. every time I visit, I find more and more trash and it’s terribly disappointing. Broken glass bottles, beer cans, forgotten clothing and general litter. PLEASE pick up after yourselves. Not to sound preachy, but you can have a good time without it being at the expense of others. Also to parents, please stop texting and keep an eye on your kids! I’ve seen children torture poor starfish and the like. So disturbing. Be warned, it gets SUPER crowded on weekends.
TIDES:
I always use this website to decide an ideal time to scope out the tide pools:

PARKING:
$ 5 at the lot unless you chance upon street parking further up the street by the fire station

This spot is worth the drive no matter where you’re coming from. There is a little something for everyone here — picnic tables for family hang outs with an amazing beach cliff view, hiking trails, tide pools, and also a short stretch of beach.
There is quite a bit of incline going into the beach area, but I have seen kids and people in flip flops tackle it and make it out okay. Bring a towel and some snacks and stop by the beach, or walk past the beach and check out the tide pools and rocky ledge, where you can jump into the ocean or just look from the rocks. You can bring dogs here, but you should keep them on a leash.
There is a parking lot available that is free for the first 30 min, then $ 6 for the next 2 hours. It goes up to $ 12 from there.

This place is AMAZING!!!
If you need to gather yourself and regroup, need some inspiration, want to take yourself on a date (yeah, rolling solo), or actually bring a date… T-​H-​I-​S is the place to be. But don’t let the beauty fool ya!
You,…yes YOU have to hike down a trail (ummm.not so bad) to get to the beach, but boy let me tell ya! That hike back up for me was a b**ch! Pwaaaahahaha! I was tired, my knees were hurting, I was hot, sweaty, and complaining. Then this little dog ran right pass me and put me to shame. So I sucked my heaviness, and panting up and made it to the top, which was only like 15 more steps. I was looking really dumb… my bf even had to laugh at that. Hahaha!!!
But despite ALL of that complaining (which was a free workout) I’d do it all again!
This place is just breathtaking!

Ever seen that movie with Jessica Alba where she plays a very clumsy uncoordinated girl? Well her character is me in real life. I am, and always have been, and always will be very very clumsy. I fall, slip, hurt myself one way or another more often than not. That’s why hiking just isn’t my thang (yes I said thang, so what). I mean I want it to be. I would love to be an avid hiker that leaps through rocks like a gazelle. Unfortunately I’m more of a hippo on ice when I hike, so I mostly try not to come anywhere near mountain trails. I figured every trail would be too hard for me, including this one. I told goodbyes to my mother before planning a hike at Abalone/​Smugglers cove. She almost cried and begged me not to go, she knows how clumsy her daughter is.
Well you know what, this clumsy girl hiked the trail, 7 miles to be exact (according to my iPhone phone app); and loved it! And I didn’t fall or hurt myself even one time. This place is magical. Perhaps seeing all the beauty around me did make me graceful like a gazelle while I was there. I leaped through rocks, I ran down hills, I splashed in the water, I caught crabs! (Not the std, I mean actual crabs). It was pure relaxation and a feeling I can’t even describe. Yes I was stinky and sweaty after the hike, yet I felt at peace and for once didn’t care about my hair looking like a birds nest on my head or smelling like a caveman. I guess nature brings something out of people even if you don’t know it’s there.
Even if you aren’t an avid hiker, and you are far from agile and graceful like my self; I promise this hike is easy enough where you can actually do it, but hard enough where you still will sweat your booty off and feel like you accomplished something in the end.
I plan on going back very soon and I better see a sea lion this time! That’s the only thing I didn’t get to see that I have been obsessing over for weeks. I did see some awesome marine life though, and almost dropped my phone in the ocean trying to snap pictures of it for Unilocal… see told ya I was clumsy :)

Such a gorgeous place! My friend, bf, and I hiked from Del Cerro Park down to Abalone Cove Shoreline Park (~8 miles round trip) & didn’t have to pay for parking that way. (Check out my directions here
) If you don’t want to go the long hike, it’s free the first 30 minutes, then $ 6 for 30 min to 2 hours, $ 12 for 2+ hours to park nearby.
Check the low tide /​high tide times before you go so you can plan ahead for low tide in order to be safe and see the most wildlife! The hike down from Inspiration Point is steep so be careful. Once in the tide pool area, you can see starfish, sea urchins, sea anemone, crabs, small fish, a sea cucumber. So much fun! There’s also a couple caves but be careful!

This is one of the best hike that I’ve been. Everyone has their preference to how much they enjoyed the hike. To some, the harder the trail the more they enjoyed the hike. However, for me, I enjoyed this hike as you get to walk along the beach, to the sea cave and to the top of the hill overlooking the magnificent view of the ocean.
It’s a fun and relaxing hike that allows you to enjoy the view of the ocean during the entire hiking experience. The hike to the bottom of the beach is easy but the hike downhill and uphill can be pretty steep, would recommend you to wear covered hiking shoes.
Tips:
~ Park at the car park for $ 5 admission
~ Highly recommended to wear covered shoes, especially at the sea cave area, you need to walk through a path of rocks.

What a gem!!!
We stopped while driving by and we weren’t prepared to get in the water but did walk the trail down towards the water which is easy to walk but sandy. You can do it cautiously in flipflops.
Plenty of parking ($ 5) and clean bathrooms.
Fantastic views, and we’re looking forward to coming back and exploring the coves! Go across the street to the Wayfarer Chapel. It’s amazing!

BREATHTAKING MOMENTS!!!
Abalone Cove known as «The Washing Machine».
The thrill is hiking down to the rocks and taking the 15-​foot plunge into the water. Although it looks benign but no much visibility once you’re in the water, extremely technical and dangerous, especially when the tides already high.
We were starting from parking spot, going down to seatings picnic area, going down the beach, walking to the cliff area.
Beautiful scenic area before the coves. You could see rockfish, starfish, mussles, lobsters and rocky tide pool inhabitants, rocky reefs. People are also fishing along the shores (need permit).
_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​
We faced the first obstacle (COVE#1-Abalone Cove):
You have to swim a few feet to the other side which is easy when the tide is low. There was a lifeguard appeared on the coves area during my past trip, but none at this time.
The tide was high, so dangerous until we decided to
do some light rock climbing to go around the cove so we didn’t have to swim to go across this cove. We were climbing one by one. Slippery sharp rocks, bad edges, scratches. Thanks God, everyone were successfully cross over this cove!!!
_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​
Another cove appeared (COVE#2: Sacred Cove) and required us to jump and swim. No area for rock climbing to cross over this cove. This second obstacle is deeper than the first obstacle. We discussed in a group, either we go back and do another rock climbing or we keep going, jump and swim this obstacle. We looked into the first cove, it looked harder to climb back because of the rock formation. Thus, we decided to keep going.
There was some Caucasian people were warning us for not going when in the end they were taking video of us doing this stunt.
By this time, the tide was already high, brutally crashing hard against the cove rocks. One by one, we were jumping and swimming across. One friend, a surfer, was giving signal when was the best time to jump into the water.
Finally, it was my turn. I looked into the crazy waves. I looked across where my friends were waiting for me. I looked into the water. I looked into the people who were videotaping me. My friend’s voice sounded from far away and she seemed move in slow motion. My mind was blank. Then, back into reality, I heard she shouted:” «NOW!!! JUMP!!!» Then … I j.u.m.p.e.d … salt water hit my face, eyes and into my throat. I was swimming as fast as I could. I could feel the wave was going to take me with its power. I was reaching my friend’s hand and she pulled me up from the water! Thanks, God!!!
Then it was my male friend’s turn. Since he was the last one, the tide was already even higher. After given signal, he was jumping into the water. ALAS, the wave was too strong for him to handle. It was steering him directly to the cove! He was screaming while kept swimming towards us! OH NOESS! The waves kept coming in, but he fought and finally reaching my friend’s hand. The area is small so only fit 1 (one) person to go down and get ready to pull him up from the water. All of his body got scratches and cut (left back area, belly, thigh, hands, fingers). Luckily he didn’t hit his head or any other important body organs.
To go back to our picnic area, the only way is to hike up the hill. We could see the tidepools, Methodist Church from afar. They closed the skinny trail which we used in the past as a shortcut to go down to our picnic area. Actually this skinny trail is very very steep and slippery. In the past, I was literally going down on my butt. I was sitting down and moving slowly downward. Probably there was an accident so they closed this trail. So, we were going to the wide-​road size trail which is approximately a mile longer than the skinny trail but much safer.
We arrived at our designated area. We ate and recovered. We went to the lifeguard to get first aid kit and apply medication to our injured friend. Everybody actually got minor scratches and cut on their legs, fingers and hands. We were jokingly yet serious telling our friend that she will need to make us sign liability waiver on her next hiking event.
_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​
Nature has no mercy at all!
Check the tides before you go!
Or simply stop before the first obstacle (COVE#1) and try different trail if the tide already high.

My most favorite hiking trail! Came here for the first time today after wanting to come here forever. This trail along the beach was gorgeous, and a great workout. You will have to walk through a lot of rocks so definitely need to make sure you wear sneakers. Also make sure you bring a phone or camera to take pics because the views are breathtaking, every angle of this hike was IG worthy. I could not stop taking pics. If you’re feeling adventurous, there’s a cool cave you can go into, but you’ll prob get wet if you do.
$ 5 for parking, cash only. There was restroom in the same little building that you pay, but there was no toilet paper so bring your own. No food in this area either so bring snacks.

Personally for me, it’s never been about owning the biggest house, driving the fanciest car or having the fattest bank account but instead creating moments that will last a lifetime.
When a friend surprised me by taking me to Abalone Cove, I was simply blown away and on cloud nine. With the gorgeous So Cal weather and the sun beaming on my skin, I was in awe overlooking the beautiful sweeping ocean waters. From the cliffs looking down it truly was a breathtaking site.
Hiking and the beach, it simply didn’t get any better than this. The hike to the bottom is easy and a very short distance. You can enjoy the gorgeous scenery while listening to the waves.
As soon as we reached the bottom, the tide was low so I ran straight into the water. The water temperature was perfect, so clean and crisp. Afterwards I headed straight for the rock formations scattered all over, making sure to be careful not stepping on any sea creatures including crabs, fish or mussels. There was plenty of photo opportunity everywhere. Everything so unique and peaceful.
With the exception of the lifeguard on duty and a small handful of people, it was pretty secluded making this great experience even more pleasent.
I absolutely fell in Love with this place.
Only $ 5.00 for parking and everything else is free! It’s the perfect location to be and just so incredible!