01
Best overall pick
Portuguese Bend Reserve
Palos Verdes Peninsula • Coastal Preserve With Rolling Canyon Trails • Local Favorite For Ocean Views
A web of dirt trails winds through coastal sage scrub to sweeping views of the Pacific and Catalina.
Start from Del Cerro Park and drop into the reserve on broad fire roads that quickly feel a world away from the beach crowds. You can keep it mellow with an out-and-back along Burma Road or add side loops for steeper climbs and longer mileage. Go on a clear day for the best views and bring water—there’s little shade once you’re down in the reserve.
02
Best coastal-and-cove combo
Abalone Cove Shoreline Park
Rancho Palos Verdes Coast • Bluff-Top And Shoreline Nature Park • Best For Tidepools And Short Hikes
Bluff trails drop to rocky coves and tidepools, with classic Palos Verdes cliffs towering above.
This is the go-to spot when you want a short hike that still feels like an adventure. Follow the bluff trail for easy coastal views, then descend to the cove to poke around tidepools at low tide. The climb back up is brief but steep enough to get your heart rate up, making it ideal for a quick, scenic outing from Hermosa.
03
Best rugged shoreline walk
Bluff Cove Trail
Palos Verdes Estates Bluffs • Clifftop Paths Above Rocky Surf Breaks • Best For Sunset Strolls
A rough coastal path traces the bluffs above a classic surf cove with constant wave action below.
The route here is more of a use-trail than a manicured path, which adds to its wild, edge-of-the-continent feel. Walk the bluffs for wide-open ocean panoramas, then drop closer to the water if you don’t mind uneven footing and loose rock. It’s a favorite evening walk for locals who want golden-hour light and sea breeze without a long drive.
04
Best car-free coastal walk
South Bay Strand Walk
Hermosa Beach Waterfront • Paved Beachfront Path And Pier-To-Pier Walk • Best For Easy Mileage And People-Watching
A flat, paved path runs right along the sand, perfect for a long walk with ocean views the entire way.
Leave the car behind and step straight onto the Strand for an out-and-back walk toward Manhattan or Redondo. The surface is smooth and friendly for all levels, but you can still stack up several miles without thinking about it. Go early for a quieter, more meditative feel, or in the late afternoon when volleyball games and pier views provide built-in entertainment.
05
Best canyon climb
Los Liones Canyon Trail
Pacific Palisades Canyon • Shaded Canyon Trail Leading To High Ridgeline Views • Best Workout With Payoff Vistas
A steady climb through lush canyon vegetation delivers big views over the Santa Monica Bay and coastline.
Los Liones is the hike locals recommend when you’re ready to graduate from flat beach walks to real elevation gain. The lower canyon is surprisingly green and shaded, making the first stretch feel cooler than the nearby coast. Continue to the main overlook or tie into the ridge above for a longer outing, and you’ll see just how far the shoreline stretches back toward Hermosa.