01
Best ocean views
Portuguese Bend Reserve
Southern Palos Verdes Peninsula • Coastal Canyon Preserve With Ocean-View Ridges • Best Ocean-View Hike
A broad network of dirt trails delivers big Pacific views, rolling hills, and that classic Palos Verdes scrubland feel.
Start from Del Cerro Park and drop into the reserve for a choose-your-own-adventure mix of gentle fire roads and steeper singletrack. On clear days you can see all the way to Catalina, especially from popular spurs like Burma Road and the crest above Peacock Flats. Go early on weekends for easier parking and cooler temps—there’s very little shade once you’re out on the ridges.
02
Best in-town escape
George F Canyon Nature Preserve
Rolling Hills Estates • Shaded Creekside Canyon Trail System • Best In-Town Nature Escape
A mellow canyon walk with a real away-from-the-street feel just minutes from Rolling Hills neighborhoods.
The main trail follows a seasonal creek up a narrow canyon, with sycamores and coastal sage softening the climb. It is short but rewarding, ending at a viewpoint that looks across the upper canyon and out toward the city. The nature center at the trailhead and relatively gentle grade make this a solid pick for families and casual walkers who still want a bit of elevation.
03
Best short loop
Linden H. Chandler Preserve
North Rolling Hills Estates • Restored Open-Space Hills With Loop Trails • Best Short Wildflower Loop
Compact but scenic loops wind through restored habitat that pops with wildflowers in spring.
The Chandler Preserve ties into a small web of trails with gentle ups and downs, great when you want a leg-stretcher without committing to a long outing. Open slopes give you peekaboo views over the Peninsula and out toward the basin, while native plantings attract plenty of birds. Pair a couple of loops together and you can turn this into an easy hour-long hike close to home.
04
Best ridge workout
McBride Trail
Border Of Rolling Hills And Rolling Hills Estates • Ridge-Top Equestrian And Hiking Path • Best Ridge-Top Workout
A rolling ridge trail used by both hikers and riders, offering long sightlines over canyons and horse properties.
The McBride Trail tracks the contours of the Peninsula’s interior ridgeline, with steady but manageable climbs that are ideal for fitness walks. You’ll pass by stables, chaparral, and occasional shade trees, with frequent vantage points back toward the harbor and the basin. Expect a mix of locals on horseback and leashed dogs, and bring water—services are minimal once you’re up on the ridge.
05
Best coastal ramble
Abalone Cove Shoreline Park
Coastal Rancho Palos Verdes • Blufftop And Beach Trails With Tidepools • Best Tidepool And Bluff Combo
Trail segments link cliffside overlooks with rocky coves and tidepools, making for a scenic coastal out-and-back or loop.
From the main parking area, a network of paths drops from the bluffs down to the shoreline, where you can explore tidepools at low tide and wander the cobble beach. Up top, a bluff trail traces the edge of the cliffs with sweeping views toward Terranea and Portuguese Bend. Watch the tides, wear sturdy shoes for the rocky sections, and budget extra time—this is the kind of place where quick walks tend to turn into long, meandering ones.