Deane Dana Friendship Park and Nature Center — Attraction in Rancho Palos Verdes

Perhaps the best LA Harbor view spot! This park is an all around great place for visitors to see, groups to learn and locals to use! The nature Center has exhibits with information on the local ecosystem, vegetation and animals that roam the land. Whenever I’ve been here on weekdays, I’m almost always seeing bus and van groups visiting the Nature Center. On weekends and weekday evenings, the group activities seem to be more on the gym and playing field side. There’s a park office and a popular playground for the kids to play at next to the gym! The park is one of my favorite workout and hiking locations, with awesome views on hillside trails that overlook the ocean and the harbor. The upper park across the parking lot from the Nature Center, has several rows of picnic tables also overlooking the LA - Long Beach harbor, including the famous Vincent Thomas Bridge. On a clear day, it’s even possible to see the buildings of Long Beach, as well as the smokestacks of the world famous Queen Mary, over at the Long Beach side of the port. Public restrooms are at both ends of the park, tho as the Nature Center closes, the restrooms on that end may also be closed shortly thereafter. I’m really feeling on top of the world, taking and eating my lunch up here! Given a birthday party, I could have my cake...

It is great for the incredible views and great for the walking trails. Be prepared to climb several hills and appreciate the incredible view. A beautiful park, tucked away in the hills - I only found the trails by accident and after several walks around the playing fields and the children’s playground. This park is in my opinion a locals only park. If you don't live around San Pedro, you wouldn't even know it is there. Not off any major street. It’s tucked high up in the hills and has great views of San Pedro, Los Angeles pier, Palos Verdes hills, Catalina island, and...

Wonderful spot with nice views, shade, several picnic tables, fun play structures that were in good condition. Some of the picnic tables (eastern side on the bluff overlooking the San Pedro area) are reservable for a few so that you don’t have to camp out there super early for parties if you don’t want to, which is great. We had our daughter’s birthday party there. The kids went to the animal presentation at the interpretive center and really enjoyed it. It’s a great location during the summer because the ocean breezes...