Point Vicente — Attraction in Rancho Palos Verdes

One of my overall favorite places! The area of the Point Vicente Lighthouse and Interpretive Center is worthy of mention, having lots of additional activities with sightseeing possible outside the fence. Though a quick overview may be more to the point! While the fence enclosed land in which the Point Vicente Lighthouse is located is federal property and isn’t open to the public, a sign posted at the front gate informs us that the tower is open to the public on the second Saturday of each month, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Additional info may be accessed under the Point Vicente Lighthouse map icon and checking out the website. Just north of the lighthouse property, the beautiful land includes lots of public access trails along the oceanfront! Picnic tables are placed within view and earshot of the ocean. There’s free daytime parking just north of the lighthouse entrance road, as well as at the Point Vicente Interpretive Center lot. The Interpretive Center is filled with interesting exhibits, plus there’s restrooms available during regular daytime hours. An outside vending machine has snacks and cold drinks available by the whale watching area. Enthusiasts may be onsite viewing and photographing migrating whales here! Further north, the oceanfront Seascape Trail continues thru the Vicente Bluffs Reserve, which adjoins the Golden Cove Trail at Vistapoint Calle Entradero. Here with the sights and sounds of the ocean, and breeze thru the flora with fauna, and I’m off into meditation! The oceanside trails are well guarded by railing before the edge, as the bluffs and cliffs are over 100’ above the rocky shoreline and without ocean access. South of the lighthouse are more trails, tho the uphill climb may have hikers opting to dangerously walk along Palos Verdes Dr South with fast moving traffic. I would just drive around to the next turnout to be on the safe side. Also seen on the big hill above Point Vicente to the east are more ocean view trails on more preserve land. Once again, Palos Verdes Dr South traffic around the curve may be too risky to negotiate for crossing on foot and then making the uphill climb. So that may be accessed by vehicle via Hawthorne Blvd. There’s a parking lot up there at the City of Rancho Palos Verdes offices. There’s also the US Coast Guard Reservation, where antenna’s and equipment are located, as seen from below. The hilltop spot provides an even better overlook of all if the aforementioned points...

The lighthouse was closed when I got there at 4PM. Not sure it’s open before the time. It’s an active lighthouse. There is 5 miles hiking trail around. Very easy and beautiful trail. There is a big dirt parking lot with no fee. A restroom is in the park. Beautiful sunset is bonus. There are two bridges at San Pedro if you drive from east bound. You may like the night-view when you come back...

Point Vicente has it all. Breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean with a dramatic lighthouse. There is a visitor center with small museum. Catalina seems so close you could almost touch it on...