Accessible Path: Yes
Mileage: 0.25 miles one way (0.5 miles total)
West of San Pedro, tucked away on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, stands the Point Vicente Lighthouse & Interpretive Center. This lighthouse marks the most southwesterly point on the peninsula and serves as a beacon for both sailors and marine mammals alike. To the mariners it alerts incoming ships of the dangerous shoals below. To the whales it marks the boundary of the Catalina Channel, a well known feeding ground along their transoceanic journey.
As you wind your way west along Palos Verdes Drive, be sure to take in the gorgeous coastal views. Just before the road starts to bend north, take turn toward Point Vincente Lighthouse and Interpretive Center.
There are two parking lots you can choose from - one midway down the road and one directly adjacent to the Interpretive Center. No matter where you park, paved pathways lead to the bluff. If you start at the Interpretive Center, stop in and check out the exhibits showcasing the native people, flora and fauna of the area.
Outside, you may notice a group of people gathered around shouting out numbers. Whales are so abundant in the area that the American Cetacean Society holds a daily census of whales passing through Catalina Channel between December and May. Be sure to bring your binoculars and help spot these great mammals for yourself.
After you've had your fill of whale watching make your way down the pathways along the bluff heading toward the Lighthouse. On a clear day, you'll notice a landmass off in the distance behind the lighthouse. That landmass is Catalina Island, one of the most visited of the California Channel Islands.
The breathtaking views of the Pacific continue along the bluff for approximate 0.25 miles until you reach the end of the pathway. Admire the cylindrical lighthouse sitting admirably on the edge of the bluff. The lighthouse itself is usually inaccessible to the public, but if you happen to be there on the second Saturday of the month between 10 am and 3 pm, the lighthouse is open for viewing (free of charge). As you wander back down the pathway, take advantage of one of the park's many benches and picnic tables to enjoy a snack and take in the panoramic views.
If you have any extra time, two miles down the road on the way back to San Pedro, take a quick detour to admire a hidden architectural gem. Wayfarer's Chapel sits upon a hill overlooking Abalone Cove. The small chapel, also known as "The Glass Church," feels more like a cathedral among surrounding redwood trees. Outside the chapel, the church gardens provide a tranquil foreground to the rugged beauty of the Pacific beyond.
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