Palos Verdes' Best Photo Spots

NOTE: This viewpoint overlooks private property in a quiet residential neighborhood so only take photos from the street and please keep noise to a minimum. No trip to southern California is complete without an excursion to the hidden, peaceful neighborhoods of Palos Verdes, Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills Estates, and Rancho Palos Verdes. These sought after neighborhoods are nestled between Redond...

This Greek freighter ran aground in 1961 after getting lost in thick fog. Large, oxidizing pieces of the ship are still beached on the rocky shore. Treasure hunting would be a fruitless endeavor - the ship was carrying wheat and beef. Seeing the remains of the vessel is a great way to get some good exercise in - you can only reach it by taking a 4-mile round-trip hike along a very narrow and rocky strip ...

Quite possibly one of the world's most beautiful structures to stand in, much less get married in, the Wayfarers Chapel was designed by Lloyd Wright (son of Frank Lloyd Wright) for Swedenborgian Church. You don't have to get married or even be a member of the congregation to enter; this simple yet elegant building and its grounds are open to the public.

Along the rugged Palos Verdes shoreline there is a series of caves. The largest, and probably the most photogenic, is located at Sacred Cove in Rancho Palos Verdes. To get to the cave, park at Abalone Cove Shoreline Park (pay lot), then walk south on Palos Verdes Dr. S for about 0.6 miles till you reach the Sacred Cove View Trail on the right. Follow the trail down to the beach. When you hit the beach, m...

-- UPDATE -- Unfortunately, the branch that held the swing is now gone. Still a super scenic hike, but sadly no more swing (for now). This super scenic 0.6-mile hike along Douglas Trail in Palos Verdes Estates is definitely worth the effort. To get to the swing, park around 1821 Paseo Del Sol (GPS can be a little wonky here, so make sure to look at the addresses on the curb). To the left of 1821 you ...

This garden has the distinction of recycling a sanitary landfill into 80-plus acres of lush plant life. Keeping its history in mind, the space is used for showcasing primarily succulent plants to conserve water in a drought-ridden state. At less than 10 dollars per person, making this spot a part of your day is cheaper than the movies and more educationally and spiritually fulfilling. With over 2,500 spe...

If this statue of the god of the seas looks familiar it's because it is a replica of its much older predecessor in Florence, Italy. Like its Italian brother, the Palos Verdes statue has been vandalized and robbed since its unveiling in 1930. Defaced, mutilated, and ripped of his trident, Neptune has undergone expensive cosmetic surgery to the tune of $103,000. Standing in the center of Malaga Cove Plaza ...

Point Vicente Lighthouse isn’t just a majestic structure (as many lighthouses are), it also happens to be the brightest beacon in SoCal — for good reason. A great many lives were lost in these treacherous waters until mariners petitioned that this lighthouse be built. It features a 1000 watt bulb, focused through a five foot lens (hand-crafted in Paris) that can be seen 20 miles away!

A local favorite trailhead, Del Cerro park offers gorgeous views of Catalina, Portuguese Bend, and the expansive shimmering Pacific Ocean. The park is situated at the southernmost tippy top of Crenshaw Blvd. in Rancho Palos Verdes and is the the former home of CA missile site #55. Hiking trails lead to the Portuguese Bend Nature Reserve and start with a descent versus a climb. Parking is available but th...

A wondrous little portal into another world exists right in Southern California. The trailhead to the Terranea Beach Cave is located at Pelican Cove. From there, a short walk down to the coast will take you to the cave. It's best to go at low tide so that you can easily access the cave. Don't forget your camera so that you can take pictures of the marine life in the tide pools you pass. Also, you'll catc...

Visit at low tide for the best view of these expansive tide pools and gorgeous views. Features two rocky beaches and tide pools packed with hermit crabs, sea urchins, even the occasional sea cucumber!

For a stunning panoramic view of the ocean, head to this bluff. The steep cliff looks precarious with its sheer drop to the bottom but there is a fence to protect you from falling off. You can see marine life from this vantage point such as the kelp beds and frolicking dolphins. This area isn't heavily trafficked making it a quiet, secluded getaway from the city.

In 1879, Elias "Lucky" Baldwin (for whom the Baldwin Hills are named) imported a flock of peacocks from India to La Canada, CA. After he died in 1909, his property was slowly sold off and in 1927, and his daughter gifted 16 peacocks to Palos Verdes resident, Frank Vanderlip. Now, the Palos Verdes Peninsula is home to well over 250 of the super colorful birds.

Marked by a lovely gazebo overlooking the Pacific Ocean, this spot is named after former councilman and mayor for Palos Verdes, Fred Roessler. Any time is a perfect time to come here but landmarks such as the Queen's Necklace can only be seen during the day. It's a great place to hike, meditate, or simply stare at the ocean. Don't be surprised if you come across a wedding - it's one of the favorite weddi...