Palos Verdes Summer Vacation Day: Hike, Beach, Learn, and Relax
When: Sunday, August 30, 2026, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM-ish
Where: Point Vicente Interpretive Center, 31501 Palos Verdes Dr W, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275 - Free parking adjacent to Interpretive Center. Meet at the front entrance of the Center building.
Cost: Free (Registration required)
Escape the summer heat and join us for a beautiful, relaxing day on the stunning Palos Verdes Peninsula! This event is the perfect blend of coastal sightseeing, socializing, and outdoor fun. We will enjoy a scenic guided walk, a relaxing group picnic, and an optional refreshing ocean dip to finish our afternoon.
Our route features breathtaking ocean views and is excellent for beginning to moderate skill levels, following mixed, mostly flat dirt and sandy paths. Come out, meet great people, and enjoy the fresh sea breeze!
Schedule of the Day
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10:00 AM – Arrival & Warm Welcome Meet your hike leaders, John and Joe, by the front entrance stairs of the Point Vicente Interpretive Center. Free parking is available in the lot adjacent to the center and Lighthouse Park.
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10:15 AM – Hike One: Panoramic Coastline & Sea Cave Views (2.6 miles round trip)
- We will set off on an easy, picturesque trail passing above Pelican Cove toward the Terranea shoreline. Enjoy the magnificent cliffside views and see the historic sea cave from our trail vantage point before we head back.
- 11:45 AM– Return to Point Vicente
- 12:00 PM – Group Picnic Lunch & SocialWe will gather on the beautiful, green lawn just south of the Interpretive Center. Please bring your own packed lunch, snacks, and favorite personal drinks. Bring a lawn chair or a cozy blanket so we can relax, eat, and chat together.
- 1:00 PM – Depart to Malaga Cove & The Ocean Dip. We will take a short drive north to Roessler Point (Malaga Cove, Palos Verdes Estates, 90274) and meet at the scenic gazebo. While at Malaga Cove, our resident geologist and nature guide, Joe, will share fascinating insights into the unique history, local geology, and ocean science that shape this beautiful coastline. From there, we will take a short stroll to the open, sandy shoreline of Torrance Beach for an optional, refreshing afternoon swim!
What to Bring
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Drinking water in a reusable bottle
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Your own delicious packed lunch, snacks, and drinks
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Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses)
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Sturdy footwear for dirt trails and sand
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Swimwear and a towel (if you plan to jump in the water!)
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Emergency contact information
Event Details & Carpooling
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Hike Leaders: John Blasco (562-726-4165, [email protected]) and Joe Holliday (geologist and naturalist guide).
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Carpool Coordination: Travel together and share the ride! While Great Outdoors does not directly organize or assume liability for transportation, you can easily connect with other attendees to offer or find a ride on our Group Carpool Page.
Another Carpool Option:
Participants interested in carpooling from Long Beach may meet at: Hot Java Coffeehouse, 2101 E. Broadway, Long Beach, CA 90803
Please arrive no later than 9:15 AM to coordinate rides.
If the Great Outdoors group isn’t immediately obvious, look for a large table
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