abalone cove shoreline park & ecological reserve

I stopped to checkout Abalone Cove on a whim. I really wanted to checkout the tide pools but had no idea what to expect. I didn't do my research!Here is some info:-Parking is $5-Short hike is required to access the tide pools and shoreI didn't make it to the tide pools this trip, but I did make the hike down to the water. The hike down was pretty easy, but sandy. There were some steep lose areas but very manageable. Once you get to the bottom of the cliff area there is nice beach with smooth rocks and sand. Further south are the tide pools. I opted for the beach area. It was so quite and peaceful. I felt like I was someplace else.Near the parking area there is a nice walking path and a few picnic areas. The views are spectacular.

GET the tide table! GO at low tide with appropriate footwear (it's worth investing in a cheap pair of fisherman's boots) and explore the tidal zone. On this visit, I saw purple urchin, a purple sea hare, electric blue anemone, chitons, hermit crabs, other crabs, assorted fish, and much more.

what a place to go make sure you wear sturdy shoes there is a little hike down from the parking lot to the beach but then there are two areas for tide pool viewing one small area close by and one larger area about a quarter mile to the point both have plenty of critters for viewing remember only use a two finger touch this is a eco reserve

Abalone Cove is a good place to go explore without worrying about getting lost. it's a short decline hike to the beach area. There are other hiking trails that lead to the cliff above the "cave" The payoff of getting down to this part of the shore is worth every moment. The rocks, the sea life, the breeze and the serenity. Wear water shoes if you have them. It's better than getting your shoes wet and do not wear slippers. Some areas are pretty rocky and you can easily slip and fall. Make sure you go at LOW tide, or when the tide is at least halfway on its way out. It's gorgeous and well worth the hike.

So nice to walk here....gorgeous views. Try to time it when the carpark is not full of tourist buses!

when the tide is down is great for kids in scout outings or family outings. take sturdy shoes or extra pair of shoes to walk on the rocky shoreline

The Palos Verdes Peninsula has some of the most beautiful sea viewing locations in the South bay. Keep your eyes open on the trail going down to the shore. The shore is rocky. Not a place for a picnic or small kids. Also, Not a place to go swimming- very rough. You can "get away" there and enjoy the view though.

Very frustrating visit. The beach is beautiful because it is different from other beaches, but you'll have a greater experience just looking at pictures.It is almost impossible to see the "cove" and the hiking trails are poorly signalized.My advice? Don't waste your time.

I've been to abalone coves before but this was amazing... the wildlife and views were both breathtaking.

This is a can't-miss.. it was absolutely gorgeous. Best time to go is early in the morning before the tourists are up, so you can enjoy the peace and tranquility

The problem with reviews is sometimes you get the wrong idea.My family and I read the reviews and thought this place was going to be heaven on earth. We found the place (oddly enough GPS was a little off) We talk to the parking lot attendant who says this is a great place to get photos of tide pools and easy to get to.I am a big guy, walking isn't really a problem but walking to this place, I took my life in my own hands. You walk out of the parking lot and perhaps 100 yards later you get to the trail leading down to the beach. Shortly after walking down the path you realize this isn't a trail but a goat path, very narrow and very step. In fact if people are coming up you need to step into the bushes to allow them to pass.Going down this very steep incline was not fun, mostly loaded with 40# of camera gear. We get to the beach and it is a rock beach (thousands of river rocks line the beach) Well you have to walk along these for a few hundred yards till the next part to get to the tide pools.This was tough on me as well as my family. I twisted my knee and ankle making it even more difficult. Along the beach were families with kids. One group of kids were inspecting a dead seal or sea lion that was getting tossed around by the waves lapping at shore.. Good parenting.. let your kids play with dead things... Good thing the lifeguard was watching... I do mean watching not really doing anything.I make it to the area where the parking lot attendant told me I could find tide pools.. apparently what he meant was I had to go into the water and climb some rocks and since it was high tide (not knowing this as I am from a land locked state) I wasn't going to see anything. I didn't want to risk my camera gear so my wife offered to check it out. She said all she could see was a pool of water with some people drinking beers and hanging out in it.. Not the type of tide pools I wanted to take photos of.While walking back we asked a lifeguard if there was an easier path.. He grunted and my wife asked him if he would drive me to my car as I am injured. He agreed even though I didn't want to... So he drove me to the top of the hill, I had to walk about 1/3 of a mile back to my car. My wife and kid had a cross country adventure of their own going over narrow walkways and up steep areas. ... Not a fun day not a place we plan on going back too

For the price of parking a car, you can search tide pools and get some amazing views of the coastline.

Yeah...amazing rocks, and aquariums! Natural aquariums! Do you like sea life? Colorful things? Tiny things? Colorful tiny sea life? Rocks of all weird shapes, patterns, colors? If you say yes to those, this is your type of beach. Don't come if you are looking for sandy beach with pretty girls in bikinis. The trail is steep at some parts. The most straightforward way to get there from Abalone Cove parking lot is walking along Palo Verde street all the way to Sacred Cove and go down a steep trail with a big pipeline. This cove is a half moon shape cove between Portugese Pointe and Inspiration Pointe. Do NOT go from any of those pointes and jump down the cliff to swim over to Sacred Cove. The strong current could throw you into the caves/rocks and traps you there. Those areas are called "washing machine" for a reason. Not a good reason, by the way. There's a sandy part between Inspiration Pointe and Portugese Pointe. Go to either the right or left of the sand to see tide pools. Make sure to check low tide before you go. The tide pools are more colorful when it's sunny. Take your time. Sit down at a random tide pool. Or better yet...lay down next to a pool...look carefully for a long time...you will be fascinated at what you see. If you don't want to look at tiny things, there are bigger things for you to look at too: seals and pelicans. And rocks. I saw the most interesting family of rocks there. Some look like cookies, some like eggs, some look like bacon, some like layer cake. Oh yeah I was hungry when I looked at them. Anyway...just look down. And be amazed. Like me :)One tip: Don't go to Abalone Cove if you don't like flies. (Huh...like anyone could like flies!)

rode the bike here and had a nice visit. great views of the ocean from here. nice place to visit and worth taking the time to go here

Walk along the cliffs above the Pacific Ocean. Watch the seals play. A great place to view a picturesque sunset.