San Pedro - White Point

White Point \ Royal Palms County Beach Park is located at 1801 West Paseo Del Mar. It has a baseball diamond and great views of the ocean from the bluffs. You may want to bring a camera for this beach. The views are fantastic from the bluff and on the beach. This is a great spot for Whale watching during migration months in the year. This park at the top of the bluffs has a fenced play area for little kids and picnic tables and public restrooms. There is not alot of shade up at the top or down at the beach and there are no concession stands or restaurants within a close walking distance. Bring a cooler with food and beverages as there are additional picnic tables with pretty palm trees next to the beach. You can hike down to ocean level via the driveway to the Pay Parking lot. Be aware that it is a pretty steep hike back up the hill.

White Point Bluff top Park
White Point Bluff top Park

View from the Bluffs at White Point
View from the Bluffs at White Point

There are some tide pools along this beach where you can check out the hermit crabs, mussels, coral clusters, sea urchins, and starfish. Wear thick soled shoes or water shoes, like Tevas, when you are on this beach. It is very rocky and sharp in sections. Some sections are sandy and there are dirt trails to get to the tide pools on the South part of the beach and the rock beach on the North end. There is a lifeguard station out here and there are spots where you can wade out to see if you can spot some fish. If you do bring your rod and reel to fish, make sure to also bring your fishing license.

White Point Trail to Tide Pools
White Point Trail to Tide Pools

Tide Pools at White Point
Tide Pools at White Point

White Point Beach View - Great Place to Wade Out
White Point Beach - Fishing from the Rocks

The Nature Preserve is located at across the street from the beach at 1600 W. Paseo del Mar in San Pedro. It has over 102 acres of grassland. The Preserve is now home to the Nature Education Center that opened in May 2010. There are several hiking trails within the Preserve. The main trails are Vista Trail loop and Grassland Loop Trail. The area was used as part of the US Coastal defense system back in the 1940's and has a number of areas marked as World War II Gun Emplacements and Missile Launch Pads as well as bunkers that you can roam around inside. There are also numerous viewing areas, picnic tables, and well designed professional looking signs to tell you about the preserve and its history.

Royal Palms Park
Royal Palms Park

The best way to get to White Point is via the 110 (Harbor) Freeway to Gaffey Street. Currently, you will need to head West on W. 25th Street to Western Avenue as Paseo Del Mar is missing a section between Weymouth and the Nature Preserve that was destroyed by a landslide in November 2011. You can park in the lot and pay to park or pass the entrance and park on Paseo Del Mar for free (just no overnight parking) if you are lucky enough to find a spot. The parking at the top (near the kids play area) is $.025 for 20 minutes and takes quarters only. If you do not want to hike down to the beach, the lot has an area that is at ocean level at the end of Kay Fiorentino Drive. Parking runs $3 before 9 am and after 6 pm and $8 between 9 am and 6 pm on weekdays ($10 on weekends). The Pay and Display machines take cash or cards.

White Point Bluff View
White Point Bluff View from Beach

 

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