Text and photography copyright 2010 by David W. Lockeretz, all rights reserved. Information and opinions provided are kept current to the best of the author’s ability. All readers hike at their own risk, and should be aware of the possible dangers of hiking, walking and other outdoor activities. The author does not take any responsibility for injuries sustained during hikes or walks on the routes described here. Check the informational links provided for up to date trail condition information.
White Point Nature Preserve
- Location: 1600 W. Paseo Del Mar, San Pedro. From the end of the I-110 freeway in San Pedro, turn right onto Gaffey St. and make a quick left on Summerland. Go a mile on Summerland and take a left on Western. Follow Western to its end at Paseo Del Mar, and bear left. The preserve is on the left side of the road. You can park on Paseo Del Mar or in the parking area for the preserve.
- Agency: Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy
- Distance: 1.2 miles
- Elevation gain: 150 feet
- Difficulty Rating: G
- Suggested time: 45 minutes
- Best season: All year
- USGS topo map: “San Pedro”
- More information: here
- Rating: 3
If you like a little military history with your fresh air and exercise, you’ll enjoy this short hike near San Pedro. White Point is one of several nature parks operated by the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy, and in addition to great ocean views and wide grassy meadows, this hike visits two military bunkers that were built during World War II.
There are several trails that criss-cross the preserve. The route described here tours the perimeter. From the parking area, head left (west) on the Vista Trail fire road. The road curves uphill, passing by several homes, and soon you arrive at the first bunker. You can walk through it, although there’s not much to see on the other side. The trail continues to the second bunker, after which it becomes a single-track and starts heading down hill. (Another trail heads off to the left, off the preserve.)
Take the single-track back down to the parking area, passing by some benches and several interpretive plaques describing the wide variety of plant life in the preserve. At the bottom of the hill, take a left and then a quick right on the Grassland Loop. This trail heads toward the ocean before turning right and heading back to the parking lot.
I hope you don’t mind, I shared your blog in my most recent post. Check it out:
http://calihike.blogspot.com/2010/12/httpnobodyhikesinlacom.html
I give you props, but I did it my way. I come in peace and intend to be friendly by the post. I hope you don’t take it the wrong way. Honestly, other people like yourself inspire me. I decided to do this on my own, but blogs and people like you keep me going.
Happy New Year!
-Jeremy
Awesome, thank you! Sharing traffic is a good thing. Let’s make the Google search engine our bitch!
This is Cindy at http://www.caopenspace.org, I see both calihike & nobody hikes in LA are linking to my website, thanks! I’m glad to see so many hiking blogs, people getting out there and enjoying the sport of hiking–my take on all this is our natural places, use them or lose them. For me this is my excercise, not out to compete with anyone, I can’t as I’m no young spring chicken, haha. I’m out to promote places, if I find I hike any of you have I’ll link to it on my pages. You might have a more current hiking report, pics from different seasons, etc that I might not have. Thanks for what you all do! –Cindy
You’re welcome, we’re glad to do it. It’s all about raising the awareness of hiking as a great activity, and letting people know how many cool places there are to see.
As for White Point Nature Preserve, it’s open. I hiked it yesterday (1/14/12). A recent landslide took out a large section of the road near the parking lot and a small part of White Point’s habitat restoration area near the Nike Missle launch pad is chain link fenced off. However you can still get to the parking lot via 25th St down Western and all trails (& the nature center) are open. Enjoy!