While visiting the Los Angeles area we really wanted to see some tide pools and maybe do a little hiking, so we discovered Abalone Cove Shoreline Park, located on the south side of Palos Verdes. It was easy to find and there was plenty of parking (free under 30 minutes, $6 up to 2 hours). We checked the tide schedule and made sure we arrived at low tide so we could see the tide pools. We hiked down a steep path to the rocky shoreline. The path was overgrown with huge yellow flowers and I was glad I got over my fear of bees a few years ago.

We walked up and down looking for tide pools. The rocks are so cool. One looked just like a dragon’s spine to us. We didn’t really see tide pools with things living in them but we didn’t hike around to the south side of the park. We stayed in Abalone Cove and didn’t walk over to Sacred Cove, so maybe there are tide pools over there. We also saw several dolphins in the cove, which was really unexpected. I almost never see dolphins.

The views of Catalina Island were beautiful. Walking around on the rocks was kind of difficult so wear good sandals with ankle straps if you visit.
Abalone Cove is really pretty even if there aren’t any really good tide pools like the area around Carmel. The dolphins alone mad it worth it! Total cost of our day trip: $6
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