PALOS VERDES PENINSULA

Malaga Cove has a steep paved ramp that leads down to a rocky shoreline where it is possible to launch at higher tides when the surf is small. Further down the access ramp turns to dirt and leads to sandy RAT beach (named either to refer to young surf rats or as the acronym 'Right After Torrance'). The lifeguards won't let you launch after they arrive in the morning. Because of the north facing direction of the coast here, in the summer the surf is usually small. Paddling west from here, you get scenic views as the Palos Verdes cliffs rise higher and higher above you.

Bluff Cove

Bluff Cove or "The Cove" as some people refer to it has a very long trail which is wide (it used to be a dirt road) most of the way down to the rocky beach. The section at the very bottom end of the trail is narrower because it gets washed out periodically. If you have sturdy wheels on your Kayak, you can roll it until you get to this narrow section of trail.

Once you get down to the water, the launch which is protected by a reef is very easy. There is a channel through the protecting reef to get to the water outside the reef. However, in the winter, if the surf is big, the channel will get closeout sets which break in it.

In the winter, Bluff Cove is very popular with board surfers. Give the surfers plenty of room. And unless you are an

outstanding kayak surfer, you shouldn't ride waves where board surfers are surfing. On small days when there aren't board surfers around, it's a good place to kayak surf on the long gentle rollers.

In the summer, Bluff Cove's North West facing direction means there usually is almost no surf here, though at low tide, you may find some very small waves that are fun to play on or learn kayak surfing.

From the launch spot at Bluff Cove you can paddle to the south west (left) side of the cove out through the channel to the open ocean. There is also a smaller channel toward the right side of the cove.

Once outside Bluff Cove's protecting reef you can paddle southwest (left) down the coast or northeast (right) up the coast.

Paddling south, you pass below towering cliffs. After paddling about 1.5 miles, you pass the remains of the ship the Dominator. You then go around Palos Verdes Point and reach Lunada Bay which you might want to paddle into and explore. Resort Point is the next point south. You can paddle further south towards Point Vicenty.

Paddling north from Bluff cove is also an interesting trip. Flat Rock Point is the prominent point you'll pass in about .25 mile. Beyond Flat Rock Point you view the city and beaches in the distance and parallel the rugged cliffs of the peninsula.

Point Vicente

This picture is taken near to the Point Vicente Interpretive Center.

A long trail leads down to the shore from the other side of the lighthouse at a coastal access parking area.

Information about the Point Vicente Coastal Access Trail which is called the Toveemor Trail is at this link - click here

Royal Palms Beach

Royal Palms Beach has fairly easy access to some wonderful paddling. Palos Verdes' rugged rocky coast, tall bluffs, and rolling hills are very beautiful.

Royal Palms Beach is probably the easiest place on the whole Palos Verdes Peninsula to access the ocean with a kayak.

There are several spots to launch from here. Which is best depends on the tide, surf size, and swell direction.

You can park very near to all the launch spots.

(c) Copyright 2011, 2013, 2017 by Mister Dave KayakDave.blogspot.com

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