Portuguese Bend

At the far west end below the archery range is a nice little beach where it is easy to land a kayak.

provides a beautiful view. On a clear day, you can see Catalina Island

Boring 🥱 And dangerous

What a beautiful spot to hike. You have to pay for parking if you want to park near but you can easily park a walks away and get free parking. Free parking if you route here (33.7635552, -118.3699236). No bathrooms in this area but there are porta potty about .3 miles up the trail. Great views though!!

This is a moderate hike with stunning views! I believe there are different places you can start the hike from, but we started from Crenshaw Blvd and Burrell Lane. It's a very dusty trail, so be prepared to get a bit dirty. My poor sneakers still aren't the same, and it's been a few weeks. The views of the ocean are gorgeous, and we were able to enjoy them for most of the hike. It wasn't busy at all when we went. We were there at 8am and only encountered a handful of other hikers during our two hours there. The parking is the only downside for me. Everything near the trailhead is for locals only, and then there's a small paid section but the rate is kind of ridiculous. It's something like $10 for 2.75 hours. Personally I did not want to pay that, so I parked down the hill, near the intersection of Crenshaw and Crest. There were no parking signs where I parked indicating any kind of restrictions, and a lot of other cars were there too. It means a bit more walking to get to the trailhead, but I thought it was worth it.

I was excited for this hike but it was not what I expected. The reviews are correct, most of the trails around this area are pretty much closed most of the time due to weather. It's a beautiful area but this is not a trail I would suggest doing.

Beautiful place for an ocean view hike with plenty of greenery after the recent CA storms. Parking is street parking is free on the weekends by Ladera Linda Park on Forrestal Dr, just pay close attention to the street signs. There are tons of trails in the area that vary in intensity depending on where you start. Minus 1 star for trail closures that were not reflected online which impacted our itinerary.

The best and closest hiking place to me. I never get tired running here. I usually do a 4-mile run from the street parking and back. There are many trails. I just follow the longest one. You can go farther but I haven't gone farther that 2 miles. It's a pretty good downhill going and uphill coming back. With trails,the views will always be fascinating. You can't go wrong taking pics every single visit. There are wildlife and wild flowers everywhere. If you go after 8AM,expect more bikers and walkers. Especially on the weekend. Street parking a few blocks from the entrance is free. If not,pay to park and online ahead of time for $10.

This hike is super sandy and dusty. Every step someone walks, dust comes up. Most plants are dead. Parking isn't too bad. You can park for free before getting into the reserved parking lot sign. Just don't go there. Park outside and walk a short distance in

It always feels good to get away and walk near the ocean. This spot is a great place for gorgeous views. Be aware that the trail goes downhill. What goes down must come back up, so be ready to put some muscle into the uphill return. The path I chose was not a challenging hike, though, and the tranquility was just what I needed. The smell of the ocean air and the astounding views are worth the visit.

Based on the 3 trails, if you choose the path to the right you'll definitely get awesome incline = leg day = kicked my @$$!!! Would definitely come back again.

It's an great intermediate hike/ walk if in area . It's really beautiful on spring when blooming season but gets dry toward summer . Parking is a bit hard because all surrounding areas are only residents parking & limited parking spots are 2 hrs limit for about $10 & need to be purchased online . Bring enough water during summer & expect no shade at all

It has more than ten moderate hiking trails, running trails, biking trails, views trails and more for hikers, campers, and nature lovers, each trail is ranging from 1.5 to 5 miles and from 500+ to 1,000+ feet above sea level. There're many mixed-used trails in the park, shared by hikers, trail runners, mountain bikers and horses. I have done one of the length trails, roughly 5 miles loop, from the park head at Crenshaw to ocean front Palos Verdes Dr S. Check the maps carefully, as there're quite few junctions on each trail, and watch out the snake and other animals. Use sunscreen, wear hat and bring plenty water, as there's barely any shade for all trails. Be aware parking has been restricted on Park Place adjacent to Del Cerro Park, and public Parking is allowed on the south side of Crenshaw Boulevard. Park in the City Hall parking lot at 30940 Hawthorne Boulevard, board the free PV Transit shuttle and get off at the Point Vicente Interpretive Center, Abalone Cove, or the Portuguese Bend Reserve.

This is my favorite hike for a gorgeous ocean view. Parking is tough so going in one car is a must if you're going with multiple people. There's this new parking reservation that I've yet to try because I've gotten lucky the last couple of times with street parking. I would be here more if it wasn't for the parking. There's two porta potties at the beginning of the trails. Sometimes there's toilet paper and sometimes not so I usually bring my own toilet paper just in case. The trails are not that hard and I see families with their small children and dogs all of the time. The trails do go downhill so climbing up hill makes you put in work for sure! I usually start on the Burma Road Trail but these trails branch off into other different trails. I use the AllTrails app to know where I'm at but there's signs too. The shrubbery is usually dry but sometimes there's pretty yellow flowers which I've only seen in the spring. I feel pretty safe here because there's plenty of people but it's not packed. There is no shade on the trails but there is a couple of trees in one area with a great ocean view somewhere in there if you need a break from the sun.

I hesitate to post 5 stars because I'd rather keep people away. LOL. Most important advice, leave things cleaner than when you started, pack trash out and please pick up after your dogs. Depending on the time of the year it can be overcast, but the sun tends to burn it off after a bit (11AM ish), and the higher you hike, the better the chance you will ascend out of the fog. When it's clear, which is most of the time, you will experience breath taking views of the Pacific Ocean, Santa Catalina Island, and Palos Verdes. The payoff is worth it, I promise. You can usually park at Del Cerro Park, alternative parking can be found at Crest and Crenshaw, which makes it a walk to the trailhead, but not too bad. For those that have dogs, the hike dog friendly. There are a few toilets along the trails. You can wear any type shoes as the trails are not difficult, do bring water, a hat/glasses and sunscreen. Please pick up after yourself.

Absolutely beautiful trail! It can use a few more trees for shade but the views are all worth it and all very breathtaking! Came here in a Saturday around 9am with a few friends and there was not too much foot traffic on the trail! Street parking on delrosa (park?) was easy to find and the neighborhood itself was so nice! We didn't really know what trail to take but we sort of just kept walking and it was easily a loop back around which in total we hiked around 6 miles or so. Dog friendly as well so I brought my dog and he really enjoyed it! Be sure to pack lots of water, sunblock, and maybe wear a cap! My friends and I all got sunburnt because we were so underprepared for the heat! Overall, amazing view and an amazing hike!

Love it here. So many trails to choose from. Careful with the bike riders, if you hear bells ringing you better get out of the way. Parking starts near the church, so park and then walk to the actual entrance. We love these trails.

This is my favorite South Bay hiking spot. It's dog and kid friendly, has parking--though note you may have to walk an extra .75 miles to the trailhead--and it's stunning!! It's downhill all the way to the end, you create your own route, lots of options. I call this the Choose Your Own Adventure Hike. Uphill the way back. Can get very hot so bring water. You can bring your dogs as well just bring them water too.

Good but too busy Anyway perfect bakery and valuable price. Recommended to yelper

This is great hiking near the ocean. The trail has a variety of inclines and flat areas that can provide a great workout. The views are just as good so the end of the hike is well worth it. It's a great for a hike, bike or a run.

Great trails and have been here a bunch . You can always find a spot to park just sometimes a walk but that's what your there for anyways !

Beautiful hikes. The hikes are for beginner. Make sure to bring at least two water bottles on this hike. Beautiful views to the coast

Great place for a long hike in the hills of LA county. It is nestled between the end of Creshaw Blvd and the Palos Verdes Drive. There are many trails in this Nature Reserve, I just follow the longest one It's a pretty good downhill going and uphill coming back... by the Pacific Ocean. The views will always be fascinating. You can't go wrong taking pics every single visit. There are wildlife and wildflowers everywhere. Street parking a few blocks from the entrance is free. Just make sure you prepare to find parking, it's limited but so worth it, Otherwise, pay to park and online ahead of time for $10.

It is a great hike. Beautiful views at the beginning of the hike. 0.25 mile down there is a bathroom. Park by the church, don't park next to the entrance ( Crenshaw Blvd), they do give tickets at all time ( especially during the weekend) Keep in my mind that it might be tough trail for a small dog

Highly recommended hiking trail, easy to moderate difficulty, plenty of route options, Most if the trail loop back around and takes about 1- 2 hours. Few points to note. 1. Scenery is amazing along the way, you have both option to see the flowers and the ocean! 2. Most of the area has paved roads, easy to walk on, the uphill climb is gradual, good for older people. 3. Dog friendly trail, even horse friendly 4. Parking can be a bit difficult to find, have to park along the neighborhood.

I had a great time at Portuguese Bend. It truly is a beautiful place to go hiking or have a picnic or just enjoy nature. I and some friends decided to do the main hike and it was not as difficult as I thought it would be. The weather was perfect and you also might see some animals along the way. We got to see a Red-tailed hawk!  There are park rangers around and that is comforting in case anything happens. There are also portable bathrooms so that was also a good thing. We didn't get to finish the hike because it was going to get dark soon but we did get to see the sunset! It was amazing and breathtaking. Just make sure you prepare to find parking, it's limited but so worth it!!

Definitely a simple trail for anyone wanting an easy hike! It isn't too "nature-y" as you can see people's houses often in the background wherever you are and you're still close in the city of Torrance/Palos Verdes. On some days you can be on the horizon with the clouds over the ocean which is really nice. There are lots of mini trails too with signs meaning you can venture off pretty easily. Lots of people brought their dogs too! Lots of paths for bikers as well. Inclines are steady and not steep. Can probably get away with wearing regular tennis shoes rather than hiking shoes. Can survive with 32 ozs of water in hydroflask.

My girlfriends and I hiked this trail during COVID. Arrived at 6:30am on Saturday, September 26, 2020 - Although it was overcast skies, it turned out to be a really nice and beautiful hike - breath taking views of the ocean and Palos Verdes. It won't disappoint! You can usually park at Del Cerro Park, but the lot was closed due to COVID. Luckily we found parking off Crest and Crenshaw. It's a bit of a walk to the trailhead, so if you want closer parking, I suggest getting there a little bit earlier. What's great about this hike is that it's dog friendly. We did about 2.5 miles up to the top and then ended up turning back around because we heard it didn't loop around. I'm planning to go back and see how far it goes. So - the hike we did was about 5 miles total including the trek to/from where we parked our car. The hike is also great for mountain biking, so I definitely want to ride my bike one day. It's relatively an easy hike, but then again we only did 2.5 miles into the hike. Conveniently, there are two porta potty's about .25 mile into the hike. If you're in the South Bay Area, definitely add this hike to your bucket list!

Starting 9/1/20, you cannot park on Crenshaw Blvd south of Crest. There are signs all over the place. Come early. Parking is street only as the park is permit only. It was pretty crowded on a Saturday morning around 8am. The trailhead is NOT in the park ... you have to walk a bit north. The map at the trailhead kind of sucks. Use AllTrails or even google maps to find your way. There are quite a few trails in this area. You can pick one depending on how far you want to walk. It's actually a really good workout. The inclines aren't tough but they are gradual. Go early as the shade is pretty minimal and gets hot. Also it's very dusty!! But great views of the ocean and the trail is super clean. Lots of rocks too. I parked about .5 miles from the trailhead (south of Crest). Took the Burma Road trail down and then back up took the peacock flats trail. It ended up being 4.48 miles and a good workout. Would go back but worried about parking now. Maybe try earlier like at 6am.

This place has beautiful views and endless scenery. The hike goes downhill in so many different ways so be prepared when you're coming back up. Make sure you take plenty of water and wear glasses or a hat because the over cast or sun will get to you.

This place says it's all. It's got great views of the Pacific Ocean and PV. Lots of homes surrounding the area. Parking is paid street parking but you can park on the same street as the church for free. Those go away fast. The hills are somewhat steep and gives you a good work out. Come here for the views

Based on a Sunday 8:30AM visit: Highlights - Varietal trails to choose from - A view at the trailhead to start things off right - Fitting for varying levels, families and dogs Pro Tips - Hat and SPF (limited, ~5% shaded) - For an average-level hiker, I would say Burma Road Trail is rated easy-intermediate--intermediate when returning to the starting point due to incline and heat. Can still hold conversations without losing too much breath Parking Best bet, Crenshaw Blvd. Residential/cross streets are mostly if not all permit only. Del Cerro Park lot is also permit only. I ended up 0.6mi out from the trailhead on Crenshaw past the church. Silver lining: a nice pre-walk before the real one :)

Really enjoyed coming to this place over the long weekend. I live in Southbay and wanted a short nice stroll and to be outdoors and found this place on Yelp (duh). The reviews were good and pictures looked great. I took the trail that starts right at the end where Crenshaw Blvd ends. It took me down a main path almost all the way down to what is PCH. There were other trails you can switch too which was nice in case you want to go off the main path. The nice views and quiet area was perfect. About 10 mins into the walk there were also some porta-potties which is nice and don't often see. They were fairly clean for being out in the trail. I really enjoyed this place and look forward to doing it again.

This place is the bomb. The views are massive and breathtaking and the options for trails are endless. My buddies and I love bringing our bikes here to send it down Burma Road. An amazing experience and you don't need to have an insane bike to be able to do it! I see anything from high end mountain bikes to just a classic no suspension gravel bike. All in all- this place has become a favorite weekend go to. Has endless hiking and biking options and some days you'll see some horses. Will be a spot I frequent for years.

Let me start off my starting, if you haven't been here, read the map carefully. I arrived here around 8 on a super foggy morning. So the weather might have helped me find available parking (its limited to the public). What I really enjoyed about this place is that it provides map pamphlets at the entrance (also available online ). The hiking was really great. But my downfall was following someone's advice through to take a trail to lead me to the beach; he had misheard, I just wanted a trail with a good view of the ocean. Anyways I went through a difficult trail (sanbox), which the maps dont mention. So by the time I was at the end of one side, I still had to walk back up the trail(s) to get back to the entrance. The overall hike took me three hours to complete. But still it was a really good hike.

What a pleasant place to take a quiet walk/run. I was in the area and was directed to this trail from where I was staying. There are multiple trails that eventually lead you to the beach. There were other people at times but there are other routes that will leave you to your thoughts.

At a whopping 399 acres, Portuguese Bend Reserve is the largest of all the Palos Verdes Nature Preserves. So how did Portuguese Bend get its name in the first place? Many moons ago the area was a hangout for Portuguese whalers. These days, we just admire the whales through binoculars at Point Vicente. I'm guessing there must be about 20 named trails in Portuguese Bend Reserve. One of these is the Ishibashi (Farm) Trail. The Ishibashi family was among the many Japanese-American farmers who grew veggies & flowers for about 100 years in Portuguese Bend. Remember Annie's Stand near Abalone Cove? Oh, the strawberries.... So, you're hiking through a lot of history in this reserve. And when you drive through Portuguese Bend on PV Dr S and notice (can't miss 'em) those big orange signs warning of "constant land movement" & "use extreme caution"......it's because the land is slowly moving toward the sea. Several decades ago, in the 1950s, an attempt was made to extend Crenshaw all the way down from the top of the hill (near Del Cerro Park) to PV Drive. That would've been great except the effort resulted in a landslide & permanently destabilized the hillside. I believe there was also a mining quarry in Portuguese Bend at that time & can't help but wonder if they used dynamite. I've heard many differing stories about how the area got messed up. Best to leave Mother Nature alone, is what I think, or she may come back to bite ya. "I feel the earth. move. under my feet..." - Carole King (With any luck, you won't actually feel it on a hike.) You can enter Portuguese Bend Reserve on Burma Road Trail next to Del Cerro Park. Keep in mind that you'll be walking mostly downhill & you have to come back up on the return. Looks like you can also access the reserve from Forrestal, by taking Purple Sage Trail. Yes, there are rattlesnakes. Snake sightings don't generally freak me out (like spiders do) but I have a healthy respect for rattlers. You do not want to get bit as you're distracted by the stunning views. If your dog gets bit it's a very serious problem. Warm weather brings out the snakes, the reason I'm more comfortable on these trails in "winter". (A mountain biker on a trail told me he sees more snakes on sunny days than on cloudy days, even in warm spring weather.) Also, bring water & maybe a snack (trail mix, appropriate?). There are not many shaded areas & the sun gets intense on some summer days. But don't be deterred by blazing sun, land movement, creepy crawlies & things that go buzz. You'll likely have a whale of a tale to tell when you write your review. Hopefully your tale won't be about the wretched parking sitch at Del Cerro on weekends. Find your zen.

It was my first time hiking here. The view was great even though we were above the clouds. The hike was moderate and the trail wasn't too rocky. They even had people from the area monitoring the trail and making sure we didn't go off path and stepping on the plantation. We had a difficult time finding parking so go early if you decide to go.

This is a nice hiking trail in the Palos Verdes peninsula. My usual starting point is on top of the hill, next to a small park. The trail from there leads to a steady descent in what eventually ends at the rocky beach below. From there, the ascent is a nice exercise, or you can zig-zag around for a bit, as there are tons of pathways to walk. One of my old favorite features of this place, which is now gone, was the old abandoned house that fell victim to a landslide. To what I hear, it's gone now. But no big deal. There are plenty of folks hiking around, or walking their pets here. It's somewhat safe here (just watch out for scorpions and snakes). If it is rainy outside, or it rained the day before, chances are the trail will be closed. If you're a fitness freak like me, you'll appreciate this trail.

One of the best trail hikes in Los Angeles has been completely ruined by mean locals. The parking situation is horrible and seems to serve no purpose other than to confound and annoy would-be nature enthusiasts. Be warned - if you want to brave the moronic parking situation- you will have to download an app or book online to park near the reserve. You'll have to do this at least an hour in advance or no cigar. And you'll get charged $10 for the privilege. No popping up the hill for a nice walk. No easy last-minute afternoon family trip to the park. No - someone with influence has complained about you (and other people who just want time in nature) and have made it a chore to visit. As a resident of PV, I wonder where my tax money goes - and this monstrosity of devilish council parking makes my skin crawl

This hike is inland so no access to ocean. There are distant views but nothing better than nearby Del Cerro Park. Vegetation consists of many dried plants. The excessive price for parking shows how much residents do not appreciate out of towners. With so many other great coastline hikes in Palos Verdes, I would prioritize them. Not sure what the hype is for this hike.

Great place for hiking! Once you make it to the sign you have gone as far as you can possibly go. We parked by the church that's down the hill. You can't park at the park and then there was just no parking along the street. I've stopped trying to make it happen and just start at the church. The overall hike is a little over 2 hours and it's pretty moderate. Beautiful views a couple challenging hills but nothing too much. Lots of people there but never overly crowded because it's so large. If your in the area great place to visit! Ocean views :)

YOU HAVE TO RESERVE YOUR PARKING SPOT AHEAD OF TIME! I've been coming to this place for years and the hike itself is amazing! You have some of the best ocean views you can get and there are plenty of different trails you can take It's one of my favorite hikes but it looks like the city recently decided to start charging for public parking Usually you have maybe about half a mile of street parking available so there's plenty of parking but now you have to pay for it The parking cost $10 which is not a big deal but the issue is you have to reserve your spot ahead of time. So if you decide to just go visit this place at the last minute like I did this morning? You won't be able to reserve a spot, at least not at the time you want to go I got here at 8ish and tried to get a spot but the earliest available was 12pm. So if you decide to come here make sure you call or visit the website to pay and reserve your spot ahead of time Otherwise you'll be forced to leave or risk getting $100 ticket

This hike provides one of the most breath- taking views of the glistening ocean down below. This is probably one of my favorite hikes for cooler days. You drive uphill on Crenshaw Blvd and park along on the streets of a small neighborhood leading to the trail. Be sure not to park up front where there's black and white stripes, those require a permit. This is an inverse hike, where you hike downhill for the first part, then you have to hike back up hill to get back to your car. The beginning is easy and there are different hikes that branch off from the main one, so you can decide how long or strenuous of a hike you want to challenge. There are some areas with shrubbery, but for the most part you're hiking on a rocky dirt path with very little shade. Hence, I wouldn't recommend it for hotter days unless you go early. You do share a path with bikers and horses, so watch out for that. The view is amazing. There are many look out points throughout the hike. Tips/ recommendations: 1. Come early because parking is limited. 2. Wear sunblock/ sunglasses because there's limited shade and the water below is so bright. 3. Wear comfortable shoes! The path is very rocky!

Stunning views of the ocean and lots of trails to choose from. Parking was a little tricky, but we found a spot along Crenshaw Blvd. While it was nice that there were two outhouses near the entrance, they were filled to the brim with, well, stinky stuff. Maybe it was because of the holiday season or government shutdown, but one star off for the condition of the porta-potties.

We did this beautiful hike during the week in the mid afternoon and even then it was pretty busy. We parked along Crenshaw Blvd. and on our way to hike we saw beautiful ocean views of Palos Verdes. There are lots of trails to follow In Portuguese Nature Preserve. There is a picture of a map posted on the entrance of the hike with all the different trails this reserve offers. We did the Palos Verdes Bluffs Trail which is a 2.7 mile loop dirt trail that offers 557 ft elevation gain. There were a couple of people who had their dogs on a leash on the trail. The views on this trail is so beautiful. We did the trail clockwise and the first part was easy, but the second half is all incline with minimal shade. A great way to get some exercise and amazing views! This is a kid, pet, bike, family friendly trail.

I never thought I would be one of those people who would enjoy hiking. But somehow it snuck up on me! The BF and I have done the hiking trails at Portuguese Bend Nature Reserve twice now and it's a legit workout. Both times we started at the top near Del Cerro park and worked our way down the hill. Which of course meant that the second half of our workout was a uphill battle. The trails also split into other trails so it becomes this "choose your own adventure" kind of thing. Thank goodness for apps like mapmywalk to give me a sense of where to go. What did hikers do before smart phones? ;D There's a bit of wildlife in these parts. There's one trail called Rattlesnake Trail which does not concern me at all. Except it TOTALLY concerns me! I'm not a nature person by any means. So yes, I screamed when a lizard or two crossed my path. Thank gawd it was only a lizzard. The views from here are gorgeous though! Earthporn at its finest!

This spot used to be great, but now because of all the new people coming in its packed. Couldn't find parking, and the last time I went I found a used condom at one of the look out points. I guess it's great if you're a shallow narcissistic instragram influencer that doesn't actually care about nature. You can come here and bring your loud ass friends, and dump your Starbucks trash everywhere. Also found used diapers discarded off the side the the trail. So sad.

This is a fantastic trail to see a great Sunset. The hike is on the easy/moderate side. Depends on how far you go, it can be short. Parking can be a bit hard to find. There's no parking lot, so you will be street parking. I ended up parking right by the church, which is about 3 or so blocks away from the entrance. If you are planning on coming here for the sunset, keep in mind that the rangers close the gates a little after sunset. There are a couple of porto potties on the trail going down.

like all the trails in Palos Verdes we should AVOID AT ALL COSTS! Jumping and biting Flea infested, blood thirsty Rattlesnakes, and blood sucking ticks. Trails are overgrown and not safe for human visitation. See pics of our most recent encounter!

Our friend invited us to join him on the hike starting from Del Cerro Park down to the beach below Inspiration Point. The day was sunny but not too hot because of the cool ocean breeze. It's a very popular hiking area but few people ventured down to this hidden gem on the beach. Our mileage on our watch showed almost a 7 mile roundtrip hike.

I've hiked this a couple of times and the views are great, it's quiet, and not usually crowded. We found parking is on the street, then hit a downward trail next to the residents-only section. The trail down is rocky and slippery so be careful and wear good shoes. Shade is scarce until you get down aways, where a few trails veer into areas with trees, including a nice path lined with eucalyptus trees. The trek back up the hill give you an option to climb some stairs, which is a good if you're in the mood for a heart-pounding challenge. Not recommended if you're looking for flat, soft trails.