Palos Verdes Bluffs Trail – Portuguese Bend Reserve
By: Paul Benevich
This is one of my favorite hiking trails in Los Angeles County. The trailhead starts on top of Palos Verdes at the very end of Crenshaw Blvd. and offers one of the most stunning vistas in the Los Angeles area. It sits approximately 1200 feet above the ocean with stunning views of the coastline as well as Catalina Island.
A world away
When I want to escape the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles, this is my hiking sanctuary. On the trail, you feel as if you are miles away from civilization, yet it’s only 15 minutes away from Torrance or the South Bay community. One of the primary reasons I love to live in Los Angeles is that no matter where you are in the city, you are generally only about 30 minutes away from escaping the mayhem of the city.
About the trail
The trail is a moderate-level trail with an elevation change of almost 600 feet. Alltrails indicates that this is a 2.7-mile loop, as you can see from the map below that there are numerous trails and loop extensions that you can explore. I easily cover 5+ miles on my typical hike.
Trail highlights
I love this hike any time of the year, but it is truly spectacular in the spring (March, April, and May). Brassica Nigra, more commonly called Black Mustard Weed, is in full bloom. It is not native and was brought to Los Angeles more than a century ago; it’s considered a dangerous pest since it displaces native plants. Even so, it is very beautiful when it blooms and the hillsides are covered with these yellow plants as you can see from the pictures below.
Eye candy
On a clear day, the view of Catalina against the backdrop of the deep blue Pacific Ocean is stunning. Most of the time, you will see one of the mega freighters passing between Catalina Island and the cliffs of Palos Verdes. This is when you truly appreciate the enormity of these freighters.
Recalibrate your senses
This is a trail that will certainly recalibrate your senses. As you initiate the trail descent, the sounds of Los Angeles fade, and one can then experience the numerous and various sounds of nature: the hawks squawking above you, the hum of the thousands of bees and other insects pollinating the flowers, and the buzzing of a hummingbird behind you.
Hiking recommendations
Pack enough water since the hike can get warm as you descend and ascend 600+ feet. I also recommend packing some cheese and crackers and/or other snacks and finding one of the many places to sit down, catch your breath, grab some fluids and snacks, and take in the beautiful vistas this trail has to offer. Oh, and don’t forget to bring your camera.
This is a popular hiking trail and on weekends can get a bit crowded. Monday-Thursday, I often have the trail to myself. Friday-Sunday, it is best to start the hike before 10 am to avoid some of the crowds; either way, after 10 am, it’s still an amazing experience, but a bit more crowded.
Parking
If you want to park within a block or two of the trailhead, you need to make reservations at least one hour in advance and the cost is approximately $11. If you want free parking, you will have to park a one-quarter-mile away on either Crenshaw Blvd. or Crest Road.
Hiking & meal combination
When you are finished hiking, drive down to Terranea Resort – it is just five miles away – and have lunch/dinner or a drink. Visit my blog article on Terranea Resort.
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