Easy hikes and walks around Palos Verdes Estates

Torrance Beach lies between Redondo Beach and Malaga Cove. The region shared by Torrance and Redondo Beaches is often called “RAT Beach” (short for “Right After Torrance” Beach or “Redondo and Torrance Beach”). This beautiful, soft sand beach has 40 acres of beach and is at the foot of cliffs which extend to the Palos Verdes Peninsula. There restrooms, a concession stand, showers, bike path, beach wheelchairs, and volleyball nets. Torrance Beach is great for swimming, fishing, scuba and skin diving, and surfing.

The dusty blufftop has views of the bay and Catalina Island on a clear day. It’s a wonderful place to relax at the end of the day to catch the sunset. The access trails to Lunada Bay Beach are steep and exposed. The best routes down the bluff are across Paseo Del Mar from Oakley Road and Avenida Mirola. The beach in Lunada Bay is rocky, but has some tide pools to explore at low tides. Around the north point is the rusting shipwreck of the Dominator from the 1960’s that is worth checking out. The Palos Verdes Peninsula isn’t known for it’s surfing outside of local circles and there is a reason for that. It’s called “localism” and this area has a severe case of this disease. Localism is when locals intimidate and threaten non-locals to keep them from visiting places. There are many documented cases of threats, property crimes, and physical abuse of people who have come from outside of Palos Verdes to enjoy these surf spots. The most notorious case involves the “Lunada Bay Boys” that began in the 1960’s as a friendly group and evolved into a thuggish bunch that didn’t want to share their sacred surf spot. Allegations of sexual harassment, intimidation, and violence has even gotten them their own wikipedia page.

At this point in your hike, you'll be treated to sweeping coastal views from the bay.

Flat Rock Point in Torrance offers a scenic coastal hike with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. The trail features rugged cliffs and tide pools, perfect for exploring during low tide. Wear sturdy shoes for uneven terrain.

Torrance Beach sometimes goes by another name: locals call the last sandy stretch before the Palos Verdes cliffs "RAT" Beach, meaning "Right After Torrance." Torrance Beach, nestled between Redondo Beach and Malaga Cove, features 40 acres of soft sand at the base of cliffs extending to the Palos Verdes Peninsula. With over 300 parking spaces, many at the end of the Esplinade, the beach offers restrooms, showers, a concession stand, bike paths, and volleyball nets. It's a popular spot for swimming, fishing, scuba diving, and surfing.

Torrance Beach is the only beach in the city and serves as a wide, sandy viewpoint onto the ocean's waters. There is a boardwalk path that you can run on, or you can run on the packed sand near the water.

Coastal dune systems were once very extensive in Southern California. The advent of invasive human modification has totally disturbed this ecosystem have left only small remnants. The Malaga Creek and sand dunes is one such area and it is a joy to run through.

Torrance Beach is the only beach in the city and serves as a wide, sandy viewpoint onto the ocean's waters. There is a boardwalk path that you can run on, or you can run on the packed sand near the water.