Sunshine. Fresh air. A hilly hike. All good things on Christmas Day, and the perfect elixir for the holidaze (especially after entertaining all night on Christmas Eve!).
I live on a little-known peninsula of Los Angeles that’s about as far removed from Los Angeles as one could be, both geographically and figuratively. No freeways, no traffic, and you’re more likely to share the road with wild peacocks than local celebrities.
It’s also the most geologically active region in Greater Los Angeles, thought to be an island at one time as it shares a similar — and unique — ecosystem to that of the nearby Channel Islands. Dramatic cliffs formed by lava and vibrant tidepools filled with sea anemones define the shoreline, while miles of trails wind around the Palos Verdes Hills high above the Pacific.
It’s an ecological gem in the southernmost part of the basin, and I pinch myself every time I look out my window: snow-capped peaks just beyond the Port of Los Angeles to the east, and thousands of acres of open space abutting unspoiled ocean to the west.
On Christmas Day, there was not a cloud in the sky and the hills were starting to turn green after all the recent rains. Across the channel, Santa Catalina Island (with its distinctive isthmus) was as clear as I’d ever seen it.
With the pugs in tow, we found a trailhead tucked in the corner of a hillside community near our house. There was no signpost, nor did we see any other hikers coming down or going up. But Google Maps showed a narrow trail ascending what we believed to be the peak of Palos Verdes Hills, a low mountain range on the peninsula. It was such an ideal day for a little stroll, we didn’t really mind where it took us.
As we meandered along the aptly named Seaview Trail, the suburban neighborhood below us gave way to panoramic views of the coastline. We found small white shells, hundreds of them, dotting the hillside.
The trail climbed up San Pedro Hill to the FAA Radar Station, the highest point on the peninsula at 1,457 feet. I’d always seen the radar tower from my neighborhood, gleaming in the sun like a giant golf ball, but had never been to the very top of that hill until that day. We had pristine views stretching across the peninsula from Sacred Cove, our favorite tidepooling spot, to Mossy Rock, our local surf break.
We idled on the peak as the sun waned on the horizon, watching the hills transform from green to gold to red.
And with that, we wrapped up our hike and went home to light a fire, heat up hot chocolate, and open presents under the tree. It was a merry Christmas indeed.
22 Comments
Charity
January 9, 2015 at 10:51 amThank you for your posts about all the different hikes you enjoy! My family is heading to So Cal for two weeks in February and I’ve gleaned your posts for a few hikes that I’d like to do to help us enjoy our trip!
Linda Ly
January 9, 2015 at 3:52 pmThis is a beautiful time of year to visit SoCal! Our recent rains have brought out all the green hills and snow caps. I highly recommend a drive along the coast of Palos Verdes Peninsula (nothing else like it in the region) and hiking the trail that starts in Abalone Cove and takes you up to Portuguese Point and Inspiration Point. If you hike down from there and go during low tide, you’ll see some amazing tide pools! It is my favorite hike in the entire region. If you want a great bird’s eye view of LA, I also recommend the Wonder View Trail to the Hollywood sign! Very different but no less enjoyable, especially if you like urban hikes. (I recently wrote a post for it.)
Charity
January 9, 2015 at 4:29 pmThank you Linda, I added your post about the Wonder View Trail to our list and I’ll make sure that I check out the Inspiration Point Trail. I also added a stop at Salt Point State Park and the hike to Steep Ravine per your blog. I think we also have a hike to Fern Canyon and also one at the Sand Dunes outside of Florence. I’m not sure we will get it all in on one trip but we sure will have fun! Hope the weather is nice! Thanks again!
Linda Ly
January 10, 2015 at 12:22 amWow, sounds like a super fun road trip! Enjoy!
Vanessa Nesvig
January 4, 2015 at 1:49 pmLove your pictures of your beautiful part of the world! Here in Maine I get Holidaze too, nothing better than taking a walk outside, in the woods if possible, even if it is below freezing!
Linda Ly
January 4, 2015 at 5:49 pmI love that feeling of the crisp, cold air on my face! Definitely wakes me up!
Theladyphantom
January 1, 2015 at 5:28 pmRT @theGardenBetty: After an all-night feast, a natural detox was much needed. A Hike to Cure the Holidaze http://t.co/YrhIox0sMj < TY for…
theGardenBetty
January 1, 2015 at 5:01 pmAfter an all-night feast, a natural detox was much needed. A Hike to Cure the Holidaze http://t.co/YrhIox0sMj < TY for RT! @Theladyphantom
thefolia
December 31, 2014 at 6:47 pmWhat a dreamy day! Viva la outdoors!
theGardenBetty
December 31, 2014 at 11:01 amBlogged on Garden Betty: A Hike to Cure the Holidaze http://t.co/aCxLGyuWKF < TY for RT! @WiscoLaura
theGardenBetty
December 30, 2014 at 9:00 pmWhen the hubbub of holiday gatherings makes your head buzz, get outside. A Hike to Cure the Holidaze http://t.co/ItBailOaUJ #california
Theladyphantom
December 30, 2014 at 7:09 amRT @theGardenBetty: After an all-night Christmas Eve feast, a natural detox was much needed. A Hike to Cure the Holidaze http://t.co/YrhIo…
BlindCourageMov
December 30, 2014 at 6:04 amRT @theGardenBetty: After an all-night Christmas Eve feast, a natural detox was much needed. A Hike to Cure the Holidaze http://t.co/YrhIo…
theGardenBetty
December 30, 2014 at 6:01 amAfter an all-night Christmas Eve feast, a natural detox was much needed. A Hike to Cure the Holidaze http://t.co/YrhIox0sMj #hikerchat
theGardenBetty
December 29, 2014 at 3:00 pmSunshine. Fresh air. A hilly hike. All good things on Christmas Day. A Hike to Cure the Holidaze http://t.co/EE3YSavnAd #palosverdes #hike
theGardenBetty
December 29, 2014 at 9:00 amI had a very Merry Christmas indeed. #thankful A Hike to Cure the Holidaze http://t.co/w7DxToX9fu #california
theGardenBetty
December 28, 2014 at 6:00 pmChristmas Day started with a coastal hike near my house. A Hike to Cure the Holidaze http://t.co/SSJmc9A4oY #losangeles #california
theGardenBetty
December 28, 2014 at 12:01 pmThis ecological gem is just minutes from my doorstep. A Hike to Cure the Holidaze http://t.co/yXDoMbcm8n #palosverdes #hike
David Miccinello
December 28, 2014 at 9:17 amTruly blessed on this day and every day!Peace and Love in 2015
Linda Ly
December 28, 2014 at 4:00 pmThank you for reading David! Happy New Year to you!
WiscoLaura
December 28, 2014 at 5:54 amRT @theGardenBetty: Blogged on Garden Betty: A Hike to Cure the Holidaze http://t.co/aCxLGyuWKF
theGardenBetty
December 28, 2014 at 12:56 amBlogged on Garden Betty: A Hike to Cure the Holidaze http://t.co/aCxLGyuWKF