Lechuza Point

Map Satellite

Lechuza Point is a small promontory jutting into Santa Monica Bay. The low seacliffs expose steeply dipping beds of the mid-Miocene San Onofre Breccia, a peculiar facies of sedimentary breccia of which these beds are the best examples exposed north of San Pedro. These are unique exposures containing large blocks of metamorphic rocks of the Catalina metamorphic series, derived from a source now submerged beneath the ocean. Graded bedding and depositional current indicators are visible in some of the beds.

Integrity: Several homes have been built on the graded terrace gravels that cover the bedrock at this site, but the Point itself is still unbuilt upon. Destruction of the outcrops is not likely.

Use: Research, educational. Access is by beach at low tide.

Ref: Woodford, A. O. and T. L. Bailey, 1928. Northwestern Continuation of the San Onofre Breccia, Univ. of Calif. Pub. Bull, of the Dept. of Geol. Sci. Vol. 17 (5), pp. 187-191.

November 1975