Palos Verdes Peninsula Shoreline

Map Satellite

This rocky coastal area extends onshore to the bluff crestline and offshore several hundred meters into the sea. It includes approximately 16 kilometers (10 miles) of shoreline from Point Fermin on the south to Bluff Cove on the north. It is bounded by extensive commercialized sandy beaches both to the north and south.

In this relatively short stretch of coast there is a great deal of diversity of environments including rocky reefs, rocky coasts, rocky bluffs, and sandy beaches which provide many valuable intertidal habitats. At sea level there are extensive tide pool areas. Offshore there are some rocks and sea stacks.

Numerous shorebirds, gulls and other sea birds frequent the area as do California sea lions, Zalophus californianus. Within the area is the last breeding ground in Southern California of the harbor seal, Phoca vitulina. Grunion, Leuresthes tenuis, spawn on some of the sandy beaches on this stretch of coast.

The bluffs, which are primarily sedimentary sandstone and shale, range in elevation from 30 meters (100 feet) near Point Fermin to over 100 meters (300 feet) at Bluff Cove. This onshore area, which includes some wave-cut marine terraces on the projecting points, exhibits coastal sage scrub and chaparral associations with such animals as roadrunners, Cieococcyx californianus, and the dusky-footed woodrat, Neotoma fuscipes, present. There are fossil formations here too.

Integrity: With the exception of military or Coast Guard installations at Point Fermin, Fort MacArthur, Point Vicente and the public Royal Palms Beach Park, most of the area back of the bluffs is privately owned and is developed as a high or middle income residential area. Much scientific and educational work has been done on this coastline by many institutions including the University of California, Los Angeles, University of Southern California, California State University, Long Beach, and Marineland, the latter being located on a terrace above the area. Future development, litter, pollution from sewer outfalls, etc., and over-collecting pose threats. At present no protective action is pending.

Use: Research, educational, light recreation

January 1975