Point Dume

Map Satellite

Jutting out to the sea from the slopes of the Santa Monica Mountains approximately 1.6 kilometers (1 mile), this promontory provides a variety of terrestrial and marine habitats.

On land, two communities are present, the coastal strand and coastal sage. In the former, several species of iceplants are found including Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum, Mesembryanthemum crystallinum, and Mesembryanthemum chilense; among other common plants are sandbur, Ambrosia chamissonis (= Franseria chamissonis ssp. bipinnatisecta), white-leafed saltbush, Atriplex leucophylla, and beach primrose, Camissonia cheiranthifolia.

On the bluffs and terraces the purple sage, Salvia leucophylla, is common, as are giant coreopsis, Coreopsis gigantea, bladderpod, Isomeris arborea, coyote brush, Baccharis pilularis ssp. consanguinea, and California sagebrush, Artemisia californica.

Marine intertidal floral includes the surf grasses Phyllospadix torreyi and Phyllospadix scouleri, and numerous algae including sea lettuce, Diva lactuca. Further to sea are kelp beds with Macrocystis angustifolia dominant. (See Paradise Cove Marine Area )

The terrestrial fauna is typical; however, there is a variety of habitats, tidepools, rocky coast, protected coast, and benthic communities which support a diverse and abundant fauna including the barnacles, Balanus tintinnabulum and Balanus glandula, lined shore crabs, Pachygrapsus crassipes, and various abalones, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, anemones, sea slugs, etc.

The Point is a basaltic lava which protects weaker Tertiary rocks. There are two marine terraces here at elevations of approximately 30 meters (100 feet) and 60 meters (200 feet) that were cut during the Pleistocene. A third terrace is forming at the base of the cliffs on the shoreline.

Integrity: The beach is well used and residential development is taking place on the terraces back of the Point.

Use: Educational, research, observational, light recreational.

Ref: Raven, P. and H. J. Thompson. 1966. Flora of the Santa Monica Mountains, California. University of California at Los Angeles. Unpub. Mimeo.

September 1975