Point Fermin Park
Located at the southern tip of
Nearby are Angels Gate Park and the Korean Friendship Bell.
Caution: Check with rangers or lifeguards that conditions are safe for your planned activities.
Point Fermin Lighthouse
Erected in 1874, the Point Fermin Lighthouse stands as a beacon and landmark near the entrance to Los Angeles Harbor. The architecture, known as Stick Style, is from the early Victorian period. Gabled roofs, hard carve porch railings, and horizontal siding give it an elegant appearance. Efforts by local citizens have kept the lighthouse in good condition, including a restoration of the lantern room.
Managed by the Department of Recreation and Parks for the City of Los Angeles, the lighthouse is now open for guided tours by volunteers. Although there is no admission fee, donations are encouraged from visitors. The lighthouse is open Tuesday through Sunday from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. It is closed on major holidays and may be closed for special events in the park. Guided tours are offered every hour at 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00 PM.
(310) 241-0684 Point Fermin Lighthouse
Point Fermin
The Sunken City
Six acres of land between Shepard Street and the ocean once support a small community of bungalows built by local developer George Peck. In 1929 a 1,000 by 400 feet section of the development began to slip into the ocean at the rate of about a foot a day. Efforts were made to salvage as many of the houses as possible, but some were lost as the ground crumbled beneath them.
Years later in 1941 a water main broke and caused even more erosion of the area, so much so that city officials fenced off the area and declared it unsafe. Today, despite a new fence, curious individuals sneak into the area to explore the remains of a bygone era. The jumbled remains of the little community include sidewalks, streetcar tracks, sections of old road, foundations, chimneys, and man holes.
Despite its attraction, the area is unsafe. A number of falls there have resulted in serious injury and death. The Sunken City can be viewed safely from Point Fermin Park.
Enjoying Point Fermin Park
Many visitors to Point Fermin Park comment about the sweet smell of the fig trees that are found around the grounds. Another attraction is that dogs on leash are allowed to romp here as long as their owners are watching over them and cleaning up after them. Parking at the park is limited to a small lot, but across the street there is a larger lot in Angels Gate Park.
