Royal Palms Beach

Royal Palms Beach Overview

Royal Palms Beach and White Point Beach are more like one single park than two separate county parks. They share the same entrance at White Point Bluff Park. Parking for either beach is below the bluff in long lots that stretch along the rocky shore. Sandy places can be found on both beaches, but more often it is Royal Palms that attracts sun bathers and picnickers while White Point draws more tide pool explorers.

Most visitors to Royal Palms Beach appreciate its feeling of isolation from the sprawl of Los Angeles. After dropping down to beach level, houses, roads, and power lines disappear from view. Before you is a rocky coastline, some small areas of sand, and the ocean. While you could wade and swim here (a lifeguard is on duty during daylight hours), many prefer to explore, clambering over rocks, inspecting tide pools, and hiking along the coast.

In the summer often an ice cream truck shows up. A promenade runs along the shore to the west of the parking lot. There you will find an events area which can be rented out and picnic tables.

White Point Bluff Park

White Point Bluff Park offers visitors a sweeping view of the ocean and Catalina Island. Benches are located at convenient view points. Plaques around the park provide visitors with some history of the area. Restrooms and picnic tables are available. Visitors warn of the aggressive seagulls here, so guard your food carefully. Nearby is the Mary Star Fromhold Baseball Field. A small playground is enclosed by a fence and gate. It features a few small slides and swings probably best suited for very young children. The area is known for the number of feral cats that live around the park and beach.

Tide Pools

Extensive tide pools spread along the shore at White Point Beach. As is usually the case, they are best explored at low tide. Some of the areas are difficult to access and require care. Wearing sturdy shoes you can get wet is advised. The tide pools are home to sea stars, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, hermit crabs, anemones, and other marine creatures. Unfortunately some people have taken marine life from the tide pools, which is against the law.

Marine Wildlife

White Point Bluff Park is a popular place for whale watching during the annual winter migrations. Other marine mammals visitors are apt to spot offshore are harbor seals, sea lions, and dolphins.

White Point Nature Preserve

Directly across Paseo del Mar from White Point Bluff Park is the White Point Nature Preserve, 102 acres of restored coastal sage scrub habitat. Hiking trails lead through the park. The park is home to the Nature Education Center which serves as a resource for students, families and community groups.

2011 Landslide

On November 20, 2011, a landslide shifted about 420 feet of earth and roadway of Paseo del Mar and a small portion of the White Point Nature Preserve about 50 feet, sending pieces of hillside and road cascading down the the shore. As a result, a portion of Paseo del Mar has been closed. Work is under way to stabilize the area, while road replacement is still being debated.

Preserve Hours: Dawn to dusk
Education Center: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
(310) 561-0917
White Point Nature Preserve and Education Center

Nearby Restaurants

Pronto's 2420 S. Western Ave
Mexican cuisine (310) 832-4471
Subway 1436 W. 25th Street
(310) 833-8600
Starbucks 1440 W. 25th Street
(310) 832-8459
Many more restaurants are found along Western Avenue.