Sacred Cove Beach (Hidden Gem in Abalone Cove Park)

The vibrant city of Los Angeles is a sprawling metropolis that offers something for everybody. While less popular than the typical LA touristy hotspots, the coastal trails down the Southern California Coast are a local favorite worth checking out. Visible from multiple high points in the Los Angeles basin and the neighboring mountains, the Palos Verdes peninsula catches one's eye unmistakably amidst the otherwise flat shoreline.

If you’re into sweeping ocean vistas and grand displays of towering cliffs, hike down to Abalone Cove Shoreline Park in Rancho Palos Verdes, where two stunning beaches rest.

Sacred Cove, also known as Smuggler's Cove, is tucked behind cliffs just south of Abalone Cove beach. It’s what makes this idyllic little cove slightly hard to spot but quite a literal hidden gem. Bookended by two of the central viewing points—Inspiration Point and Portuguese Point, you can access Sacred Cove Beach via several miles of trails that lead there.

The 64-acre reserve known as Abalone Cove Shoreline Park is also where vital natural marine resources are contained. As you travel through the reserve, views of sandy shores, tide pools, and about 25 marine life species welcome you.

Directions to Sacred Cove Beach

sacred cove beach sea views palos verdes — *Coastal Views at Palos Verdes, CA*

Abalone Cove is 25 miles away from the Los Angeles International Airport and 30 miles from Downtown Los Angeles. It's a lot closer to the beach cities in Los Angeles County, such as Redondo Beach and Manhattan Beach, at about 10 to 12 miles away.

Location of Sacred Cove Beach

The exact address of the parking lot closest to Sacred Cove Beach is 5970 Palos Verdes Drive, South Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275.

To access the cove, you can take some of the trails connecting it to Abalone Cove, which we'll explain further below. You can access the complete map via the official website of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy.

The North end of the Sacred Cove meets Abalone Cove around the sea cave and tide pool on the edge of Portuguese Point. To get to Sacred Cove Beach, we'd recommend going down the East part of Sacred Cove View Trail for a safer and less slippery route. This is because much of the lower trail at the west side to Portuguese Point is eroded due to frequent land movements. You'll likely encounter a warning sign to deter visitors from proceeding further if this is the case when you're there.

Map of the Sacred Cove View Trail

To get to the trail, you can either head down from Inspiration Point or trek there via a series of trails from Abalone Cove. For the latter option, you'll want to head down to Olmstead Trail and switch to Smuggler's Trail thereafter. After a minute-long stroll along Palos Verdes Drive, enter the Sacred View Cove trail and keep to the left. You'll soon arrive at the trailheads of the Cove Access Trail and the Cliffside trail, which will take you straight down to the beach. Once you're done exploring, you can head back from where you came.

Is there Parking Space at Sacred Cove Beach?

Sacred Cove currently offers no parking options, and there are unfortunately also no stopping points along Palos Verdes Drive. Hence, if you're driving there, park at the Abalone Cove parking lot and then take the combination of trails mentioned above to get to the beach. Parking fees are free for the first half an hour, $6 for the next two hours, and $12 after that. While it's certainly no walk in the park getting there (pun intended), the coastal views along the way and at the gorgeous cove itself will likely be worth your effort.

What if I’m Not Driving?

Alternatively, you could take public transit there to avoid parking concerns. Take the Palos Verdes Peninsula Transit Authority's 225 bus south, and get off on Crest Road & Crenshaw Boulevard. From there, it’s about a half-mile walk on Crenshaw to get to the trailhead.

The Sacred Cove Beach Hiking Experience

abalone cove shoreline park sacred cove beach — *Rancho Palos Verdes, CA*

Here are some of our favorite highlights from the hiking experience there.

Portuguese Point and Inspiration Point

As mentioned, Portuguese Point is a promontory that separates Sacred Cove from Abalone Cove, with an ocean flow dividing the two coves. You can get there by taking the high trail and walking there after exploring Abalone Cove.

As you reach Portuguese Point, get ready to be blown away by stellar views overlooking Catalina Island, eye-catching tide pool rocks, and the endless blue sky. Reminiscent of places like Big Sur, this gorgeous, rugged part of the Coast will transport you miles away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

sacred cove beach, abalone cove beach, rancho palos verdes — *View from Sacred Cove Beach*

Vistas from Inspiration Point are equally incredible. Here, you'll get a first look at Sacred Cove from above and Portuguese Bend, as seagulls swoop around the sky. If you're there on a clear day, it's even better. The waters shimmer in a deep teal blue with the sun shining from above, contrasting nicely against the rocky tide pools.

Sea Caves and Tide Pools

Another unique thing about Sacred Cove Beach is the presence of sea caves and tide pools. Once you've had your fill from above, make your way down to the beach via the Cliffside Trail. It's ideal to head there during low tide for your safety. Moreover, you'll also be able to observe the marine life up close when the waters are calm.

Depending on the day, you might find yourself marveling at the large variety of colorful sea creatures within the exposed tide pools. These range from mussels, to small fishes, to shore crabs. Keep your eyes peeled for sea anemones and sea urchins as well.

The sea cave dividing Sacred Cove beach and Abalone Cove beach is another popular venturing point amongst locals. Just make sure to check that the waters aren't too rough before heading down!

Must-knows before Visiting Sacred Cove Beach

When is the best time of the year to hike to Sacred Cove Beach?

We recommend going during the earlier months of the year, from January to early March. That's when the weather at Sacred Cove Beach is the clearest, making it perfect for taking in views of Catalina, the Twin Harbors, and Avalon, which you can make out easily from above.

Keep a Lookout for Potential Danger

As landslides are common at trails surrounding this cove due to the frequent land movement, be extra careful and gear up in proper hiking footwear. Do stay on designated trail areas as well, as the cliff sides can be unstable and dangerous if you go off-course.

The common wilderness hazards also apply here. Watch out for and avoid rattlesnakes, poison oak, stinging nettle, and scorpions, which you may encounter on the bluffs and trails.

Amenities at Sacred Cove Beach

Restrooms and water-refill spots can be found at the Abalone Cove parking area. Make sure to fill your bottle up before heading further, as there is no drinkable water on the trails. Last we checked, there's also a porta-potty above Sacred Cove. Though if it's gone when you're there, don’t come for us.

Gear Tips and Checklist

Hiking shoes (if you plan on hiking)
Water Bottle & Snacks (no drinking water available there)
Sunglasses & Hat
Gaiters
Enough gas in the tank for both ways

Attractions and Activities Near Sacred Cove

Sacred Cove Beach is just one of the nine beaches located in Ranch Palo Verdes. Check out some of the other beaches in Palo Verdes worth exploring, where we feature our top pick amongst the bunch.

Besides exploring the sandy beaches, there’s a variety of entertainment options and tours to go on when in LA. Here are a few to check out. Adventure awaits!

Sacred Cove Beach (Hidden Gem in Abalone Cove Park)