Abalone Cove Shoreline Park

Abalone Cove Shoreline Park has 5 miles of trails across rocky bluffs with great views of the ocean and Catalina Island. The park features two beaches and a grassy area with picnic benches. My husband and I brought a picnic basket and enjoyed a nice lunch before hiking. As an ecological reserve, the park has spectacular tide pools. We saw a number of star fish, sea anemones and hermit crabs. The park is located at 5970 South Palos Verdes Drive, Rancho Palos Verdes.

Charmlee Wilderness Park

This past weekend, my husband and I hiked for the first time at Charmlee Wilderness Park, northwest of Malibu. It was a beautiful January day in Southern California, meaning the temperature was 80 degrees. We hiked to vistas with dramatic views of the Channel Islands and Catalina Island and picnicked in a shaded oak grove. This is the perfect hike for a sunny, clear day. The park is located at 2577 Encinal Canyon Road, off the Pacific Coast Highway. The 532-acre park includes a picnic area and has more than eight miles of hiking trails.