Stroll Then Swim on This Beach Hike in Southern California That’s Perfect for Summer

If it's one thing Southern California is known for, it's beaches. Whether you're a surfer or a shorefront lounger, making day trips to the coast is as embedded in the SoCal spirit as sand in a towel. Yet despite the water's cool blue, sunkissed beach days are often hot, hot, hot. That's the genius of adding Point Vicente Beach to your weekend roster. Located just outside Long Beach, this relatively quiet spot is the perfect destination for a morning hike followed by a cooling dip in the Pacific!

In my opinion, Point Vicente is one of the Los Angeles area's most underrated trails. Don't get me wrong — it's still popular. Still, tucked away in the serene hills of Rancho Palos Verdes, it has remained remarkably quiet compared to nearby beaches. This peaceful atmosphere is in part due to the route's residential location. Along the path, you'll spot numerous homes drinking in the epic views. Still, I'd argue there's an even bigger reason this stunning shore has avoided busy crowds.

That reason? It's beach. Point Vicente does not boast the kind of pillowy sand that makes an oceanside snooze possible. Still, as someone raised in the Pacific Northwest, I can attest that its rugged rocks and surf open up a range of alternative activities. With the right pair of shoes and requisite respect for the powerful tides, there's plenty to keep adventurous beach-goers busy, from combing for treasures among the waves to spotting vibrant tidepools.

While it clocks in at just under six miles, the Point Vicente Trail is approachable for beginners. Not only are there numerous places to pause along the path and catch your breath — while enjoying the gorgeous vistas, of course — it boasts relatively little elevation gain. I recommend arriving early to beat the heat and to secure one of the twenty-or-so parking spots in the trail's lot! And, if you can align your visit with dusk, there are few better places to enjoy a spectacular summer sunset than Point Vicente.

Daytime visitors, however, can mark the end of their outdoor adventure with a splash in the water — and not just human hikers! Pet parents, like myself, will be thrilled to know that dogs are welcome on this route. Just make sure you keep them on a leash and that they follow the outdoorsmen's creed to "leave no trace."

If you're in the Los Angeles area, Point Vicente is an underrated beach that belongs on your radar. For those willing to explore beyond the sandy shores SoCal is so known for, it offers its own diversions, from rocky tidepools to epic views. Begin your expedition on a path that winds along the top of the rugged bluffs, and celebrate your accomplishment with a refreshing dip in the Pacific!