It’s not every day that you come across a shipwreck. Off the shore of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, there are old ruins left from a ship that never made it back out to sea. The tale begins on March 13, 1961, when a Greek freighter called the SS Dominator got trapped on the rocky coast and was abandoned for years to come.

The coast off of Palos Verdes Peninsula might look beautiful, but it’s also fierce. With choppy waters and rugged rocks, those who sail in, might not make it out with their ship intact.
cas barbier/All Trails
As you can see here, the rocks are loose and jagged, which makes it a dangerous place to hike. If you choose to make the two-mile trip to the shipwreck, be aware of the uneven terrain.
Sarah Naccarato/All Trails
You’ll have to make your way down some steep hills. It’s recommended to wear hiking shoes and to be careful of sliding rocks.
L. Austin/All Trails
Once you make it to the shore, you’ll find remnants of the ship scattered around. It’s quite the sight to see next to the powerful sea.
Jenn Verde/All Trails

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How did the SS Dominator end up shipwrecked? The vessel was traveling from Portland, Oregon to Algiers carrying ten thousand tons of wheat, when it became stuck in the rocks at Rocky Point.
L. Austin/All Trails
The coast guard tried to pull the ship out, but the winds were too strong, and it only became lodged further into the rocks. During the rescue, the crew remained on board for two days hoping to be rescued.
Vignesh Patel/All Trails
Eventually, the ship was left abandoned by the crew and now pieces are scattered a half-mile across the shore. A majority of the ship remains underwater.
Lynsey Mikels/All Trails
Hikers enjoy taking the adventure down to explore the rusted pieces of the boat and experiencing a piece of the past. However, it’s best to use caution when navigating the sharp and rusted edges of the wreck.
Jenn Verde/All Trails
A striking scene with an interesting past—this coast has a fascinating history scattered along its shores. Do you dare to check it out?
Tong Stonehead/All Trails

Over the years, the fragments of the wreck have become an attraction that hikers like to explore. Would you hike over the rocks to see this shipwreck?  Check out more ruins in Southern California, if you have an interest in exploring more stories of the past.

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Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274, USA