No Crowds, Just Cliffs: A Quiet Coastal Hike Near LA You’ll Want to Walk Alone

 I zipped up my backpack, grabbed a coffee, and headed south toward the cliffs.

 No pressure, no plan.

 Just needed to be somewhere the city couldn’t follow.

Where It Starts

Only 45 minutes from LA, Rancho Palos Verdes feels like another world. The air shifts. The streets get quiet. And just before you hit the coast, you’ll find a small free parking lot near Point Vicente Interpretive Center.

This trail isn’t a challenge. It’s a reset.

The Trail

Flat, easy, and stunning.

 The path wraps around low bluffs and heads straight toward the Point Vicente Lighthouse, with views of Catalina Island hovering in the distance.

You’ll pass wildflowers, wooden railings, and possibly — if you’re lucky — a spout from a migrating whale. I kept walking, with the kind of calm that only happens when nothing is expected of you.

The Pause

At the halfway point, I reached the lighthouse. And just past it: a small white chapel nestled quietly above the water.

I didn’t go in. I didn’t take a selfie.

 I just sat. Let the sea do its thing. Let my thoughts settle.

 This is the kind of place that makes you stop without telling you to.

What to Bring

You won’t need much. No poles, no gear.

 I had on sneakers, sunscreen, and a waterproof backpack for hiking — just enough to carry what matters and stay hands-free in the wind.

Why It Matters

Most LA hikes come with effort. This one comes with ease.

 It’s not the hike that impresses you — it’s the quiet it gives you, when you didn’t realize how much you needed it.

👉 Click here for my extend backpack