Is LA Good for Hiking? Try This Peaceful Coastal Trail That Locals Don’t Talk About Enough

LA has more hiking trails than I’ll ever finish — but not all of them feel like you’re really away from the city. Some just give you the view.

Others give you the quiet.

This one gave me both.

The Point Vicente Lighthouse Trail isn’t the longest or the hardest — that’s the point. It’s one of those rare places that asks for very little, and gives a lot back.

Where It Starts — A Light Breeze and No Rush

From the moment I pulled into Rancho Palos Verdes, I felt my shoulders drop. The drive in alone — ocean on one side, soft hills on the other — was already worth it. There’s free parking right near the visitor center, and the lighthouse isn’t far.

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.

The Route — Flat, Easy, and Ocean-Facing

This trail isn’t about elevation. It’s about direction.

The entire route hugs the coastline. It’s 5–10 km depending on how far you go, and most of it is either sandy paths or wooden boardwalks. You’ll pass cliffs, open views of Catalina Island, and — if you’re lucky — maybe a distant tail splash from migrating whales.

There’s something healing about walking this slowly by the water. No phone. No music. Just footsteps and wind.

The Pause — Lighthouse and Chapel Vibes

The Point Vicente Lighthouse isn’t just a photo spot — it’s a presence. A little weathered, a little grand, totally still.

Next to it, there's a small white chapel perched right above the sea. I sat there on the steps for maybe 20 minutes without planning to. It was the kind of pause that makes you feel smaller in the best way.

The wind was strong, but soft. The sun filtered through thin clouds. All of it added up to a moment I didn’t want to post — just hold.

What You’ll Hear (and Feel)

Sea lions barking from below.

Gulls sweeping overhead.

Waves pulling on the rocks.

Wind in the palm trees.

It’s hard to explain how quiet can feel like company.

But on this trail, it did.

Final Notes — What to Bring & Why It Matters

You won’t need gear. But bring a waterproof backpack for hiking — the breeze carries ocean spray, and the clouds shift quickly here.

There’s no shade, so pack water, a cap, and maybe a small picnic. Most of all: don’t rush it.

This is the kind of trail where you don’t need to “do” much to feel like you’ve been somewhere.