Royal Palms Beach

Royal Palms Beach is the former site of a hot springs resort in the San Pedro District of LA that thrived in the 1920s, but flamed out during the Great Depression. The palm trees still remain, but little else other than a few foundation bits here and there can be found. Los Angeles County maintains this spot as an excellent picnic area.

Local surfers with attitude ride the waves at Royal Palms when the conditions are right. It’s one of the Palos Verdes surf spots, but they are pretty clear that non-locals are not invited. Beachcombers can explore the rocky beach north of the picnic area, but there is little sand there.

Royal Palms Beach and White Point Beach share the same entrance from Paseo Del Mar. At the bottom of the road turn right to the Royal Palms parking area. White Point, in the other direction, is popular with scuba divers and tide pool explorers. At the top of the bluff is a park with picnic tables and great views.

White Point Nature Preserve and Education Center is located across Paseo Del Mar. It has hiking trails through grasslands, scrub brush and groves of trees. These trails also lead to an Historic Cold War Nike Missile Launch Pad and the Paul D. Bunker Battery with two military gun emplacements.

If you want to learn more about the history of the former resort including the demise of the sulfur hot spring, read this interesting story.

Address

W Paseo Del Mar and Kay Fiorentino Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90731

Park Name

White Point - Royal Palms Park, White Point Nature Preserve

Owner

County Beach

Pet Details

No dogs allowed on the beach

Fees

Fee for parking

Activities

Scuba Diving, Swimming, Surfing, Fishing, Picnicking, Hiking

Amenities

Lifeguard, Restrooms, Showers, Picnic Tables, Trails, Kids Play Area, Historic Military Sites, Accessible Features

Links

Water Quality
Surfing Info & Web Cams
Water Temps
Tide Chart