Sandy beach
No
Hike-in Required
No
Surfing
No
Snorkeling / SCUBA
No
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Meandering down this beach on a leisurely day with the light sea breeze at your back and a healthy curiosity driving you to the next tide pool is quintessentially California living. Situated adjacent to the White Point Nature Preserve, Royal Palms Beach is privileged with similarly breathtaking views over the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island. As the sun slides low on the horizon, the sherbet colors reflect off of the tide pools, and the spectacle that emerges is one that makes a lasting impression.

Relatively removed from the sprawl and the bustle of Los Angeles, this beach is a top choice for many. Though swimming is not the activity of choice at Royal Palms beach, the relative reprieve from heavy traffic is what makes it more appealing. Many hikers exploring nearby trails find the rugged landscape and crashing waves to be a relaxing cap to a day spent making miles.

The tide pools stay warm year round and provide an ideal aquatic habitat for an array of sea life. Brimming with sea cucumbers, hermit crabs, coral clusters, sea urchins, and starfish, the pools are a marvel to any curious adventurer and an excellent place to bring kids. Low tide provides the best viewing opportunities, though navigating the rocky formations on the southern end of the beach can be treacherous and require good shoes and caution.

The northern end of the beach has been developed into a clean promenade. Visitors can learn about the park’s history on plaques and enjoy ocean views from a number of benches. The main entrance on Paseo del Mar is where well-kept grass fields, a clean bathroom, and a playground can be found, though most prefer to stay on the southern end of the park where the waves crash against the exposed rock and brown pelicans hunt for fish in the shallows.

Logistics + Planning

Congestion

High

Parking Pass

General Day Use Fee

Pros

Best tide pools in Los Angeles metro area. Shaded picnic areas.

Cons

Pebbly beach.

Features

ADA accessible
Picnic tables
Tide pools
Wildlife
Bird watching
Tide pools

Location

Nearby Lodging + Camping

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