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Recreation & Parks

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1. What are the park hours?

All parks in the city are open daily from one hour before dawn to one hour after dusk. City park facilities are closed on January 1, Thanksgiving Day and December 24 and 25. City personnel are on-site and park gates are open during the hours listed for each park. Staffed Hours Page

2. How do I find out about programs for senior citizens?

Please call the Peninsula Seniors at 310-377-3003. You may find more information online: Peninsula Seniors Website

3. Are dogs allowed in the parks?

Yes, except for Abalone Cove Shoreline Park. Dogs must, however, be kept on a leash (6 feet or shorter) and owners must clean up after their pets.

4. What recreation classes are available through the city?

Although the city does not conduct recreation classes, we do rent park facilities to instructors who offer privatized recreation classes. Information about recreation classes can be picked up at Hesse Park, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard. Call 310-541-8114 or visit the following link for more information: Recreation Activities (PDF)

5. What are the phone numbers for Ernie Howlett Park and Highridge Park? Where are these parks located?

Both of parks are located in the City of Rolling Hills Estates. Please call 310-377-1577 for more information.

6. Is there a public pool on the Peninsula?

There is no year-round public pool on the peninsula.

7. Where can I swim or take lessons locally in the summer?

Swimming and lessons are offered during the summer at several locations on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Visit this page for more information: Swimming & Swim Lessons Page

8. Does the city rent rooms for parties, meetings, etc.?

Yes, rooms are currently available for rent at Hesse Park (310-541-8114) Ryan Parks (310-377-2290), Ladera Linda Community Center (310-541-7073) and Point Vicente Interpretive Center (310-377-5370). Facilities Information

9. How can I sign up my children for sports, such as soccer, basketball, etc.?

View this page to see your options for children's sports: Children's Sports Sign-Up Page

10. May I get married on the bluffs overlooking the ocean?

The following locations provide the opportunity to conduct outdoor weddings: Point Vicente Interpretive Center (310-377-5370), Founders Park (310-303-3200), Wayfarers Chapel (310-303-3200) and La Venta Inn in Palos Verdes Estates (310-373-0123). For more information on city facilities, visit the following link: Facilities Information

11. I am getting married at Wayfarers Chapel. Does the city have a room where I can hold my reception?

For indoor receptions of up to 150 guests, call Hesse Park at 310-541-8114 or Ladera Linda Community Center at 310-541-7073. For indoor receptions of up to 100 guests or indoor / outdoor receptions for up to 150 guests, call the Point Vicente Interpretive Center at 310-377-5370. More information is available at the following link: Facilities Information

12. Are guided hikes available on the Palos Verdes Peninsula?

The city’s volunteer docent organization, Los Serenos de Point Vicente, conducts hikes within the Forrestal Nature Preserve, along the public trails at Trump national, and at the tide pools at Abalone Cove Beach. For information or to schedule a docent-led hike please email hikes@rpvca.gov

Hikes should be scheduled at lest 6 weeks in advance.

Another excellent source for hikes and trail information is the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy. Call 310-541-7613 or visit the organization's website:

Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy Website

13. Are barbecues available for use at any of the city’s park sites?

Free-standing barbecues are available at Hesse Park and Ryan Park only. Due to the high fire hazard on the Peninsula, barbecues are not allowed at any other park site without prior written permission from the Recreation and Parks Department Director. Recreation & Parks Staff Directory

14. Can I reserve picnic areas and barbecues at 1 of the city’s parks?

Picnic and barbecues may not be reserved at any of the city’s park sites. They are available to the public on a 1st-come, 1st-serve basis and all common areas must be shared with other park patrons.

15. Where may I go to watch the whales?

The Pacific gray whales' annual migration season from the frigid waters of the Arctic seas to the warm lagoons of Baja, California, can be seen from the Point Vicente Interpretive Center from December through April. The Interpretive Center is a premier whale-watching site. It is open to the public daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the park grounds are open 9 a.m. until dusk.

Another ideal location is Pelican Cove, located between the Point Vicente Lighthouse and Long Point (formerly Marineland, now called Terranea Resort).

Commercial whale watch boats offer an up-close look at whales. For Redondo Sports Fishing in Redondo Beach, call 310-372-2111 or for 22nd Street Landing in San Pedro, call 310-832-8304. Also, visit the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro to learn more about the whales, or call the aquarium at 310-548-7562.

16. How can I arrange for a tour of the Lighthouse?

The United States Coast Guard operates the Point Vicente Lighthouse. The Coast Guard Auxiliary conducts regularly scheduled tours on the 2nd Saturday of each month, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Call 310-541-0334 for more information.

17. May I reserve a baseball field or soccer field?

Youth athletic organizations may reserve a field for scheduled use at Hesse Park, Ryan Park and Ladera Linda Community Center. General usage is on a 1st-come, 1st-serve basis when youth athletic organizations do not have the field reserved. Visit the following page for more reservation information: Facilities Information