explore

Today, The Conservancy Manages Over 1,700 Acres Of Natural Lands

That includes 42 miles of hiking trails. Exploring the Peninsula offers a wide variety of experiences, many of which feature spectacular views, native plants and wildflowers, fascinating geology, glimpses of the Peninsula’s history and unique animal sightings. Hikes and trails range from easy strolls to strenuous climbs up hillsides and ridges. A limited number of trails are accessible to those in wheelchairs or strollers for small children. Due to the increased land movement particularly in the Abalone Cove and Portuguese Bend Reserves, there are many trails closed in these areas.

For updates on trail closures, visit the City of Rancho Palos Verdes

Guides & Guided Walks

Every second Saturday of each month, the Conservancy offers free public nature walks around the Peninsula led by trained naturalists, historians and geologists to experience nature on the trails.

The Conservancy has created the “Best Hikes on the Palos Verdes Peninsula” guidebook with recommendations for all types of hikes: family-friendly, wildflower-viewing, wheelchair-friendly, sunset-gazing, tide pool-exploring, bird-watching and more. The Conservancy also manages the George F Canyon and the White Point Nature Preserves.

Upcoming Walks

Join our next guided tour

Best Hikes Guide

Buy our guidebook

Nature Walk Flyer

(Download PDF)

Nature Centers

Visit our Nature Centers

Wildlife

Conservancy habitat restoration projects have assisted in the recovery of four at-risk species: the El Segundo Blue Butterfly, the Palos Verdes Blue Butterfly, the Coastal California Gnatcatcher, and the Coastal Cactus Wren.

El Segundo Blue Butterfly

The El Segundo Blue butterfly is a small, endangered species with bright-blue upper wings on males and brownish wings on females, primarily found near the Los Angeles area, where it relies solely on the coastal buckwheat plant for its life cycle; due to its limited habitat, it is considered critically threatened.

Palos Verdes Blue Butterfly

The Palos Verdes blue butterfly is a small, endangered butterfly found only on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in California, with males displaying a bright silvery-blue upper wing surface and females having a brownish-gray color, both featuring gray undersides with dark spots circled by white rings; due to habitat loss, this butterfly is extremely rare and considered critically threatened.

Coastal California Gnatcatcher

Federally-threatened Coastal California Gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica) relies on California sagebrush (Artemisia californica) and CA buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) for survival. It's a federally threatened species due to habitat loss and predation.

Coastal Cactus Wren

Coastal Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) is a special-status species on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, relying on coastal sage scrub and nesting in prickly pear cactus (Opuntia littoralis). Habitat loss, especially of cactus patches, threatens its survival.

Native Plants

Native plants are the foundation of the Peninsula’s ecosystem on which native wildlife thrives. Plants indigenous to the Palos Verdes Peninsula use minimal water and need no pesticides or herbicides, reducing both water consumption and the amount of contaminants that flow into our oceans.

By planting natives, we are providing food, shelter, and nesting areas for many wildlife species. Increasing animal and habitat diversity provides important functions for the environment such as cleaning the air and controlling erosion, drought and wildfire. California native plants are a wonderful addition to your home garden and can easily be purchased via the Conservancy’s Native Plant Sales.

Discover Native Plants

Purple Sage

Narrowleaf Milkweed

Mariposa Lily

Deerweed

CA Bush Sunflower

Arroyo Lupine

Learn about native plants and grow them in your own backyard.

Your donation helps us grow native plants

Native Plant Nursery

The Defense Fuel Support Point (DFSP) in San Pedro is the site of the Conservancy’s Native Plant Nursery and home to the endangered Palos Verdes blue butterfly (Glaucopsyche lygdamus palosverdesensis) found only on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

The Conservancy raises more than 23,000 native plants per year at our nursery to support local habitat restoration projects. The restoration process involves Conservancy field staff and volunteers identifying and collecting appropriate seed and cuttings from the preserves. These are cleaned, dried and stored at the nursery until time for germination. Next, seeds are planted in flats until they have rooted and then are transferred into larger pots where they can mature until planted for restoration.

Volunteer to Take Part in the Conservancy’s Restoration Efforts Today!

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