Steep hike over slippery sand, then entry over shallow, slippery rocks. There is nice snorkeling available along the shoreline and a small kelp forest in the middle of the cove. The best diving is on the reef beyond the cove. The high spot breaks the surface at low tide. Follow this reef south and you will find overhangs, walls, lobsters, sponges, fish and nudibranchs. The east side of the reef has vertical walls as high as fifteen feet. The reef continues to eighty feet where it ends at the sand.

Located in the posh Palos Verdes area, grab your street map and follow along:  From the Pacific Coast Highway, head South on Palos Verdes Blvd for 1.4 miles.  Turn right on Palos Verdes Drive West.   In 3.8 miles, turn right on Paseo Lunado which becomes Paseo Del Mar.  You'll see the park on your right.

Christmas Tree Cove

This site has a pretty difficult entry, but once in the visibility was pretty good (about 10') and the sea life was plentiful. Lots of fish and the reef about 30' offshore has an abundance of sea stars but the intense surf can sometimes make this spot inaccessible....oh yeah and the path is there although it's tricky but well worth it.

John Tompkins's Dive Log

@john_tompkins

1 dives