the point vicente interpretive center

tjlljt

I made the trip to visit Point Vicente Interpretive Center from Orange County. I would have liked to visit the lighthouse but that is only open the second Saturday of each month. As a awesome consolation we settled for the Point Vicente Interpretive Center right next to the lighthouse.This place is gorgeous! Breathtaking views of cliff sides and coast line. There is even a nice flat walking path along the coast. Plenty of parking, picnic tables and grassy areas for a picnic. The interpretive center was also very interesting. They have a few exhibits about whales, a little history of the area and Marineland. There are also people doing some serious whale watching. People are stationed right outside of the center counting the marine life. So interesting. I can't wait to go back with my picnic lunch, camping chairs and binoculars!

699geralds

The Center is a fount of knowledge and information about local history, plants, geology, cultural history and whales. The docents are knowledgable and eager to show you around. The Grey Whale Census is taken here every year from December to May and the views are amazing!Best of all, it's free (so please donate).

Ctuason

Excellent view of lighthouse from here, there are trails if you want to go on a mini hike...also grassy area to have a small picnic facing the ocean....people also come here for whale watching

MsLBL

Wonderful cliff side walking paths with tremendous views of the coastline, Catalina & Pt Vicente Lighthouse. The interpretive center is an hour well spent learning about some of Palos Verdes history and whales. Picnic tables are scattered around.

249philm

My wife and I arrived at 2:30 and saw one right away... 37 by the time we left. Bring camera, binoculars and a jacket if you come in January. Safe, beautiful and peaceful..... Dogs allowed!

realcranky

Surviving off of donations, this little infoseum has displays of native American, prehistoric, geologic, and cultural histories of the area. Very enjoyable exhibit, and equally enjoyable patio for whale watching. I come often as I live close by, and it's always fun. Great gift shop also.

galapagoer

Great location for whale watching when grey whales are migrating. The center is informative and the exhibits are well laid out. It is definitely worth a visit. There are places to picnic and a lovely, well-maintained walking trail along the coastline.

mjdpmargarita

California Gray Whale watching season started Dec. 1 and continues until next May. There are volunteer whale counters gathered on the terrace (from sunrise to sunset) next to the amphitheater, watching/counting the gray whales migrating from Alaska to Baja California. The interpretive center is an interesting museum showing the early history of the Palos Verdes Peninsula featuring prominent pioneering families, whale anatomy and whaling history, and displaying donated souvenirs and memorabilia from the now dismantled Marineland. Admission is free and there is ample seating in the amphitheater to enjoy a picnic while watching for spouting whales. On a clear day you can see Catalina Island and Malibu?:)

Snktlk

Excellent museum which teaches about history of the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The geology, the Native Americans, the sea-life, and a lot about the history of Marineland which was a wonderful place. You can whale-watch from the terrace. Great trails to hike on in the area, and nearby is the Point Vicente Lighthouse.

askalan11

Well put together and interesting for the visitor. Not a vast display, but what there is, is of interest. It is from this point each year that a group of local ladies count the whales migrating northwards. A fabulous location to sit and watch the sunset. On our visit we saw whale flumes out at sea - where the whales breath and there is a cloud of flume blown through their blowhole. We also saw the "green flash" as the sun sank below a very clear horizon.

Californiafamilypv

They opened this place a few years back and recently visited it ourselves. Loved it! Lots of local history on display. Also a good place to whale watch in season (Nov-April). Fun day for the family.

DavidNYC11

This is the first time I been this part of Greater LA. The drive with the ocean view was amazing ona Sunny afternoon. We did not visit the Center. But there was a trail along the cliff which was very nice to have a leisiurely walk or run. The scenery is beautiful with the view of the light house at one end. The site was used to be a target for the US military. We did not see any whales.

Travel200905SL

This is a free attraction. ***The staff and volunteers are amazing. Had so many interesting facts!Many Many thanks to all!We spent part of a wonderful morning here. Watched some of the movies which were very interesting...about the area, etc. Much information about the Pacific gray whales. As the whales go by, they are counted from this site.We went in the morning during the week, so, staff had lots of time for us.Wonderful views in the area and amazing houses, so, take a drive around.

MimiA363

Gorgeous views, interesting exhibits of marine mammals and early inhabitants of the area. Well done short documentary films by Junior Docents, including one on the history of Japanese farmers who produced remarkable crops on the PV Peninsula. Their unpleasant fate re internment camps was a bit glossed over; should have been explained in more detail. Nice gift shop, free parking, and ample picnic grounds. Bring your lunch. Something for everyone.

mmmm924

Take any excuse you get to do the drive around the Palos Verdes peninsula. And going to Point Vicente is a good enough excuse. It's a small nature center but kids may like it. However, there's a cliff-top trail with the blue Pacific crashing onto rocks below, and nice shaded picnic tables and trees for the kids to climb.