Palos Verdes Peninsula Open Space Preserves

he Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy Agua Amarga Reserve, 59 acres, consists of two Three Sisters Reserve, 99 acres, named for the Linden H. Chandler Preserve T was founded in 1988 by a group of concerned canyons, Lunada Canyon which was donated to the three ridges that traverse this parcel. There are area residents to preserve open space on the Palos Conservancy in 1992, and Agua Amarga Canyon that excellent views to the west toward Catalina and Location: City of Rolling Hills Estates was purchased in 2005 as part of the Palos Verdes Santa Barbara Islands and Long Point where the Verdes Peninsula, restore the habitat and allow Size: 29 acres public access to the preserved lands in perpetuity. Nature Preserve. Lunada Canyon has a pedestrian Terranea Resort is located. trail, three acres of coastal sage scrub restoration, Owned by the City and the Land Conservancy, this The vision of the PVPLC is the creation and Upper Filiorum Reserve, 191-acres, the property and a restored wetland. was acquired on December 31, 2009. The acquisition Preserve has three habitat types — a stream with management of large blocks of natural open space restored riparian vegetation, slopes covered with Alta Vicente Reserve, 55 acres, includes the slopes resulted in over 900 contiguous acres of protected where visitors may enjoy peaceful solitude, where coastal sage scrub, and flat areas characterized by children and adults can learn about the natural that surround RPV City Hall, with views west to the open space and a wildlife corridor linking Three Sisters and Portuguese Bend Reserves. The property native wildflower grasslands and blue butterfly host environment, and where locally native plants and Point Vicente lighthouse, north toward Malibu and plants. Trails wind through the Preserve. animals will exist in a secure environment. east over the Peninsula’s southern slopes. Once a holds some of the most breathtaking views in all of California, and provides important linkages for military installation, a former Nike missile wildlife and native habitat for sensitive species. White Point Nature Preserve PALOS VERDES NATURE PRESERVE site remains on city Vicente Bluffs Reserve, 84 acres, including open Location: City of Los Angeles, San Pedro land and World War space lots from the Oceanfront Estates tract, the Location: City of Rancho Palos Verdes II gun emplacements bluffs below the Point Vicente Interpretive Center, Size: 102 acres are located on Coast and the Fishing Access area where a trail leads to a Size: Total of 1200 acres in 10 Reserves Guard property on unique geological feature, a knob of black basalt with The White Point In 2005, the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve (PVNP) the point. dramatic hexagonal jointing. Monitoring of the Nature Preserve was created through a land acquisition made possible coastal bluffs resulted in the discovery of exciting and features restored by donations from community members and bond Portuguese Bend unexpected colonies of the endangered El Segundo coastal sage scrub funds from the Wildlife Conservation Board, Reserve, 399 acres, includes five distinct canyons blue butterfly. habitat, hiking and handicap access California Coastal Conservancy, County of Los which cut through this area, along with many miles of Vista del Norte Reserve, 14 acres, located above trails, and a new Nature Education Center Angeles and the City of Rancho Palos Verdes. The trails. Eagle’s Nest is a dramatic knoll in an area Indian Peak Road, overlooks the Peninsula Center overlooking the ocean and Catalina Island. White Preserve belongs to the City of Rancho Palos Verdes called Peacock Flats, and Ailor Cliff stands tall on its area, and trails through the land provide a panoramic Point Nature Preserve is located in San Pedro. It is (RPV), while the Conservancy is the official manager eastern boundary. The lower section is often called view of the City of Los Angeles to the north. and holds a the “Sandbox” and contains the active landslide with owned by the City of Los Angeles Department of

conservation easement fissures that are sometimes very deep and hidden by Recreation and Parks. In May 2000, the City of Los over all of the acreage. vegetation. OTHER PENINSULA PRESERVES Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks and The PVNP is one of the 15th Council District formally dedicated the George F Canyon Preserve & Nature Center space as a nature preserve, and in 2003 was opened the best remaining Forrestal Reserve, 155 acres, has been managed by to the public for all to enjoy. In 2001, the Palos locations for coastal the Conservancy since 2001. It contains some of the Location: City of Rolling Hills Estates Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy began 25-year sage scrub habitat. best remaining coastal sage scrub habitat on the Size: 36 acres management agreement with the City of Los Angeles This rare ecosystem is Peninsula with wildflowers in the spring. This area to restore the coastal sage scrub, cactus scrub, and home to intensely fragrant and highly drought provides extraordinary geology lessons, with faults, A Nature Center and viewing deck overlook the grasslands habitat and implement the approved resistant shrubs and flowering plants. folds, sedimentary bedding and igneous intrusions beginning of a trail that winds along a willow-filled community-derived Master Plan. clearly visible in the dramatic cliff above the road and canyon that contains excellent riparian and coastal Abalone Cove Ecological Reserve, 64 acres, there are many crystals and fossils, particularly fish includes Abalone Cove, Portuguese and Inspiration sage scrub habitat. This canyon is owned by the City Defense Fuel Support Point (DFSP) Points, Sacred Cove and the land east of Inspiration scales, in the surface rock debris. There is a former of Rolling Hills Estates and managed by the Land Point, (except the parking lot, picnic area and quarry in the eastern section with marked trails that Conservancy. The wide, well-maintained trail runs Location: City of Los Angeles, San Pedro lifeguard station, which remain City parklands).Home wind around the top of the quarry bowl, along the through the canyon and guided walks are scheduled Size: Not for publication, US Military Property In to gnatcatchers and cactus wrens, this Reserve is top of the cliff and to a vista point called Fossil Hill. there on a regular basis. At the top of the canyon 1996 the Palos Verdes blue butterfly, thought to be also home to a rare plant, the sea dahlia, its only visitors can see Catalina schist, the rock that extinct, was rediscovered on this property. This is San Ramon Reserve, 95 acres, was formerly called known location in Los Angeles County. underlies the entire Peninsula but is only visible in also the site of the Conservancy’s native plant the “Switchbacks” for the twisting path of Palos this area. nursery, where tens of thousands of native plants are From the parking lot, trails extend out to the tip of Verdes Drive East through this property. Pull-outs grown from locally-collected seed for habitat Portuguese Point, and down to Sacred Cove where on the road provide impressive views toward the For information on restoration. Due to security requirements, admission to there is a sea cave at each point, a blowhole, and harbor and Catalina Island. Conservancy programs, this property is restricted to authorized personnel or by excellent tidepools. please call: (310) 541-7613 prearrangement. or visit: www.pvplc.org