
Photography is probably one of the best mediums for an artist – it requires very little training, upfront costs and is really rewarding. The question that comes to mind – what should you shoot? Palos Verdes Shipwreck is pretty unusual hike with a bizarre subject matter – an old beached barge. In fact there are only several rusted pieces left on the ocean shore that barely match any ship parts and actually resemble a junk yard.
Note: We’d would not recommend hiking Palos Verdes Shipwreck with kids. The descent is pretty dangerous and shouldn’t be attempted by kids under teenage years.

What is really cool though are the rust stained rocks – a bloody orange tint makes the tiny pebbles and boulders stand out. Perfect for texture exploration, in case you’re looking to add it to your portfolio.

Hiking at the top of the nearby Palos Verdes Estates Shoreline Preserve definitely another pleasant part of the experience. Almost immediately you’ll realize that these are the same sights that the early day Spanish explorers got to experience while surveying the land.

They didn’t randomly call the rancho Palos Verdes – the green heaven. Incredible sunsets, warm coastal breeze draw crowds not only from local Torrance, Carson and the Long Beach but from all over the LA county.

You will have to descent through the Bluff Cove trail to reach the SS Dominator Shipwreck.

Alternatively – a shorter route is located along the rain drainage pipe – easily found at the intersection of Paseo Del Mar & Cloyden Rd.

Oxidizing Iron will leave your breathless, especially if you like microphotography. Bloody-maroon to sunny orange, you probably won’t find the unrepeated palette like this for miles. Unless you’d go shoot the beach barge at the Point Reyes National seashore. Contrasted with purple spikes of the sea urchins the seascape seems to be somewhat out of this world.

Tiny tide pools, guarded by the army of crabs present another opportunity for wildlife photographers.

Palos Verdes Shipwreck should definitely make it onto your itinerary while shooting on the peninsula. Don’t forget to check out the Point Vicente Light house.

Parking: Palos Verdes Estates Shoreline Preserve; Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274 (Free parking along Paseo Del Mar)

Trail head: 500-554 Cloyden Rd, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274
Length: 2.0 mi (1 hours) one way; whole trip ~2.5 hours
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