Distance: 9 miles. Shorter options at 4.5 or 6.5 miles. Elevation: 500 to 900 feet loss and gain.
Directions to Highridge Park: 405 south to Crenshaw exit. Turn right (south) 8 miles to Crestridge Road (light). Turn right, proceed 0.5 miles to end. Turn left; proceed 0.1 mile to park entrance on the right. Restrooms are available at the park
The Hike (mileage numbers are cumulative): From park entrance turn right on Highridge Road to Crest Road. Cross at light. Turn right and proceed west to Hawthorne Blvd. At the intersection cross at the light, turn left and proceed south on Hawthorne to the coast (2 miles). Cross at intersection of Palos Verdes Drive West. At this point Hawthorne becomes Via Vicente. After a short distance turn left on Calle Viento, then turn right on Pacifica Del Mar to the Point Vicente Pathway at the dead end. This connects to the bluff trail where you turn left to reach the Point Vicente Interpretive Center. A good lunch spot, as tables and shade are available. The Center has on display some interesting facts about the cliffs and whale watching (4.5 miles).
Return from Interpretive Center back to Hawthorne/PV Drive West intersection, cross at light and head north 0.2 miles to Via Rivera. Turn left on Via Rivera to Rue de la Pierre then right on Rue de la Pierre 100 paces to a narrow walkway (just before the 30728 mailbox) with a concrete wall on either side, which leads to a wooden stairway. Approximately 200 steps to Calle de Suenos which becomes Crest Road. Follow Crest east to Highridge, turn left back to park entrance and to starting point.
4.5 mile option: From the corner of Hawthorne & Crest, go left to Ryan Park (0.8 miles). Return to starting point.
6.5 mile option: From the corner of Hawthorne & Crest, go left to Rancho Palos Verde City Hall (1.8 miles) and return to starting point.
Tables & shade available at both destinations.