HomeCaliforniaRancho Palos Verdes › Alta Vicente Reserve

Alta Vicente Reserve

4.7 ★★★★★ 42 Google reviews · Running trail in Rancho Palos Verdes, California · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Alta Vicente Reserve's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

ScenicHillyRestroomsWaterTrailhead parking

Nature preserve offering kid-friendly hiking trails.

What runners say about Alta Vicente Reserve

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (42 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 11 mentions

“Stunning view beautiful cliffs just awesome weather, great if you enjoy romantic walks or a walk with your best friend 😉”

An incredibly unique spot with coastal sage and scrub with the coast in the background. Phenomenal spot to find California Gnatcatcher and Cactus Wren, two species that are extremely habitat specific and are thus great indicators of a healthy ecosystem.

★★★★★ — Ethan , Sep 2024

Pretty easy hike with a combination of wide and single track trails. Amazing views!!!! Warning, there's really no shade along the trails so it can get pretty hot.

★★★★★ — Beachkimmy , May 2020

We did small trail it was good. I will plan next time around spring season to see plant at best. Parking available for free.

★★★★☆ — Umesh , Aug 2022

Stunning view beautiful cliffs just awesome weather, great if you enjoy romantic walks or a walk with your best friend 😉

★★★★★ — Megabito44 , Mar 2021

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 42 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 20 mentions

“Stunning view beautiful cliffs just awesome weather, great if you enjoy romantic walks or a walk with your best friend 😉”

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⛰️ Hills / elevation 3 mentions

“Trails are steep terrain and are narrow at times, excellent for a moderate hike.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 3 mentions

“The parking is free snd the view is gorgeous.”

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🚻 Restrooms

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🚰 Water fountains

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Plan your run at Alta Vicente Reserve

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
  • Websiterpvca.gov
  • Phone(310) 544-5353

Hours

Monday 5:40 AM–7:50 PM
Tuesday 5:40 AM–7:50 PM
Wednesday 5:40 AM–7:50 PM
Thursday 5:40 AM–7:50 PM
Friday 5:40 AM–7:50 PM
Saturday 5:40 AM–7:50 PM
Sunday 5:40 AM–7:50 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Alta Vicente Reserve

30940 Hawthorne Blvd, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275

Get directions

Running trails near Rancho Palos Verdes

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Point Vicente Park

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Ocean-adjacent public park offers views of Santa Catalina Island & a walking trail to beach access.

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Palos Verdes Nature Preserve

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Park featuring well-maintained hiking trails with scenic views of the ocean.

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Terranea Beach Trail Trailhead

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Terranea Bluff Top Park

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Panoramic ocean views, bluffs and gentle hiking trails are the hallmarks of this rocky, family-friendly park.

under a mile away

Vicente Bluffs Reserve

4.7 ★★★★★ 873 reviews

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Wildlife-filled reserve with ocean views, multi-use trails, lookout points & unique rock formations.

under a mile away

All running trails in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.