Discovery Trails

Walk the Discovery Trail that surrounds Terranea and learn about all the indigenous plants and wildlife that make this habitat so very unique. You'll see this coastal bluff scrub through naturalist-guided tours or our interpretive signage. A sampling of plants includes dune buckwheat (host plant to the endangered El Segundo Blue Butterfly), California bush sunflower, lemonadeberry, and coastal prickly pear. This varied mix of perennials, cacti and hardy shrubs provides a visual feast of color an texture for trailgoers, as well as a welcome refuge for local wildlife.

The El Segundo Blue Butterfly, seen in the area in June, July and early August, depends on the dune buckwheat to survive. The establishment of new populations of this species increases its chance of recovery an eventual removal from the endangered species list.

Guests may also be lucky enough to be attracted by the faint "wew" of the California Gnatcatcher hunting small insects in the coastal sage scrub here. These active, gray, four-inch songbirds have long black tails that
help distinguish them from the other similar species. The adult males are recognized by their trim black caps.

Here also, guests can scope for birds offshore or at the cliffs. Hooded Orioles nest in the California Fan Palms at nearby Point Vicente Lighthouse. Guests may hear the "churr" of a Cactus Wren on the steep hillsides above the beach or along the road. There is also an excellent show of different species offshore including the majestic California Brown Pelican and Black-vented Shearwaters when in winter it is possible to see up to 10,000 go by in a few hours.

Signs throughout six interpretive areas guide you through our Discovery Trail giving you a glimpse of the Ages of Geological Splendor, the majestic silhouette of Catalina Island; a look into California's rare coastal
native plants and wildlife; and a dive into the Pacific Ocean realm.

• Lady of the Light, who is the ghostly presence seen at Point Vicente Lighthouse
• It's So Diatomaceous, capture the hidden beauty of microfossils
• Live Forever, learn the secret of Terranea's 14 acres of native plants
• Explore the Ocean Floor, observe the art of Tide Pooling
• Search for the Spout, enjoy a "whale" of a discovery, and possibly witness the magnificent California Gray Whale
• One and the Same, Your feet are planted on an ancient Island

In addition to the "teachable moments" provided by these interpretive signs, along the scenic bluffs of our Discovery Trail are three telescopes for guest to enjoy the views of nature. This is another dynamic part of our educational campaign to teach our guests about environmental issues.

Discovery Trails ties into the Palos Verdes Peninsula trail system.

View Palos Verdes Penisula Trail map (PDF)

"Best Hikes on the Palos Verdes Peninsula" Map is courtesy of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy. For more information or to purchase a guide, contact (310) 541-7613 or visit www.pvplc.org.

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