Address: 1799 Paseo del Mar, San Pedro, CA

When in San Pedro, or cruising down the South Bay coast, you gotta’ swing by this unusually cool strip of palm-tree-laced beach.

Royal Palms Beach once thrived as a hot springs resort the 1920s – complete with a hotel, bathhouse, saltwater pool, and plenty more – but met its demise in the 30’s due to a series of unfortunate events, including an earthquake, the Depression, and disputes over land rights. Several remnants still exist today and the location offers excellent picnicking, good surf, tide pools, fun photo ops, and swimming at White Point beach across the parking lot.

Click Here to read an interesting LA Times article on the site’s history.

While in the area, consider checking out Angels Gate Basketball Court, Korean Friendship Bell, Cabrillo Beach Jetty, Fort MacArthur Museum, Battleship USS Iowa Museum, San Pedro Fish Market, and the Los Angeles Maritime Museum.

These photos were taken January 2021. Click to enlarge.