Abalone Cove: East Beach Hike

The hike covers a variety of landscapes over its short distance, leaving the clifftop views of Abalone Cove Shoreline Park and heading down a short steep descent through the California scrub brush dirt slopes before reaching the access road to Abalone Cove Beach. From here, signs point the direction of the trail that heads a little further east, descending into a small drainage canyon and wrapping around the hill before emerging on a spacious stony beach enveloped by the clifftop Portuguese Point on the other end.The route is mostly hard packed dirt, and while steep in points, is pretty easy for most ability levels if you take your time on the slick parts. There are a number of trails and paths at the clifftop park, as well as around the beach area below, but as long as you descend to the beach and then head in the direction of Portuguese Point, the route is fairly straightforward and easily visible.Stone formations lie in the water beneath Portuguese Point, and a small waterfall trickles into the rocks from the cliffside above the rocky shore.Bathrooms and picnic benches are located at the parking area of Abalone Cove Shoreline Park.