My original FTR of Malaga Cove was posted 12 years ago, so time for an update…read more
I can see from some other reviews that people unfamiliar with the area don't realize that Malaga Cove is not just the name of the ocean cove itself, but the area (in Palos Verdes Estates) surrounding it...bordered on the north by Torrance/Redondo & on the south by Lunada Bay (also an area of PVE).
To clear up another point of confusion: the Malaga Cove hiking trails are in the hills above PV Dr West. As stated in my 2008 review, directions to trailheads are found in my old photo captions.
I frequently see wedding & model photo shoots in Malaga Cove Plaza. There are signs stating that a permit is needed for professional shoots there. PVE City Hall (Civic Center) is half a block south from the plaza so they could offer more info.
The small sand beach at Malaga Cove is actually RAT Beach (Right at Torrance or Redondo at Torrance). RAT Beach can be accessed from a path next to Roessler Point gazebo (in lower Malaga Cove area) as well as from the north end of the beach that is Torrance.
Someone recently asked "can I bring my dog?" (to Malaga Cove). To the area, of course. To RAT Beach, no. Technically, dogs are not allowed on any beaches, even leashed. The only official dog beach I'm aware of is in Long Beach.
However...I've seen leashed dogs being walked down the steep trail at Bluff Cove (also in the area of Malaga Cove, PVE). It's not really a beach but rather a rocky shoreline, beautiful place, part of Palos Verdes Estates Shoreline Preserve.
So you can walk with your dog in PVE Shoreline Preserve in multiple oceanfront parklands along PV Drive West & also Paseo Del Mar.
All that said, this review update was intended to focus on peafowl!
Let's get to it.
This is mating season & they're all over Malaga Cove (area, not ocean shoreline). They're around the Malaga Cove Library today en masse.
We refer to both sexes of peafowl as "peacocks" but....the males are peacocks & the females are peahens.
Males have the colorful plumage, females don't. Their offspring will be paraded through the area when they're the size of chickens. Drivers need to slow the F down!! This morning I saw cars & work trucks speeding on quiet residential streets, narrowly avoiding hitting peafowl or running over long peacock trains. This was so disturbing to me that I didn't stay long.
Yes, peafowl can fly & you'll see them up in trees. And their shriek is so loud it can be heard blocks away. They sit on roofs & on porches & they eat your plants. Males are currently displaying full plumage when the "ladies" are nearby. Wherever the girls are, the boys are, following them around, mostly being ignored.
Hang in there, boys. Those girls are busy feasting on people's landscaping but eventually they'll mate with you. Girls appreciate patience. ( ;
I appreciate the photo ops in this peacefully magical place.