Abalone Cove Ecological Reserve

Abalone Cove isn't exactly a beach chair and umbrella kind of destination—you'll need to trek down a cliffside path from the parking lot and the beaches are often rocky. But if you're willing to put in a little bit of work, you'll encounter easily the most scenic spot in the South Bay, with hikign trails that cut through the bluffs, tide pools along the shore and caves carved into Portuguese Point. Sections of the rocky park have been known to close following destructive storms, so make sure to check the status online before hitting the beach.