Point Vicente Interpretive Center Reopens With New Exhibits

RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CA — The Point Vicente Interpretive Center reopened this month after more than a year of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions in the county.

The museum now offers new exhibits exploring the human and natural history of the Palos Verdes Peninsula. New interactive exhibits will show visitors what life is like for gray whales and birds as they journey along the coast of the Peninsula. The displays also explore the history of animal and human migration and navigation. These permanent exhibits were made possible with funding from the nonprofit Los Serenos de Point Vicente and complement the Point Vicente Lighthouse Fresnel lens and an exhibit on the history of the whaling industry, which were added to the museum in 2019.

Safety Protocols

Under state and county safety protocols, 20 visitors are allowed at a time, which is equivalent to 50% capacity that the state requires under the orange tier restrictions. No more than six people are allowed in one group.

Safety measures include mandatory masks, physical distancing, a one-way flow of traffic, hand-sanitizing stations, safety protocol signage and frequent cleaning. Visitors exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 should stay home and postpone their visit, museum officials said.

Reservations and required due to limited capacity and are available on the website: rpvca.gov/pvic. Walk-in visitors will be accommodated based on availability.

The gift shop remains closed, along with the event space, which is unavailable for rentals due to COVID-19 restrictions. A reopening date for the gift shop is planned to be announced in the future.

The Point Vicente Interpretive Center opened in 1984 with a mission to present and interpret the unique features and history of the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The almost 10,000-square-foot expanded museum, reopened in July 2006, features exhibits on the natural and cultural history of the Peninsula, with a special emphasis on the Pacific gray whale. Tours are led by members of the docent volunteer organization Los Serenos de Point Vicente, however, tours will be unavailable until museums can operate at increased capacity. This premier whale watch site provides spectacular opportunities to view the annual migration of the Pacific gray whale from December through mid-May.

The Point Vicente Interpretive Center museum is located at 31501 Palos Verdes Drive West. It will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.