Photo Credit: Los Serenos and City of RPV
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. Today it 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. From the patio, visitors enjoy a beautiful view of the ocean and the Point Vicente Lighthouse. In addition, this is an amazing whale watch site, providing spectacular opportunities to view the annual migration of the Pacific gray whale.
The Point Vicente Interpretive Center is located at 31501 Palos Verdes Drive West in Rancho Palos Verdes and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
A Brief History of Los Serenos
The Los Serenos de Point Vicente docents were formed in answer to a need created by the opening of the Point Vicente Interpretive Center in 1984. The City of Rancho Palos Verdes, which owns and operates the Interpretive Center, hired a Recreation Specialist to solicit and train volunteers. The volunteers provide educational information on the natural and cultural history of the Palos Verdes Peninsula and the gray whale migration. The first group of 25 volunteers underwent training with local experts on geology, history and marine mammals and after graduation, went to work sharing their enthusiasm and new-found knowledge with local and International visitors. The original class selected the name “Los Serenos de Point Vicente” which means “Night Watchman of Point Vicente” to represent their group. Later the group obtained separate non-profit recognition as a formal 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
The Los Serenos de Point Vicente docent organization shares information about the Peninsula with both children and adults visiting the museum. People from all around the world have visited the Interpretive Center and have marveled at the beauty of the area. Today over 100 docents are involved in the organization and continue to enrich the knowledge of both students and interested adults. The diversity of the docents blends itself into a highly compatible organization that provides a wealth of information to visitors at the Interpretive Center.
The docents also lead hikes for the public and school children at the Forrestal Nature Reserve, the Alta Vicente Reserve, the Abalone Cove tide pools, and the habitat on the public trails of Trump National. Los Serenos are a co-sponsor for the annual Whale of a Day Celebration and also provide valuable volunteer support for this event. Whale of a Day is held annually on a Saturday in March or April. Los Serenos members also participate in City of Rancho Palos Verdes community events such as the annual Fourth of July celebration. In 1988, the Los Serenos docents adopted the beach at Abalone Cove Shoreline Park and, in conjunction of California Coastal Clean-up day held in September, sponsors the community cleanup of Abalone Cove.
Los Serenos continues to be a dynamic part of the Palos Verdes Peninsula and South Bay community and encourages local residents and visitors to check out the recreational and educational opportunities provided by the Point Vicente Interpretive Center and Docent program.
Currently, there is a new docent class about to start their training and Palos Verdes Magazine was delighted to sit down with two of the Los Serenos docents Henry Jurgens and Micheal Friedman to get their insight of this program and what makes it so special to them!
Meet Docents Henry Jurgens and Michael Friedman
Henry Jurgens, Rancho Palos Verdes resident, is a Point Vicente Interpretive Center Volunteer and a Los Serenos Docent on his 9th year in the program. Henry enjoys all aspects of the program especially the hikes, visits to tide pools, and docent led tours of the museum.
Teaching about the history of the Peninsula is something that is very special to Henry. He shared “What makes the The Point Vicente Interpretive Center so special is this is not a static museum, it is always evolving throughout the years!”
Michael Friedman is a resident of Palos Verdes Estates. Michael enjoys giving back to the community by researching new programs and projects as a docent. He shared with us the learning process and how valuable it is to pass on to others. Michael enthusiastically exclaimed, “every time we come to work as a docent we learn something new.” He let us know the docent program is educational, social and a lot of fun!
