Member Information ~ Los Serenos de Point Vicente

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 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 migrating Gray whales that could be easily viewed from the Center’s outstanding vantage point by the Center’s many visitors. 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.

For over twenty years the Los Serenos de Point Vicente docent organization has provided information on the natural and cultural history of the Palos Verdes Peninsula to children and adults. People from all around the world have visited the Center and have marveled at the beauty of the area. Today over 100 docents are involved in the program and continue to enrich the knowledge of both students and interested adults.

The docents also lead hikes for the public and school children at the Forrestal Nature Preserve, Abalone Cove tide pools, and the habitat on the trails of Trump National. Docents also perform community services providing support for events that include: Rancho Days in 1985, Roaring Twenties 1986, Whaling Days in 1987, Indian Days in 1988, Frontier Days 1989 and the annual Whale of a Day festival held on the 1st Saturday in March. Los Serenos members also participate in events such as the annual Fourth of July celebration, City Anniversaries, and the peninsula Holiday Parade in Rolling Hill Estates. In 1988, the Los Serenos docents adopted the beach at Abalone Cove/Shoreline Park. As part of the adoption criteria, Los Serenos provides three beach clean-ups annually. One coincides in September each year with the California Coastal Clean-up day. Another is held in April in conjunction with Earth Day and the third is arranged with local groups.

The docents come from various walks of life. Many are professional members of business and industry. There are attorneys, physicians, engineers, principals, teachers, and homemakers. This diversity blends itself into a highly compatible organization that provides a wealth of information to students and adults who visit the Interpretive Center.

The past 20 years have been challenging and exciting. The expanded Interpretive Center reopened in July 2006 and the activities of the Docents will increase. We hope that the public will avail themselves of the opportunity that a visit to the expanded Center will provide.