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How San Pedro’s Sunken City fell into the ocean — and why you might be able to visit the remnants
By Cato Hernández at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio)
· June 28, 2026
· 5 min read
Sunken City, as seen here in 2014, is closed to the public, but that hasn't stopped people from sneaking in.(Carlfbagge / Creative commons via Flickr)The Palos Verdes Peninsula has received a lot of attention in recent years because of accelerated land movement, but one landslide in the area has ...
Key takeaway Nearly 100 years ago, residents of San Pedro’s Point Fermin neighborhood had a dream of living by the ocean, but the cliffs became their undoing.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The potential reopening of Sunken City raises questions about the balance between public access and safety in Los Angeles ' unique landscapes. As the city considers reopening a section of the area, it will need to address the ongoing concerns about landslides and erosion that have plagued the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The fact that Sunken City has been closed to the public for decades, yet still attracts visitors, highlights the allure of this dystopian landscape. Its proximity to other popular destinations in San Pedro, such as the Point Fermin Lighthouse and the Korean Bell of Friendship, could also make it a boon for local tourism. However, the city will need to carefully manage visitor access to prevent accidents and ensure that the site's fragile ecosystem is protected. As plans for reopening move forward, residents and visitors alike will be watching to see how the city navigates these competing interests.
About this story
Original reporting by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 28, 2026 ·
Source: LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Sunken City, as seen here in 2014, is closed to the public, but that hasn't stopped people from sneaking in.(Carlfbagge / Creative commons via Flickr)The Palos Verdes Peninsula has received a lot of attention in recent years because of accelerated land movement, but one landslide in the area has ...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 28, 2026 by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Cato Hernández at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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