Potato Harbor Overlook

From the rim you get wide-open Pacific vistas, sculpted bluffs, kelp beds below, and the harbor’s distinctive oval form that you can only appreciate from above. On clear days the water pops electric blue; on foggy mornings the view can vanish, so timing matters.

Keep an eye and ear out for California sea lions hauled out on rocks just west of the harbor, plus gulls, cormorants, and pelicans working the coastline. Island foxes are commonly spotted along the approach—adorable, curious, and wild, so admire without feeding.

Interpretive info here highlights diatomaceous earth in the local cliffs, a neat window into the island’s geologic story. The waters you’re overlooking are doubly protected—within the national park and the surrounding national marine sanctuary—so treat the place with care.

Reaching the overlook is a moderate outing of about 5 miles round-trip from the Scorpion area, typically linked as a loop with the Bluffs Trail and Cavern Point. The route mixes coastal bluff walking with wide, gravelly sections—nothing technical, but it’s exposed.

There’s no beach access here—the cliffs are sheer and unguarded. No shade or water on the route, and no facilities at the overlook; restrooms are back near Scorpion. Bring plenty of water, sun protection, and a wind layer. Ravens here are bold—guard your snacks.