Posted by So you want to plan a trip to one of the lovely beaches of Malibu? Well you’re in luck, because we created this guide as a resource to plan just such an occasion.
Of course, that’s a kind of broad statement, since there are literally over a dozen different spots to choose if heading to what we’d call a “Malibu” beach.
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Where to start? Well, in doing research for this article, I came across a Reddit thread started by a user named prjoektx which proved super handy in laying it out, as he had compiled some substantial information about Malibu beaches, including an awesome Google map with pin drops of coastal access points (embedded below).
I’ve used his guide, along with some information from county websites and review sites to create sort of an information dump on Malibu beaches.
The beaches below are listed out in order of geographic position (from most southernly to most northernly), along with some notes gathered about facilities, activities, and parking notes.
At the end of the list, you’ll find some additional city / county resources, including their official guide, along with some brief safety reminders.
Hope it’s helpful!
Malibu Beach Access
As a primer, we should know exactly where the public allowed to access beaches in Malibu.
Well, here’s what the county says:
“The public’s right, under California law, to use lands seaward of the mean high tide line takes precedence over any buffer included in a grant of public access, so any buffers aply only landward of the mean high tide line. A buffer extends a designated distance seaward from authorized development (i.e. approved deck, seawall, or structure)…”
Prjoektx distills this into a clearer statement, which I will quote here as well:
“The bottom line is, if you’re on the beach anywhere in Malibu seaward of the mean high tide line, no one can claim you’re there illegally (its just a matter of how to get there).”
Basically, if you can get there, you’re probably ok to use the beach, as long you’re close to the waterline.
List of beaches starts after the jump.
http://iframe.ly/Y81REN
Las Tunas Beach
19444 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA
Facilities & Activities: Swimming, Fishing, Diving
Parking: Off-street parking
Food: Food concession
Lifeguards: Lifeguards are on the beach during daylight hours.
Northern Surf Report: 310-457-9701
Malibu Beach – Surfrider at Malibu Pier
23050 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA
Facilities & Activities: Swimming, Surfing, Fishing, Diving, Volleyball Courts, Restrooms, Showers
Parking: Winter $3.00 to $8.00; Summer $3.00 to $12.50 (as of 7/1/2014)
Food: Food concession
Lifeguards: Lifeguards are on the beach during daylight hours.
Malibu Beach Lagoon – North/East of Surfrider
23200 Pacific Coast Hwy & Cross Creek Rd, Malibu, CA
Facilities & Activities: Swimming, Hiking, Tidepools, Restrooms
Parking: $12 lot, or limited street parking.
Lifeguards: Lifeguards are on the beach during daylight hours.
Dan Blocker/Corral Beach
26000 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA
Facilities & Activities: Swimming, Surfing, Fishing, Diving, Portable Restrooms
Lifeguards: Lifeguards are on the beach during daylight hours.
Point Dume/Westward Beach
7103 Westward Road, Malibu, CA
Facilities & Activities: Swimming, Surfing, Fishing, Diving, View Point, Tidepools, Restrooms, Showers, Picnic Tables, Whale-watching (January – March)
Parking: Winter $3.00 to $8.00; Summer $3.00 to $12.50 (as of 7/1/2014)
Food: Food concession
Lifeguards: Lifeguards are on the beach during daylight hours.
Zuma Beach County Park
30000 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA
Facilities & Activities: Swimming, Surfing, Fishing, Diving, Volleyball Courts, Restrooms, Showers
Parking: Winter $3.00 to $8.00; Summer $3.00 to $12.50 (as of 7/1/2014)
Food: Food concession
Lifeguards: Lifeguards are on the beach during daylight hours.
El Matador State Beach
32350 El Matador Beach Rd, Malibu, CA
Facilities & Activities: Swimming, Surfing, Hiking, Fishing, Restrooms
Parking: $8.00 lot (it’s pretty small). Street parking.
Lifeguards: No tower. On-duty during peak seasons / weekends.
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La Piedra State Beach
32628 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu
Facilities & Activities: Swimming, Surfing Hiking, Fishing, Restrooms
Parking: $2.00 lot. Street parking.
Lifeguards: No tower. On-duty during peak seasons / weekends.
El Pescador State Beach
32860 Pacific Coast Highway at Decker Canyon, Malibu, CA
Facilities & Activities: Swimming, Surfing, Hiking, Fishing, Restrooms
Parking: $2.00 lot. Street parking.
Lifeguards: No tower. On-duty during peak seasons / weekends.
Nicholas Canyon State Beach
33850 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu CA
Facilities & Activities: Fishing, Picnic Tables, Handicapped Accessways, Restrooms, Showers, Surfing, Swimming
Parking Fees: Winter $3.00 to $8.00; Summer $3.00 to $10.00
Food: Food truck during summer months
Lifeguards: Lifeguards are on the beach during daylight hours.
Leo Carrillo State Beach
35000 W Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA
Facilities & Activities: Swimming, Surfing, Windsurfing, Surf Fishing,Tidepools, Hiking, Camping, Restrooms.
Parking: $12 per vehicle
Lifeguards: Lifeguards are on the beach during daylight hours.
County Line Beach
Pacific Coast Hwy & Yerba Buena Rd, Malibu, CA
Facilities & Activities: Swimming, Surfing, Diving, Tidepools, Restrooms (above point in dirt lot)
Parking: Limited parking in dirt lot above point, otherwise street parking.
Sycamore Canyon Beach
9000 W. Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu
Facilities & Activities: Swimming, Surfing, Camping, Hiking, Restrooms
Parking: Street parking. Check website for camping rates.
Lifeguards: Seasonal
Thornhill Broome Beach
9000 W Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA
Facilities & Activities: Swimming, Camping, Hiking, Restrooms
Parking: Street parking. Check website for camping rates.
Lifeguards: Seasonal
Additional Information:
County of Los Angeles, Beach Guide
California State Parks Official Site
When you do decide to make a trip to the beach, prjoektx would like us to remember:
– If crossing PCH to get to coastal access, always look both ways and be safe.
– Always swim in front of a lifeguard tower.
– To escape a “riptide” or rip current, swim parallel to the shoreline, away from the center of the rip current, then back to the safety of the shore. If you try to swim directly back to shore against the rip current and are unable to touch the bottom to make progress, you’re asking for trouble.
– Don’t litter. Pick up your trash. Watch out for broken glass.
– Have fun!
What’s your favorite Malibu beach? Have any tips about planning a trip? Let us know in the comments below!
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