Hollywood
Updated on Apr 27 2024 5:23am
Malibu, renowned for its picturesque coastline, boasts several breathtaking beaches, each with its own unique charm. Topanga Beach, nestled close to Los Angeles, allures visitors with over a mile of sandy shores and an array of outdoor activities such as surfing, diving, and fishing, accompanied by convenient picnic facilities perfect for beachside gatherings. Surfers flock to Topanga Beach for its continuous right break, wrapping around the sandy point formed by Topanga Creek, while nature enthusiasts can explore nearby trails in Topanga State Park. Meanwhile, Malibu Surfrider Beach captivates with its legendary point break, attracting surfers from across the globe since the 1950s and offering a range of water activities beyond surfing. Additionally, Malibu Lagoon State Beach stands out for its unique convergence of Malibu Creek and the Pacific Ocean, providing a haven for birdwatching and exploring tidal wetlands. Whether seeking thrilling waves or tranquil coastal vistas, Malibu's beaches offer an unparalleled blend of natural beauty and recreational opportunities.
As the closest Malibu beach to Los Angeles, Topanga Beach is a popular spot for both locals and tourists. With over a mile of ocean frontage and 21.5 acres of property, this beach is not only a great place to surf, but also a great place to enjoy other outdoor activities such as diving, fishing, and windsurfing. Picnic tables are also available, making it a perfect spot for a beachside lunch with family and friends.
Surfers will particularly love Topanga Beach due to its unique shape, which creates a continuous right break. The waves wrap around the sandy point formed by Topanga Creek, providing a thrilling surfing experience. A lagoon forms where the creek backs up behind the sandy beach. Topanga State Park is just a stone's throw away. This massive park is located in the Santa Monica Mountains and offers visitors plenty of hiking trails and mountain biking opportunities. Whether you're a beach lover or a nature enthusiast, Topanga Beach is definitely worth a visit.
Malibu Surfrider Beach is a mecca for surf enthusiasts worldwide. Its world-famous point break has been attracting surfers since the 1950s and 1960s, and it remains a popular destination today. Surfers of all skill levels flock to the beach to catch the perfect wave, with legendary surfers like Bob Simmons and Terry "Tubesteak" Tracy having ridden the Malibu Chip. While it's a popular destination for surfers, the beach also offers a range of other activities such as diving, fishing, swimming, and volleyball.
Malibu Surfrider Beach is part of Malibu Lagoon State Beach, which also comprises the Malibu Lagoon and the Malibu Pier. The beach has almost a mile of ocean frontage and a 0.7-acre property, making it a prime location for outdoor activities. The beach gained popularity through surfing movies in the 1950s and 1960s, making it an iconic Southern California destination for both retro and longboard enthusiasts, as well as new school and tandem surfers.
Malibu Lagoon State Beach is a beautiful and unique location in California where Malibu Creek meets the Pacific Ocean. The area spans across 110 acres and features a famous beach for surfing, as well as an estuary with migratory birds. The Malibu Pier to the east offers visitors access to fishing, restaurants, and stunning views of the surf. At the Malibu Lagoon day use area, visitors can enjoy picnic tables and nature trails, making it an ideal destination for bird watching and studying the unique tidal wetland ecosystem.
Malibu Lagoon State Beach offers a variety of outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy, including surfing, sunbathing, whale watching, swimming, and tidepooling. The area also boasts a range of amenities, including trails, a museum, wetlands, picnic tables, and tide pools, making it a great destination for families and nature enthusiasts. The beautiful scenery and unique ecosystem make Malibu Lagoon State Beach an unforgettable destination for those seeking to experience the beauty of California's coastline.
Previously known as Corral State Beach, Dan Blocker Beach is a stunning 15.2-acre Dan Blocker Beach located on the Malibu coast, offering over a mile of beautiful ocean frontage. It's a popular destination for surfers, divers, scuba enthusiasts, and hikers. The beach is equipped with restrooms, picnic tables, and a public viewing area, making it an ideal spot for those looking to spend a day at the beach. A hiking trailhead for Solstice Canyon can also be found up the road at Corral Canyon Rd.
The beach was donated to the State of California by Lorne Greene and Michael Landon, stars of the popular TV series Bonanza, in memory of Dan Blocker. Blocker played the character of Eric Haas Cartwright, also known as "Hoss," on the show. Visitors to the beach can enjoy a variety of activities such as diving, surfing, swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, tidepooling, and hiking. The area is also known for its stunning hiking trails, with the trailhead for Solstice Canyon located up Corral Canyon Road.
Point Dume State Beach, located in Malibu, California, offers visitors a picturesque one-mile stretch of sandy coastline surrounded by headlands, cliffs, rocky coves, and beach access. The beach covers 34 acres and has a range of facilities, including restrooms, showers, restaurants, and 373 parking spaces. A popular activity is hiking along the coastal bluff sand dune trail, which offers stunning views of Santa Monica Bay and distant Catalina Island on clear days. Visitors can also spot gray whales during their migration season from December to March.
For those interested in water activities, Point Dume State Beach offers an array of options, including swimming, surfing, scuba diving, and tidepooling. Tidepooling is especially recommended during low tide, where visitors can explore the excellent tide pools along the beach. Additionally, Point Dume is a great location for beachcombing, rock climbing, and whale watching. The beach's high vantage point is an ideal location to observe the gray whale migration from February to April.
The facilities at Point Dume State Beach include picnic tables, restrooms, showers, and restaurants. Visitors can also walk along the beach to Little Dume Beach and beyond to Paradise Cove while enjoying the fantastic view. Point Dume State Beach is an ideal location for visitors seeking a day of outdoor activities, relaxation, and scenic beauty.
Zuma Beach is the largest beach in Malibu, California, and stretches for 1.8 miles with 105 acres of property. This Southern California beach is a popular destination for both residents and visitors because of its ample amenities such as volleyball nets, restrooms, showers, and food stands located at each end of the beach. The eight parking lots with approximately 2,000 parking spaces make it easy for visitors to park their vehicles.
Zuma Beach is a great spot for surfing, windsurfing, swimming, and body surfing. However, swimmers should be aware of the strong rip currents that can develop at the beach. Despite the colder water temperature compared to other Los Angeles beaches, the white sand and beautiful surroundings continue to make Zuma a popular destination. Visitors can also watch the grey whales make their winter migration from the beach.
The beach has picnic areas, concession stands, volleyball courts, and facilities such as restrooms and showers available at various locations along the beach. It is also wheelchair accessible, and beach wheelchairs are available for those who need them. Beach lifeguards are present during daylight hours to ensure visitors' safety. With its beautiful surroundings and amenities, Zuma Beach is an excellent spot to relax and enjoy the California sun.
Nicholas Canyon Beach, also known as "Zeros" or "Point Zero," is a popular destination for surfers, body surfers, and body boarders due to its perfect point breaks. Compared to other Malibu beaches, Nicholas Canyon Beach is less crowded, making it an ideal location for those who enjoy a quieter beach experience. Additionally, the beach is suitable for swimming, windsurfing, and scuba diving. Visitors can take advantage of almost a mile of beachfront and 23 acres of property, making it a great spot for families to spend the day. The beach offers several picnic tables, upper and lower parking for 151 cars, restroom facilities, showers, stairs to the beach, and plenty of space for sunbathing and other beach activities.
Leo Carrillo State Beach is one of Los Angeles' most scenic beaches, with miles of sand, sea caves, and interesting rock formations. Some of the commonly enjoyed activities around the area include swimming, surfing, sunbathing, windsurfing, and fishing. Boasting a wide range of caves, tide pools, and reefs, Leo Carrillo State Beach is located within proximity to the Pacific Coast Highway and Mulholland Highway so is easily accessible.
Staircase Beach is a hidden gem located at the north end of Leo Carrillo State Beach in western Malibu. The beach is mainly visited by surfers and can be accessed from the parking area next to the state park manager's residence or by walking on the sand from the North Beach parking lot. The beach is much narrower than both North Beach and South Beach and has no facilities, but visitors can enjoy the natural beauty and peacefulness of the location. A trail zig-zags down the bluff face from the parking lot, but ironically, there is no staircase. It is important to note that the beach can be quite rocky, so visitors looking for more sand to lay out on should head a little ways south. Overall, Staircase Beach is a quiet and beautiful spot for visitors looking for a less crowded beach experience.