Top Beaches In Malibu To Spend A Serene Day By The Sea
Malibu is a picturesque town, dotted with beaches that are as scenic as they can get. The sandy stretches here often attract the likes of Hollywood movie makers and songwriters. After being awed by the high-end mansions and rugged landscapes, there come the serene beaches that are a perfect escape. Be it the Paradise Cove that is featured in several movies or the Zuma Beach that continues to stay underdeveloped, you will have a great day out by the sea. Take a look at these top beaches in Malibu and head out to have your fill of Vitamin Sea.
1. El Matador State Beach
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Climbing down a steep hill that is marked with eroded bluff formations, you will reach one of the best beaches in Malibu - El Matador State Beach. It is one of the three beaches located in Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach and is the closest to Malibu. During summer, you will find the beach to be bustling with swimmers, snorkelers, and sunbathers. It has a blufftop parking lot where you will also see a few picnic tables.
2. Paradise Cove Beach
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Visit Paradise Cove Beach and it may look a lot familiar as the site has been the setting for many Hollywood movies and television series. It is located right in front of the Paradise Cove Beach Cafe that serves some delicious cuisines. The beach also has a private pier, just ideal to take a leisurely stroll. You may enjoy a number of beach activities like sunbathing, swimming, surfing, fishing, and tide pooling during your visit to Paradise Cove Beach.
3. Point Dume State Beach
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Point Dume State Beach can be accessed via the nearby blufftop Point Dume Natural Preserve. This vast beach, marked with a rugged coastline, is also known as Big Dume Beach and Dume Cove Beach. It is a favorite amongst birdwatchers and wildlife lovers as you get numerous opportunities to spot migratory birds, shorebirds, and whales from the coastline. You can go fishing, surfing, scuba diving, or even rock climbing along the bluff at Point Dume State Beach.
4. Zuma Beach
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Zuma Beach is a 2-3 miles long sandy stretch and is the only underdeveloped beach in the region with no mansions and condominiums developed between the beach and the highway. It is located in the popular Zuma County Beach Park. You may enjoy swimming, fishing, surfing, and scuba diving during your visit to Zuma Beach. Volleyball courts along the beachfront, day-use picnic tables, kids’ play area, restrooms, showers, snack bars, and lifeguard stations are the many amenities available at this beach.
5. Malibu Surfrider Beach
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Just as the name suggests, Malibu Surfrider Beach is one of the top surfing beaches in Malibu. Thanks to its great wave conditions, intermediate-level riders flock to this beach. You can catch a game of volleyball at the sand court near the pier of the beach. Walking along the Malibu Sport Fishing Pier, you will also find a number of ideal fishing spots. There is a separate swimming beach nearby which is equipped with lifeguards during peak time.
6. Las Tunas Beach
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Las Tunas beach is located along the Pacific Coast Highway. It is a narrow rocky shore, considered to be one of the popular fishing beaches in Malibu. The crystal clear waters at this beach welcome swimmers and scuba divers. During low tide, you will find the beach-walking areas to be exposed that offer a great opportunity to leisurely stroll along the shoreline. The beach is equipped with restrooms, a small visitor parking, and lifeguards during summer months for the safety of the crowds.
7. Topanga Beach
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Topanga Beach is a mile-long oceanfront beach, considered to be Malibu’s closest beach to Los Angeles. As the waves at this beach crash on cobblestones and reef, it is not an ideal spot for swimming but is considered to be another great surfing site in the city. During summer, surfers of all skill levels crowd this beach to have the best surfing experience. Fishing, scuba diving, and sunbathing are a few of other beach activities to indulge in at Topanga Beach.
8. Pirate's Cove Beach
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Pirate’s Cove Beach is located in Point Dume State Marine Reserve and is considered amongst the hidden gems in Malibu. The cove beach is popular amongst the public as it was the iconic location in the last scene of the 1968 original film - Planet of the Apes. Pirate’s Cove Beach can be accessed from the southern end of Westward Beach but it should be noted that this access gets tricky during high tides. The natural features of this beach make it a fascinating place to visit for beach lovers.
9. El Pescador State Beach
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El Pescador State Beach is another of the three beaches located in Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach. It can be counted amongst the most family-friendly beaches in Malibu. Similar to El Matador Beach, you have to hike along a trail in order to reach this beach. The lovely beach has tidal pools on both ends, offering enough space to catch some tan and to go beachcombing. The beach is a great spot for birdwatchers too.
10. Nicholas Canyon Beach
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Nicholas Canyon Beach is a happening place to visit during the summer months when it is bustling with crowds and lined with food trucks. The mile-long beach is quite spacious and is usually referred to as Point Zero by the surfers, owing to its great wave break conditions. Visit Nicholas Canyon Beach and you will find numerous opportunities to go windsurfing, scuba diving, fishing, and sunbathing. The beach is staffed with lifeguards for the safety of visitors during summers.
11. Leo Carrillo State Beach
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Lined with many caves and tide pools that can be explored during low tide, the Leo Carrillo State Beach is a very interesting place to visit. It is especially a favorite amongst families who make their way to the beach for some quality time. You can go swimming, scuba diving, fishing, and whale watching when you visit this beach. If you wish to enjoy surfing, the Staircase Beach nearby is an ideal spot. Leo Carrillo State Beach is also one of the dog-friendly beaches in Malibu.
12. Lechuza Beach
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Lechuza Beach is known for the mesmerizing vistas that it has to offer. Thanks to the rocks at this beach, unique formations are developed due to the crashing waves. You will reach Lechuza Beach by driving down the mansions at the north end of Broad Beach. The beach can be accessed by walking down a canopy of trees and a few stairs. Being one of the lesser-known beaches in Malibu, it is just the right place to visit if you are seeking solitude.
13. Dan Blocker Beach Malibu
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Formerly known as Corral State Beach, the Dan Blocker Beach can be found near Malibu’s Latigo shore neighborhood. It is equipped with all the basic facilities, including picnic tables and restrooms. Swimming, snorkeling, fishing, scuba diving, and surfing are the common water sports to be found at the Dan Blocker Beach. After having a great time at the beach, make your way to the patio cafe nearby that offers impressive ocean views along with good food.
14. Westward Beach at Zuma
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The Westward Beach is a 3-mile long sandy stretch and the southern half of the Zuma Beach. The wide beach is equipped with many sand volleyball courts, allowing you to catch a game with your friends or family. Restrooms, a large parking lot, and a fine dining restaurant are the few facilities available at Westward Beach. Swimming and surfing are the most popular activities amongst visitors during summer when the beach has lifeguards staffed to handle peak hours. You can also go fishing or just lie on the beach to catch some tan.
15. El Sol County Beach
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El Sol County Beach is considered as one of the best-hidden beaches in Malibu. Away from the crowds, this beach is ideal for secluded beach-walking and beachcombing activities. As there is no direct access to the beach, the only way to reach it is by walking east from Nicholas Canyon County Beach or west from El Pescador State Beach. It should be noted that both the routes are best traded during low tides. Once you arrive at the beach though, you will realize that the scenic vistas offered here are worth all the trouble.
Don’t just stop here at reading about the best beaches in Malibu. Pick one and make your way to that beach for a memorable day.
