Best Malibu Beaches
Relax at One of These Six Best Beach Spots in Malibu
If you’re overdue for a vacation, and your idea of a perfectly relaxing getaway is one of the fabled beaches of Malibu, consider getting away for a day – better yet, a week. A great way to escape the noise and pressure of city life is to stay in a Malibu vacation rental home, many of which are near the beach, where you can truly relax in the unmatched sense of privacy they offer.
The first thing most travelers think of when they hear the name “Malibu” is the city’s beautiful beaches and glorious sunsets. Zuma Beach alone draws 80,000 visitors each year, and the others along Malibu’s 21 miles of coastline are just about as popular. Here are six of the best:
- Zuma Beach is one of the prettiest beaches to be found on the entire West Coast. It offers swimming, surfing, fishing and diving, and has many volleyball courts. Even in the summertime, parking can be found for as little as $3.00. Lifeguards are on duty during daylight hours, so you and your children are safe even if you accidentally swim a little too far out of your depth.
- El Pescador Beach is an excellent place to fish or swim, which makes sense since El Pescador is Spanish for “the fisherman.” This beach, along with La Piedra and El Matador, is one of the Robert H. Meyer Memorial series of so-called “pocket beaches” located between Leo Carrillo and Point Dume State Beaches. These beaches, run by the State of California rather than Los Angeles County or the City of Malibu, can sometimes get a bit crowded in the summer, but offer blissful solitude during the off-season and are accessible from a number of first-rate Malibu vacation home rentals.
- Malibu Surfrider Beach, or Malibu Lagoon State Beach, as it was previously known, is what Southern Californians mean when they say “Malibu Beach.” It’s a favorite spot for surfers because the natural peninsula of Mailbu Point creates flawless swells. Just to the east is an historic pier that is perfect for fishing, bird-watching or just settling in for a picnic. Cast your line into the welcoming waters, or simply cast your gaze on the abundant and gorgeous wildlife, including large numbers of pelicans.
- Point Dume State Preserve is a Los Angeles County-run beach that features beautiful cliffs and rocky coves. In addition to the swimming, surfing and scuba diving that can be found at many area beaches, Point Dume is a uniquely good place for whale-watching, as migrating California gray whales can be seen between December and March.
- Topanga State Beach, located in the Santa Monica Mountains within the Los Angeles City limits, is the world’s largest wild area located within a major city. The park features 36 miles of trails, some with spectacular Pacific Ocean views, where both hiking and horseback riding are permitted.
- Dan Blocker State Beach was named after the actor who played Hoss on the old TV show, Bonanza (Blocker co-owned the beach with a number of his cast-mates). The property was donated to the State of California after Blocker died in 1972, and longtime area residents still know it as “Corral Beach.” The sand is fine and the water is good for scuba diving, and because of the limited parking on the Pacific Coast Highway, it is seldom crowded.