Malibu stretches about 21 miles along Pacific Coast Highway, and its beaches range from wide, lifeguarded sand at Zuma to small coves reached by steep trails. After the January 2025 fires, some access points and parking areas changed, and PCH has work zones. This guide covers the main Malibu beaches from east to west, what each is best for, where to park and what was open in October 2026.
In this guide
It is part of our Los Angeles beaches guide. For a wider comparison, see our best beaches in Los Angeles list.
Malibu beaches at a glance
- Best all-day beach Zuma Beach, with lifeguards and big lots
- Best for photos El Matador State Beach, with sea stacks and a steep trail
- Best for tide pools Leo Carrillo State Park and Point Dume
- Surfing Surfrider Beach next to the Malibu Pier
- Point Dume access Lower lot and Westward Beach Road access closed due to erosion; beach reachable on foot
- Malibu Pier Open, but the end is closed for repairs
Before you go
Pacific Coast Highway through Malibu is open, with work zones after the 2025 fires. Caltrans repaving runs from October 2026 into the end of the decade, so expect lane closures. Check Caltrans District 7 before you drive. Parking on PCH shoulders is common, but read every sign, park fully off the road and watch for traffic when you get out.
There is no rail service to Malibu. Plan on a car or rideshare, and arrange your ride back, since phone signal can be weak in places.
| Beach | Best for | Parking |
|---|---|---|
| Surfrider and Malibu Lagoon | Surfing, birds, the pier | State lot on Cross Creek Rd, $3 an hour or $12 a day |
| Point Dume | Views, tide pools, whale watching | Limited; lower lot closed |
| Zuma | Long beach day, families | Large county lots, paid |
| El Matador | Photos, coves | Small state lot, $12 a day |
| Leo Carrillo | Tide pools, caves, camping | State lot, $12 a day or $3 an hour |
Malibu Pier and Surfrider Beach
The Malibu Pier is the easiest place to start. It is open, but the far end is closed for repairs, which State Parks expects to finish around late January 2027. Surfrider Beach, just west of the pier, is one of Southern California’s best-known surf spots, with long breaks that work well for longboards. It is open, with restrooms and lifeguards.
Next to it, Malibu Lagoon State Beach protects a wetland where Malibu Creek meets the ocean. It is a good place to watch birds. Parking is in the state lot off Cross Creek Road, from 8am to sunset, at $3 an hour or $12 a day. Dogs are allowed only in the parking lot.
Point Dume
Point Dume is a rocky headland with views up and down the coast. A short trail on the bluff top leads to lookouts where you can watch for gray whales in winter and spring. Below the point, the beach has tide pools at low tide.
As of October 2026, the lower parking lot and the access along Westward Beach Road are closed because of erosion, but you can still reach the beach on foot. Parking near the headland trail at the top, off Cliffside Drive, is very limited. Go early or on a weekday.
Zuma Beach
Zuma is the easiest Malibu beach day: a long, wide county beach with lifeguard towers, restrooms, volleyball nets and big paid parking lots along PCH. It can have strong surf and rip currents, so swim near a lifeguard. The county posts parking rates that vary by time of day and between weekdays and weekends. On hot summer weekends, lots fill and PCH backs up, so arrive early.
El Matador State Beach
El Matador is a small, rocky cove with sea stacks and arches, and it is one of the most popular photo spots on the coast. It is part of Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach. A steep trail and stairs lead from the small bluff-top lot down to the sand. There are no lifeguards and limited facilities. State Parks lists parking at $12 a day, with a higher rate on some weekends and holidays, from 8am to sunset. The lot fills quickly, and the beach can almost disappear at high tide, so check the tides first.
Leo Carrillo State Park
At the far western edge of LA County, Leo Carrillo State Park has about 1.5 miles of beach, tide pools, reefs and sea caves. The tide pools at the south end are best at a low tide. Day use runs from 8am to 10pm, with parking at $12 a day or $3 an hour. There is also a campground on the inland side of PCH.
Whale watching from shore
Gray whales pass along the Malibu coast on their migration, mostly from about December through April. Point Dume’s bluff top is the best-known spot to look from land. Bring binoculars and look for spouts on calm mornings. Dolphins are often seen close to shore year-round.
Tide pool tips
Tide pools are best at negative low tides, which often fall in the afternoon in fall and winter. Look up the tide table before you go. Step only on bare rock, do not move or take animals or shells, and watch the ocean at all times, since waves can surge into the pools.
Water quality and safety
Water quality can drop after rain, especially near Malibu Creek and storm drains. LA County Public Health advises staying out of the ocean for 72 hours after rain. Check county sampling results and the Heal the Bay Beach Report Card before you swim.
Malibu beach tips
- Have a card ready for parking machines, and check how each lot takes payment.
- Pack water and food. Services near some beaches are limited.
- Wear shoes you can climb in for El Matador and Point Dume.
- Shuffle your feet in shallow water; stingrays are common in summer and fall.
- Keep bags and phones out of sight in your car.
- Watch the sunset, then drive PCH carefully in the dark.
Planning a Malibu beach day
Start early at Point Dume while parking is easier and the light is soft. Spend the middle of the day at Zuma, where there are lifeguards and restrooms. Drive west to El Matador for late afternoon photos, timed to a lower tide. Finish at Leo Carrillo’s tide pools if the tide allows, or head back east and stop at the Malibu Pier. See our Santa Monica guide if you are coming from the city.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best beach in Malibu?
Zuma is best for a full beach day with lifeguards. El Matador is best for scenery, and Leo Carrillo is best for tide pools.
Is Point Dume open?
The beach is reachable on foot, but the lower parking lot and Westward Beach Road access are closed due to erosion as of October 2026.
How much is parking at El Matador?
State Parks lists $12 a day, with a higher rate on some weekends and holidays. The lot is small.
Is the Malibu Pier open?
Yes, but the end of the pier is closed for repairs that are expected to finish around late January 2027.
Can you get to Malibu beaches without a car?
It is hard. There is no rail line, so use a car or rideshare.
Official sources: Malibu Lagoon State Beach; Malibu Pier closure FAQ; Point Dume State Beach; Zuma Beach, LA County Beaches and Harbors; Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach; Leo Carrillo State Park; Caltrans District 7.
Photo credits
Featured image: Cecilybreeding / Wikimedia Commons, CC0