Discover Malibu’s Best Beaches: Your 2024 Guide
Malibu, located west of the ever-popular Los Angeles, is recognized for being the home of many A-list celebrities, as well as its beautiful beaches.
When talking about white sand beaches and fascinating waves of the beaches, Malibu beaches are a must-see on any California vacation.
While a day at the best beaches near Malibu is fantastic, nothing beats the best beaches in this coastal city.
So, have a look at this list.
Find the top beaches in Malibu, California, for your next excursion.
- El Matador State Beach
El Matador State Beach is part of the Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach complex.
It is one of Malibu’s most popular beaches.
Why We Recommend This Beach
El Matador Beach, with its quiet coves, crashing waves, and fascinating rock formations, is one of the most beautiful beaches in this Californian city.
It is not surprising that many professional photographers chose this location for their photographs.
Aside from swimming in its seas, you’re guaranteed to have a great time snapping vacation photos all over this coastline.
Expert Tip
If you have the opportunity, explore the north side of the beach.
Caves and rock arches are wonderlands to visit.
If you continue your trek on this, you will arrive at La Piedra State Beach.
- Malibu Lagoon State Beach
Malibu State Beach, at the mouth of Malibu Creek, where empties into the Pacific Ocean.
Why We Recommend This Beach
Hanging around on the beach, rather than swimming, is one of the nice things to do in Malibu.
If you enjoy watching wildlife, Malibu Lagoon is the place to be.
Set up your chair, get your binoculars, and get ready to enjoy some birdwatching.
You might even see a whale or two playing in the water if lucky enough.
Expert Tip
This coastline is messy with creek pools and tide pools.
While you’re here, don’t forget to go tidal pooling.
- Westward Beach
Westward Beach is part of Zuma County Beach Park in Point Dume.
Why We Recommend This Beach
Looking for a beach with fewer distractions?
Westward Beach revolves entirely around the water.
You won’t have to worry about wading in the ocean with lifeguards nearby.
You can even catch some waves or go fishing.
Expert Tip
Do you want to go exploring?
You can walk the hiking paths towards Point Dume Natural Preserve or head south of Westward Beach.
A short scramble atop the stones will lead you to the secret Pirates Cove Beach.
- Leo Carrillo State Park and Beach
Leo Carrillo State Park in Los Angeles County is a dog-friendly and family-friendly beach.
Due to this, many believe it to be the best beach site in Malibu.
Why We Recommend This Beach
The most popular beach in Leo Carillo with visitors and families in North Beach.
Still, there are two more beaches to visit.
When the tide is low, South Beach features various tidal pools and caves to explore.
The northernmost section of North Beach gives way to Staircase Beach, a notable surfing destination.
Expert Tip
North Beach welcomes your four-legged buddies as long as they are on a leash.
Just remember to stay within the authorized dog zone on the beach.
- Surfrider Beach
Malibu Surfrider Beach is between the well-known Malibu Pier and the Malibu Lagoon.
It is among the most famous and visited beaches in Malibu, California.
Why We Recommend This Beach
Surfrider Beach is not a beach where you go to relax; instead, it has tremendous waves that you will want to ride.
Of course, you can also relax here and go for a swim.
There are lifeguards on duty to keep an eye out for you.
Furthermore, swimming and surfing areas are marked.
Expert Tip
Staying until late at night?
The Malibu Pier, located next to Surfrider Beach, is a lovely area for evening strolls.
If you feel hungry, there’s a cafe and restaurant at the end of the pier.
- Paradise Cove
Paradise Cove is a public beach adjacent to a privately owned facility.
As such, entrance here can be a bit costly.
Visitors, however, cannot deny that it is one of the best beaches in this Southern California city.
Why We Recommend This Beach
Many consider Paradise Cove the safest beach for children on this side of Los Angeles County.
One m reason is that surfing is not allowed on this beach.
You can relax knowing that your children will not be crushed by a board while playing.
It also offers long beaches where you may relax and make sand castles.
There are also vigilant lifeguards on the beach.
Expert Tip
In addition to numerous services, Paradise Cove features a cafe that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
You will never go hungry in here.
- Nicholas Canyon Beach
Western Malibu is home to Nicholas Canyon Beach.
The beach is where San Nicholas Canyon meets the ocean.
Why We Recommend This Beach
For its waves that break on the stones, Nicholas Canyon Beach is also known as Point Zero by keen surfers.
During your vacation, you can also enjoy swimming, fishing, and scuba diving in addition to surfing.
During the summer, there are lifeguards on duty to ensure your safety.
Expert Tip
When you become hungry, remember to have some food with you.
There are picnic tables available around the park.
However, if you’re lucky, you might find a food truck near the beach, especially during busy periods.
- Topanga State Beach
Topanga State Beach is the Malibu coastline nearest to Los Angeles.
It is right next to the Pacific Palisades area.
Why We Recommend This Beach
Topanga Beach’s waves are some of the city’s most popular among surfers.
It is a must-see beach for anyone who enjoys surfing.
When done surfing the waves, you can go fishing or scuba diving.
Expert Tip
Topanga State Beach is an excellent location for strolling and hiking.
A visit to the nearby Topanga State Park provides further options to trek mountain trails and bike.
- El Pescador State Beach
El Pescador State Beach is one of three that makeup Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach.
It is the location’s westernmost pocket beach.
Why We Recommend This Beach
El Pescador is usually the least crowded of the three beaches inside Robert H. Meyer State Beach.
No, you won’t have it all to yourself, but there will be more space to spread out away from your neighbors.
It is the best location for wildlife experts.
You can explore the tide pools and see hermit crabs, brittle stars, barnacles, and other sea creatures.
Expert Tip
Birdwatching is another enjoyable activity in El Pescador.
With a pair of binoculars, you might be able to see cormorants, sandpipers, gulls, and California brown pelicans.
- Zuma Beach
Zuma Beach is a 2-mile-long super-wide beach in Los Angeles County.
Unlike other metropolitan beaches, its shoreline is devoid of residential structures.
Why We Recommend This Beach
Zuma Beach is known to be the best swimming beach in Malibu.
It’s not because of the calm waves but because there’s so much to do here, such as swimming, scuba diving, and surfing.
Numerous lifeguard stations dotting the beach are another big reason why people consider this shorefront an excellent swimming spot.
Expert Tip
Zuma Beach, like many other beaches in Malibu, has big surf.
Riptides and rip currents are a real possibility in this area.
So be cautious and aware whenever you swim on this beach.
Never swim alone, and always swim near a lifeguard station.
- Dan Blocker Beach
Dan Blocker Beach is present immediately south of the Pacific Coast Highway.
Corral State Beach was its old name.
Why We Recommend This Beach
The best beach experiences are sometimes the simplest.
Dan Blocker Beach may be unassuming, but it is a local favorite.
Most people lay their towels on the sand and enjoy the seaside breeze.
You can also play in the water because this beach has lifeguards during the summer.
Expert Tip
Parking can be difficult when you don’t want to leave your automobile on the Pacific Coast Highway’s shoulder.
Your best bet is to leave your car in the parking lot at Corral Canyon Park.
Then, walk the 2.5-mile hiking path circle to get to the beach.
- Carbon Beach
Carbon Beach stretches for a mile between Malibu Pier and Carbon Canyon Road.
It’s also known as Billionaire’s Beach.
Why We Recommend This Beach
Carbon Beach is a lovely beach well-known in the city since it has residences of celebrities and CEOs.
However, the sloping shorefront is a fun area to visit if you want to go for long beach walks.
Expert Tip
There aren’t a lot of parking spots near Carbon Beach.
Parking beside the highway is your best bet.
Just make sure you don’t obstruct any driveways or garages.
- Lechuza Beach
Lechuza Beach is less well-known than the other beaches on this list, making it ideal for unwinding.
Why We Recommend This Beach
One of Malibu’s most beautiful secrets is the long stretch of sand between Bunnie Lane and Broad Beach Road.
It’s a worthwhile shorefront to visit if you want to go for a walk or do some tide-pooling.
Expert Tip
There are no lifeguards or other amenities such as bathrooms or showers in the area.
There are also rip currents and underwater pebbles in the water.
There is no law against swimming, and strong swimmers are permitted to join the water.
Just remember to be cautious and never swim alone.
- Broad Beach
Broad Beach is adjacent to Lechuza Beach, surrounded by beautiful Malibu houses.
Why We Recommend This Beach
Broad Beach is a popular destination for surfers, bodyboarders, and windsurfers when the waves are favorable and high.
It’s also an excellent area for barefoot beach strolls because the moist sand gently slopes.
Expert Tip
Despite not being a swimming beach, a trip to Broad Beach might be thrilling if you enjoy tide-pooling.
A few tide pools are towards the north end of Broad Beach, just before Lechuza Beach.
- Las Tunas Beach
Las Tunas Beach, in eastern Malibu, has a very rocky shore.
Why We Recommend This Beach
Despite its beauty, Las Tunas Beach is not known for sunbathing or swimming.
However, the keen fisherman will undoubtedly enjoy this popular local fishing area.
And if you want to get up close and personal with the sea creatures?
From this beach, you may also go scuba diving.
Expert Tip
Las Tunas Beach includes 13 groins built in 1929.
These groins have become partially buried over time and can be risky for swimmers, surfers, and even joggers.
- Sycamore Cove Beach
Point Mugu State Park contains Sycamore Cove Beach.
It is a day-use beach.
Why We Recommend This Beach
The best feature of Sycamore Cove Beach is its proximity to a large campground.
If you’re camping in Ventura County, make a point of stopping at this lovely beach.
You’ll undoubtedly love spending some of your day fishing or exploring the tidal pools in the vicinity.
Expert Tip
Sycamore Cove Beach has barbecues and picnic tables.
So, if you want to get away from your camping, you can go hiking to the shorefront and eat meals there.
- La Piedra Beach
La Piedra State Beach is present amid Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach.
If you’re looking for peace, this is one of the best beaches in Malibu, California.
Why We Recommend This Beach
This shorefront near El Pescador Beach is notable for its tide pools and rough surface.
Taking shots just below the bluff can fascinate any photography enthusiast.
While visiting, you can also opt to sit back, sunbathe, and relax.
Expert Tip
The hiking trail located along Pacific Coast Highway leads to the beachfront.
The descent to La Piedra Beach is steep, so proceed with care.
