Malibu Beaches

The Best Beaches in LA County 

Put an El or La Before Your Favorite Beach

When it comes to the beaches of Los Angeles County only three of the hundreds stand out to me.  Not to say that I’ve been to them all; but El Matador, El Pescador and La Piedra are by far the best beaches that I have been to in the area.

Beach-going is one of those things where you strive to balance the attributes that are important to your enjoyment and relaxation.  At any of the above beaches, you will find the perfect mix of; soft and clean sand, rocks to climb, privacy, clean water and plenty of “real estate.”

On most days that we go to the beach, it is El Pescador that wins.  Parking is a small lot, right off PCH, where you unload and then hike down the cliff to the beach.  It being a bit harder to access than many public beaches makes it one of those beaches that gives you a sense that you’re at a private beach.

Our last visit to El Pescador was the perfect example of why we love it so much.  We arrived with a carful, 2 adults and 6 children (ranging in age from 3 to 15), after unloading our towels, food and water (none of which is available at the beach) we began our decent.  Like a train of pack mules, we made our way down the windy path, through the brush and down the rocks until we hit the soft, warm sand.  Looking down the beach we only saw about 10 or so other people set up for the day.  We all smiled at one another as we set our blankets down in the perfect spot. 

About 10 feet away from us was the ruins of someone’s make-shift lean-to made of rocks, bamboo, tree limbs, seaweed and leaves.  Almost instantly, several of the kids began the renovation.  We lay back on our blankets and watched as the kids wandered around collecting important items for their “beach house.”

Once completed, the kid’s creation served perfectly as a retreat from the sun, location for resting and storing all of the cool rocks, driftwood and shells that they found as well as a pleasing “work of art” for passersby.

This stretch of beach is about 300 yards, with rocks that come down to the water on either side.  This makes it a great place to bring children as they can’t wander out of sight.  As the day goes on there is a regular fluctuation of beach-goers coming and going…never getting too crowded. 

The beaches, being in Los Angeles county, do enforce the county laws of no alcohol and no off-leash dogs…the only downside in my opinion.

Our tip for these beaches:

Bring plenty of sun screen, water and food.  There are no vending machines or snack stands…although Wades market is just a few miles up PCH.

Details about the beaches:
Located between Leo Carrillo and Point Dume State Beaches, Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach is made up of a number of cove or cliff-foot strands known as "pocket beaches" along the west end of the city of Malibu.

There are signs on Pacific Coast Highway with the names of the beaches: El Pescador, La Piedra and El Matador. Each of these three small beaches are a jewel unto themselves. These beaches can be crowded during the summer, however during the off season, they offer a perfect opportunity to experience solitude at its finest.
El Matador State Beach
location: 32350 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265
description: Stairs leading to 18 acres of narrow, sandy beach with scenic sea stacks.
directions: On Pacific Coast Highway between Encinal Canyon Road and Kanan
Dume Road.
El Pescador State Beach
location: 32900 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265
description: Stairs leading to 10 acres of narrow, sandy beach.
directions: On Pacific Coast Highway between Decker Road and Encinal Canyon Road.
La Piedra State Beach
location: 32700 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265
description: Stairs leading to 9 acres of narrow, sandy beach.
directions: On Pacific Coast Highway between Decker Road and Encinal Canyon Road.
MAP

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Topanga Beach

My parents had a beach house right on Topanga beach before the government took it over and bought them out, what a shame….I could have been living on the beach this whole time.  Topanga beach is a fantastic surfing spot if you don’t mind the rocks, or the crowds.  Topanga has a little bit of a “hippie feel”  to it which, I think, adds to the charm.  It’s not so great for a swim or for kids to play in the water because of all the rocks, but it is clean and fun with an eccentric atmosphere.

Location:
18700 PCH (just north of Topanga Canyon Road)
Malibu, CA 90265

Hours: Sun-up to sundown

Parking: The parking lot is located at 18700 PCH. It costs $2 (pay in slot) when parking attendant is absent. Parking costs $5 on weekends and busy summer weekdays. There is also a free handicap parking lot that is near the sand. Free parking is available on PCH north and south of the lot.

Phone: (310) 451-2906

Beach Information
Topanga Beach is one of the most popular surf spots in the area with a wide sandy beach perfect for sunbathing on hot summer days. There are a few restaurants and a market on PCH. The waves at Topanga Beach break over cobblestones and reef. Fun rights give surfers long rides into the bay.

Food/dining: There is a market across the street on PCH and various sit-down restaurants.
Nearby Restaurants:  The Reel Inn and Pats Topanga Grill, across the street there is an amazing furniture shop and Malibu Feed, which has a small “petting zoo”

Restrooms: Restrooms with showers are available on the beach connected to the main lifeguard tower.

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Santa Monica and Venice Beaches

Station 8-

Growing up in Santa Monica has taught me a few things…especially when it comes to beaches.  My favorite beach in the Santa Monica and Venice area has got to be station 8, known to the locals as “Chet” I don’t know why I like this beach over the others, maybe it’s because I grew up there and I know it so well.  Station 8 is located at lifeguard station 8, which is North of the Santa Monica Pier, it is cleaner than some of the beaches South and the lifeguards are great!  Santa Monica beach is actually a small bay, which helps eliminate some of the strong currents and big waves, watch for signs and listen to the lifeguards because like any beach, the waves and currents can be unpredictable.

Santa Monica Pier-
You will spend a lot of money if you're not careful.  The best thing about Santa Monica Pier is the free concerts that are held throughout the summer on Thursday nights.  Bring a chair and some food and you can dance and listen to great music.  Of course your kids will convince you to ride the rollercoaster “just once”   be prepared to bring your cash. 

Venice Boardwalk-
If you are a tourist then it is worth seeing all the amusing people, the tattoo shops, muscle beach, and the ever famous “skating guy” who roller blades around in his “religious” garb and sings into a loud microphone.  Venice Boardwalk is known for its weirdness, so please don’t dress up!  Many times I have been to the Boardwalk and I have been shocked to see so many people dressed up and walking in dress shoes, practically stumbling.  The Boardwalk can be very crowded and there is nothing more annoying than being stuck behind a bunch of people that can barely walk.

Bay Street-
Bay Street is a great beach located just south of the Santa Monica Pier it’s a great beach to take the kids to surf, the waves are gentle, yet they have some form to them.  Bay Street has many different surf camps and lessons located right on the sand. Bay Street can get pretty crowded on the weekends during the summer.  Like all o the beaches in the Santa Monica and Venice area, there is no smoking or dogs allowed on the beach.

Will Rogers Beach-
This is one of the cleaner and nicer beaches in the area; it is located at the base of Temescal Canyon and PCH.  The sand area is not as long or wide as Santa Monica beach, but the water is clean, the beach is clean and it does not get as crowded.  At Will Rogers, you can swim, surf or boogie board making it a great spot for all ages.  On busy weekends it can fill up so get there early if you want a parking spot, you can always park on Temescal and walk down if the parking lot is full.

Marina Del Rey Beaches

Mothers Beach-
Yuck!  Don’t do it!  This beach is so disgusting; it is basically a mud hole with enough oil from the boats to kill small marine life.  They advertise as a” safe beach for kids”….yea sure if you want your children to be covered in oil, I would never let my kids swim there, not that they would want to. 

In fact, Marina Del Rey is not known for their beaches, Marina Del Rey is more known for their restaurants and for Fisherman’s Wharf.  Fisherman’s Wharf provides fishing excursions and dinner cruises, you can find more information at http://www.visitmarina.com%20/

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