Best Beaches In & Near Malibu

By The Beach Guide | Last Updated: August 25, 2023

Map featuring Malibu beaches. Click on pins to view beach details

1. Zuma Beach

tmastro

Travel time from Malibu: approx 0.5 hrs

One of largest and most popular beaches in Los Angeles County, Zuma Beach has clean waters and wide sands that extend for a total of around two miles. The location for the famous final scene in the original 1968 version of Planet of the Apes, it is now better known by the surfing community for its breaks, with Zuma Beach hosting several major competitions each year. Kite surfers tend to… read more »
2. El Matador State Beach

Graham

Travel time from Malibu: approx 0.5 hrs

This public beach in Western Malibu is one of the smallest but most charming of the region's long list of shoreline attractions. El Matador State Beach sits at the base of dramatic cliffs and formed of golden sand washed by aquamarine waters.
It is accessed along a steep path and wooden staircase, via a small parking lot suitable for around 20 vehicles which sits on a bluff above the high tide… read more »
3. Malibu Beach

Jimmy G

Travel time from Malibu: approx 0.5 hrs
read more »
4. Venice Beach

Travel time from Malibu: approx 0.5 hrs

When thinking of Los Angeles it is hard not to picture the city's iconic Venice Beach. Whilst many beaches are exactly that, and nothing else, Venice Beach is much more than that; a beach, cultural institution, vibrant community and international tourist destination to name a few. What goes on along the beach front is as important to Venice beach's character as the sand,ocean and palms trees that physically define it.
… read more »
5. El Pescador State Beach

Giuseppe Milo

Travel time from Malibu: approx 0.5 hrs
read more »
6. Malibu Lagoon State Beach

Sergei Gussev

Travel time from Malibu: approx 0.5 hrs

Running for several hundred metres in total, Malibu Lagoon State Beach is looked after by California State Parks. It lies at the heart of Malibu, at the mouth of a lagoon as it connects with the Pacific Ocean. Its sands are ringed by the attractive Santa Monica Mountains.
The stretch of sand that runs from the lagoon to the historic pier is also known as Surfrider Beach, and so it's no… read more »
7. Leo Carrillo State Park

Unknown

Travel time from Malibu: approx 0.5 hrs
read more »
8. Santa Monica State Beach

Travel time from Malibu: approx 0.5 hrs

Just west of downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica State Beach stretches for an astonishing 8 miles of soft sand. Cleaned and raked on a daily basis, it will host the beach volleyball competition of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The archetypal West Coast beach town, Santa Monica State Beach has a pier with an amusement park that contains a carousel dating from 1922 and is listed as a National Historic… read more »
9. Will Rogers State Beach

© Don Ramey Logan

Travel time from Malibu: approx 0.5 hrs

Will Rogers sits between two illustrious neighbours, Malibu and Santa Monica, just to the north of Los Angeles. Stretching for nearly 3 miles this is a great option when the city beaches become too busy.
The long sandy beach here is everything you would imagine of a South Californian beach. Surf from the deep blue pacific, permanent sunshine and a host of volleyball courts.It should be little surprise… read more »
10. Torrance County Beach

Travel time from Malibu: approx 1 hr

Nestled between Redondo Beach and Malaga Cove, you may hear the locals refer to this stretch as RAT Beach - as in, Right After Torrance or Redondo & Torrance.
The soft white sands here sit at the bottom of a picturesque cliff, so snapping some Insta-worthy photos is a breeze.
When it comes to amenities, you'll find loads of parking spaces close by, lifeguards on daily duty, and restrooms and showers right… read more »
11. Palisades Beach

© Milan Ashley

Travel time from Malibu: approx 0.5 hrs

This narrow strip of soft white sand is just along the coast from the ever-popular Santa Monica.
Unlike its next-door neighbor, there aren't a whole host of beachfront bars and restaurants, which helps to keep the crowds away, and means there's plenty of wriggle room for a spot of sunbathing.
Lifeguards are on duty every day and there are loads of places to park nearby if you're taking the car to the… read more »
12. Dockweiler State Beach

Alistair McMillan

Travel time from Malibu: approx 1 hr

This vast beach, which sits just three miles away from Los Angeles' international airport is a near-four mile stretch of soft golden sand on California's south east coast.
Its proximity to the airport makes it a top spot for seeing the aeroplanes take off, but there's a lot more to this beach than plane spotting.
Among the many amenities here, you'll find fire pits, picnic facilities, showers and restrooms, and there… read more »
13. Port Hueneme Beach

Alfher

Travel time from Malibu: approx 1 hr
read more »
14. Hermosa Beach

Travel time from Malibu: approx 1 hr

Hermosa's two-mile swathe of golden sand is one of the most popular stretches in Los Angeles County.
With 94 acres of beach to stretch out on and top-notch conditions for surfing, it attracts visitors of all ages.
At the heart of the beach is the historic pier, which has had pride of place for more than 50 years. If you fancy doing a bit of fishing then this is the perfect place… read more »
15. Redondo Beach State Park

ChildofMidnight

Travel time from Malibu: approx 1 hr

This 1.5 mile-long stretch of shoreline is jam-packed with activities and facilities, which keep visitors coming back time and time again.
At the far north of the beach you'll find the magnificent pier. It's a great place for a spot of fishing, and there are plenty of bars, shops and restaurants here too, with plenty of variety on the menus. Naturally as you'd expect, there are plenty of fresh seafood places… read more »
16. Palos Verdes Estates Shoreline Preserve Beach

Dave Proffer

Travel time from Malibu: approx 1 hr
read more »
17. Lunada Bay Beach

tiarescott

Travel time from Malibu: approx 1 hr
read more »
18. RAT Beach

305 Seahill

Travel time from Malibu: approx 1 hr
read more »
19. San Buenaventura State Beach

Tony Webster

Travel time from Malibu: approx 1 hr
read more »