Malibu Lagoon State Beach on Postcard

"Odds are if you’ve seen a Malibu postcard or any surfing movie, you’ve seen Surfrider Beach. Home to the iconic first point surf break, this is one of the more crowded beaches along PCH, though it’s well situated if you’re looking to take in a bit of sun and some surfer-watching after lunch on the pier. Don’t waste time searching for roadside parking; it's easier to splurge for the lot or valet on the pier instead—unless it’s peak season, in which case, it’s every man for himself. "

The Malibu Guide

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@monocle

"In the latter half of the 19th century three Hawaiian princes introduced surfing to California; they would ride the waves along Santa Cruz on boards handcrafted from local redwood. The trend caught on and led to the first Pacific Coast Surfriding Championships in 1928, but it was in the 1950s when surfing really took off in LA, helped along by the release of surfer-themed songs and films such as Gidget. Between 1956 and 1962 the number of California surfers rocketed from 5,000 to more than 100,000. Surfing is still an essential part of the southern Californian lifestyle today. One of the best surfing beaches is Malibu Lagoon State Beach, also known as Surfrider Beach; you can pick up a board from the Malibu Surf Shack down the road."

Los Angeles

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Justin Lee

Google

Surfers’ favorite beach with nice but not huge waves. Nearby cafe and restaurants. Parking is limited. But you could potentially find parking along the Highway.

Véronique Brau

Google

Quiet place with beautiful views all around. We had fun watching pelicans flying and fishing around us, and there was also a bunch of big fish jumping out of the ocean very close to the beach, which was quite entertaining! We had a very nice and relaxing day there.

Sara Sanchez

Google

Great place and come early for a parking spot. Nice walk to the beach beside the lagoon. My picture was at low tide.

Jim Kara

Google

Obscure beach park that’s usually less crowded than beaches alongside of Pacific Coast Highway. Unlike the other beaches, this one surrounds the mouth of Malibu Creek. So it combines some oceanfront surf with a kind of wildlife estuary experience! It’s possible to hike and swim around the sand bars, tho with caution for tidal surges and riptides! A trail continues beyond the end of Cross Creek Place to Malibu Point, where the public beach begins. Depending on conditions, surfing may be possible from Malibu Point, to the opposite side of the inlet, tho more likely at Surfrider Beach! Restrooms are provided in the outhouse next to the Adamson House Museum. Paid parking is available either at Cross Creek Place, or beside the Adamson House. Free parking may be found along PCH by the Malibu Pier and alongside Cross Creek Road.

Nick Holt

Google

Parking is difficult. Beach is often crowded. If you surf, lineup is always crowded and pretty unfriendly. Given how beautiful Malibu is, there are many other spots to visit.

Chris Rehberg

Google

We walked to the Malibu Lagoon State Beach from our condo, which was great. It was easy to find and easy to walk through. The scenery is beautiful in every direction. The rocks in the surf as well as the walk down Malibu Colony Beach is fantastic -- lots to see, great air to breathe and VERY clean beaches! The surfers are also entertaining in their full wet suits all jousting with one another to catch the next wave. Highly recommended!

Bill Lin

Google

If you want to put yourself in a joyful while peaceful location, here it is. Malibu Lagoon beach facing ocean one side, and facing lagoon the other side, you get to experience the cool Pacific ocean and maybe surf a little bit, while you can meditate and chill a little bit looking at the lagoon and the mountain. Me and my family spent a quality afternoon here, from now on this is a place maked with out beautiful memories.

Erica Burtoff/Kurtz

Google

I liked this spots views… easy paid parking on queRcode ($3 hr) and then a little walk to the bay and beach as it wraps around for a lovely view! Had a few bums living in the bay bushes with carts and trash with them I didn’t like that too much! Portapottys there also were not something I liked to walk past especially people don’t close them and the wind was whipping them open one a few stalls so you saw people peeing!

Justin Lee

Google

Surfers’ favorite beach with nice but not huge waves. Nearby cafe and restaurants. Parking is limited. But you could potentially find parking along the Highway.

Véronique Brau

Google

Quiet place with beautiful views all around. We had fun watching pelicans flying and fishing around us, and there was also a bunch of big fish jumping out of the ocean very close to the beach, which was quite entertaining! We had a very nice and relaxing day there.

Sara Sanchez

Google

Great place and come early for a parking spot. Nice walk to the beach beside the lagoon. My picture was at low tide.

Jim Kara

Google

Obscure beach park that’s usually less crowded than beaches alongside of Pacific Coast Highway. Unlike the other beaches, this one surrounds the mouth of Malibu Creek. So it combines some oceanfront surf with a kind of wildlife estuary experience! It’s possible to hike and swim around the sand bars, tho with caution for tidal surges and riptides! A trail continues beyond the end of Cross Creek Place to Malibu Point, where the public beach begins. Depending on conditions, surfing may be possible from Malibu Point, to the opposite side of the inlet, tho more likely at Surfrider Beach! Restrooms are provided in the outhouse next to the Adamson House Museum. Paid parking is available either at Cross Creek Place, or beside the Adamson House. Free parking may be found along PCH by the Malibu Pier and alongside Cross Creek Road.

Nick Holt

Google

Parking is difficult. Beach is often crowded. If you surf, lineup is always crowded and pretty unfriendly. Given how beautiful Malibu is, there are many other spots to visit.

Chris Rehberg

Google

We walked to the Malibu Lagoon State Beach from our condo, which was great. It was easy to find and easy to walk through. The scenery is beautiful in every direction. The rocks in the surf as well as the walk down Malibu Colony Beach is fantastic -- lots to see, great air to breathe and VERY clean beaches! The surfers are also entertaining in their full wet suits all jousting with one another to catch the next wave. Highly recommended!

Bill Lin

Google

If you want to put yourself in a joyful while peaceful location, here it is. Malibu Lagoon beach facing ocean one side, and facing lagoon the other side, you get to experience the cool Pacific ocean and maybe surf a little bit, while you can meditate and chill a little bit looking at the lagoon and the mountain. Me and my family spent a quality afternoon here, from now on this is a place maked with out beautiful memories.

Erica Burtoff/Kurtz

Google

I liked this spots views… easy paid parking on queRcode ($3 hr) and then a little walk to the bay and beach as it wraps around for a lovely view! Had a few bums living in the bay bushes with carts and trash with them I didn’t like that too much! Portapottys there also were not something I liked to walk past especially people don’t close them and the wind was whipping them open one a few stalls so you saw people peeing!

Malibu Lagoon State Beach

Malibu Lagoon State Beach

Photos

Highlights

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