We've all heard of PTSD…read more... You know, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. But have you heard of PDSB?? (I'll break this one down in a bit) Well, if you've read any of my other reviews of the picturesque beaches in Southern California, your PTSD of "here we go again, another review about white sandy beaches, moderate temp. waters and picture perfect sunsets" by Lance L. just might kick in. But bear with me, because this review, you're definitely not gonna want to skip. So what is PDSB you ask? Well Point Dume State Beach of course! Yes, one of Malibu's finest & for good reason too! Sure, when everyone thinks about beaches in Malibu... For those with families, It's usually Zuma Beach, but that's where EVERYBODY goes and because of this, it's ALWAYS packed! And of course, there's where all the surfers go.... Surfrider Beach, hence the name! But Surfrider is for hangin' 10 and you just might get a big stare down by the locals. But Point Dume State Beach or PDSB as I know you will now refer to it is about to be your new favorite. Here's why: A pay lot which sounds like it sucks to have to pay just to go to the beach, but the minimal cost ($6-$15 depending the season) is worth it. The lot is literally parallel to the beach and once you park, you are right on the sand! In addition, Point Dume State Beach, although smaller than Zuma is pretty decent because it's not as well known about so you will definitely find a place to plant that umbrella and set up your beach towel to watch the kids play, throw a football around or work on your tan lines. As far as Safety, Not only is lifeguard towers right on the sand, but a lifeguard headquarters office is also onsite, so if something goes south, help is very nearby. Point Dume State Beach does have fairly maintained, public restrooms that's are serviced regularly by the beaches and harbors maintenance team as well as a few porta-potties onsite for use. The beaches themselves are clean and do not have a lot of trash, debris or tar like some of the beaches that I've been to up North on the Ventura County Side (Oxnard & Ventura beaches). And the best part, some of the best sunsets you can catch on this part of the coastline. Besides the actual beach, you can actually hike from the beach side itself up the Point Dume hiking trail to get an even better view or jump off the cliff if you dare. But.... Please, Please, Just make sure you are a solid swimmer if you are a real swimmer thrill seeker as the water near the cliff is rocky and the currents are very unforgiving. There are always calls for service where Lifeguards, Firefighters and the Sheriff's department are on scene performing rescues, but unfortunately, sometimes are unsuccessful and people have tragically drowned. So maybe leave the Olympic style diving into the Big Blue to the pros. And now that you probably have actual PTSD from me telling you how you could actually die if you aren't careful.... Maybe just shake it off and get some PDSB instead and enjoy the Best of Malibu from the safety of your seat right on the sand! "Life's a Beach, Enjoy it!"

Love this beach. Parking is fairly easy and I feel like it's not a beach that's gets overwhelmingly…read morepacked so it's enjoyable. Waves were coming up high n knocked me over but it felt good once drying off in the sun lol. Made some sandwiches that were so delicious!! Just a great vibe on a Sunday when it's sunny!

Zuma Beach is on of my favorite beaches in Southern California. It is located in Malibu off PCH and…read morethe traffic on PCH is often terrible, so leave early and expect to be in traffic on your way back. Part of the beach is used for surfing and that is fun to watch if you don't surf. They keep the area clean. Parking is for a fee. It is most beautiful at sunset. If you are not a good swimmer do not go swimming in the water or let your kids go swimming alone. There are life guards most of the time and they are great, but really you could drown. Zuma has a strong riptide that will just take you away and if you are not a strong swimmer this will not be fun. I don't swim there anymore even though I have all the Red Cross cards you can get for swimming, even lifeguard. But that was some time ago, I am much older now, and will not go beyond my calfs. It is also cold water all winter and nippy in the summer. Be careful. The lagoon area is a great place to see birds. The place one of the largest, widest, and popular stretches of sand in Malibu. It is known for its clean water and has been used many times for and appearances in TV shows and movies like Baywatch and Planet of the Apes. It really is stunning.

My favorite beach. So clean, not Like Venice or Santa…read moreMonica. The quality of the beach and the water is amazing Guests don't play music load and everyone is so respectful of each person and their belongings

We were recommended by a local to check the beach out and so glad that we listened to her. Yes, as…read moremost mentioned the parking lot is tight but if you wait long enough (5-15 mins) you will get a spot. Be prepared to descend lots of stairs to get to the beach (wear safe/comfy) shoes. There are incredibly beautiful, arch rocks, and small caves, running up the north side of the beach As beautiful it is as it is, watch out for some of the big waves that come in as you may step on some of the rocks. This is a popular beach for photo shoots and likely you will be amused by some of the "models" posing in various costumes.

Really beautiful secluded beach. Prime parking. Nice area for photos. There is a huge steep stairs…read moreso make sure you are able to walk down. But it's a perfect place to relax with not many people.

Such a beautiful beach and not terribly busy in the times of COVID. I'd been craving a little beach…read moretime this summer but have been pretty adamant about avoiding crowds. Seeing the beach fairly unpopulated, we stopped here on a whim en route to Ojai and it was so, so lovely. The rocks to the north were gorgeous and had we planned a whole day there, we probably would've explored them more. We spent some time playing in the waves and laying in the sand before hopping back on the PCH to our destination. We parked right along the PCH which didn't feel the safest, but I didn't actually see a parking lot (we probably passed it). We also didn't see any restrooms, so I think we were just a little north of the main entrance. We're so lucky to have beautiful beaches to socially distance during these times--definitely get out and explore them if you get a chance!

Beautiful but parts of the beach are covered in tar…read more The beach is rather small and doesn't get as many people as other nearby beaches. It borders a naval base. I went for a run along the beach. When I came back my feet were covered in tar. It took me a long time to get it off as soap doesn't work well. If you got tar on yourself, cooking oil works well to remove it. I was having a nice time until my feet got covered in tar. I'm not sure if it's the road construction nearby or the naval base that caused the tar problem. I probably wouldn't return. The beach charges $3/hour or $8/day to park at the beach. I recommend picking a different beach. Although there are some hikes nearby here that have awesome views.

Terrible food.. Had to throw it away.. Clam chowder tasted like thin soupy Alfredo sauce.. The rice…read morehad aftertaste of detergent like they don't rinse their dishware completely? Idk? We were hungry so we ate some but then threw the rest away.. The male host in the front seemed dismissive and lacked communication skills, off putting, perhaps arrogant imo. The waitress and hostess were super nice so I didn't complain.. We go for the ambience but after years of disappointment, we need to find another place.. I wish the managers and owners would take these reviews and seriously make some improvements because they are loosing business.

I really like this place. The food is mediocre but the view makes it all worth it. It just feels…read morelike you're away from it all when you come here.

Staircase Beach is a hidden dog beach in Malibu located on the northern side of Leo Carrillo State…read morePark. This is the only place where you can legally bring your dog on the beach in Malibu. The alternative dog beach is Rosie's Dog Beach off leash dog beach in Long Beach. Once you see 40000 Pacific Coast Highway, make a u-turn. Slowly drive back south past the fenced and gated park ranger property until you see the hidden entrance to your right. There is no sign. Park along PCH and look out for any parking restriction signs. If you need to use the restroom, you must go in the ocean, hide, or go before or after in the paid lot ($3 for an hour, $6 all day) at 40000 PCH. The paid lot path to the beach is for the adventurous and not well maintained or marked along the beach as I got lost. I could not find it on my way back so I took the stairs up to PCH and walked north for a few minutes back to the 40000 parking lot. You must keep your dog on the leash at this beach. Don't forget to bring poop bags and water for you and your doggie. If you bring a picnic, pack out as this beach is very clean and not crowded. Have fun with your doggie(s)!

On my cross country I was looking for a beach I could bring my GSD Judge. After asking around, I…read morewas told staircases beach was the best option. I was not disappointed. Walking down to the water from the lot was kinda sketchy due to the narrow switchback path, but definitely worth it. Once Judge touched the water, he became my first dog to go in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Some local surfers even offered to take pics of Judge and myself. I highly recommend this beach

Malibu Lagoon State Beach Park turned out to be exactly what I needed today. I came with my two…read moregirls, and from the moment we pulled into the parking lot, the day just felt easy. Parking is $3 an hour or $12 for the day, and the park is open 7am until sundown. After parking, it's about a seven‑minute walk along a peaceful path before the beach opens up in front of you. Most of the shoreline is protected wetlands, which actually makes the whole place feel calm and untouched. Even with the protected areas, there's still plenty of sandy space to set up a chair, stretch your legs, and settle in with a good book. My girls had a blast searching for seashells and honestly, they found some pretty amazing ones. The kind you don't expect to see unless you're on vacation somewhere far away. The waves were the highlight for me. They crash with this deep, steady rhythm that almost talks to you. When I closed my eyes, it felt like they were saying: relax, slow down, enjoy. And I did. The sun felt warm on my skin, and the breeze was just enough to keep everything comfortable. It's one of those places that reminds you how good it feels to pause for a moment and just be present with your kids, the ocean, and the day.

I came to this beach because Google falsely listed this beach as dog friendly. I parked and paid,…read moreand then a very friendly state park trooper stopped to chat and he let me know unfortunately dogs aren't allowed at the beach. He did direct me down the sidewalk further down that I could try in another jurisdiction and he was truly sorry and I could tell he seemed like he is a dog lover. I was disappointed that a woman came around the corner and saw me talking with him, and I called out for her not to bring her dog close to mine she didn't listen and kept coming closer. I pulled back and repeated myself and she said something like her dog is friendly. I just want to put It out there that even though my dog might be friendly, you don't know that. And no strange dogs should EVER have nose to nose contact when they first meet. The dog I had with me is old, has multiple health issues which is why I wanted to come to the beach and let her see the beach before she passes, and that lady's dog was yanking and pulling towards my dog's face and the lady did not even seem in control being dragged forward. I don't like that people aren't mindful and to keep their distance unless given permission to approach. Anyways I followed the path that the trooper had pointed to me, it was beautiful seeing the ocean and all the birds. I even saw fish jumping high out of the water and wiggling their bodies before diving back in. That was so cool. Unfortunately my dog couldn't make it very far so we just went to visit the Adamson House nearby which is dog friendly and then we went back to the car.

My favorite beach for isolation. I can snorkel and not be worried with a strong current. You might…read moreeven some some nudity here so be aware of this. This beach is hard to find and can be access from the paid lot on the other side at Westward Beach/Pt. Dume Cove or free parking in the neighborhood.

Great secluded beach that connects to Point Dume. It's a bit rocky in area but wonderful sand…read moretowards the center of the beach. Only 8 parking spots.

I love my private beach days as an LA native and spent a lot of my weekdays in Malibu in 2024-2025…read morewhile working there. Since I never had the chance to explore the beaches there, I decided to drive down from WeHo and spend my afternoon here. It's genuinely a hidden gem, tucked away in a residential neighborhood and "hard to find" in a special and earnest way. The waves were beautiful, people were swimming in the waters even on a gloomy day and I was able to lounge and enjoy my book. The only downside is the lack of restrooms, but parking is relatively easy!

Absolutely stunning beautiful Beach. Many beautiful rocks and the sand is super soft and a…read morebeautiful off-white color. I usually carry my wagon with me with blankets and pillows and the necessities so after observing how many stairs there were to get down to the beach decided to go elsewhere. But if you have very little to carry, I recommend this stunning beach. Not too crowded at all.

I love cruising down the PCH and taking in the breeze when I drive through Malibu. Malibu is so…read morepretty with the Pacific Ocean on the south side and the mountains to the north. It is home to lots of celebrities and many upper-middle-class neighborhoods. Malibu Beach or Surfrider Beach is the first World Surfing Reserve and has a small pier. Pepperdine University is nearby and is a short drive from Malibu Beach. Of all of the beaches in Malibu, Zuma Beach is the largest and most popular and is about 10 miles away. I have stayed in Santa Monica on many occasions and have done the drive through Malibu to Ventura or Santa Barbara. I like to stop over at Neptune's Net and grab some seafood along the way. Then I'll walk across the street and sit on one of the benches and enjoy the view.

When I think of Malibu, I think of surfing and of course filthy rich people. I got to see both…read morehere. The homes that line this stretch of beach are nothing short of spectacular. You know big money is right in your face. The waves were spectacular and this was my first time seeing people surf waves like that in real life.