We've all heard of PTSD.... 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!" read more

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Love this beach. Parking is fairly easy and I feel like it's not a beach that's gets overwhelmingly packed 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! read more

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I went on the weekend. Based off these reviews, I thought that it would be extremely packed but it's not like the other beaches in Malibu. It is mainly locals here, which is amazing because it is so clean. If you have to other beaches in California or LA, you will be amazed by how there is no trash at the beach. There is free street parking, but I decided to pay for parking at the end of the lot. It is $8, no ins and outs. Lots of parking at this lot, but they do close at 8:30pm. I want to come back again because this place is just too beautiful. read more

Beautiful place to hike! We went in the morning and it was all foggy, but beautiful. We couldn't figure out exactly where the loop was supposed to be, maybe because of the fog, or maybe because the trail's not clearly marked, but we had fun just wandering around the various trails and seeing the view. read more

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If you're in the Malibu area and looking for a fairly easy hike, this is your place! There's very little climb on this particular hike, so mostly level ground. However, it is stunningly beautiful because you are right above the ocean. However, should you wish to have a little more exercise you will have the opportunity to walk down a substantial amount of steps to get down to the beach. Parking can be tricky, there is a small parking lot that holds about eight cars along the road at the trailhead. If this is full, there is a paid parking lot just a bit north. read more

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We met someone on the stairs who told us there are 193 steps in the staircase leading down to the beach. Not too bad, but we were feeling it a little coming back up! On a Wednesday evening, we managed to snag a coveted 2hr parking spot next to the overlook. The view is gorgeous! There are a few trails in the area, but we just went straight to the beach. There was only one other group there. Other than the thousands of By-the-Wind sailors washed up, the beach was pristine. Waters here are super clear as well, even as the waves hit the shore. read more

Point Dume State Beach - Beaches Near Me - Malibu, California

Walking on the sunny Beach. No need to make chatter. If you don't start conversations you are pretty much left alone to enjoy the views. read more

I remember coming to Point Dume State Beach when I lived in Southern California with some of the lady neighbors. The views of the ocean are spectacular. It does get busy here, so plan accordingly when visiting for the views or to relax and unwind from life, work, or school. The Malibu coastline is beautiful. The breeze is amazing and feels good when it comes off the coast while driving around. This location is great for relaxation, selfies, and enjoying the beautiful weather Malibu has to offer. read more

Before I decided to come here, I did my research and looked up pictures of this place. It seemed too good to be true and I figured the pictures were heavily edited to emphasize the contrast. BUT when I tell you that it was just as pretty in REAL LIFE!! It was one of the most beautiful sunsets I've seen in recent years. Definitely worth checking out! Parking is a little difficult, but nowhere more than a 15 min walk. Go during sunset time and take lots of pictures! The point was crowded, but you were still able to enjoy the views and sunset. If I lived around Malibu, I would watch the sunset from this point every day. read more

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Parking can be challenging at times and also be careful where you park to avoid getting a ticket! You may have to park down side streets, however, it is so worth the small hike. Stunning views and at different times of the year the beach can change so much depending on tide, weather, etc... read more

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This is a beautiful and clean beach with some sport climbing and a short hike to an overlook! We saw a few dolphins in the ocean. Lots of proposals and photoshoots were happening here. There is a paid parking lot and porta potties. read more

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Point Dume is a on the coast of Malibu, California in the Pacific Ocean. The point, a long bluff, forms the northern end of the Santa Monica Bay. Zuma Beach lies to its immediate northwest. We lived in California for many years, but clearly I missed quite a bit in tourism. So every two years we head back to Cally for more adventures. First off the road trip to Malibu is so pretty and relaxing, it like a scene from a movie! I was there during the week so no parking issues for us. I definitely can see why people flock here all year round. There is a paid parking lot at all the beaches, so have patience and chill. Lot of trails, stairs and hiking. Check online for a more user friendly area for the disabled. Yes, I highly recommend having a plan and booking your hotels in advance, this is a very popular route. If your military there are a few lodges along the way, we use them to save a few dollars. Do your research and enjoy your benefits. @glampedlife read more

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This is my favorite beach! It's so calm and beautiful, the sunset is perfect. The only thing is the waves are little but dangerous but I had many fun moments there! read more

Point Dume State Beach - Beaches Near Me - Malibu, California

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Unforgettable stunning views! It's a short walk. Quite a bit of stairs but it's unbelievably beautiful. I love this point for the serene atmosphere, the surfers, the tiny crabs on the rocks, & Its flowers in spring. It's a gem for all in the valley. If your in the area please stop by, the photos do no justice read more

Has the best tide pools I have seen here near LA so far! Walked a lot around here. Walked on the beach and saw dolphins swimming nearby!! Crossed the rocks at the bottom to look around. Then hiked up to the cliff. Then hiked up to the highest point and I wondered if it was worth it. Boy, it definitely paid off!! Saw seals lounging around and saw there were tide pools on the other side. And we found so many cool things at the tide pools: sea anemones, starfish, spanish shawl slugs, crabs, and an interesting looking white bird. There are a lot of stairs but it's easier than climbing down rocks or sand. And to end our time there, we witnessed a most beautiful sunset!!!! Definitely coming back here! Oh and the parking meter was broken and thankfully we didn't get a ticket. Bathrooms are pretty clean too and have soap which is always a bonus! read more

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Still love this beach.... Come here often to rejuvenate. Saw mama whales with their calves close to shore.once. This is also the location where they shot that final beach scene in Planet of the Apes with Charleton Heston. read more

Point Dume State Beach - Mama whale taking a breath! See the heart-shaped puff of air? - Beaches Near Me - Malibu, California

Magnificent beach here in Malibu. Clean, and beautiful. There is plenty of paid parking here. A restaurant is near too. Sunset is the name and it's pricey. Not for Malibu though. Lovely area. read more

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Nice Sandy Beach, not very crowded, Rock climbing and trail paths, with stunning views of the ocean and it's wildlife. Must visit. read more

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This is a must do on your drive around Malibu. Enjoy many amazing and beautiful panoramic views of Malibu and the mansions on the cliff. You can take a set of stairs to walk down to the beach area. read more

This restaurant ambience is so nice! Especially being next to the beach. I came for my friends bachelorette dinner and we all had an amazing time! The service was great. We did valet parking since parking was a little hard to find. High recommend getting their calamari appetizer! So delicious. I also got the mushroom risotto, it was a bit bland but I still enjoyed it. read more

Point Dume State Beach - Mushroom risotto! - Beaches Near Me - Malibu, California

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If you are looking to hike to the beach and tide pools on the other side of the cliff, the path down is closed off as the stairs has collapsed. The construction for new stairs is on going. The hiking at the preserve is still open with some good views. The beach appears to be open but there were no lifeguards on this Tues afternoon. Pay parking was available as most visitors did not stay long due to closed restrooms. read more

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Beautiful beach but broken water fountain and disgustingly full port o potties. We had to leave because we needed water and to use the bathroom which is a shame because it's not easy to get to. read more

Point Dume State Beach - No dogs allowed - Beaches Near Me - Malibu, California

This is where it all began!! If you're on the beach, and look up to the cliff at Point Dume, that's where my hubby and I got married almost 30 years ago! We had an intimate ceremony just as the sun set into the horizon. We planned it so the wedding ended just at dusk. It was a beautiful little spot overlooking the crashing waves below. Never one to follow tradition, I wore a black lace gown as I walked down the sandy path to the edge of the fenced in precipice. No need for decorations, God's creation painted a glorious setting! We felt like Heathcliff and Catherine in that famous scene from Wuthering Heights. Unlike the "doom" that fell upon those two star crossed lovers, ours was a happy ending! Years later we revisited our nuptial spot, and recreated some photos! We brought along our daughter and enjoying reminiscing and hiking through the natural sandy dunes, grassy cliffs and along the beach. It's one of my favorite places and one of my fondest memories. A sliver of my heart will always rest at the edge of Point Dume! read more

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One of my favorite places in the malibu area and the view is amazing you really can't beat it . The rock area has rock climbing and the beach is big enough for everyone to enjoy and it's still clean. Whenever your in the area . Check it out and enjoy the sun and weather read more

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I thought the best place to see views in Malibu was El Matador, but I was obviously wrong when we decided to check out Point Dume. Point Dume is an absolute beauty, and you have to drive up a hill to get there -- you won't be able to see in on Pacific Coast Highway, but if you do decide to make the drive up there, you will not regret it one bit. At the top of the hill, you'll see VERY short trails you can walk to see this magnificent view and you will see how amazing Malibu actually is -- the view of the Pacific Ocean and Malibu beaches are immaculate and really difficult to explain in words. My mom was blown away by the views that we were able to see and it really is one-of-a-kind. You can also walk down the stairs to walk by the beaches, which we didn't opt to do because it is a LOT of stairs. Plenty of photo ops here and it's just an amazing vibe that can't be missed out on. I think this is the best place to see Malibu and see why everyone raves about this peaceful yet luxurious city. read more

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Beautiful beach with affordable parking at 8.00. The beach is well kept and patrolled regularly The drive through the mountains was amazing, definitely take your time to enjoy the scenery. read more

Point Dume State Beach - Beautiful day - Beaches Near Me - Malibu, California

Great place to go if you want a quick hike, with rewarding reviews, and a beautiful beach to hang out at afterwards! Keep in mind that on the weekends, there is a huuuuuuuuge line to get into the parking lot, and although the parking lot is also huge, it will eventually run out of spaces. The lot got full around 12pm-1pm. So definitely plan on arriving early to snag a spot! Otherwise, there is Zuma beach next door, and they also have their own parking lot within walking distance. It does cost $15 per vehicle to park. It is a very quick 0.5 mile hike up a steep hill. At the top, there is a beautiful and refreshing view. I was surprised to see that they also have hooks installed at the top for people to mountain climb over the sides, which was a first I've seen! Overall, I recommend this spot. read more

A great state park for a quiet afternoon! The beach is clean and not too crowded, and there is plenty of parking (I believe it cost $8 for the day). There is also a little trail with some beautiful views and spots for picnics. Parts of it are sand, and others are board walk. I would recommend for anyone looking for an easy afternoon hike! We also saw SO MANY dolphins which was a fun surprise! read more

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Such a beautiful place. It's very nice and peaceful especially if you go super early in the morning. Highly recommend for people who love the beach. read more

Point Dume State Beach is so beautiful!! We came here to take photos with our film cameras on a Sunday, and it was crazy busy. We had to park near the restaurants and walk about a mile to the Point. The views are honestly breathtaking here. Highly recommend coming at sunset! read more

Point Dume State Beach - Point Dume - Beaches Near Me - Malibu, California

Secret gem for rock climbers, beach goers, and ocean life seekers. Parking meters take credit card. Cliff has around 7 possible routes (4 front side, maybe 3 back side). There is a restroom on the beach. I've been going here for years during only off season times. I'd imagine this place to be even more crowded during warmer weather. I've seen dolphins ever single visit so far. It's amazing! Cliff: It's a nice sector you can hike up for a great view. Climbers need to hike up to drop their rope. Climbs include semi easy beginners to more difficult routes. I've never met a climber that was not nice or welcoming. If you didn't bring a rope, you can always ask to take a turn if you notice the group is taking a break... definitely bring snacks to share if you're using others rope. Pirates Cove Beach: Area for engagement shoot or to discover ocean life within the cove. Atmosphere/Tips: This beach is not for the party bros. It's a chill local type beach setting. I recommend going before 11am or 10am to get a meter parking spot closest to the end cul-de-sac. I believe there is a lifeguard on duty during the summer season. Pets: Website says no dogs allowed on the beach or preserved area. There is a debate where others say yes allowed if on a short leash? Tbd. We didn't want to risk it. Bbq? Not allowed. Alcoholic drinks? Not allowed. read more

Be sure to check the parking time limits! I ended up getting a ticket the last time I was there.

Love it here. Great spot to bring friends that have come from out of state. Will continue to come a on the trail here and see the great views! I will drive 1 hr here for sunsets sometimes read more

An incredible hike with gorgeous views. The only and major issue is the parking. We drove all the way down to the beach and found parking there after a little drive. We made the half mile trek to the trailhead. On the walk to the trailhead we did pass a rather bi parking lot but it was closed for construction. This was October 2021. The hike is rather moderate, very doable for most people. great views all around. Gorgeous views of the coastline left and right. There is no shade so bring a hat and sunscreen. read more

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This is one of my most favorite places in California, not to be missed if you ask me. Beauty abounds all around when you're here. The best time to be here for maximum impact is early Spring, February or March for the freshness of the Giant Yellow Coreopsis flowers. They are a real eye opening experience. Whether you see them or not, it's still beautiful. Take your headphones off and listen to the sounds of Nature at its best. You just might get a message if you stay open. read more

Point Dume State Beach - Springtime ib Point Dume! - Beaches Near Me - Malibu, California

This place is beautiful! There's no beach quite like it. I love the beaches and frequent to many different beaches along the west coast and this one is quite breathtaking. From descending from the upper stairs, you already get a beautiful view of the beach and lovely rock formations. There are some natural breaking of the "land" on the way down to make the experience even more interesting and surreal. There are definitely a lot of stairs so be aware if you cannot handle stairs or is afraid of heights. At the beach itself, there are many spots that are beautiful for photography. We saw some professional photographers there when we visited. There are some arches and some rocks that are fun to climb on or go underneath. To me, it's a romantic place for a stroll. read more

One of my favorites. The views are amazing and the tide pools are just as good. This is a great place to have a nice run, bike or simply enjoy a book read. Enjoy the breeze and the views as it's one of the best. read more

Came by on a Sunday morning after a short drive from LA. The bad; there are only 6 parking spots that are free next to the Dume; there is paid parking below near the beach but that's a hike as well. So needless to say, parking can be difficult. The hike itself was very fun even though the trails were washed out from what it seems. There is still access to the beachfront via a rope. It's a really nice scene and the environment looks fantastic read more

Point Dume State Beach - Beaches Near Me - Malibu, California

What mote could you ask for? This beach has a dramatic coastline with rocky cliffs, awe inspiring bustas, hiking trails, easy parking, bathrooms and a real gem....the Sunset Restaurant / Bar to replenish yourself after a leisurely or busy day at the beach. It has take out and outside patio dining with heaters( no tents) . You will be serenaded by the sounds and sights of the sea. Definitely one of my favorite spontaneous go to spots year round ! read more

Parking here is really hard, only like 10 spots available. Although, a wonderful view of the ocean. The beach going into the water is not sandy but quite rocky. As for snorkeling, a windy day will cause low visibility and there's a lot of long sea grass when entering read more

Point Dume State Beach - Beaches Near Me - Malibu, California

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