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    Sycamore Cove Beach

    4.0 (36 reviews)

    Sycamore Cove Beach Photos

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    One of the beach access points from the campground.
    Tanis L.

    A friend and I adventured to the Sycamore Canyon Beach one evening in July 2018 to watch the sunset. We were staying at the Sycamore Canyon Campground inland a little bit and followed the signage/trail to the beach. It is a short walk 5-20 minutes depending on the path you take, if you know where you are going, and if you get distracted along the way. The beach is sandy with rocks bordering the ends of the sandy stretch like book ends. Waves gently rolled in while we watched the sun set. More people arrived the closer to sunset it got. I decided to roll up the bottoms of my jeans and put my feet in the water. Going down to the edge of the water was a little steep, so a side shuffle may be a good option if you don't want to faceplant. It was windy on the beach, which was nice when returning to the campground to be all wind blown.

    Michelangelo S.

    It's Malibu! And It's A Beach! What More Do You Need?!? https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/sycamore-canyon-beach-malibu?select=A35UQsgiBrf37O38iJSqoA&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0w SITREP This past weekend I enjoyed trekking down from Sacramento to meet up at Point Mugu - and all points along - to celebrate the ocean, and the energy that comes with my friend Violet's birthday. https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/sycamore-canyon-beach-malibu?select=-ZFO4iAXgJcrJXYqYlYong&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0w THE SETUP It takes some patience to find the spot you want to set up at: * This go-around we were fighting to find parking spaces since the local Kiwanis Club decided to do their yearly lunch event IN the middle of the Eastward parking lot; * Beach spots were at a premium, but our illustrious hosts scored a great set up around a fire pit with three adjacent picnic tables; https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/sycamore-canyon-beach-malibu?select=D__n1edzTFCw2NHrsHt0JQ&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0w * The neighboring grouping of table - taken over by a surly bunch of seagulls - was a cacophny of different noises, but they were manageable and easy to please with chips and other crumbs. https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/sycamore-canyon-beach-malibu?select=okoN9mcKREZFmDXSWqnHCw&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0w DAY-LONG FUN! Starting out the in the middle of the afternoon (2pm), the sun was beating down and it was warm - canopies and hats were good to have. The wind kicked up around 5pm, so be prudent and cover the food so that randoms sprays of water and/or sand didn't get inside the dishes! We got the Barbecue going, and it was perfect hamburger cooking weather. https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/sycamore-canyon-beach-malibu?select=3qV9cx1zQSCJMBzkKzI6uw&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0w At twilight, things were calm, placid, relaxing, as the stars came out, and the evening sky shone clear with it's beauty! But it was COOOL. Bring warm clothes for sure. We got the skewers out and made s'mores! https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/sycamore-canyon-beach-malibu?select=R7j5uUfONTho1zyaeW3ffA&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0w PARKING As mentioned above, parking is onsite, it's $12 for an allday pass until sunset. You can squeak another hour beyond relatively easily, but then after TWO hours, the ranger patrols come around and threaten tickets if you don't leave immediately, so beware! THE LOWDOWN A beautiful beach for some well-deserved birthday fun!

    Lauren K.

    This is one of my favorite beaches in Ventura County. It's a great beach for families and groups. The day fee is $12 or closer to sunset, $3 hourly parking. There are open fire pits and plenty of benches. During Friday nights, some folks gather for religious services. I enjoy the underpass at the edge. It's so cozy and adds something to the experience. This combined by the soft, corse sand and the sunset to create a memorable experience. During sunset you can see Malibu Rock in the distance as the window sweeps mists on your face.

    Elizabeth R.

    Everything was nice except the forest rangers. That's why I'm only giving 3 stars. I wish they had a separate star scale for rude people lol. They are super rude. The have favoritism on the vehicles that can enter when the lot is full. My family and I waited over an hour on the side of the road waiting for a spot. One of rangers approached us and said we had to go across the street and he would signal us when something came available but he would not guarantee the car behind me would enter first when all the cars on the side of the road were clearly all waiting for the same. Another 30 minutes passes and another forest rangers approached us and sad if we wanted to enter we would have to drive up the road do a I turn and wait on the lane to turn left in order to let us in. I told him that the cars before us didn't have to do that. He continued to say he was at lunch and if I wanted to enter I would have to do as I mentioned before.

    Cheri N.

    We had a very nice time on this beach about 3 years ago and came back to celebrate a birthday just yesterday. We like that this beach is great for BBQing. They have picnic benches and BBQs scattered along this small stretch of beach. Parking is limited and costs $12. If you are going here on a weekend and plan to use a picnic table and BBQ, arrive when they open at 8am or get in line and wait earlier. It gets full fast. By 8:45am on a Saturday, people claimed almost every picnic table. The parking lot was full by 10am and the park rangers turned away all cars trying to enter the lot for most of the remainder of the day despite the lot having a handful of available spaces as people left. People coming for our party were told that the Rangers won't open the parking lot although spaces opened up around noon. As for the condition of the beach itself, we set up next to lifeguard tower 6 and there are porta-potties nearby. The "sand" in that area was more like dirt. It was very fine, brown and dusty. There were tons of rocks, pebbles, sharp black pieces, sticks, trash, etc in the sand/dirt making it very uncomfortable to be barefoot or in sandals. Our feet were filthy from the dust rather than just sandy like at normal beaches. The wind was blowing making the water rough, surf was brutal and rip tides are common. The dirt/sand turns into rocks just under the surf so if you dare go into the water, be prepared. Bare feet and legs will get cut up if the waves knock you down. We liked walking along the beach where the sand was more normal and it was clean. There were two lifeguards on duty just for tower 6 and they were actively watching the beach. Thankfully they were trying to keep people safe and watching the rip tides. All in all, this isn't a beach that is the cleanest or the best for getting wet, but if you get there early and can claim a table and BBQ, then enjoy a nice lunch here. We've seen dolphins out in the water. Please don't feed the birds or leave your trash and leave the place better when you leave. Three years ago this place seemed much nicer. We don't plan on returning anytime soon if at all.

    Porta potties
    April C.

    Restrooms are available (porta potties) No showers from what I saw but there was a valve for water(cleaned my feet from the sand there) Parking is available but you need to pay I came during a Thursday it was 9$ for sunrise to sunset They have a kiosk so if you don't have cash you can pay with card There were are lifeguards on duty but they leave around 6(at least when I was there) There are fire pits if you want to bbq or just keep warm Plenty of picnic tables to use There weren't many people which was nice If you plan on coming here don't forget your lighter or forks because the drive to the closest place is far

    Christopher H.

    Beautiful beach between Malibu and Oxnard. The rock, sand wall, and miles of tranquil, and secluded coastline exists here with plenty parking. The waters are a bit rough near the rocks so surfing wouldn't be recommended.

    Ruchi V.

    I think this place might also be called sycamore cove? Anyway- love this place! What's different about is that there is so much more to do than just sit in the sand and go in the water. The sand is pretty clean and not a lot of seaweed floating around-- much cleaner than santa monica. Its hidden and not a lot of people know about it because it always seems to be pretty empty-- I almost didn't want to write the review to keep it all to myself! If you want to walk down along the coast in wet sand you can, but you can also go climbing on the huge rocks and get a really good view of the water going in and out between them. Parking isn't too bad either. You can either park in the lot adjacent to the beach (its gated) but it closes at sundown. If you're planning on being there a little bit longer there is a strip that has parking right on PCH right before you hit the big rocks. If you find parking up there, do be ready to go down a somewhat steep hill. As long as you're paying attention and there's light out you will be fine.

    Thel L.

    Point Mugu State Park - Sycamore State Beach This is a nice beach that's fairly clean. Tried my hand at surf fishing today, I caught a nice size BSP at my first attempt, but the waves were big - making their way up past the shoreline - add to that the winds which didn't help, making surf fishing a bit tough. $12 Day Use Fee

    Amy W.

    This place is more 3-3.5 stars depending on what you're looking for. If you're trying to find a picnic place and have older kids/adults- you should check out this place. Beautiful scenery, pretty cozy beach, plenty of picnic tables and parking (parking is $3/hr or $12/day). If you are more going for a beach day or have small children, I would go further down to Zuma Beach. Here, the waves are pretty rough and there's a lot of trash littered around. I have 2 little ones and I felt I spent more time making sure my little one does not put discarded beer bottle cap in his mouth, or touched a dirty discarded sock nearby. It really is a beautiful place (plenty of instagram worthy photo opportunities there), but not the best place for toddlers and very small children.

    Reyna G.

    Great place to take the family for a picnic, mountain biking across the street, and fun in the sun! I went for bodyboarding and got it, though not the best in the county, if you don't mind getting a little scuffed up or rocks in your fins or walking on small pointy rocks then i would try a different beach for water fun. Though the sunset was beautiful!

    Rocks

    Very lovely spot and parking super close to the beach. Haven't been om a weekend but Mondays seem pretty empty and chill.

    Morning coffee on the beach

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    Very nice place . Sometimes it gets busy , so be prepared to get there early .

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    Sycamore Cove Beach Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Sycamore Cove Beach

    Do you need to make advance reservation for parking? (day visit)

    No, you don't. I've never had a problem with parking. You can park in the beach lot or across PCH at the campground lot.

    Are alcoholic beverages allowed?

    I heard yes so I don't know. I'm on the same page dude 😆, we'll find out though

    Does anyone knows if is open right now due to Corona virus?

    Yup

    Is there a time the beach closes to using the BBQs and tables?

    Our group of 20 were at POINT MAGU in Sycamore Canyon. ONLY timeframe need to be worried about is making sure you're stuff is packed & ready to leave an hour after Sundown because the Rangers are strict about locking the gate, and they start… Read more

    Can you stay here overnight?

    There is a campsite across the highway for night use. No camping is allowed in day use area.

    Does anyone know if I can have dogs here off leash?

    No. All dogs must be on a leash.

    Are dogs allowed?

    Yea

    Can you bring and drink beer here?

    Yes you can

    View All 12 Questions

    Review Highlights - Sycamore Cove Beach

    One word of advise is that the parking pass expires at sunset and the rangers do close/lock up the parking lot.

    Mentioned in 7 reviews

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    Zuma Beach  - The beach

    Zuma Beach

    4.4(517 reviews)
    11.6 mi

    Zuma has always been my tried and true. It's easy to get to, there's loads of parking, and the…read morebathrooms are pretty decent for public beach restrooms. Waves are great, lifeguards are present and plenty of beach space to picnic. There's really no bad time of year to come, though in the summer months it definitely gets more crowded. I wish there were more trash cans present on the beach part as well as some sort of food options available. I know there used to be some small food stands, but they have since closed. Love coming here with the family for a beach picnic. Love that the bathrooms have showers to rinse off after a day of playing in the sand.

    A beautiful stretch of beach that's always a must. Along the famous highway 1, it's a nice big…read morebeach thats for perfect day outing. Parking wise, there's street parking along PCH, paid parking lot on PCH, street along the beach as well as another paid lot on the beach. Depending on the time, parking is a bitch as it's always full. It's a pretty wide stretch of beach so there's plenty of spaces for laying out and so on. One side has all the volleyball court. We arrived around 11:30 and luckily found street parking along the beach. It was nice out, sunny and a good amount of people along close to the water. We found a spot and made ourself comfortable. There was a good half dozen or so school buses parked where the volleyball courts are. Either a summer camp or school is back in session and it was a beach day. The odd thing, after an hour we arrived, the clouds started to roll in. Within minutes, it went from sunshine to overcast and gloomy. Stayed like that for a good hour and half. Even looking out to the hillside, it was so gloomy that you couldn't see down the beach. When the clouds burned off, it was back to beautiful beach weather. Lifeguard towers were in full force. We did notice that security on four wheelers were patrolling. They did questioned some people. It's a beautiful stretch of beach if you haven't been. The water was beautiful and looked clean but the waves were on a different level. They were pretty massive so lifeguards were on full force. People did go in the water but not a lot. To make it more magical, there were schools of dolphins swimming close by the shore. Even more fun, you could see them basically surfing the waves. That brought everyone on their feet trying to get the perfect picture. There's a good amount of restrooms and showers. It was actually clean which is a major plus. There's also a little lagoon that's a hangout for all the seagulls and pelican. Sand was soft and hot. Beach was clean, water was clean so it's was a good experience. It's a must if you haven't been.

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    Zuma Beach  - Fancy car meet up vibezzzzz va-Roooooommmmmm

    Fancy car meet up vibezzzzz va-Roooooommmmmm

    Zuma Beach  - Chasing sunsets!

    Chasing sunsets!

    Zuma Beach  - Ahhh My Goodness!!!

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    Ahhh My Goodness!!!

    El Matador State Beach - Sunset through the rocks

    El Matador State Beach

    4.4(514 reviews)
    8.1 mi

    So be warned that parking is limited and also expensive, even if you want a quick little stop. We…read morewent super early on a week day so there was no one else there. Also the porta potty had no toilet paper. So not sure what the parking fees are upkeeping. Anyway, the beach itself is really pretty. The walk down is a little touch with stand on a steep slope so you have to be careful. But it's worth it for the views. It's a very romantic spot.

    El Matador Beach is truly one of the most beautiful spots along the California coast, and it never…read morefails to impress. Walking along the sandy beach, surrounded by dramatic rocky cliffs and sea caves, feels like stepping into a postcard. The ocean views are breathtaking, the sound of the waves is calming, and there are so many little hidden nooks to explore. It is also an amazing location for a photo shoot if you have a permit, with the cliffs, natural arches, and golden sunsets providing endless opportunities for beautiful shots. The only reasons I gave it three stars are practical. Parking is expensive, which can be frustrating when all you want to do is enjoy the natural beauty. If you want to do professional photography, you also need a paid permit, which adds to the cost. On top of that, there are lots of stairs to get down to the beach, so it can be challenging for anyone with mobility issues or small children. Despite these drawbacks, I keep coming back because the scenery here is truly unmatched. Whether it's strolling along the sand, exploring the rock formations, or just sitting and enjoying the view, El Matador Beach captures the essence of California's coastline. It's a stunning, iconic location that I would recommend visiting at least once, just be prepared for the stairs and parking fees.

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    El Matador State Beach - Rocks and birds

    Rocks and birds

    El Matador State Beach - Rocks

    Rocks

    El Matador State Beach - Cool rock structure

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    Cool rock structure

    Lechuza Beach - Gorgeous!

    Lechuza Beach

    4.1(52 reviews)
    10.0 mi

    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.

    There seems to be a ton of misinformation regarding this beach. Perhaps the MRCA which owns and…read morecontrols it should do a better job of signage and use instructions. First, read the California law on beach's. Not all beaches are public. The public may walk below Ho tide line- which basically means wet sand but above that may be private property and trespass laws apply. Don't believe it? The Malibu sheriffs will explain it quickly. The entrance at East Sea level IS a private road and gated community. Pedestrian beach access was granted but if you attempt to drive through and park you will be towed. It is a very long walk to LaChuza beach at this entrance. You will pass a sign half way telling you that entrance is a Private beach ( above hi tide line) so walk alllll the way down to the end to the stairs. If you decide to stop on the lawns for lunch and photos you are trespassing. The stairs and entry at Broad beach road is the best access. Parking is limited on broad beach and if you block a driveway or lawn, or litter you will be cited buy the Sheriffs. LaChuza has strict rules about use: Only service animals on leash. The MRCA rangers Will cite you. No alcohol. No smoking or drugs. No fires. Closed at 8:00. If you chose to use the stairs , the beach is at the bottom to the RIGHT. The beach area to the left is Private above the high tide/ wet sand and you will be tresspassimg and they will call the police. LaChuza looks lovely but it can be dangerous. No life guards. No toilets. If you pee or poop-you will be fined. The water is so nice- sometimes but there are strong currents and rips and NO life guards. Very Rocky with many submerged jagged rocks. In winter when the sand is low the water has many mor obstacles- wires- pipes- concrete pilings that can be dangerous. Swimmer beware. During hi tides sneaker waves cover the beach sending all your stuff to Japan. How do I know? I go knocked down and swept out by one. During hi tide the waves cover the entire beach. There are better beach options like Zumba or Leo Carrillo.

    Photos
    Lechuza Beach - Happy people

    Happy people

    Lechuza Beach
    Lechuza Beach - Exceptional sunset

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    Exceptional sunset

    Sycamore Cove Beach - beaches - Updated May 2026

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