Malibu Lagoon State Beach (Surfrider Beach)

Affluent / All Ages / Anything goes / Beach / Chill / Dog Friendly / Family / Free / Good Looking / Laid back / Locals / Outdoor Activity / Outdoor Area / People Watching / Sporty / Sunbathers / Sunset / Surfers / Surfing / Tourists
Malibu Lagoon State Beach (Surfrider Beach) Malibu Lagoon State Beach in Los Angeles, aka Surfrider Beach, is one of the most famous beaches in surfing history. Check it brah in LA with Party Earth. Los Angeles United States 34.034773 -118.680625
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Malibu Lagoon State Beach (Surfrider Beach) - Beach | Outdoor Activity in Los Angeles.
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Lucas
Adriana
Jonah
Emma

Party Earth Review The official name for this sandy expanse – located steps from the affluent mansions that line Malibu like (really, really fancy) weeds – is Malibu Lagoon State Beach, but most people know it as Surfrider Beach thanks to... ... read full review

  • Phone:

    310-457-9701 (recorded surf, weather and dive report)
    310-457-8143 (Park office)

  • Links:

    Official Website

  • Hours:

    Daily 8am to sunset
    Adamson House & Malibu Lagoon Museum: W–Sa 11am–2pm

  • Recommended as:

    • Day Spot

Party Earth Malibu Lagoon State Beach (Surfrider Beach) Review

The Scene

Malibu Lagoon State Beach in Los Angeles, aka Surfrider Beach, is one of the most famous beaches in surfing history. Check it brah in LA with Party Earth.

Malibu, Los Angeles –

The official name for this sandy expanse – located steps from the affluent mansions that line Malibu like (really, really fancy) weeds – is Malibu Lagoon State Beach, but most people know it as Surfrider Beach thanks to the preeminent importance it has played in California surfing history.

Centered on Malibu Lagoon where Malibu Creek drains into the sea at the beach’s northern edge, the area features amazingly consistent, smooth-breaking waves that have attracted surfers from all over the world for decades, from longboarders and high-performance shortboarders to brave newbies suffering the cold stares from fiercely protective locals.

Sunrise finds the dawn patrol of sandy- and silver-haired water skippers straining into their wetsuits, and it’s not long before the Pacific Coast Highway is lined with vehicles as late-comers – most refusing to pay to park in the two beach-side lots – spill across the busy road in a treacherous game of Frogger.

Riding the waves isn’t the only game in town, however. Malibu Pier is popular with saltwater fishermen, the lagoon is home to a museum and historic house, and there’s plenty of excellent bird-watching and lush tide pools to enthrall both the young and young at heart.

Of course, this is Southern California, so plopping down on a towel can easily fill anyone’s day at Malibu Lagoon State Beach, either to snooze, survey the pretty people, or listen to the surfers scream “Akaw!” when they spy that perfect wave.

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Tip from Jonah:

Got an amazing surfing vid you can’t wait to share? Head over to Jimmy’s restaurant at the edge of the Pier and you can pick up their Wi-Fi.

  • Crowd

    Surfers, sea kayakers, sunbathers, hard-bodies, not-so-hard-bodies, tourists, bird-watchers, beach bums, fishermen, moneyed locals, and families. All ages.

  • Entertainment / Music

    Malibu Lagoon Museum, located inside the historic Adamson House, features historic artifacts relevant to Malibu.

    Charter fishing and coastal tour services normally available at the ocean-end of Malibu Pier – which is also home to a gift shop – but charters are currently on hold due to damage sustained from a large swell in 2011.

  • Food / Miscellaneous

    Several restaurants and cafés, most on the casual side, can be found down the PCH a short walk south of the beach. Jimmy's Malibu Pier Boardwalk Café (23000 Pacific Coast Highway) at the edge of the Pier offers a range of seafood and traditional café-style grub, though at slightly inflated prices given its location.

    There’s a parking lot just south of the Malibu Pier, but most surfers tend to use Lots 1 and 2 further north if they don’t park for free along the Highway. Lot 2 is right by the lagoon near Pacific Coast Highway and Serra Road. Lot 1 is further north near Pacific Coast Highway and Cross Creek Road.

    Public restrooms and showers available.

    Free Wi-Fi at Jimmy’s.

  • Prices

    Parking $8–$10/day in the lots. Parking is free along PCH, but visitors should pay close attention to any restriction signs.

    Free admission to the historic Adamson House grounds, $7/adult or $2/ages 6–16 for a tour of both the Adamson House and the Malibu Museum. Adamson House grounds can be rented for special events, including weddings.

  • What to Wear / Dress Code

    Anything goes.

  • Hot Nights / When to Go

    Any sunny day.

  • Close By

    Malibu Sport Fishing at the end of the pier normally offers sport-fishing charters but they are currently suspended. Visitors can still rent fishing poles. When tours resume, they will depart twice daily for $59 for a ¾-day trip. Call 888-310-PIER ext. 5 for reservations and updates on the restoration.

Tags:
AffluentAll AgesAnything goesChillDog FriendlyFamilyFreeGood LookingLaid backLocalsOutdoor AreaPeople WatchingSportySunbathersSunsetSurfersSurfingTourists

Malibu Lagoon State Beach (Surfrider Beach) User Reviews

Average rating:
Fancy fancy!
Gor G.
Gor G. May 22, 2013
Malibu is probably one of the well known beaches in Los Angeles. It is very famous for its surfing waves so it attracts a large surfer population. Do not worry if you do not surf! This beach accommodates all sorts of people. You may see some fishermen as well. This beach is the catch of the day; ust bring a towel and and umbrella and spend some time on the sand enjoying the view. When I say 'view' I mean all the good looking people at the beach. If you get hungry, there are some eateries in the close vicinity.
Hot Spot
Heidi J.
Heidi J. Apr 8, 2013
Malibu Lagoon State Beach is a beach I just can't help but love. I grew up in Malibu and this was my stomping ground for years. It has the best of both worlds-smallish and intimate and right smack in the action of Malibu. The beach is know for its waves, thus the flock of Surfers but it also has tide-pool areas and areas you can walk to for a change in scenery. You are also located close to many restaurants, shops and local spots if you need to get out of the sun. You can walk to Malibu Country Mart in fact and this is a huge plus! It's the kind of beach that is really for everyone. Just get there early so you are sure to find a parking spot!
Can't Swim, Love Surfers
Risa C.
Risa C. Dec 12, 2012
My cousins are lucky enough to live in Malibu so whenever I go to visit them I love jogging down to the PCH and finishing my run on the beach. Once I'm there, I'm not skilled enough to actually know how to swim so I usually just lay out a blanket lounge out and watch the hot guys surfing all morning. While early in the day the beach is relatively empty except for the surfers, later on in the day the beach can get pretty busy and groups of friends and families come to spend the day at the beach. Definitely a nice relaxing beach, but I recommend running there as parking can be a bit difficult.
Best of All Worlds
Samantha L.
Samantha L. Nov 28, 2012
I am a total beach girl. I grew up in a small beach town in Orange County and this beach gives me a sense of home. I love coming here and watching the surfers. Although surfing has never been my thing, it is amazing to watch how intense these surfers are. It does get crowded but not nearly as crowded as beaches such as Manhattan or Santa Monica. It has a sense of intimacy about it, which I love, even though it is a public beach. This beach is an amazing place to go to no matter what season it is. LA has some of the best weather in the world and it doesn't matter if it is hot or cold, it is always a fun place to be!
Breathtaking
Brehan F.
Brehan F. Oct 5, 2012
I'm not really a beach girl - I am from the midwest after all....however I do enjoy coming to this beach. It's impossible not to appreciate the athletecism of these guys (and girls) on the waves. No matter how crowded it gets (which isn't nearly as bad as the beaches further south), there is a serenity and peacefulness about this beach. I enjoy planting my feat in the sand - earlier the better in the morning - bundling up if it's chilly, and being grateful that I live in a city with some of the best weather in the world, all year round. It's hard to get tripped up on life with the view one has at this beach. Bring a hot tea if it's cold - it'll warm up eventually! It always does.
Surf, Sun, Shop
Dominic K.
Dominic K. Oct 5, 2012
Surfrider Beach and the surrounding area is great for the casual tourist, the hardcore surfer, and everyone in between. The rocky ocean bottom makes for perfectly shaped waves that can be surfed on three separate points. First point is usually controlled by the resident long boarders, while the other two are usually surfed by short boarders. There is no limitations as to where you go, just the different spots offer varying benefits for different riders. The only problem with Surfrider Beach's perfect waves is that there will usually be more than one person fighting to get on it. This can make for some great viewing though and usually spectators are treated to some world class surfing. A pier on the south side signals the end of the surf spot and there many people go to eat, watch, and fish. Many people also relax on the beach to enjoy the sun, the surfers, and the spectacular scenery (lagoon, wildlife, mountains, and ocean). After working on your tan (swimming is not allowed) there are many restaurants in the surrounding area to appease anyones culinary desires. Go here if you want to be surrounded by beautiful people enjoying the sun, amazing surfers, and want to enjoy the plethora of surrounding restaurants and shopping areas. You can relax all day or be non-stop active. Malibu State Beach is the perfect place for anyone, any day of the week!
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