Malibu Lagoon State Park on the Beach - Guide to Malibu Lagoon State Beach

Malibu Lagoon State Beach (Malibu, California)

Malibu Lagoon State Beach, formerly known as Surfrider Beach, has a long standing as a premier surfing beach.

Malibu Lagoon is an estuary at the mouth of Malibu Creek at the Pacific Ocean in Malibu, California. Migratory birds use the lagoon when on the Pacific flyway.

Surfing in Malibu Lagoon State Beach

Surfing in Malibu Lagoon State Beach (Malibu, California)

Malibu Lagoon is a famous right-break that had a big impact on the surfing culture in Southern California in the 1960s. Located near the Malibu Pier, it is still probably the most surfed spot in Los Angeles County. The (usually) triple-cornered shoreline created by the buildup of silt, sand, and cobble at the mouth of the creek has long been known as Malibu Surfrider Beach, which is widely regarded as one of the most important beaches in the history of what has become a global surf culture. The tapering, smooth-breaking waves at Malibu Surfrider Beach are recognized among surfers worldwide as the gold standard for summertime "point" surf.

Malibu Lagoon has three primary parts to the wave. First Point is a perfect wave that is very popular with longboarders. Some of the standouts include Josh Farberow, Dane Peterson, and the Marshall brothers. On bigger swells, a lot of the shortboard crew from Second and Third Point move down to first to take advantage of the perfect shape.

Second Point is the main wave for high performance surfing. It has a main take off that lines up and connects into the inside called the "kitty bowl". Sometimes barreling, this is where most of the high performance shortboarding takes place. Here you can find locals like Robert Von Sternberg, Ricky Schaffer, and Allen Sarlo.

Lastly, Third Point which consists of both a left and right. The right usually closes out into Second Point where as the left can go all the way through. On the best south swells of the summer, usually in late August and September, you can get rides from the top of Third all the way to the pier - a couple hundred yards.

The Malibu Lagoon is where Malibu Creek meets the Pacific Ocean. Malibu's Surfrider Beach has a long standing as a premier surfing beach.

On the east side of Malibu Creek Bridge, the famous Malibu Pier allows for excellent saltwater fishing. On the west side of Malibu Creek Bridge, visitors will find picnic tables and a nature area, excellent for bird watching and the study of a unique eco-system, a Southern California saltwater marsh.

Other Recreations in Malibu Lagoon State Beach

The Adamson House, a National Historic Site located in Malibu Lagoon State Beach, is a showplace of Malibu historical artifacts. Completed in 1929 by the Frederick Hastings Rindge's daughter, Rhoda Adamson, the Spanish-Moor revival residence features tile from the renowned Malibu Potteries and sits on a spectacular overlook of the Malibu Pier and Surfrider Beach.

The adjacent Malibu Lagoon Museum allows visitors to walk through the history of the area from the days of the California Indian "Chumash" tribe, to the gentlemen ranchers, and finally to the birth of the surfing era. Museum docents give delightful tours filled with local legends and anecdotes.

Guided tours of the wetlands and other natural elements such as grunion, the monarch butterfly, tidepools, and the gray whale are scheduled seasonally. The Malibu Lagoon beach features wetlands, flower gardens and a sandy beach.

Location of Malibu Lagoon State Beach

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Location: Use following Coordinates: Coordinates: 34°02'00"N 118°40'45"W in a GPS for exact locations. Malibu Lagoon State Beach is located 23200 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265. From Santa Monica, follow the Pacific Coast Highway 13 miles west. From the 101 Freeway, exit at Las Virgenes Road, proceed 10-miles west through Malibu Canyon, turn left at Pacific Coast Highway, travel 1.5-miles east. Entrance for parking and the nature area is at Cross Creek Road. Walk east across the bridge and follow the dirt lane at to the Adamson House.

The State Beach parking lot is located on the west side of the Malibu Creek Bridge. A county parking lot is located directly in front of the Adamson House.

Malibu Lagoon State Beach can be reached at 818-880-0363, Adamson House's Individual & Group Tours: 310-456-8432, and Nature & Cultural History Tours:
310-456-8432.

Here is a detailed list of other state beaches of California besides Malibu Lagoon State Beach.