The diversity of the west California coast is amazing. Ten miles
south of El Matador State
Beach the coast is crowded with packed summer crowds, the sand
is lined with volleyball
courts and an active ambiance and the ocean is saturated with
surfers. But with a little
effort and a sense of adventure, you can find peace and quiet
on this LA beach.
El Matador Beach is located off the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH),
just north of Zuma Beach.
El Matador beach is somewhat off the beaten track, but the journey
is worth the effort
it takes to get to this beach. The sandstone cliffs with white
sandy beaches below offer
a pristine setting and a relaxing atmosphere. The short but steep
hike down to the beach
and the limited parking keeps the beach population to a minimum,
creating a perfect get
away from the busy LA crowds. Make sure to bring good walking
shoes to get down
to the beach safely.
This beach is hidden amongst some of Malibu’s most eccentric
and pricey homes.
Keep an eye out for celebrities as you cruise the coast, because
this beach is an ideal
place for those who want to bask in the sun or take a dip in the
ocean, while keeping
a low profile.
Because of the rocky coastline, at low tide this can be a fun
beach to explore tide pools
and caves along the coast. Mostly people come to El Matador to
lie out and relax.
The crystal clear waters are great for swimming and bodysurfing
during the summer
months but be careful of the rocky bottom.
The best time to enjoy this beach is during the summer months.
The water is warmer, the
wildflowers are in bloom and the weather conditions are more favorable.
There are
several picnic tables on the bluff with incredible views and a
good distance from each
other, providing a private and quiet beach picnic.
There is an eighty space dirt parking lot, which is open from
8 am to Sunset.
It costs $4.00 a day during the summer months. There is a meter
box for an all day pass.
There is also limited free parking on the PCH.
NO alcohol/glass containers
NO camping
NO dogs
NO vehicles on the beach
NO fires
Bathrooms available (they are portables)
