Surfing at Surfrider Beach

Ever since surfing exploded in popularity along the California coast in the late 1950s and early 1960s, Surfrider Beach has stood out as one of the premier surfing destinations in the state. A build-up of sand and rock cobble at the mouth of Malibu Creek creates a multi-pointed shoreline that produces world-class waves.

Caution: Check with rangers or lifeguards that conditions are safe for your planned activities.

Three points stand out. The first generates a perfectly formed wave that mostly attracts longboarders. The second point breaks to the inside in a place known as Kitty Bowl. Shortboarders like the action here. The third point breaks both left and right with the left offering the longest runs. When conditions are right in the fall, surfers can ride waves all the way to the pier.

Access the first point by a stairway to the beach. Restrooms and showers are located there. To reach the third point, follow a quarter-mile long trail along the shore of the lagoon to the beach. Portable restrooms are found there.

MSA Classic Invitational

The Malibu Surfing Association Classic Invitational competition is held at Surfrider Beach in September. Over 200 competitors represent surfing clubs from around the world. There are 13 contest age divisions.

Malibu Surf Shack

22935 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu
(310) 456-8508   Malibu Surf Shop
Rentals: surf boards, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, wetsuits, body boards
Lessons: Surfing, SUP, Kayaking
SUP and Kayak tours

Historic Adamson House and Museum

The Adamson house, built in 1929, is situated right on the beach at the mouth of Malibu Lagoon. It has been designated at National Historic Site and California Historical Landmark. The Spanish Colonial Revival style house is open for visitors, $25 for adults, $10 for children 6 - 17, and children 5 and under are free. Guided tours are held Friday and Saturday from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Groups of 10 or more should make reservations: (310) 456-8432.

Adjoining the Adamson House is the Malibu Lagoon Museum, containing artifacts, photographs, and documents from Malibu's history.
Adamson House and Malibu Lagoon Museum

Guided Nature Tours

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

Malibu Lagoon Restoration

Restoration has reshaped the appearance of Malibu Lagoon. Some preferred the wild appearance of old, but after work was completed in 2013 the lagoon has taken on a new look. About a dozen feet of sediment were dredged out along with a fair amount of garbage that had accumulated over the years.

The lagoon was widened and reconfigured; Old bridges were dismantled and replaced with new walkways. One new winding boardwalk trail is intended to flood as the tide rises and falls. Many non-native plants were removed and replaced by more than 60,000 new plants native to the region. The jury is still out on whether the changes were an improvement to the lagoon's ecology.

Malibu Lagoon Nature Trail and Beach trail

Trailheads to the nature trail and the beach trail are located at the Cross Creek parking lot. For the beach hike, follow the trail around the lagoon to the ocean. From there turn east along the beach to a place named Zonker Harris Memorial Beach. It was named after a Doonesbury comic strip character who devoted his life to acquiring the perfect tan. By heading west around the point you reach the narrow strip of sand along Malibu Colony. Eventually, after 4 miles, you arrive at Dan Blocker County Beach (formerly Corral State Beach).