Point Dume State Beach
Malibu, CA
Point Dume State Beach sits below the dramatic headland of the same name, with Dume Cove reached on foot via the Point Dume Natural Preserve and a stairway for anyone who wants a quieter pocket of sand beyond the main beach. Blufftop trails around the preserve give some of the widest coastal views in Malibu.
The dramatic headland and genuine whale watching potential make it one of the more scenic stops in Malibu, with Dume Cove a real bonus for anyone willing to find the stairway down.
How we score beachesWalk the blufftop trail around the preserve before heading down, the views from up top rival anywhere else in Malibu and it's a short, easy addition to the visit.
A day use fee applies; the exact amount is best confirmed at the entrance.
Blufftop trails and limited roadside parking lead to the preserve; stairs continue down to Dume Cove.
Dogs are not allowed on the beach or nature preserve trails at Point Dume State Beach, though leashed dogs are permitted in the parking lot and on paved paths.
Winter and spring bring good whale watching from the headland, while fog is common most mornings year round.
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