Why visit
For a relaxed, full-service beach day with room to spread out, clean water, dependable surf, and lifeguards, Zuma offers the easygoing classic Malibu experience without the squeeze of smaller beaches.
Stretching for nearly two miles along Pacific Coast Highway in western Malibu, Zuma offers a broad, deep expanse of soft sand that rarely feels as cramped as the beaches closer to the city. The water is known for being cleaner and clearer than many LA beaches, with consistent waves that draw bodyboarders, surfers, and swimmers, all watched over by staffed lifeguard towers along the shore.
Unlike Malibu's hidden coves, Zuma is built for an easy day out, with large parking lots, restrooms, snack stands in season, and volleyball courts. Families, surfers, and sun-seekers spread out across the sand, and the open setting delivers wide ocean horizons and reliable sunshine. Its size and amenities make it one of the most dependable choices for a no-fuss Malibu beach day.
History
Zuma Beach has been a popular Los Angeles County public beach for decades, its name derived from the Indigenous Chumash heritage of the region. It has long appeared in films and television as a quintessential Southern California shoreline and remains a heavily used county-managed beach.
Insider Tips
- ✦Choose Zuma over hidden coves when you want easy parking and full facilities.
- ✦Walk toward the northern end for a bit more space on busy days.
- ✦Combine with nearby Point Dume for tide pools and a scenic headland hike.
Photo Tips
- 📸Capture the wide sweep of sand and surf from the low dunes for a sense of scale.
- 📸Shoot surfers and bodyboarders in the breaking waves with a longer lens.
- 📸Frame the lifeguard towers against the sky for a classic SoCal beach image.
Before You Go
- ✓Bring cash or card for the parking lot fee and arrive early on summer weekends.
- ✓Pack sunscreen, water, and shade, as open sand offers little cover.
- ✓Check surf and rip-current conditions and swim near a lifeguard tower.
Visiting with family
Wide sand, lifeguards, and restrooms make Zuma a strong family choice, but the surf can be strong, so keep children in lifeguarded areas and heed warning flags.
Where to Eat Nearby
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Zuma Beach FAQ
Is Zuma Beach good for families?
Yes, its wide sand, lifeguards, restrooms, and large parking lots make it one of Malibu's most family-friendly beaches, though the surf can be strong.
Is there parking at Zuma Beach?
Yes, large paid lots line the beach plus some free PCH-shoulder spots, making parking easier here than at most Malibu beaches; lots still fill on summer weekends.
Can you swim and surf at Zuma?
Yes, Zuma is popular for swimming, bodyboarding, and surfing with consistent waves and lifeguards; always check conditions and swim near a tower.
Nearby Neighborhoods
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Helpful Guides
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From the family-friendly South Bay piers to Malibu's cliff-backed coves, here is how to pick the right stretch of LA sand for your day.
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Where to be when the LA sky turns gold and pink, from the Griffith Observatory terraces to Malibu's sea-cave coves.