El Matador State Beach

El Matador State Beach is the most dramatic and photogenic beach in Los Angeles County. Located along Pacific Coast Highway in western Malibu, it features towering sea stacks, natural rock arches, sea caves, and a rugged beauty that feels nothing like the wide flat beaches of Santa Monica or Venice. For families with kids old enough to handle a steep trail and rocky terrain, it offers an adventure that is genuinely unlike any other beach experience in LA.

The beach is accessed via a steep bluff trail from a tiny parking lot. The trail includes uneven stone steps and some sections without handrails -- it takes 5-10 minutes to descend and is not suitable for strollers. Kids ages 5 and up can navigate it with supervision, but younger children should be carried.

The effort is worth it: the trail opens onto a small cove beach framed by massive rock formations rising from the sand.

The rock formations are what make El Matador extraordinary. Sea stacks -- tall pillars of rock left standing as waves eroded the bluff over millennia -- create natural arches, caves, and tunnels that kids can explore at low tide. Walking through a rock arch to discover a hidden cove on the other side delivers a genuine sense of discovery.

The geological formations also create excellent tide pools in the rocky intertidal zones, where kids find hermit crabs, anemones, and small marine life.

Safety matters here more than at most beaches. This is not a swimming beach. Currents are strong, rocks create underwater hazards, and there are no lifeguards.

Wading in ankle-deep water and tide pooling are safe activities, but children should not enter the surf. At high tide, waves crash dramatically against the rock formations -- beautiful to watch but dangerous to be near. Always check tide charts before visiting and plan around low tide for the safest and most rewarding experience.

The parking situation requires planning. The lot holds approximately 8 cars and fills early on weekends. Overflow parking on the PCH shoulder is possible but spots are limited and some areas are signed no-parking.

Arriving before 9 AM on summer weekends is advisable. There are no facilities at all -- no bathrooms, no water fountains, no food vendors. Pack everything you will need including water, snacks, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit for rocky terrain.