surfrider beach

This is a relatively small beach but I had a couple of nice conversations with some of the locals. They gave me some advice regarding moving out to California which was very nice of them. The beach itself was beautiful has a much different feel about it than say Zuma. It seemed a bit more crowded but I guess that's because it's better for surfing.

This is definitely the beach in Malibu to visit if you want to watch surfers! I'm not sure how they figure out who will get up and ride the next wave, unless it's just a matter of who moves first. Sometimes it appeared that they were going to hit each other when several were riding the same wave. Entertaining to watch. You can park on the side of Pacific Coast Highway instead of paying to park in a lot. If you're lucky enough to find an open spot!

This is a quintessential California surf spot. The people out there were very friendly and I never felt like an outsider. I will be returning here every time I come to LA. Rent your board from Malibu Surf Shack. The owner Sean could not be nicer and more helpful!

This is the beach to go to in Malibu if you want to take a relaxing stroll and enjoy watching the waves. We went around mid-day, there were few people and we took our time walking along the beach and lagoon.If you can, park on the street, the parking fee is pretty steep.

I've always wanted to surf so I made a point to check this out. The beach was cool and I liked that the swimming and surfing areas were separated by signs. What I didn't know is that the place that you rent your board from "surf shack" is a ways down the road, more by the pier. So after paying for parking I found out from the lifeguard I had to walk back down the road. And the surf shack let's you park at their place for free if renting a board so I wasted 6 bucks, no biggie. So after renting a board (the surf store workers were very nice) I had to walk it back which kind of stinks when the board is 11ft. I guess I was disappointed to find that the bottom of the shore was all rocks, and the waves were weak, so it was very hard to surf. I got up a couple times but that was it. Really thought since it was called "surf beach" the waves would've been bigger. But overall had fun. My girlfriend liked it a lot also. And they do have bathrooms but they are barely average.

Surfrider Beach is a must see/experience part of your visit to Malibu. It is right next to the Malibu Pier and just a 15 minute walk from the Malibu Country Mart. Very scenic place with a lot of surfing history behind it. This is pretty much where the whole surfing craze started out years ago. Get there early since the parking along the PCH and in the lot next to the pier goes fast.

This is the essence of California surf culture. Yep, in the middle of some of the most expensive beach real estate, some board shorts, a wetsuit in winter and a board and its all a free ride here. This is a classic surf spot that gets some great swells and wonderful beach characters. its worth a stop.

Been coming here since 1986. It's shoreline has changed a bit. There's less sand and the water's edge is closer now. Parking is tricky on the street. I have no idea how much the Surfrider lot costs, probably $10-$15, at least. I always arrive before noon, even on weekends, and I get a spot on the street. You may have to make a few passes and do a U-turn but it's very possible. The lifeguards can be annoying when they favor the surfers like they are to be worshipped. One time, after we had kids, I complained after surfers were heading in too close to my then young son at the water's edge. So, the wise a-- lifeguard walks over and extends the surfer boundary by putting the swim/surf sign farther over by my son, forcing him to re-locate, instead of warning the surfer(s) to be more careful. Generally, though, it a nice beach. Another year, my then 8 year old daughter was treated by a very nice lifeguard named Pat who paddled her out on his surfboard to the pier and he peeled her off a starfish, which was very cool of him to do. Surfrider proper runs into Cross Creek beach which has it's own lot and path entry. That abutts to the private Malibu Colony beach. Cross Creek has a stagnant pond that drains to the ocean at various times. Most times you can cross the running water and go over into the other beach.In the summer, it's crowded and there is a hot dog guy. Our ritual, though, is a 2 minute walk across the street to Jack in the Box, which I have been doing for 27 years! There used to be Malibu Liquors there to get a brown bag cold one, but it's been gone for years. There are a couple of food places on the pier but that's a different review.This is not the sprawl of Zuma beach. It fills up quickly in the summer and year 'round on the weekends. Great shell and rock collecting here at low tide. Of course, surfers and dolphins provide some interesting viewing, not to mention the lovelies on the beach.

I'm no expert on surfing, I even can't swim. But views and atmosphere here really is a good pep talk for people like me. Maybe I should learn to surf here, right wind and weather.

Loved surfing here. Even though there was a no swell the little waves were still fun ride. Get there early if you want the free parking on the street as it was full by 6am! Plenty of places to eat my favorite being Gladstones at Sunset with a drink in hand! lol literally its where Sunset ends at the ocean.

Although we are beyond the surfer age, it is still enjoyable to watch the young people tackle the waves at these three points. I marvel at how they are able to judge just when to accelerate through the wave and when to let one go by. Some of the more skilled surfers really milk the last gasp of the wave. Then, turn around and either dive under the incoming waves or ride over them.Looks exhausting to me as I sit on the beach with a glass of wine and watch in awe. There are so many beaches in Malibu that are accessible to families I don't begrudge one place where surfers rule.

This is the classic "Gidget" surfer movie spot in Malibu. Easy break and a "preserved" surf spot. This is a "surf-only" location so leave the boogie boards at home. There is normally a mix of locals and folks visiting from around the world. Probably the most consistent working wave in Malibu with showers and bathrooms. There are hotels and places to eat located within walking distance. There is paid parking at the beach, however, it fills up fast, but not as fast as the free parking on the PCH.

We came here just to surf, so I can understand why other people may be put off by the area. It was a little crowded, but we still had a good time in the water. It is a clean beach with good restrooms, and I would go back again.

Nice beach, clean, and with working restroom facilities. What's not so hot is that there are some homeless men sleeping there sometimes. It's not that anyone bothered me, it's that it's mind-boggling that in a community as rich as Malibu, people have to resort to sleeping on the beach.

This world surfing reserve (first ever!) is fragile. Make sure you don't swim in the water within 72 hours after a rain storm. The homes in Malibu use aging septic tanks that leach poo and the like into the water table. A storm saturates the ground leaching septic tank goo and storm runoff into this beach. Even on dry days, check online for the water rating.A General Beach Water Quality overview by NRDC: http://www.nrdc.org/water/oceans/ttw/200beaches.aspDO enjoy the surf, but beginners, take lessons elsewhere, this is an advanced surf spot.DO wear/buy good sunglasses with UV protection.DO bring water in a re-usable water bottle. You'll look like a respectable local.DO reduce, re-use, recycle food and drink containers you bring to the beach.DO put money in the meter! (parking lot - free street parking)DO watch the surfers. These folks are amazing athletes and put on a great show.DO use the public restroom when you have to go. (not the ocean)DO stay on the trails in the marsh.DO check the tides, there are some great tide pools at low tide.DON'T COLLECT SHELLS. These are part of the beach and become sand eventually.DON'T be a kook.DON'T trash the beach.http://surfriderwlam.org/http://www.msasurfing.org/