Beautiful Area to enjoy the nature and walk around. Pros: Different trails with various terrains so everybody can enjoy Point Dume! The nature preserve is clean and walkways are maintained and clear! Loved hearing seals nearby and the birds chirping as they flew overhead. Con: There are only SIX PARKING SPOTS and first come first serve. Overall: Fun experience! But I feel like once you've been here, you can check it off your list. read more

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Parking can be challenging right by the trailhead, however, parking is available on the side streets but just be careful to park fully off the street and not in a NO PARKING zone (you will get a ticket!). Trails are easy and marked around the bluff, however, watch your step by the edge. Great place to take in the views and catch the sunset! read more

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Loved it, beautiful views. You can get to walk for a little and enjoy the beach. We parked in the lot, payed $15 dollars because it was our first time and we were checking things out. Try to get there early, I can tell it gets packed. read more

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Little slice of paradise and a nice, short hike, easy to try. It is worth it, the views are wonderful, I could stand there for hours. If hiking isn't your thing, there are various shorter trails to get right to the point, meaning on top to take the views in. As far as nature is concerned, I have seen only dolphins from up here, no whales, but one can only hope! During the summer this area is very popular, so try it during the other seasons for an easier parking situation and less crowds. It is Malibu, so check where you park to avoid getting tickets. Westward Rd. has a parking lot, make sure to pay and display the ticket. No restroom here, but there's one at the beach near by. Unique spot, always a good idea to come to Point Dume, enjoy the ocean, the views, spend some time in nature. It is as close as we can get to a bluff in this part of SoCal! read more

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Beautiful preserve with nice walking trails and a pretty, rocky beach. There are many steps to walk down to the beach (and inevitably walk back up). 194 steps actually. Yes, I counted! There's limited parking at the top but I'd you wait you'll probably get a spot. Just enjoy the sights, the weather, and the beauty of the outdoors. :) read more

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First of all, the view is beautiful, but the parking is horrible!!! I waited 20 mins and it's still no space, so I parked on the street in the picture (about 2 mins drive) and get a 73$ ticket! There's a No Parking sign at the front gate of someone's house, but I thought it was not allowed to park in their driveway. It's so confusing!! Plus, the leaves also blocked the view to see the sign! I won't be here for my whole life and I'll advise everyone I know to not go to Point Dume anymore! read more

Point Dume Natural Preserve - I got tickets - Hiking Near Me - Malibu, California

Fabulous views, ocean and mountain, great place to see migrating gray whales in season.

It was an easy walk trail and breath taking views. There were lots of seals in the water

Point Dume was a very interesting trail/cliff to walk on. The edge of the trail with the wire cable definitely got to me!! I was very scared and kept a tight grip of the wire to avoid trips or slips! After walking the trail and cliff side area, there was a cliff, about 5-7 minutes away. There was a lot of people near/on the cliff area, on the side of the beach. I was definitely scared for this one as well, but I built the courage to actually go further enough to my comfort! But just be careful if you walk towards the cliff because there can be a lot of people there and no one says "excuse me", so just make sure you're not bumped into, please! You will, however; get an amazing view, especially during sunset! read more

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One of my favorite hiking places in Malibu. The pathway here is easy to follow. The scenery is unbelievable specially during spring. I always enjoy my walks/hikes here. Great trail for kids as well. Keep in mind parking is hard to find on weekends. read more

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We first discovered Point Dume Natural Preserve several years ago from the Westward Beach Trail while enjoying the beach. But this time we researched where to park from up the bluff so we don't need to climb stairs. We parked on Cliffside Drive. There is room for only about 10 cars. We patiently waited behind for other cars to leave and got lucky. The hike itself is pretty short and mostly flat. There are two beach access, one towards Westward Beach that's a longer hike and facilities and the other toward a more private Malibu beach with no facilities. At this time in April, the coreopsis are in full bloom around the preserve and it makes for a more colorful surrounding... so beautiful, enjoy! read more

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This is a really cool slice of Malibu at Point Dume. Easy, short hike (you have to walk over rocks for a short distance, however). Great views and a massive 193-step staircase brings you to the beach. (Depending on the tide, the stairs are wet from the ocean so be careful.) The stair was rebuilt in 2022 and includes several landings for stopping to catch your breath. Many photo ops abound. Gotta get there early or you'll have to wait for a parking space. We waited about 10 minutes but when we returned to the car there were at least eight cars waiting. Parking is only for two hours. Backs up to a residential neighborhood with some cool homes. read more

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My home away from home. Although I have a lot of hiking spots that are my favorite based on the county/region, Point Dume is my all time favorite. Given the fact that this hike is a cliff hike, the trail does have some rocks in the middle of some pathways so make sure to be cautious and watch your step at some parts! Whether you are going alone or with someone else, I posted photos of my favorite spots on this hike that are the perfect place to meditate or sit down for a picnic. (But please don't litter!) I have met such nice people at Point Dume throughout the years and truly love coming to a place where people are genuinely enjoying themselves with no phones to serve as a distraction and instead are spending their time enjoying the breathtaking view of the ocean. If you are in need of a break, spend a couple hours here to clear your head and relax. Your mind, body, and soul will thank you. read more

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A friend who lives in LA recommended we visit Point Dume as we started our road trip towards San Francisco. I'm glad he did. It's a small but beautiful nature preserve with gorgeous water views, seals (sea lions?) barking away on the rocks below, and lovely wildflowers. Heads up, we were only there for a quick walk, but we still managed to get a $150 parking ticket. Be careful where you park. But definitely don't let that stop you from dropping by to explore, take in the views, and walk down to the beach if you have time! read more

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This is a great spot for a quick stroll/hike in Malibu. You can head down to the beach or up towards the cliff. It actually doesn't take long at all to get to the top where you can see a beautiful view of the ocean. It was really windy at the top when I went so I didn't enjoy it as much as I'd liked but I'm sure it would've been a great spot to relax at. Parking is definitely a hassle. There was very limited parking right by the entrance and no option to street park since it was right along the highway. I read in some other reviews that there is paid parking closer tot he bottom which has another entrance to the beach. I'd say that if you want to hike up to Point Dume, it definitely is more convenient to be at the parking area towards the middle where it's closer. However, if you're planning to go to the beach, it's definitely better to park at the bottom since it's be quite a hike to get down from where I was. Or if you don't mind hiking up from the bottom and want the convenience of easier parking as well. read more

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This was a fantastic place for meandering around the coast, rocks, and nature areas!! It's a wonderfully easy hike too - all told it's about a mile and a half if you do all of it - but there's so many switchbacks and off-shoots that it's easy to turn back any time. There's also very little elevation gain - less than 350 feet (per AllTrails). If you drive all the way to the end of the parking lot, it puts you right at the trailhead. The trail starts off to the left, but there's nice beach off to the right of that's more your speed. The beach area at this end of the lot is perfect for watching the brave folks dating to repel down or climb up the giant cliff face! It's incredibly harrowing to watch!! I was in utter awe of them lol! The trail does have a few entrances - the one in this area is steeper and has some pretty tall steps that short people like me have to practically climb up (due to erosion)! There's also some rock scrambling required on parts of the trail. I did see another entrance once I got around to the back of the preserve - much flatter and a lot of this area of the trail was marked as handicap accessible...looks like you access it from street parking but I'm not 100% sure. You can walk out onto the cliff top where people are rock-repelling from - but be aware it's pretty treacherous in some spots with dangerous steep cliff drops off to the sides! And there aren't guard rails or trail markers or anything to hold on to really. There's also another area to the left of the cliff trail entrance that gets just as treacherous - and while it does have a small guard wire, it's still wide open to the cliff drop, narrow and very rocky - and the people on the trail were being a little reckless when they attempted to pass me - they really put me in a shaky position with no choice and scared me to death!! So be very careful! Otherwise it's easy and gorgeous!! The views from all sides are breathtaking, sweeping views! Once you get up to the top, you get 360 degree views! And there are interesting info plaques along the trail and up at the top. Birding is also good here! Parking was plentiful for me, even on New Years Eve and it costs $6. You pay at the pay stations and display the ticket on your dash. They had several bathrooms and a bunch of port-a-potties that were surprisingly very clean and well stocked! Overall great experience! read more

Point Dume Natural Preserve - View from the trail - Hiking Near Me - Malibu, California

Path down to beach and tide pools have been closed off as the stairs have collapsed. Construction for new stairs on going and a little bit of eyesore, with smell of exhaust. Hiking areas still open and views of the ocean just as good. read more

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Love this spot! It's like going to Big Sur without all the driving. Relatively secluded from housing and commercial projects, Point Dune is just past Malibu and features exciting cliffs that overlook an endless ocean. Looking down you can see the thrill of the water hitting rocks hundreds of feet below you with a fear and awe that makes you feel alive. There's also nice paved trails to the beach where surfers can enjoy the pleasant waters. Only bad thing is very limited parking. But there's additional parking few streets down - be prepared to walk a lot. read more

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Came by on a Sunday morning after a short drive from LA. The bad; there are only 6 parking spots that are free next to the Dume; there is paid parking below near the beach but that's a hike as well. So needless to say, parking can be difficult. The hike itself was very fun even though the trails were washed out from what it seems. There is still access to the beachfront via a rope. It's a really nice scene and the environment looks fantastic read more

Point Dume Natural Preserve - Hiking Near Me - Malibu, California

I decided to go for a nice hike with a view in Malibu Saturday morning. Wasn't much of a hike but the view was beautiful. It was not enough parking so I parked at the beach & walked up. That way you get a nice view of the beach & get to walk up. I think this is a nice place to visit when you want a scenic view & peaceful vibes read more

Point Dume is a promontory on the coast of Malibu that juts out into the pacific ocean, and the long bluff forms the northern end of the Santa Monica Bay. Point Dume Cove Trail is a 1.4 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail that features wild plants and is good for all skill levels, and accessible year round, though the parking lot is very limited and you may have to park blocks away in the residential area. read more

Point Dume Natural Preserve - Hiking Near Me - Malibu, California

I made a stop at Point Dume Nature Preserve yesterday. It was awesome. I hiked the trails and saw sea lions on the rocks and dolphins in the water. There were some hawks (falcons?) flying over the preserve. The view of the coast north and south from the preserve is gorgeous. For the record: Parking is limited on Cliffside Drive. You will find plentiful parking in the Westward Beach parking lot. read more

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I wouldn't say this is a hike so much as a scenic oceanside walk with sandy trails. There are even a few look-out spots and I walked by a 5-person wedding recently on one of these decks. Because of the nice views of the Pacific, it gets very crowded here on the weekends. It's like the Runyon Canyon of Malibu. The parking is difficult because there are less than 10 spots at the top, including 2 handicapped parking spaces. So, the other options are to park in the neighborhood (around Grasswood Ave and Cliffside Dr), which is about a 10-15 minute walk, or to park at the paid beach parking lot below near the Sunset restaurant. Also, there are numerous signs saying that dogs aren't allowed, but that doesn't stop people from bringing their dogs. I saw a bunch of dogs here, and the trails are very narrow and are on the edge of a cliff. It's not dog-friendly, so you really should not be bringing your dogs here. read more

Beautiful play is fairly reflective.Very easy going comfortable, beautiful stairs to walk to the beach.Nice little hike.Nice place to take a date.Will take someone you love read more

Such a lovely day spent at Point Dume! After being cooped in quarantine for two months this was the perfect place to get out and enjoy nature. There's only about 10 parking spots right at the top of the trail. If those are all taken you can park in tv e residential area which is about a 7-10 minute walk away, just be sure to check for parking signs. The walking trail is very nice and gives you nice views of Malibu. You can also take the trail all the way down to the beach and enjoy the sand or a day of surfing. The walking trail is pretty sandy in most parts so make sure to wear shoes you don't mind getting sandy. It can also get pretty rocky in some parts, so I wouldn't recommend wearing flip flops. I will definitely come back here to enjoy the beach and the views. It's not as crowded as the beaches closer to LA which is nice. read more

Point Dume Natural Preserve - Rocky peak at Point Dume. - Hiking Near Me - Malibu, California

I recently checked out the Point Dume Nature Preserve, which includes a 2 mile loop. It's not a challenging hike, but the ocean view with dolphins sightings makes the hike all worth it. The hiking trail is unique that you are walking on sand with cactus and flowers on one side and the view of the ocean on the other side. You can hear and smell the sea lions when you look down. Depending where you park, you can start or descend the stairs to Point Dume beach. It's not a busy beach but seems to be surf spot. There are also tide pools. It's a nice beachside hiking spot, and I would love to go back. read more

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The stairs have corroded and collapsed and have been blocked off. They are currently building a new one on the other side not sure how long before it is complete. This is my favorite beach in Malibu. read more

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Most beautiful beaches in the world. Often see dolphins, sometimes seals, and on the rare occasion- whales!

Beautiful sunset views and hike. Very short walk around and very limited parking. The beach is closed right now as the staircase seems to be under construction. read more

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This is one of my favorite places on the planet. The hike is pretty light and the views are like no other! I do an Uber drop off, its easiest. Currently there is a super bloom and it is INCREDIBLE! The hike is breath taking and very well kept. I promise you will love it! read more

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Point Dume is a beautiful and stunning area for an ocean view and simple hike. It's a pretty easy trail and there's one area of the hike with 2 benches overlooking the cliffs and oceans. I was fortunate enough to secure one of the 10 coveted parking spots in front of the trail head, but other Yelpers recommend walking up from the beach! read more

Point Dume Natural Preserve - Hiking Near Me - Malibu, California

Fantastic views especially at sunset. Parking available in designated area. Nicely marked trails for hiking. Stunning vistas with cliff and ocean views. Stairs down to beach or just a short drive down the hill. read more

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This past weekend, my husband and I went to the Point Dume State Beach and happened to see a trail up a hill at the far end of the beach. We walked up this hill and along the trail...to realize that it's actually the Point Dume Nature Preserve! As we walked along this trail, there are cliffs where you can do some rock climbing, hang your legs off the ledge, and see/hear seals playing in the waters & on top of rocks. We also saw dolphins in the ocean from a distance, as you stand on the trails looking out at the ocean. Gorgeous! While we ended up paying $10 for parking to get to the beach, I think you can access the nature preserve via some neighborhood streets. That way, you won't have to pay for parking like we did. :) Glad we were able to get in some exercise and see some ocean wildlife on this fun excursion! read more

Point Dume Natural Preserve - The crescent ocean view at the preserve - Hiking Near Me - Malibu, California

What a beautiful spot for a relaxing hike while in Malibu! great for beginners, the views alone are so worth the about 2 mile walk. Ocean views, endless flowers, nature all around you, a perfect getaway. You might even get lucky and see whales or dolphins, great place to take kids too, as it does not get as crowded as the nearby beaches. read more

Wanted a quick getaway from the heat and crowd. Solution: Point Dume Nature Preserve! Such a hidden gem. It definitely pays off to come here early as there is limited street parking. Max maybe 10 or less cars. There's a 2hr max parking so I would advise folks to be aware of timing so that others could also get the opportunity to explore this preserve. If you do plan to stay longer, I would advise parking in the state beach parking lot right next to it where more street parking is available and still get access to this area. The hike was maybe a mile to get to the top. You really have a great view of the beach and surroundings throughout the hike. Came here early morning so it was still overcast, but tends to clear up around 930am. Nonetheless still beautiful views. You can also see sea lions here!! And a bunch of them too. How cool is that?! Another plus, access to the beach where a lot of surfers tend to go and it's pretty fun watching them surf. It definitely feels like you have your own private beach!!! :) It's a nice walk around the cove so bring proper shoe attire as some areas tend to get pretty rocky, a beach towel, and snacks in case you want to chill here. Mind you that some parts of the stairway to get to the beach needs to be replaced as some stairs were imbalanced and/or have holes so please be careful and hold on to both handles. Not sure why this is not looked into? Safety hazard alert!! We will likely be coming back soon! read more

Point Dume Natural Preserve - Hiking Near Me - Malibu, California

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I wouldn't really call this a hike, it's more of a trail. It's an easy trail that anyone could do, even children. It has a beautiful view of the coast. You gotta get lucky with parking, if not you'll probably be waiting for a while. Since there's limited parking, it's not crowded with people. read more

Point Dume Natural Preserve - Hiking Near Me - Malibu, California

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Parking: Free 2 hour parking but limited to about 7 vehicles. Go super early or you can do paid parking at Point Dume State beach and hike up. Scenery 5/5! Great place for an easy scenic hike. Great for photography. Trail is mostly sand. Always trash at the top of the cliff, so please practice Leave No Trace to keep these places beautiful. read more

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Super beautiful place in Malibu, especially during the spring when the wildflower is blooming ! It's a small hill so you can enjoy fresh air and superb view while hiking. One down side is parking. There are only few street parking in front and always packed, but worth to visit here if you love nature. If you are lucky, you can also see seals too. read more

Beautiful views and kid friendly trail. I would recommend to go during sunset as the pictures turn out perfect at this time. It takes approximately 45 - 60 minutes to walk around the trail while stopping to take pictures and enjoy the scenery. read more

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Perfect place to appreciate the beauty of our California Coastline. Enjoy this place and hope to visit more often. You can hike down to the beach. At times there are mountain climbers. There is a private cove down below. I think it's known as pirates cove. You have to climb over some rocks to get there but very easy and worth the adventure. read more

Point Dume Natural Preserve - Point Dume Nature Reserve - - Hiking Near Me - Malibu, California