Zuma Beach Photos
You might also consider
More like Zuma Beach
Recommended Reviews - Zuma Beach
Start your review...
Reviews With Photos
This beach is one of the places plenty of people travel to visit so it can feel pretty packed it's not as wide as other beaches especially in other parts of LA county or Orange County but it's still quite a long beach. Worth checking out if you're from out of town but parking can be a hassle since there is a lot and some street parking but can be pretty busy when it's a hot day.
This is one of the nicest beaches I've been to in Los Angeles. It's also massively long so there is tons of room for anyone to come by and spread out. Even on the hottest of summer days you will be able to find parking in their lot ($15 up front) and some prime beach real estate to plop down your blankets & gear. I also really like that it's a long shoreline. We have 3 small kids and there is plenty of space for them to run around in the break without having to worry about things getting too deep too fast. If you are in to skim boarding and or boogie boarding, this is a great beach for that. And yet, if you just go a little further out, it's a great spot for some surfing. It really offers something for everyone. Bathrooms are nice. When we were there everything was clean and smelt nice. Definitely a step above other beach bathrooms I've been to throughout the city.
I only go to the beach about once a year because I'm not really a beach person. However, the family wanted to go, so I grabbed our beach chairs and sand toys, and off we went. This beach seems cleaner than many of the others I've been to, and they have multiple lifeguard stations, which makes me feel a lot safer, especially with so many young children around. There is some street parking available, or you can park in their paid lot. The prices vary depending on the season, but in July 2025 it was $15. I didn't get a chance to check out the bathrooms, but they do have them every few yards, which is very helpful.
One of the most reliable and consistent beaches that my friends and I enjoy choosing to go to!! Parking lot entrance is easy to be found along the PCH, and you pay $8 daily rate to park inside with so many open lots and spaces to choose from. You can go during the crowd rush but still find a spot. We visited recently where it was fairly empty (a Tuesday afternoon at around 2-3PM) and had a pleasant experience. I like the width of this beach's coast, with the sand being a good distance away from the lot and the waters and waves being active. The sand is soft but I'm sometimes careful as there could be sharp surprised (just a general fear of mine). There are many trash cans with closable lids that help keep the beach clean. Several lifeguard posts are stationed and depending on which area of the beach you park at, there are some with volleyball nets to play at! There's always seagulls scanning the area and I've seen them once flock a bag of chips laying around so definitely keep your food hidden! They like to prey and watch the set ups that are left behind. No dogs allowed on the beach but they can be walked on the concrete paths. Thankfully Leo Carillo beach just down the coast is dog-friendly! *bathrooms here, but if it's an empty (less crowded) day they are closed and you need to use the porta potties nearby *usually windy so have sweaters/pants ready! *pleasant swimming experience
When you want a low key beach, then this is the place to go to in Malibu! This place is away from all the store, restaurants and tourists attractions of Santa Monica. The beach offers both paid and street parking on highway one. The paid parking lot is gigantic: it stretches across the whole length of the beach! For street parking, read the signs carefully as they do ticket! The beach also offers multiple/bathroom shower houses. Nothing fancy but gets the job done! The beach is divided between surf and swimming area. The far end from parking lot entrance is for surfing! If you do get hungry: on highway one not too far away, you could walk, there is a small shopping center with a fancy grocery store, Starbucks and two causal restaurants. Enjoy your day at the beach!
This is a great beach to visit to play in the sand, jump in waves, boogie board and see dolphins! If you're looking for a fun summer day at the beach with kids or a tranquil winter walk along this is the place to go. A bit further North than Santa Monica but way out of the crowds! Bathrooms are usually open in summer (not so much winter so be aware!) and are spaced well along the beach. Zuma is a longggggg stretch of beach with ample pay or street parking. If you park on the street make SURE to check the signs! The sand is nothing to write home about but still works well to dig! Edit: bathrooms are now porta potties only! Takes from a 5 to 3 stars! Rinse off stations still open.
The beach was beautiful, the bathrooms were clean and spacious, there were plenty of places to shower off the sand, the lifeguard presence was impressive and the parking was ample (and cheap). Overall, I would give this beach a 10 out of 10, that is until I learned of the shark presence. We thought it was amazing that we saw so many dolphins in the three days we visited the beach (we are from out of town). There was one time we thought we saw a baby shark swimming right next to us as we were boggy boarding, but thought we might be wrong. It was then we did the research. I HIGHLY recommend googling "sharks and Zuma beach". The facilities, beach and parking were fantastic and overall we had a great experience, however we will not be back. I have small kids and it's just not worth the gamble.
I have a new love for Zuma... We celebrated our wedding for the day and cut our wedding cake and had a few glasses of wine and just stared at the big blue! It was 8 bucks to get in... we paid but we also seen lots of cars parking on the side of the road and jumping over to get in. There is sooo much parking and the stretch of the beach is so long. We took our electric bikes and rode through the parking lots up and down the entire place. We seen lots of birds and lots of families but overall it was not too busy. The bathrooms were clean so that's a major plus for me... Check it out if you are in the Malibu area!
It's a cool chill beach, today was the best weather for a beach day for me. The waves were strong and beautiful to look at. I was really impressed by the number of lifeguards on duty and their diligence watching over the swimmers. They were always on alert, monitoring the severity of the tides and waves, making sure people were safe. Restrooms, however, were out of order but Porta-loos were available. Last but not least, I wasn't quite sure why there were sheriffs driving ATVs around the beach and lurking around people. Personally, I prefer other Malibu beaches such as El Matador beach due to the scenery and beautiful rock formations. At Zuma, though it's easy to park and a couple of volleyball tents are available, there was nothing really exciting to look at.
14 years ago
20 years ago
The best LA sunsets happen here! Winter into Spring is my favorite time to be at Zuma. Andrew M. says street park on South bound PCH and that's an awesome tip! . Just be careful not to U turn form North bound, the ticket is expensive and the cops know how to hide! read more
6 years ago
so beautiful! and free parking along the street take your date here, take your dog here, take your grandma here, or even your hairdresser! read more
7 years ago
Beautiful beach!! Peaceful, lots of space, and my kids loved it! We watched the sunset. Super romantic. I would recommend the drive from LA to see this. read more
16 years ago
Zuma Beach is easy like a Sunday morning. I've been coming to this beach for twenty five years. There's always parking and because it's so far up the PCH from Los Angeles, there's less traffic and chaos here than the Santa Monica beaches. It has all the amenities - trash cans, restrooms, showers and snack stands - and it stretches wide and flat for about five miles so it makes a great walking beach. You can sit and watch wind surfers or just people watch. I love looking at the big beautiful houses along the cliffs. At one end is a great little cove nestled in the rocks. The Sunset Restaurant is down there and it's worth staying for dinner. If you're here in the mornings or around sunset, you're almost guaranteed to see dolphins but you have to look. One day a little harbor seal came close enough for me to say hi. I was over the moon. Zu-ma! Zu-ma! read more
This beach is AMAZING and GORGEOUS! Lots of whale and dolphin sightings here! One main entry from PCH and while cars may stack up for parking, stay patient, you will find a spot! Beautiful sand and water await. Very scenic and enjoyable. While the ocean is cold this time of year, come the summer month this beach is bustling with people. read more
6 years ago
This beach is amazing! It's a huge stretch of gorgeous clean sand that is perfect for walking along the crashing waves. There are also ample rows of beach volleyball courts close to the paid parking lot. 4 stars because the bathrooms weren't open. read more
10 years ago
Zuma is definitely one of the nicer beaches in the area. The drive there is gorgeous. There is a nice sized parking lot right off of pch with direct access to the beach. In all of my visits to Zuma it's never been too crowded, but then again I also go on off days. It's so peaceful and quiet. You always see kids playing, surfers, and the occasional dog; although dogs are not permitted. The beach is clean and kept up nicely. If you drive to the very end of the parking lot there is a nice hilly area to hike up. read more
Bottom line at the top: this beach gives me hope for beaches in the US! -- I usually never like American beaches. After vacationing in the Maldives/St. Thomas/Sidi Abdel Rahman/etc. it's just never really appealed to me.. But zuma beach is definitely the best I've ever been to stateside! The sand isn't super soft but it's better than most beaches in California. There's plenty of parking along the PCH and when we went there weren't too many other people. The only downside is that you can only take the PCH to get back to the Westside/civilization, and that took us 2.5 hours.. Not so scenic afte the sun goes down. read more
11 years ago
Definitely my favorite beach near Los Angeles. The sand was nice, the water was beautiful and best of all the beach was soooo clean! The lifeguard on duty was very nice and attentive as well. Always nice to know there's a helping hand around. I'd absolutely recommend this beach to anyone. This beach is so much better than Venice beach. No trash in sight and just a breathtaking view. Bring a bogey board though so you can try to surf the waves. Some big waves roll in through here which is so much fun. read more
8 years ago
I finally made it out to Zuma! Zuma Beach is quite a drive down PCH. I usually stop at the Malibu Pier but this time we were determined to check out Zuma Beach. The official parking lot costs $10, so we just drove around and found parking on the street. Street parking is just a short walk to the water. Zuma is one of the cleanest beaches I've been to in SoCal. We walked past the crowds and towards the rocks where there was less people...it was definitely a nice place for some peace and quiet. The beach is really flat and the sand is relatively clean, I can see why people rave about Zuma Beach now. I went on a Sunday and it was pretty crowded. There were a lot more lifeguards patrolling the area which was good, a lot of people come here to surf and swim. I think Zuma is one of my favorite beaches now, it's really beautiful. read more
Came here for the first time last Saturday mid-morning with the wife, our 1.5 y/o son, a new Super Brella, a diaper bag full of stuff, his snacks, a beach basket with his toys, three large bottles of water, two towels and a little sunscreen. Will Rogers can be a bit dirty and we didn't want to valet/restaurant experience of Paradise Cove, so Zuma was a perfect option. The other beach-goers were noticeably kind and happy and parking was easy and just $10. It got a little crowded around 11am, but for Labor Day weekend, that was not bad at all. So an excellent beach and I look forward to coming back to Zuma again. One lesson I learned is that spray sunscreen still needs to be rubbed in. I sprayed my own back and shoulders and woke up the next day with VERY apparent white stripes around my torso supplemented with some complimentary burned regions. #lessonlearned #my300threview read more
5 years ago
10 years ago
This beach is beautiful! Me and my boyfriend stopped by on our way back from eating in Malibu and made it just in time for sunset! We had our dog with us and weren't sure if it was a dog friendly beach or not, but we had him on the leash and he's very small so we didn't think it was a problem. Lifeguards passed us and it seemed to not be a problem and he loved it! The beach is very clean with many nice people. We even got to see some dolphins really close by! Overall it was a great experience! Only reason for only four stars is because we didn't get a chance to check out the bathrooms so we couldn't judge that (although they were close by) and the parking entrance was pretty far to get into the lot. On the plus side, there are TONS of street parking! read more
7 years ago
Fabulous experience. The beach was very clean. Very friendly atmosphere. Lots of security. Excellent spot for kids. read more
4 years ago
5 years ago
I like the beach, but to say it's one of the best beaches in California/LA-area is definitely an overstatement. Overall, the beach was clean and water was fresh. We had beautiful, tall waves while we were there, and the sound of the waves crashing was very relaxing. As a warning for parents with children and inexperienced surfers, be careful. It's a great beach for water sports, but big waves also means rip current. While we were there, we witnessed a lifeguard rescuing a kid who was washed into the ocean by a rip current. On the other hand, the lifeguards seemed very attentive and reacted quickly and professionally. It's by far the largest beach in Malibu, which has its upside and downside. Parking was a bit difficult and precarious along PCH. And for being the largest beach in the area, it was surprisingly crowded! Nevertheless, this beach has a long stretch of golden sand, and it was so relaxing to sit down and enjoy everything nature has to offer. Being a large beach also meant that it had good amenities - bathroom, showers, and changing rooms were provided. The beach was directly accessible from PCH and had a large parking lot. read more
8 years ago
8 years ago
One of the most renown beaches in Malibu. The water looks beautiful from afar and up close. The walk from the parking lot to the water isn't as long as other beaches like Bolsa Chica in Huntington Beach. The beach is clean. There are usually students and families on the beach. There aren't any pits for a bonfire though. On the eastern part of the beach, there are food shacks. Interspersed through the beach are volleyball nets. Apparently there is also a helicopter pad on the beach which is interesting. One can park on PCH along with other cars. There is closer parking available but I believe you have to pay. Save some money and just park on PCH and walk 1 minute to the beach. I would definitely revisit this beach but I hope it will be slightly hotter. read more
WHAT A CLEAN BEACH!!!!!! the sand feels so soft in between your toes. The water is much cleaner compared to other beaches going south. it's a beautiful scenery because of the hills surrounding the beach. Even the air feels so fresh. read more
8 years ago
My favorite beach in Souther Cal! If your lucky, you can see dolphins swim by close to the beach. It has easily accessible restrooms and free (if you arrive early you can park in PCH) and paid parking readily available. The water is clean & refreshing especially on a very hot day. Great for kids as the beach has plenty of shallow areas in the water to play. Plus there are always lifeguards everywhere. No need to bring food/drinks if you choose to as there is a food stand near by or sometimes you get vendors walking around the beach. read more
8 years ago
We'd just gotten to California from Denver and was dying to see the beach! We'd pulled into Zuma Beach and was told it was something silly like $14 a day. F that. We left and noticed all the cars on the side of the road, so we found a place to turn around and got free parking instead! It was early on Saturday morning so not many people were out, the road was quiet, few surfers in the water. The sun hadn't quite come out yet do we didn't swim, just put our feet in and walked along. From what we saw it was a very clean beach with plenty of restrooms and lifeguard towers. I imagine that it'll get busy in the height of summer! read more
11 years ago
I wanted to go on an adventure on a weekend and wanted to go to a beach. This beach has the most beautiful sunset. It was so breathtaking. I went closer to the time the sun was setting so there weren't really any people there. It looked so clean on the sand too and the water so calm at that time it was relaxing. Getting here from Orange County is far then its worth the day trip to cruise along the Pacific Coast Highway to this paradise to spend the day till sunset. There is no other place to park around there so you will have to pay a fee to park there. read more
Having been to Malibu a handful of times over the years, it's a bit of an odd place. The wealth/celebrity factor weigh heavily on the air of the town, but there is also pretty conspicuous evidence of an emerging (or abiding) grunginess. That said, Zuma Beach never fails to seduce and lift away all other elements and considerations if you let it. Go at sunset; you'll be hard-pressed to find a more beautiful scene. read more
13 years ago
Zuma is my personal favorite beach in California. This place is never trashed, dirty or crowded. It's a bit of a drive unless you live in Malibu, but it is definitely worth it! On the Upside; -Clean beach -Smooth white sand(not rocky) -Plenty of parking (streets and Lot) -Beautiful -Clean water (not like the green kind at Santa Monica) -Great friendly locals -Little cute cottage cafe -Hidden strip, amazing scenery and almost always absolutely deserted On the Downside; -Can be quite a drive from anywhere outside of Malibu -No lifeguard -bathrooms are eh Overall do recommend. Try using the restroom before you come here. Other than that, this will be the most peaceful beach experience you have ever had! Highly recommend. Oh and if you need a nice coastal backdrop to your wedding photos or photo-shoot, this is the hidden gem you're looking for :) read more
12 years ago
After finally getting a day, there is no other place I rather go to relax than here. The sound of the crashing waves tend to serve as therapy as the sun rays and cool breeze lands gently on me. Whether it be summer or winter the weather is almost always great. The beautiful blues skies tend to never miss a day. If you have a day off have nothing to do came enjoy the beach. Like the saying goes, the best things in life are free. read more
12 years ago
My favorite beach ! Zuma is amazing. Best place to just relax !! Or surf or swim I would highly recommend this beach out of all other beachside ! Zuma is a great place to come chill by your self or with firends read more
13 years ago
With the exception of Paradise Cove, Zuma has to be one of the most picturesque beaches in LA. It stretches so long that it remains relatively deserted most of the year, but even in the dead of summer when the sun is shining high and the crowds are thick, you can always find a little patch of sand to sprawl out on. Thanks to the dedicated crew of county workers stationed here, it remains pretty much spotless all year long. (You'll appreciate this if you've spent a little time at any of the popular Orange County beaches) These guys comb the sand every day, all year long, keeping the sand and water in pristine condition.. read more
12 years ago
The beach is nice. It feels very international. Relaxation, boogie boards, lifeguards galore! Annoying airplanes flying around with marketing banners! Gotta love Southern California. It's a very relaxed location. We packed a bunch of food and enjoyed the day. Parking is plentiful, but pricey. There is food available to purchase and restrooms onsite. Great spot for families. read more
4 years ago
More info about Zuma Beach
30000 Pacific Coast Hwy
Malibu, CA 90265
Directions
Visit Website
https://beaches.lacounty.gov/zuma-beach/
Hours
Indoor Amenities
Outdoor Amenities
Zuma Beach Reviews in Other Languages
Ask the Community - Zuma Beach
Where are the volleyball courts located?
Are there Basketball Courts in Zuma Beach?.. Cause I like 2 play basketball at different n see if there are any competition but my favorite beach 2 play basketball at is Venice Beach.. So that's is my question is there basketball courts in Zuma Beach
It's pure sand, no courts.
Are the volleyball nets still up?
Yes. I just went yesterday and they had them up.
Does this beach have coves and privacy spots?
No, it's just a long shore line and a big surfer spot.
Can a 4 year old safely go in the water at Zuma? Would they be carried out to sea?
To be honest, the waters are not too crazy and kids as young as 2 can easily enjoy the waves and beach.… Read more
Is the beach Dog friendly?
Not on the sand. You can walk them only on the walkway.
Hi. Does it have bbq?
No not that I know of! But I would say cook it before hand and still enjoy the beach!
Is this a dog friendly beach?
Sorry, Zuma Beach is not dog friendly. However, if you drive further down PCH to Leo Carrillo Beach it is dog friendly. It is one of my favorite beaches.
Is it dog friendly?
Technically no on the sand. I have seen people have a dog that's well behaved near them on the sand. There are signs that say no pets, so I would worry about getting ticketed. However, you can walk dogs on the concrete sidewalks near the parking… Read more
Are there any fire pits at Zumba beach?? Or does anyone know if I can use my small grill at this beach?
No fire pits. I'm not sure if you're allowed to grill on the beach, but I think it's not allowed.
Is there parking for a RV?
Yes day parking... if you go further North, up by Point Miguel there is RV overnight parking, but I believe you will need reservations.. Have fun...!!
Any beach suggestion where you can let a dog run with you (and pick up waste of course) near Malibu? I know any place where there aren't lifeguards, but I'd appreciate any suggestions where I could bring my small dog and not get hassled. Thanks!
I've read that Leo Carrillo state beach in Malibu is the only beach that is dog friendly and allows dogs on the beach. For the most part, other beaches don't even allow dogs on the sand.
Review Highlights - Zuma Beach
You might also consider
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
56 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
16 years ago
4 years ago
7 years ago
14 years ago
15 years ago
11 years ago
15 years ago
11 years ago
16 years ago
6 years ago
3 years ago
14 years ago
5 years ago
13 years ago
10 years ago
12 years ago
12 years ago
1 year ago
8 years ago
Zuma Beach - beaches - Updated June 2026
Best of Malibu
People found Zuma Beach by searching for…
Dog Friendly Beaches in Malibu, California
Tide Pools in Malibu, California
Attractions in Malibu, California
Beach Bonfire in Malibu, California
Sea Shell Beaches in Malibu, California
Things to Do in Malibu, California
Closest Beach in Malibu, California
Sand Dunes in Malibu, California
Sea Glass Beach in Malibu, California
Scenic View in Malibu, California
Kid Friendly Beaches in Malibu, California
Secluded Beaches in Malibu, California
Volleyball Courts in Malibu, California
Picnic Areas BBQ Pits in Malibu, California
Beach BBQ Pits in Malibu, California
Scenic Drive in Malibu, California
Beach Chair Rentals in Malibu, California
Meteor Shower in Malibu, California
Watch Sunset in Malibu, California
Free Beach Parking in Malibu, California
Beach Fire Pits in Malibu, California
Bonfires in Malibu, California
Trending Searches in Malibu, CA
Beach Chair Rentals near Zuma Beach
Black Owned Nail Salons near Zuma Beach
Crabbing Location near Zuma Beach
Dog Friendly Beaches near Zuma Beach
Jet Ski Rental near Zuma Beach
Pick Your Own Farms near Zuma Beach
Public Beaches near Zuma Beach
River Swimming near Zuma Beach
Salt Water Pool near Zuma Beach
Strawberry Picking near Zuma Beach
Swimming Holes near Zuma Beach
Browse Articles
Browse Nearby
BEST of Malibu, California Restaurants near Zuma Beach
BEST of Malibu, California Coffee near Zuma Beach
BEST of Malibu, California Things to Do near Zuma Beach
BEST of Malibu, California Tide Pools near Zuma Beach
BEST of Malibu, California Lakes near Zuma Beach
BEST of Malibu, California Breakfast near Zuma Beach
BEST of Malibu, California Vacation Rentals near Zuma Beach
Browse Brands
Related Searches in Malibu, CA
Affordable Paddle Board Rental in Malibu, California
Best Water Parks for Kids in Malibu, California
Best Waterfalls and Swimming Holes in Malibu, California
Book a Snorkeling Tour in Malibu, California
Browse Top Hotels in Malibu, California for Your Stay
Discover Dog Friendly Beaches Near Malibu, California
Discover Public Beaches to Visit in Malibu, California
Discover Scenic Beach Camping Sites in Malibu, California
Discover Sea Shell Beaches Near Malibu, California
Discover the Best Tide Pools in Malibu, California
Enjoy Surfing Adventures in Malibu, California
Enjoy Water Activities and Fun in Malibu, California
Enjoy a Dog Beach Day in Malibu, California
Enjoy the Best Walking Trails in Malibu, California
Enjoy the Scenic Boardwalk Attractions in Malibu, California
Experience Stunning Sunset Views in Malibu, California
Experience Thrilling Parasailing Adventures in Malibu, California
Explore Beautiful Parks and Green Spaces in Malibu, California
Explore Easy Hikes Perfect for All in Malibu, California
Explore Off Leash Dog Beaches in Malibu, California
Explore Popular Campgrounds Near Malibu, California
Explore Popular Scenic Views Near Malibu, California
Explore Scenic Lakes to Visit in Malibu, California
Explore Secluded Beaches to Relax in Malibu, California
Explore Top Dog Parks in Malibu, California Near You
Explore Top Water Parks in Malibu, California Today
Explore the Best Swimming Holes Around Malibu, California
Find Beautiful Views in Malibu, California
Find Free Beach Parking Options in Malibu, California
Find Reliable Beach Chair Rentals in Malibu, California
Find Surf Lessons Near You in Malibu, California
Find Top-Rated Waterfalls in Malibu, California Now
Find the Best Parks for Picnics in Malibu, California
Find the Best Playgrounds to Visit in Malibu, California
Find the Best Swimming Pools in Malibu, California Today
Great Places to Swim in Malibu, California
Popular Fishing Spots to Explore in Malibu, California
Popular Outdoor Activities to Try in Malibu, California
Popular Picnic Spots to Visit in Malibu, California
Popular Places to Take Pictures in Malibu, California
Relax at Popular Beach Parks in Malibu, California
Safe Beaches for Kids in Malibu, California
Safe and Fun Parks for Kids in Malibu, California
Top Hiking Trails to Explore in Malibu, California
Top Paddleboarding Activities in Malibu, California
Top Places for Snorkeling in Malibu, California
Top Playgrounds for Kids to Enjoy in Malibu, California
Top Swimming Lakes to Enjoy in Malibu, California
People who viewed Zuma Beach also viewed
El Matador State Beach
515 reviews
Point Dume State Beach
336 reviews
Malibu Lagoon State Beach
108 reviews
Mugu Beach
52 reviews
Topanga Beach
102 reviews
Lechuza Beach
53 reviews
Sycamore Cove Beach
36 reviews
Malibu Beach
79 reviews
Playa Del Rey Beach
82 reviews
Playa del Rey
Sunset Beach
31 reviews
Pacific Palisades