Happy Monday friends! Today we’re staying local...something I’ve been doing a lot of this year because of Covid. I thought it would be fun to take you to one of the first Pacific Ocean views that took my breath away when I moved to California over 15 years ago. Welcome to El Matador Beach!

Once known as one of Malibu’s best hidden beaches, El Matador hasn’t been a secret since it hit the social media seen nearly a decade ago. I’ve found it interesting to watch this spot transform from a quiet local hang out to a mecca for photographers, models and tourists seeking out their own magical Malibu moment. Just because the beach is no longer a secluded oasis doesn’t mean it’s not worth a visit though.

El Matador Beach is one of three beaches that make up Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach. Both La Piedra (located to the north) and El Pescador (located to the south) are beautiful, but the star of this trio is certainly El Matador. From its stunning 100 foot sheer cliff-top views to its sea caves and massive sea stacks, this is a unique and special beach...even by picky Malibu standards!

El Matador has a very small parking lot (which often fills up by mid-morning in the Summer months) and a set of steep staircases leading down to the sand. This beach is hugely popular for birdwatching and sea-life viewing, as well as photography, snorkeling, tide-pooling, picnicking, sunbathing and strolling. It’s no wonder this beach is often packed…and I’m sad to say over the past decade I’ve seen the amount of trash left here grow exponentially. I’ve picked up more face masks than I can count here this year, along with countless cigarette butts, plastic water bottles, and glass beer bottles. So if you visit, please do so responsibly and never leave any food items or garbage behind.

Know Before You Go

• The small paid parking lot fits less than 2 dozen cars and is often monitored by State Park officials in the busy Summer months.

• If you try to park on the street, be VERY conscious of the parking regulations...the city of Malibu does not mess around when it comes to street parking.

• If you want to visit this beach without the crowds, your best bet is to visit off-season, or during rainy/cold weather first thing in the morning (I recently had the whole beach to myself for over an hour on a gloomy Tuesday morning...and trust me that’s a rare occurrence!).

• To really explore the sea caves, giant arches and tide pools, check the tide report before visiting and plan your trip at low tide.

• Sunset (at low tide) is a magnificent time to take epic photos here, but just know you’ll probably be surrounded by photographers trying to get the same shot as you.

• This beach is currently inaccessible to those with mobility issues. The only access point is a steep dirt path and multiple staircases.

• Restrooms and trash containers are located at the trailhead/parking area.

• Please be considerate of the Leave no Trace Principles to help keep this place wild and beautiful.

In Summary & Behind the Blog Video

Thanks so much for joining me today at one of my favorite local beaches! For more information, see my Behind the Blog video below…and until next week I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go!

If you enjoyed this post you might also like…

Featured