Surf Travel Guide: Malibu, California, USA

Malibu does not need an introduction, but Surfrider Beach earns one anyway. This stretch of sand below the Malibu Pier is the wave that helped shape modern surf culture in California, the beach where Gidget first paddled out, and the first surf spot in the world named a World Surfing Reserve. It is also still a welcoming beach for a first-timer on a soft-top.

Why Malibu?

Surfrider Beach sits inside the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, a protected stretch of coast that has shaped Southern California surfing since the 1950s. Three connected points break off the same cobblestone and sand bottom, so a building south swell wraps and reforms across First, Second and Third Point rather than closing out all at once. That range, soft and forgiving on one end, fast and demanding on the other, is why generations of surfers have treated Malibu as a proving ground.

→ In 2010, Surfrider Beach became the first wave on the planet named a World Surfing Reserve, a designation that specifically cited its wave quality and its role in the birth of modern surf culture.

↪ That same stretch of beach is where a California teenager named Kathy Kohner surfed with the local crew in the summer of 1956, inspiring the novel and films that introduced surfing to an audience that had never seen it before.

Getting There and Getting Around

Malibu sits close enough to a major airport that a surf trip here can start the same afternoon you land.

Fly into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), about 25 miles from Surfrider Beach.
→ A rideshare takes roughly 50 minutes in light traffic and runs around $70 to $75 for a standard car, more during rush hour on the Pacific Coast Highway.
↪ Public transit along this stretch of coast is limited, so most visitors either rent a car at LAX or book a private transfer; a rental also makes it easy to check other points along PCH on the same trip.

Once you are there, Surfrider Beach itself is walkable end to end, with the pier, the lagoon and all three points inside a short stroll of each other.

When to Surf

Malibu is a year round wave, but the character of the swell changes completely with the seasons.

Surf season: Fall, especially September and October, is widely rated the best stretch, with steady groundswell, thinner crowds than summer and water still holding its warmth. Summer is also excellent, when south and southwest swells keep the points working and glassy morning conditions are common. Winter swings the swell window to the west and north, which leaves the main points with less consistent size, so plan around fall or summer if you can.

Swell and wind: Malibu wants south to southwest swell that wraps around Point Dume, with Third Point able to connect all the way to the pier on a good late summer south swell. Offshore wind, blowing from the land toward the sea, is common on fall mornings and keeps the surface clean.

Safety notes: Southern California lifeguards regularly issue rip current and high surf advisories for this stretch of coast, including rescues reported near the pier, so check conditions before paddling out on a bigger day. Malibu Lagoon, just behind the beach, is a protected estuary and nesting site for the snowy plover, and occasional bacteria advisories can close the water to swimming, so it is worth a quick check of current conditions if you are visiting in wet weather.

Surf Breaks

First Point: The classic, open faced right that put Malibu on the map, a longboarder's wave at its best.
Wave: Mellow and shapely in small to medium swell, very crowded on any good day.
Level: Beginner to intermediate in smaller conditions.
Second Point: A faster, higher performance section that feeds into an inside bowl locals call the kiddie bowl.
Wave: Punchier than First Point, suited to shortboard turns.
Level: Intermediate to advanced.
Third Point: The outermost peak, with both a left and a right, that can connect all the way to the pier on a strong late summer south swell.
Wave: Faster and more exposed than the points inside it.
Level: Intermediate to advanced.
Topanga State Beach: A short drive south, where the point peels over a cobblestone and reef bottom on west and south swells.
Wave: Can be excellent on its day, with a reef hazard that demands respect.
Level: Intermediate, due to the bottom.

Photographing Malibu

Three points, a pier and cliffs on both ends of the beach give a photographer an unusually good vantage point over the lineup, which is part of why Malibu has been photographed more than almost any other wave in California. If you are the one shooting it, the straightforward move is to upload your gallery to Surf Snaps, where there is no subscription, no listing fee and no storage bill, just a 10% revenue share paid monthly whenever a photo actually sells. If you are the one surfing it, search Surf Snaps by sport, place and date to find your own session, often for less than lunch on the Pacific Coast Highway.

Where to Stay

→ Lodging directly in Malibu is sparse and priced accordingly, so the choice usually comes down to staying right on Surfrider Beach or driving a little further for a real budget option.

Budget ($)

HI Los Angeles Santa Monica Hostel, 1436 2nd Street, Santa Monica
Malibu itself has no real budget option close to the beach, so this hostel about 15 miles south in Santa Monica is the nearest genuine budget base, with dorm beds and an easy PCH drive up to Surfrider. Approx. $120/night, seen October 2026, per expedia.com.

Mid-Range ($$)

Malibu Country Inn, 6506 Westward Beach Road, Malibu
A genuine 3-star hotel near Zuma and Point Dume, about 9 to 10 miles from Surfrider Beach, with straightforward rooms and an easy drive down PCH to the points. Approx. $165/night, seen October 2026, per kayak.com.

Beachfront/Luxury ($$$)

The Surfrider Malibu, 23033 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu
A boutique hotel that sits directly on Surfrider Beach, close enough to the pier to check the points from the parking lot. Approx. $501/night, seen October 2026, per hotels.com.

Food and Drink

Lunch on the pier: Malibu Farm Restaurant, on Malibu Pier
→ Hummus plate for approx. $21, seen October 2026, per the restaurant's online ordering page on toasttab.com.
Classic beach dinner: Duke's Malibu, 21150 Pacific Coast Highway
→ Kimo's Original Hula Pie for approx. $14, seen October 2026, per a menu reprint on palisadesnews.com.
Fresh fish on the way out: Malibu Seafood Fresh Fish Market and Patio Cafe, 25653 Pacific Coast Highway
→ A real local favorite for fish and chips at an open air patio counter; a current, sourced dollar price was not available at the time of writing, so check the counter board on arrival.

FAQ: Surfing at Malibu

Is Surfrider Beach good for beginners?

Yes, on smaller days. First Point is a mellow, open faced right that suits a first-timer on a soft-top, though it gets crowded fast on any good day. Second and Third Point are faster and better suited to more experienced surfers.

What is the best time of year to surf Malibu?

Fall, particularly September and October, usually gives the best mix of consistent swell, thinner crowds and warm water. Summer is also a strong option thanks to reliable south swell, while winter tends to leave the main points with less consistent size.

Are there rip currents at Malibu?

Yes. Southern California lifeguards issue regular rip current and high surf advisories for this stretch of coast, including rescues near the pier, so check conditions before paddling out and ask a lifeguard if you are unsure.

Do I need a wetsuit to surf at Malibu?

Most surfers wear a 3/2mm or 4/3mm wetsuit in fall, moving to a thicker suit with booties in winter when the water is at its coldest. Summer sessions are comfortable in a spring suit or boardshorts for most surfers.

Where can I find photos of my Malibu session?

Search Surf Snaps by sport, place, and date on the explore page to find galleries from your session.

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Keep exploring with the rest of this series and our other surf travel guides.