Nicholas Canyon County Beach(Point Zero, Zeros)

Located on the west side of the city of Malibu, Nicholas Canyon County Beach is slightly less than a mile long and is one of the few point breaks left in the city. Nicholas Canyon County Beach is also known as "Point Zero" or "Zeros" due to the shape of the waves that break on the boulder-strewn point at the south of the beach where San Nicolas Canyon meets the shore. Nicholas Canyon County Beach is owned by Los Angeles County – and is situated next to Wishtoyo Chumash Village, north of El Sol County Beach, and about a mile south of Leo Carrillo State Park.

The beach offers several amenities including lifeguards, restrooms, showers, tidepools, and picnic tables.

There are several fun activities at Nicholas Canyon County Beach including swimming, surfing, snorkeling, windsurfing, fishing, and hiking – you can also scuba dive here at a rocky reef and kelp bed about 200 yards from the shore. 

Getting here is very easy – after you get off of at 33850 Pacific Coast Highway, drive on Nicholas Beach Road to find a paid parking lot – the lot has 151 parking spaces and is located at 33904 Pacific Coast Highway. To access Nicholas Canyon County Beach, there is a long-paved path that is eroding that takes you from the lot to the center of the beach.

If you are looking for attractions near Nicholas Canyon County Beach, you can walk four-minutes to Wishtoyo Chumash Village, an authentic re-creation of a working Native American village where visitors can see canoes, tools, handicrafts, ceremonies, celebrations, and replicas of Chumash homes. Malibu Riding & Tennis Club is a 100-acre beachfront club featuring tennis courts, horse barns, dirt and paved roads, a nightclub, a restaurant, a pool, and a campground. If you like hiking, Solstice Canyon offers a six-mile-long trail that dates back to 1865 with incredible views of the Santa Monica Mountains, Pacific Ocean, a waterfall, and a stone cottage. Also known as the "Taj Mahal of Tile," Adamson House Museum explores the history of Malibu. Another good option is the iconic Malibu Pier, a historical tourist attraction site that’s famous for its dual white towers, rough-hewn planks, two restaurants, five stores, and an observation deck where you can fish and look for dolphins.

If you get hungry, there are many restaurants within a 11-minute drive of Nicholas Canyon County Beach. Neptune’s Net is a biker-bar-cum-restaurant that has been featured in several films, television series, and video games, including Iron Man 3, The Fast and the Furious, Gossip Girl, and GTA 5. The local Italian restaurant D'Amores Pizza serves salads, subs, pasta, pizza, desserts, and beverages. Another great option is Kristy's Malibu, an American seaside eatery featuring seafood and outdoor patio seating.

If you are looking for a hotel near Nicholas Canyon County Beach, there are many great nearby options. Calamigos Guest Ranch and Beach Club is a 15-minute drive away – it features one-, two-, and three-bedroom bungalows, estate rooms, cottages, multiple pools, fitness centers, a spa, nature hikes, horseback riding sessions, and wine tasting tours. Malibu Beach Inn is a 4-Star hotel with a bar, spa, and restaurant which is located on Carbon Beach, which has been nicknamed Billionaires’ Beach due to the many ultrawealthy homeowners and incredibly expensive homes there. The 3-Star pet-friendly hotel Malibu Country Inn has a pool and an outdoor fireplace. If you are looking for an affordable option, the 2-Star hotel Native allows pets and provides hiking tours.