Westward Beach

Located on the western side of Point Dume in Malibu, Westward Beach is part of the southern half of Zuma Beach. Westward Beach is three miles long, quiet, clean, and wide. The beach is known for its waves, making is a popular surf destination especially during the winter when the swells are higher.

There are many amenities here including lifeguards, showers, picnic tables, and bathrooms – but dogs are not allowed. If you like adventure, at the southwest end of the beach there’s a sheer cliff that is used for rock climbing.

There are other fun activities here including fishing, hiking, and sunbathing. You can also swim here, but be careful because the waves can be strong and riptides are common. 

Getting to Westward Beach is easy – after you get off of Pacific Coast Highway (which is also known as Highway 1), you’ll drive down a road that winds to the left where you can find street parking on either side. These spots are often full (there are a lot of RVs parked there), and if they are, keep going on Westward Beach Road where you will find a large paid parking lot.

If you like to hike, there are various trails that lead to the top of Point Dume, a large, round, rock-like plateau that is several hundred feet in diameter and has incredible views of the ocean that makes it an Instagram-worthy and very popular place to take photos. This large rock is part of the Point Dume Natural Preserve which is open from 5 am to 7 pm. If you’re looking out at the ocean, you can see the uncrowded and beautiful Point Dume Beach to your left which currently cannot be accessed unless you own a home above that has a private staircase to the beach. The City of Malibu is building a large staircase that allows easy access which should be finished in late 2021. If you look to the right from Point Dume, you can see Pirates Cove Beach, which is small, hard to-to-access beach that also makes it uncrowded. To get there from Westward Beach, you will need to venture out into the water and go about 100 feet to your left around large, sharp boulders – this can be dangerous, so if you’re going to do this, we recommend waiting for low tide when the waters are calm. Depending on the time of year, visitors to Westward Beach can spot many species of sea mammals including dolphins, whales, seals, and sea lions.

If you get hungry, there are many excellent restaurants near Westward Beach. The Sunset is an excellent oceanfront restaurant located on the sandy stretch of Zuma Beach – it’s open for lunch and dinner, has a great menu, and has a great bar area with casual comfortable couches when you walk in. Another option is Spruzzo’s which has great pizza and an outdoor terrace seating that has great views of the ocean. A mile and a half away is Thaia, a great restaurant with a wide variety of Pan-Asian options.

If you are looking for a place to stay, there are several excellent nearby options. If you’re in the mood for something ultra-luxurious, the Nobu Ryokan Malibu is a 16-room, adult-oriented hotel that honors the traditional Japanese Ryokan – it features teak soaking tubs, indoor and outdoor fireplaces, and serene outdoor patios. Malibu Beach Inn is a 4-Star oceanfront hotel that is located about 10 miles away – it offers stunning views of “Billionaire’s Beach,” also known as Carbon Beach, and has a good spa and oceanfront terrace restaurant. The 4-Star Calamigos Guest Ranch and Beach Club is also a great option – it’s situated on a 200-acre ranch and also has a beachfront Calamigos Beach Club Restaurant and Lounge that offers incredible views of the Pacific Ocean. It also offers fun activities including horseback riding, private wine tasting, and helicopter tours. Malibu Country Inn is a 3-Star hotel just off the Pacific Coast Highway and is only a few minutes away from the beach.