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Public Access 101 Malibu Public Beaches U Malibu, S R 2007-2009 E A G N RAN

WELCOME TO THE BEACH! WHERE IS THE PUBLIC BEACH?

Just a stone’s throw from Los Angeles, the “Development shall not interfere with the public’s Private property Photo-maps like the one below are a handy right of access to the sea...including...the use of tool for locating dry-sand easements, and are world-famous Malibu coastline offers 27 miles available on the Coastal Commission website the dry sand and rocky coastal beaches to the first of scenic public beaches. Spend a day in the for Broad and Carbon beaches. Less detailed line of terrestrial vegetation.” public access maps for all of the beaches are sun on one of the beautiful all-public beaches. also available under the “Malibu LCP” section. — California Coastal Act, Section 30211 (1976) Or head for the 20 miles of public beaches See www.coastal.ca.gov/pubs.html. that are lined with private beachfront—where “The state of California owns...the lands seaward Public Easement you can go beachcombing and wildlife- Many private beach properties have of what is called the ‘mean high tide line’.... public easements on the dry sand watching on the state lands below the high Although is difficult to ascertain the boundary Mean High Tide Line (MHTL): tide line and sunbathing and sign-watching on between public and private lands, a general rule to 18-yr. avg. high tide (unmarked) the abundant public easements on the dry follow is that visitors have the right to walk on the Daily High Water Line (DHWL): sand. Whether you're visiting from far away or beach.” Wet/dry boundary (last high tide) from the properties next door, Malibu's public — California Coastal Commission, CA Coastal Access Guide (2003) Wet Sand beaches will reward you with abundant Public property—You can walk here! opportunities for recreation and discovery.

to 101 Ventura Fwy to to 101 Ventura Ventura Fwy d

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d r Broad Beach Rd Civic Center Dr

mulholland hwy cyn rd blvd pacific Pepperdine Cross Creek Rd es cyn rd 1 coast h ighway University (PCH) M flor sunset latigo cyn rd M M topanga cyn Nicolas trancas cyn rd Heathercliff Rd M corral cyn rd Latigo Shore Rd las State Beach El Pescador M M big rock M Canyon M Malibu Rd La Piedra malibu R State Beach M Malibu Cove Col Dr State Beach M Las Tunas 1 Beach R 1 2 Westward Bch Rd Las Flores Big Rock Topanga R Escond Bch Rd M 15 16 La Costa State El Matador 4 kanan dume rd Beach Beach State R 3 5 M Malibu Carbon Beach Beach State Malibu 17 18 Beach Lechuza 1 County 9 13 Beach Beach R to Santa Monica Trancas M 11 Lagoon Beach Beach Zuma M 8 (Corral) Beach 14 R (Broad) State and 10 Fwy R County 12 Beach 7 Latigo R 10 Beach Malibu Pier Beach 6 Beach Surfrider Paradise Malibu Road Beaches R R Escondido Beach ACCESS TO PUBLIC-PRIVATE BEACHES Point Dume Cove Beach (Puerco & Amarillo) Malibu State Beach Bluffs State Little Dume Recreation R Westward Lechuza Beach Beach Area Beach Beach hours vary. 7am-10pm at most all-public 1 Broad Beach Rd at West Sea Dr Big Dume R Beach beaches. Public-private beaches open 24 hrs; 2 Broad Beach Rd at Bunnie Ln Point Dume access gates open sunrise-sunset for entry, 3 Broad Beach Rd at East Sea Level Dr 24 hours for exit (all but #16, not locked from 14 Malibu Beach (Malibu Colony) All-public beach between West Sea Level Dr 8 Latigo Beach Take the path west from Malibu Lagoon beach side). and 1 west of Bunnie Ln Latigo Shore Rd lot. Park on PCH North Broad Beach Legend 4 Between 31346-31340 Broad Beach Rd Carbon Beach 1 Access to public-private beaches Malibu Road Beaches (Puerco & Amarillo) 15 “Zonker Harris Accessway” 5 Between 31138-31202 Broad Beach Rd Turn on Webb Way from PCH East edge of 22706 PCH R Restroom M MTA 534 bus stop, www.metro.net Escondido Beach 9 Between 25120-25116 Malibu Rd 16 West edge of 22126 PCH 6 Between 27420-27400 PCH 10 Between 24742-24712 Malibu Rd Bold indicates all-public beaches. Just west of Geoffrey’s restaurant Big Rock Beach 11 Between 24604-24572 Malibu Rd East of Broad Beach, public-private beaches 17 Between Moonshadows and 20340 PCH 7 Between Malibu Cove Colony Dr and are often not passable at high tide. See other 12 Between 24436-24434 Malibu Rd Closed due to storm damage Escondido Beach Rd side for “Reading a Tide Chart.” Just east of Geoffrey’s restaurant 13 Between 24320-24314 Malibu Rd 18 Between 20000-19958 PCH For a Safe and Enjoyable Visit READING A TIDE CHART

SAFETY TIPS BASIC BEACH ETIQUETTE PARKING 24-Hour Period Type Height Be sure to take precautions against these Respect public and private property, Parking is ample in public lots and on roads off 5:07 AM Low Tide -1.22 feet common hazards: whether visiting from next door or far away: the PCH, and less so on the PCH at peak 11:42 AM High Tide 4.07 feet beach-going times. Note: barriers to public • Deposit trash in receptacles provided. 4:21 PM Low Tide 2.24 feet Sun and Wind: Use sun protection. Carry an parking are common, and range from 10:28 PM High Tide 6.37 feet extra layer of . • Use established restrooms only. Note: no “movable” (orange cones, trash High tide arrives ~50 minutes the next day. restrooms on public-private beaches. cans) to “unmovable” Check the 2-day charts for Santa Monica, CA at http://weather.latimes.com/MAR/PZ/655.html, or up Pacific Coast Highway (PCH): Use caution • Do not trespass on private property. Refrain (mailboxes, trees, ) to to a year in advance at http://tbone.biol.sc.edu/tide/. when parking and extreme caution if crossing from using beach furniture that does not belong “can be moved but not is necessary. recommended” (large potted Tides range from approx. to you. -2 ft (very low) to 7 ft (very high). plants, guards, illegal Avoid tides over 5 ft. Narrow • Refrain from posting signs and guards to keep Rip Tides: Swim in areas with lifeguards; stay “no parking” signs). beaches are generally people from using the land that belongs to accessible within 2 hours of in shallows in ones without. Note: public-private everyone. a high tide. beaches and many all-public beaches at Visit your local hardware store to off-peak times (and a few at all times) do not make your own “no parking” sign for have lifeguards. as little as $25. “No individual, partnership or corporation, claiming or possessing Urban Runoff: Stay out of water after rains. the...tidal lands...in this State, shall Avoid water near storm drains and creek outlets be permitted to exclude the right of at all times. way to such water whenever it is required for any public purpose... Security Guards: Carry easement maps and the Legislature shall enact such when using dry-sand easements. A copy of laws as will give the most liberal the CA Coastal Act is not necessary but construction to this provision....” Photo Credit: Tony Dixon Tony Photo Credit: can be useful. Constitution of the State of California, — FLORA AND FAUNA Article X, Section 4 The coast supports a rich and colorful array of life forms—underwater, overhead, and on the sand. Pelicans, dolphins, sea stars, and other FOR MORE INFORMATION year-round native wildlife are joined seasonally SIGNS by whales, curlews, and other migrants. Signs on the public-private beaches are Los Angeles Urban Rangers Common exotic species include potted palms abundant and diverse. While often confusing, www.laurbanrangers.org in gardens and illegal dogs on the beaches, they fall into four basic taxonomic categories: “Malibu Public Beaches” guide and safaris while bacteria and viruses greatly increase in CA Coastal Commission abundance after rainstorms. True: “No dogs allowed,” “Private property” (if www.coastal.ca.gov on private beach property without dry-sand (805) 585-1800 Since the last owner of the Malibu Rancho lost easement) CA Coastal Access Guide (2003) Photo Credit: Jérôme Daoust fierce legal battles in the early to block Legal and access info GEOLOGY the building of the PCH, the residents Somewhat True: “Private property both sides of LA County Dept Beaches & Harbors this walkway” (true only on properties without Here where the meet have become more abundant but have remained beaches.co.la.ca.us/BandH/Main.htm the Pacific Ocean, the coastline varies from strongly territorial and litigious. Some are dry-sand easements) County beach info rocky bluffs to smooth sandy beaches. year-round inhabitants, while many use their Usually False: “Private beach extends 70 ft Santa Monica Mtns Conservancy Coastal development has interrupted natural dwellings primarily on weekends and holidays. seaward from this sign” (or most other ##s) www.lamountains.com/parks_search.asp erosional and depositional cycles, as has the While the residents are 89% Caucasian, State beach info construction of debris basins to prevent day-use weekend visitors include a more diverse False: “Private beach,” “No stopping,” “Right to landslides in the mountains. Therefore, sand array of families, surfers, star-stalkers, and the Access For All pass by permission” (on a public right-of-way) [email protected] deposited on the beaches by the sea and silicone-enhanced. On weekdays, gardeners, (310) 455-4224 mountains is often supplemented by exotic, maids, and construction workers visit beach- Nonprofit public-access advocate trucked-in sand that originates in such urbanized adjacent properties in large numbers but are © Los Angeles Urban Rangers, 2008 Thank you to the , No part of this work may be reproduced in any manner, in whole or in part, the California Coastal Conservancy and the Los Angeles Forum for formations as the San Fernando . seldom seen on the beaches. without express written permission from the artists. and Urban Design for their generous support.