Surfside Seclusion

It’s the dog days of summer, time to hit the beach--you and thousands of other sand seekers.

If your idea of the beach is bumper-to-bumper bodies, there are plenty of places to go. But if you crave a more secluded beach experience, we’ve got the place for you.

Actually, there are three places--three little beaches, all in a row, tucked into the cliff along Pacific Coast Highway, just east of the Ventura County line.

El Pescador, La Piedra and El Matador are all part of Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach, but they’re still relatively undiscovered by Southern California’s hordes. Of course, maybe now the cat is out of the bag.

The California parks department will spread the word even more this weekend when a guide leads two free outings at these pocket beaches, located about 5.5 miles west of Kanan-Dume Road. On Saturday, the one-hour jaunt begins at El Pescador, and on Sunday it will be at La Piedra. Both begin at 4 p.m.

“These beaches offer more opportunities for a person to have an intimate experience with nature,” said Jim Holt, a state interpretive guide who will lead the group.

During these walks, Holt will point out the many shorebirds that hang out here, away from the crowds at other beaches. He’ll also explain the geology of the sea cliff.

When the state obtained the three beaches in 1978, a smattering of private homes were removed. At that time, researchers found crude stone tools at El Pescador--evidence of a Native American presence some 6,000 years ago.

In addition to learning how the tides work their wonders, participants will pick up litter along the way. If you can’t make these outings, keep these pocket beaches in mind for the next time you want a private little romantic hideaway, or just a stretch of scenic privacy.

They’re marked on the Pacific Coast Highway, but it’s easy to drive right by them because they’re hidden beneath the 100-foot cliff overlooking the ocean.

Within a mile of each other, they all have relatively small, unpaved parking lots and only a few amenities, like chemical toilets, and a couple of picnic tables. They’re open 8 a.m. to sunset, and parking is $2 on the honor system. Dogs, alcohol, fires, camping and diving are all no-no’s.

To get to the beaches, you have to work a bit, and for some the walk down to the water might be too strenuous. Before you start the trek down, though, take in the spectacular view from the top of the cliff, where you can see the outline of the kelp beds below.

Of the three beaches, La Piedra and El Pescador--both claiming about 550 feet of beachfront--are generally the least crowded. At midday on a recent weekday, only 11 people had walked down the rutted dirt road and final steps to the sheltered cove of El Pescador.

The surf was up and a couple of surfers were in the water. “It’s pretty unpopulated here--that’s what so good about it,” said surfer Michael Hollis of San Diego. “You can kick back, relax and get away.”

The beaches are sandy and not too littered. A few craggy rocks stick out of the water. Orange netting at either end of these beaches marks the public portion from the lavish homes nearby. During low tide, you can walk from one beach to the next.

The most popular of the trio is El Matador--for obvious reasons. Huge boulders--the largest 20 feet high and 30 feet wide--squat on the beach, like they’ve been tossed there by some giant. One has little caves that water rushes through at low tide. People sometimes climb to the top of the biggest one, only to find they can’t get back down and have to be rescued.

During the summer, a lifeguard unit roves among the three beaches daily, and on Saturdays and Sundays, a lifeguard is stationed at El Matador from noon to 6 p.m.

“I spend more time at El Matador--it’s the busiest beach,” said lifeguard Shaun Healy. It’s also the largest, with twice as much beach frontage. On weekends about 100 people seek refuge here at this cove with its nooks.

“It’s just been discovered in the last few years,” Healy said.

BE THERE

Hit the beach--Explore two pocket beaches with an interpretive guide; El Pescador on Saturday, 4-5 p.m., and La Piedra on Sunday, 4-5 p.m. The beaches are located off Pacific Coast Highway, 5.5 miles west of Kanan-Dume Road in Los Angeles, just east of the Ventura County line. Free. For information, call (310) 457-8142.