California Beaches: Malibu
Charlie Yedor, 17, of Sherman Oaks, and Angelica Maleski, 16, of Sherman Oaks, spend a romantic moment on a warm summer day at Surfrider Beach and the Malibu Pier. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Malibu, that glamorous of all beach cities whose name resonates around the globe. With a population of less than 13,000, it’s not how many people live there, but who lives there that also makes this a paparazzi paradise.
Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times
“They were dressed in skins and wore their hair very long and tied up with long strings inter-woven with the hair, there being attached to the strings many gewgaws of flint, bone, and wood.” --Juan Paez, Cabrillo Expedition, Oct. 10, 1542, describing the Chumash who inhabited present-day Malibu. (From “The Story of Malibu”)
The surging surf sends children running back to the sand as children celebrate the ocean’s power and cool off from the heat at Point Dume State Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Gray whales zoom past Point Dume State Beach between December and March during their migration period. A trail from the beach takes you to the top of the point for a view of the Channel Islands and whale-spotting.
A child runs with the wind and her kite along the ebbing surf at Point Dume State Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
“Surfing was first introduced to California at Redondo Beach by George Freeth of Hawaii in 1907; but it was another famed Hawaiian--Duke Kahanamoku--who in 1927 taught the sport to early Malibu surfers.”--”The Story of Malibu”
Craig Polin, 35, comforts his son, Max, 2, of Redondo Beach before going to catch the waves at Point Dume State Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Surf guru Duke Kahanamoku, in the mid 1920s, apparently surfed Malibu Point and taught surfing at the Santa Monica Swim Club, according to the Malibu Lagoon Museum‘s history.
A group of surfers from San Diego hang out after surfing on a warm summer day at Surfrider Beach and the Malibu Pier. Surfrider Beach is one of the most famous surfing spots in the world. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
“Malibu is a south facing beach with a point curved out to sea at the mouth of Malibu Creek. The waves have a very well-shaped curl, sometimes up to 10 to 12 feet, more often 2 to 4 feet. Even small waves give good rides. Where the waves peak near The Point, good surfers can get a 1/4-mile ride.”--”The Story of Malibu”
Malibu lifeguard Greg Pfeifer, who has been lifeguarding for 30 years, uses sand to rub off the old wax of his board at Surfrider Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
A longboarder heads down the beach near the Malibu Pier on a warm summer day to join the crowds surfing at Surfrider Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
The rocky crest of Point Dume is a popular spot for rock climbers who enjoy traversing the volcanic outcroppings.
Wildlife and climbers share space and a view from the top of Point Dume at Point Dume State Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
“So today, when you walk barefoot on the beach sands of Malibu, you might reflect back in time to simple, peaceful Humaliwo. Imagine what a paradise they had. . . ‘where the mountains meet the sea and the surf sounds loudly.’ “--”The Story of Malibu”
Tania Dominguez and Freddy Cach of Newbury Park share a romantic moment from atop top Point Dume.
For more in this series exploring Southern California’s beaches, visit our Cruising the Coast page. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
