One of Malibu’s most popular beaches is now off-limits, and officials have no timeline for when it will reopen. Point Dume Beach was closed indefinitely this weekend after severe coastal erosion destabilized the bluff overlooking the shoreline.
⚠️ Why the beach closed
The Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors closed Westward Beach Road, beyond the pay gate, along with the beach entrance and parking lot, on Sunday, August 2, following a night of high tides and heavy surf. According to the department, the erosion left the bluff edge unstable, with drop-offs reaching as deep as 8 feet in some areas. The erosion also damaged a water line, forcing the closure of three restroom facilities at the beach.
Officials are warning visitors not to cross safety cones, caution tape, or barriers near the affected area, calling the unstable bluff edge a “significant safety hazard.” As reported by NBC Los Angeles, the erosion caused by high tides and surf was in addition to earlier damage reported last week around several beachfront properties that were destroyed in the January 2025 Palisades Fire, Malibu officials said.
Under normal conditions, Point Dume is one of the region’s most scenic beaches, spanning over one mile of ocean frontage across 34 acres of sand, surrounded by cliffs, rocky coves, and headlands. The park typically includes 373 parking spaces, restrooms, showers, and a hiking trail leading up to an ancient coastal bluff sand dune, with views stretching across Santa Monica Bay to Catalina Island. Point Dume is also a well-known spot for watching gray whale migrations each winter.
🎯 Key details
- 📍 Location: Westward Beach Road, Point Dume, Malibu, CA
- 🚫 Status: Closed indefinitely, no estimated reopening date
- ⚠️ Reason: Severe bluff erosion from high tides and surf, creating 8-foot drop-offs
- 🚻 Also closed: Restroom facilities 1, 2, and 3
For now, visitors hoping to spend a day at Point Dume will need to look elsewhere along the Malibu coastline until officials determine it’s safe to reopen.
