01
Best overall pick
Zuma Beach
Western Malibu Coast • Wide Family-Friendly Strand • Best For Classic All-Day Beach Days
Zuma is the go-to beach when you want easy parking, plenty of sand, and straightforward fun by the water.
From Lake Sherwood, the drive down Kanan Road to Zuma is one of the quickest ways to hit the ocean. The beach is huge, with room for families, volleyball games, and long walks even on busy weekends. Lifeguard towers, restrooms, and snack options make it an easy all-day setup without much planning.
02
Best for tide pooling
Leo Carrillo State Beach
Far West Malibu • Rocky Cove And Tide-Pool Beach • Best For Tide Pools And Camping
Leo Carrillo blends classic Malibu sand with rocky headlands, tide pools, and a campground just off the highway.
If you like a bit of exploring with your beach time, Leo Carrillo is worth the slightly longer drive from Lake Sherwood. At lower tides you can wander the rocks, peek into tide pools, and duck into sea caves that feel far from the city. The adjacent campground turns a quick visit into an easy overnight coastal escape.
03
Most dramatic scenery
El Matador State Beach
North Malibu Bluffs • Dramatic Cliffside Cove • Best For Photos And Sunsets
El Matador’s stair-accessed cove delivers sea stacks, arches, and golden-hour light that photographers love.
From the road, El Matador looks unassuming, but the staircase drops you into one of Malibu’s most scenic pocket beaches. Rock arches, sea stacks, and a narrow strip of sand make it feel intimate and cinematic, especially at sunset. It’s not ideal for big setups or strollers, but for a short, spectacular visit from Lake Sherwood, it’s hard to beat.
04
Best coastal viewpoints
Point Dume State Beach
Point Dume Headland • Bluff-Top Headland And Cove • Best For Views And Short Hikes
Point Dume pairs a quieter stretch of sand with a short bluff hike that opens up sweeping views of the Malibu coast.
This is the spot to choose when you want a bit more nature with your beach day. You can park near the residential streets, drop down to the sand, and then climb the bluff-top trail for panoramic views that often include dolphins cruising offshore. Compared with neighboring beaches, Point Dume tends to feel more relaxed and less commercial, especially outside peak summer weekends.
05
Best for surf and birdlife
Malibu Lagoon State Beach (Surfrider Beach)
Central Malibu By The Pier • Iconic Surf Break And Estuary • Best For Surfers And Casual Strolls
Malibu Lagoon blends world-famous Surfrider waves with a mellow estuary and easy access to the pier and town.
When you want a taste of classic Malibu culture after leaving Lake Sherwood, this is the natural first stop. Surfers line up along the right-hand point break while walkers drift between the lagoon trails, the pier, and the sandy stretch by the jetty. It’s a great choice if part of your group wants to be in the water and others prefer coffee, people-watching, and a stroll along the waterfront.