Malibu in Your Pocket

Malibu's "Secret" La Piedra State Beach

La Piedra, one of Malibu’s “pocket beaches,” is the perfect sanctuary for beachgoers who don’t care to rub beach blankets with the crowds at Zuma or Paradise Cove. It’s less than 10 minutes up the coast from Zuma, but a world away from the all the frenzy. Sure, it can get busy, but in fall this beach tends to get fewer visitors.

From the parking area, a slender path leads down the coastal bluffs to the untouched sand. The decline is steep. If you’re wearing bad footwear, you might find yourself down on all fours at first! The rest of the way is a breeze—packed dirt and occasional stairs. Partway down, your jaw drops as you spy the beautiful waves crashing along the shore. Then it’s a ladder-climb down to the bottom, where you can massage your feet in the warm sand of this lovely, secluded, protected strand. The nearby luxury estates don’t have it any better than you do.

La Piedra boasts both soft sand and large rocks to suit your mood—splash or stroll. Even if you have company, there’s plenty of room—nearly a mile—for privacy. If you prefer sandless sandwiches, or if the tide is coming in, you can climb back up to the blufftop picnic tables and enjoy the view from up high.

Tip: Swing by Malibu Seafood, just 15 minutes down the highway, to enjoy scrumptious fish-and-chips with a view!

La Piedra State Beach is on Pacific Coast Hwy. 5.6 miles west (upcoast) from Kanan-Dume Rd. It lies in between two other pocket beaches, El Matador and El Pescador. There is an hourly parking fee. No dogs.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. All right, Almaden!

    Take a trip through time on this 5-mile loop in Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Explore the ruins of an old cinnabar mine and enjoy the first hints of wildflower season.

    View
  2. Waterfalls and Wine Pours

    Cooler temps, green hills, and the return of our magnificent waterfalls! This family-friendly 2-mile hike at Uvas Canyon County Park in Morgan Hill is a great way to get the most out of a short hike post-rain.

    View
  3. Woman hiker is climbing up the ladder in the Steep Ravine section of the Dipsea Loop Trail on Mount Tam

    Misty on Mount Tam

    Mount Tam’s 3.9-mile round-trip Steep Ravine and Dipsea Trail Loop weathers the wets and wilds with some confidence, sheltered in parts by redwoods, and wowing with a waterfall.

    View
  4. Mile-Long Cataract Club

    In winter after heavy rains, the north flank of Mount Tam glows with flows. The nearly mile-long series of waterfalls—Cataract Falls—transforms into a supercharged spectacle. Starting at Alpine Dam, a 1.6 mile (one-way) narrow trails threads through redwoods and ferns along Cataract Creek.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Peace Labyrinth

    Hidden in LA’s historic West Adams district, the Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens is a welcome respite from the norms of urban noise.

    View
  2. Weekend Sherpa Podcast: Take It Outside

    Adventure for your earbuds. What's new in the world of the outdoors? Listen to Weekend Sherpa co-founders discuss local hikes, beaches, bike rides, camping spots and all kinds of travel and adventure in California and beyond!

    View
  3. Hikers sitting on a large rock slab next to Three Sisters Falls in Cleveland National Forest Southern California near Julian

    Three Sisters

    Good things come in threes at this hike to a lovely trio-tiered waterfall in Cleveland National Forest. The 4.25-mile out-and-back hike rambles among rolling hills, with rocky mountain views as switchbacks take you down to a lush canyon and the falls.

    View
  4. People gathered around a tree at an LA Park as part of the Tree Tour led by Stephanie Carrie

    LA's Tree Tour

    Los Angeles is famous for its iconic palm trees but did you know that LA is home to one of the most diverse urban forests in the world? With over 1,000 different tree species lining its streets, LA offers a unique urban canopy waiting to be explored. One of the best ways to discover it is by joining a Tree Tour

    View