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Location: 32350 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265

How to get there

On Pacific Coast Highway between Encinal Canyon Road and Kanan Dume Road.

About El Matador Beach

A set of three connected small beaches that totally cover 18 acres the El Matador Beaches are a great place to watch the sunset over the ocean. As they are backed by craggy cliffs the access is a little more difficult but always worth the effort. There is a clay path to hike down with handrails for only the very steepest parts which have steps. So do not carry a lot of things with you when visiting as you'll only have to haul them all up again! Managed as a California Start Park the El Matador Beach is part of the Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach.

The seaweed and shell strewn rocks that form the sides of the bays are full of little pools with interesting shore life in them. And the dramatic outcroppings make for some great photographic backgrounds, making this one of the most popular beaches for a quiet photo shoot. Don't be surprised to run across an engagement photo shoot or a family on the beach doing portraits.

At low-tide some of the rocks reveal caves or arches that invite exploration. Make sure to take suitable care about the tides though as there are no life guards here and the incoming tide can take people by surprise.

If you don't want to make the hike down to the beach then the bluffs above are still a great place for sunsets, and there are a small number of picnic benches available. A parking lot is located on the top of the bluffs, and has limited capacity, but there is also free street parking nearby. Parking in the lot is available from 8AM until sunset each day and costs $10 for the day.

Restrooms are provided but no other facilities, and no lifeguards.

Food:

Here is El Matador State Beach on the map.

El Matador Beach Location - El Matador State Beach is located just North of Zuma on Pacific Coast Highway just South of La Piedra and El Pescador State Beaches. The entrance to the parking lot is on Pacific Coast Hwy South of Encinal Canyon Rd. The parking lot is small and can fill up fast, but there is free parking available on PCH on the Southbound side - just parallel park and walk down to the lot. If you do park in the lot, the fee to park is $8.00 and the parking permit is valid until sunset. The machine that issues the parking permits takes coins, dollars, and credit cards.

El Matador Beach Entrance

The parking lot at El Matador is located on the bluffs above the beach. There are port-a-potties, but there are no showers and no places to change clothes. Also, there are no concession stands in the area. You can enjoy the view from the bluffs as there are a few picnic tables and benches in a clearing at the top, or head down to the beach on a dirt trail. From the end of the parking lot, head down the trail from the top of the bluffs towards the left past the rock monument to a set of handrailed stairs to get down the cliff. From there, follow the dirt path to the 2nd set of stairs to get down to the beach. At high tide, the surf will come up to the bottom of this staircase.

El Matador Beach Trail

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El Matador Beach Trail Stairs Down Cliff

Once down the cliffs and on the beach, there are many rocks and caves to explore. There is also plenty of sand to camp out on and enjoy the views. Bring Tevas or athletic shoes if you want to crawl around on the rocks to protect your feet. Be mindful of the tides in the area as high tide doesn't always, but can fill up the caves and areas where the large rocks are located blocking your path out of the area.

El Matador Beach Rock Caves at Low Tide

El Matador Beach High Tide

El Matador Beach Rock Caves High Tide

El Matador Beach from Cliff View

El Matador Bluffs and Coastal View

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