Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
How to Access Malibu Beaches and Legally Piss Off the Homeowners who live there
An ongoing cat and mouse game on the beaches of Malibu regularly pits wealthy beachfront homeowners against the general public seeking access to their sand and surf. Malibu has 27 miles of coastline. Technically, it is all open to the public. The problem, however, is that many homeowners have illegally asserted their claim to much of this public property by blocking access to the beach itself as well as posting signs stating that the beach in front of their homes is private property.
There is only half truth to this. California State Law recognizes only part of the beach in front of these homes as private. According to the California Coastal Commission, "the state of California owns... the land seaward... of what is called the mean high tide line."
In short, this means that the public has access to the wet sand, not the dry sand above the tide line. So one can walk along the beach, as long as the sand is wet beneath your toes.
Sneaky home owners, however, have built houses and property lines so close to each other that it is nearly impossible to reach that wet sand. And if you manage to do so, local security guards have been known to falsely tell beach goers that they are not allowed anywhere on the sand.
I've lived in Los Angeles most of my life and have never swam at a Malibu Beach because of these challenging logistics and bothersome locals. But now, a private group of Urban Rangers, as they call themselves, have taken it upon themselves to educate the public about the beach laws as well as ways to access the beach itself. You can visit their website and learn all about it, as well as download a map detailing all the public access routes.
Surf's up, Malibu!
Related: Los Angeles destination guide












Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ken Jul 11th 2008 9:06PM
I was out just north of zuma beach the other day and a homeowner (I presume) told me this was a private beach and that I had to leave. I knew the state had some claim to the beach front but I was not armed with this info at the time. Next time i'll tell him to take a hike.
ross Mar 8th 2009 5:21PM
I'm not from the "States". But I know that nobody can privately own a tidal area of beach under international law. But then again Americans do not accept international law (like those for war)
Observer Aug 19th 2010 3:46PM
I personally enjoy watching paragliders land on the beach. It ads a little spice in my life.
Observer Aug 19th 2010 3:52PM
I wanted to share my feelings about beach access and I personally think there is enough space for everyone especially if we all clean up before and after us. Also try to not unnecessarily hang out too close to private properties. One thing I try to do is to set up in front of homes that look vacant.
I also enjoy watching paragliders land on beaches.
Not_Enough_Access Aug 13th 2011 12:40AM
First, I'd like to ask why it would be so bad to have a paved walkway that takes you down to the shore. I actually would love it cuz being I'm in a wheelchair I would finally be able to dip my feet in the ocean or just sit near the water to build a sand castle. I don't know too many if any beaches that have a paved walkway that leads to the shores cuz it would make wheelchair access possible.
Beachbunny Jan 18th 2012 9:38PM
..Yeah, what Nick said.
If you want a private beach and have gobs of money, I'm sure it's possible to have that somewhere. Homeowners in Malibu know the score. They figure it's OK to break the law 'cause they're the .00001 percent. After all when their colleages break the law, they don't get punished.
Laws are only for dirty hippie protesters..
john Aug 27th 2007 12:20PM
Frankly, If I had a house on the beach anywhere, I wouldn't want people hanging out in front of my view to the ocean.
Nick Aug 27th 2007 1:54AM
And frankly, I want their houses. So if people hanging out in front of their view to the ocean makes them sad, they should just look around at the house they still own and remind themselves of the benefits of living in a society that's governed by laws rather than wants.