Malibu - El Matador State Beach
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
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
Related Articles: