Point Dume Hike Malibu ⋆ Explore California with kids

Alisa hiking in Malibu near private beach

Best place in Malibu to go out on a date – Point Dume Hike

Perhaps one of the most underrated yet one of the most picturesque hikes in all of Southern California, not just Malibu is the Point Dume trail. Located at the tip of the peninsula the paths are relatively short, and have access to the beach on southward and northward aspects of the bluff. The hike at Point Dume encompasses some of the most unreal seascapes in all of the West Coast of the United States.

Two guys surfing the calm waters of Malibu — Calm water surf at Point Dume in Malibu

This hike is a perfect place to go out on the first date in LA. Alternatively, you may want to take your parents to this unique Malibu location. You won’t experience much of elevation along the paths; the Dume cove beach is easily accessible via stairs. Although you will have to climb some man-made narrow paths if you will try to make it to Point Dume State Beach located on the northern aspect of the bluff. We would recommend doing this hike with older children, teenagers and up.

Young woman walking on the California Beach — California through my lens

Besides the quick hike at the top of the hill overlooking the ocean, you might like to descend to the Westward beach. This beach stretches for a good quarter of a mile. Ample parking is available for pay directly at the beach. Once you are at the distant most end of the beach closer to the Point Dume cliffs, circle around some rocks to reach your private Billion Dollar beach in Malibu. Unbeliveably private and pristine beach, sheltered from overcrowded tourisrs. You can have the whole stretch of land to yourself, or share it with some friends. We often would come here during the weekday and enjoy the nature of California without any distractions.

Billion Dollar Beach in Malibu that you can have all to yourself

Rock climbing/Surfing Point Dume

One of the unique places to go rock climbing in California would be at the Point Dume State Beach aka Westward beach. We didn’t extensively looked into whether you’d need a permit to set up the climbing equipment but it seems like there are rock-climbing clubs scaling almost vertical sheet of rock practially on any weekend.

A group of young adults rock climbing in California — Malibu rock climbers

Furthermore, you will definitely see some surfers at the Dume Cove which has perfect waves almost all the time. If you’d like to sand surf – Point Dume State Beach would be a better place to do that.

Two girls rock climbing the face of the rock near Zooma beach in Malibu

The Dume Cove beach has a relatively rocky bottom and is ideal if you’re planning to go tide pooling. Just remember not to collect any of the marine life including shells and corrals.

Marine artifact found while tide pulling at Dume cove, that we safely placed back

FirsFirst of all, it’s illegal and second you want to make sure that future generations have an opportunity to enjoy this unique Malibu’s biosphere as well. Leo Carrillo state beach on the way to Point Mugu is yet another cool spot to go tide pooling in Malibu. Once we even spent a couple of nights camping at the Point Mugu campgrounds. An experience to unique that you have to put it on your bucket list of Califrornia adventures.

Wild life at point Dume

Hiking the short trail in Malibu is ideal to take your kids to. Top of the cliff makes for an awesome observation point of the annual whale migration. You might want to check up on the official sources regarding the specific dates though.

Wild life sea lions near the coast of California. — Sea lions playing in Malibu, USA

I guarantee you that you will see some dolphins and most likely sea lions on any given day. You will definitely see some pelicans and other marine birds.

sea lions jumping in the water of the Pacific Ocean — Sea lions at Point Dume in Malibu.

Some people go diving in the area although it might be a bit dangerous given the rocky nature of the ocean bottom and big waves .

Parking at Point Dume.

There are pretty much two options to choose form. See the map below for better location of the parking lots.

1. Park along Cliffside drive (houses about 10-12 cars) at the top of the cliff – free parking

best parking for the point Dume hike — Two Parking lots for private pirate cove beach in Malibu

2. Westward Beach Parking along the westward beach at the button of the cliff -$12-15/ day

What else is there to do in Malibu?

Check out Getty Villa as you enter the Gold coast, although you might have to get the parking reservation ahead of time. Then you might want to swing by the Pepperdine University Alumina park. Stop for a hike to the water falls at the Solstice Canyon. Check out the El Matador Beach.

Obviously you will want to hike down to the Billion Dollar Beach at the Pirate cove bellow the Point Dume hike. Perhaps if you haven’t done enough tidepooling and hiking head out to the Leo Carrillo State Beach at Point Mugu.