Malibu, California

This famously beautiful seaside city lies about 20 miles away from downtown Los Angeles. And with so many options in this California area, deciding which sands to visit can be complicated. So let’s break it down.

Zuma Beach stretches for 2 miles and has many strong surfing waves and whale-watching possibilities. As the name suggests, Surfrider Beach is one of the most popular surfing spots and it’s also located near the Malibu Pier.

A bit north of Zuma, El Matador State Beach will give you unforgettable views of cliff formations. And last but not least, Point Dume State Beach is an equally worthwhile stop.

Here, you can take a leisurely hike on the short trail at the Point Dume Nature Preserve to snap a few pics of the perfect vista of the Pacific Ocean and its surrounding mountains. That all might have just sounded overwhelming, but we promise…they’re ALL worth visiting!