About Leo Carrillo State Beach:
Leo Carrillo State Beach is a scenic location, with a 1.5-mile-long, sandy beach, but it also has a rocky coastline with caves and tide pools. Lots of local visitors comment that it's often uncrowded.
The Leo Carrillo for whom it's named was an actor (who played Pancho, the Cisco Kid's sidekick), but also a conservationist who was instrumental in helping the State of California buy Hearst Castle.
Leo Carrillo State Beach Fees:
You'll have to pay a fee to park in their lot, but can sometimes find free parking along the highway.
Creature Comforts at Leo Carrillo State Beach:
- Restrooms
- Showers (token-operated, the machine takes one dollar bills only)
- Picnic areas
- Dogs (on leash) are allowed on some sections of the beach
- Camping store with food and refreshments
Leo Carrillo State Beach Activities:
- Swimming
- Surfing and windsurfing
- Surf fishing
- Beachcombing
- Tide pooling
- Scuba diving
- Nature walks
Camping at Leo Carrillo State Park:
Within Leo Carrillo State Park, but across the highway and not on the beach itself, you'll find a nice campground. It accommodates campers and trailers up to 31 feet long.
If you want to stay here and don't have your own camping vehicle, Camping Adventures will deliver a fully-set-up camper to your site.
Highs and Lows at Leo Carrillo State Beach:
If you're just going to the beach for the day, this place is great. Like any southern California beach, Leo Carrillo can be foggy until afternoon, or even all day long.
Like all California state parks, the campground sells out way in advance.
Beachgoer Beware:
Heal the Bay often gives Leo Carrillo State Beach an "A" for water quality, but in some years, it has problems in late spring through early summer. Check current conditions.
Leo Carrillo State Beach Ratings:
Reviewers at Yelp give Leo Carrillo Beach very high marks, saying it's not too crowded and clean, but the campground can get quite crowded. Read their reviews.
Poll: How do you rate Leo Carrillo State Beach?
See how others rate Leo Carrillo State BeachPoll: What is Leo Carrillo State Beach Best For?
- Swimming
- Surfing
- Scuba Diving
- Fishing
- Beach Volleyball
- Bicycle Riding
- Walking
- People-Watching
- Wildlife-Watching, tide pooling
How to Get to Leo Carrillo State Beach:
You can get there by driving north on Pacific Coast Highway from Malibu, or take US Hwy 101 north and then Kanan-Dume to the coast.
