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Point Dume State Beach

By , About.com Guide

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About Point Dume State Beach:

Point Dume State Beach is located - as you might guess from its name - on a promontory, one of the south-most points along this section of east-west-running coastline. The sand isn't all on the beach at Point Dume, it's also piled up in a sand dune that forms a bluff protecting the beach. Not only are the views from the top of the bluffs expansive, but they provide a great spot to watch migrating gray whales in the winter.

Why is it called Dume? In 1793, explorer George Vancouver wanted to name it in after Padre Francisco Dumetz of Mission San Buenaventura, but it was misspelled "Dume" - and so it's been ever since.

Point Dume State Beach Fees:

Point Dume State Beach is operated by the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors and is one of the few California State Parks that does not accept the Annual Day Use Pass. Their parking fee varies by season.

Creature Comforts at Point Dume State Beach:

  • Restrooms, but not on the beach
  • Picnic tables
  • Showers
  • No fires allowed

Point Dume State Beach Activities:

  • Fishing
  • Swimming, lifeguards during daylight hours
  • Surfing, skimboarding
  • Scuba Diving
  • Tide pooling
  • Because it's the most prominent piece of land along the coast, Point Dume is one of the closest places for whale-watching (California gray whales December through March)
  • Rock climbing on the cliff
Point Dume has been the location for many film scenes and some visitors enjoy trying to figure out exactly what happened where. Some of the more famous are Normandy landings in D-Day the Sixth of June, Tony Stark's seaside mansion in Iron Man and the ashes-scattering scene from The Big Lebowski.

Highs and Lows at Point Dume State Beach:

Some beachgoers report that they've seen Dall's porpoises and sea lions at Point Dume - and if you're there at the right time, you may see some California gray whales swimming by. Like all southern California beaches, Point Dume can be foggy until early afternoon - or even all day long, especially in summer.

Back in the wild 1960s and 70s, Point Dume was a clothing optional beach, but nowadays, nude sunbathing is strictly illegal in Los Angeles County.

Beachgoer Beware:

Water quality watchdog Heal the Bay doesn't monitor Point Dume State Beach, but you can check current conditions at nearby Zuma Beach to get an idea of what's going on.

Dogs are not allowed at Point Dume because they disturb the wildlife and their scent, even if they never leave the parking lot can stop migrating birds from nesting.

Point Dume State Beach Reviews:

How to Get to Point Dume State Beach:

Point Dume State Beach is 18 miles west of Santa Monica and just off Pacific Coast Highway. The official address is 7103 Westward Rd., Malibu, CA. Turn west onto Westward Beach Road toward the ocean. Turn into the dirt parking lot at the end of the road. When it's busy in summer, they run a shuttle from a second parking lot on Westward Beach Road.

To get there from US Hwy 101, exit at Kanan Road and turn right when you reach Pacific Coast Highway.

More Los Angeles Beaches:

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