El Matador State Beach

El Matador State Beach is very beautiful especially if you come on a day that the weather is nice. The parking lot is limited but if you come early or just lucky then you might find a spot. The walk down to the beach is not bad and the rocks layout there are beautiful. We came this morning to take our maternity pictures and it was amazing.

A surprising gem snuck in the base of the cliffs. Really crowded, but what beach in So. Cal. isn't? We were able to employ one of the tidal caves for a shaddy spot to play 5 Crowns and enjoy the afternoon. There lots of people taking pictures of people, so it must be a beautiful beach.

El Matador State Beach is breathtaking! We came at sunset and the views were unforgettable—dramatic cliffs, sea caves, and golden light. It’s a bit of a walk down, but totally worth it. Perfect for photos, picnics, or just relaxing. Must-visit spot!

On a Saturday saw multiple people getting tickets for having dogs. I would recommend going to a different beach if bringing a dog. We came at low tide and walked along the beach looking at tide pools and caves. We had ample room without getting wet, but it was a very low tide, -0.3 ft. I would definitely check conditions if you're trying to look at tide pools. Tons of wild life. Sea slugs, sea hares, many star fish, birds, crustaceans. Even saw an octopus ! Didn't see any dead mammals on April 5 2025 from the current algae blooms thankfully! (They were probably removed by state park officials). Also just to the left of the stairs from el Matador parking, that beach on left side of the big rock with a couple small caves is really sandy. Nice to body surf in without worrying about rocks or whatever

We visited El Matador State Beach in Malibu on the last day of our vacation, just before flying back to Germany. It was the perfect spot to say goodbye to the US. The cliffs, rock formations, and views of the Pacific Ocean were absolutely stunning. The atmosphere was peaceful and scenic, a great place to reflect and enjoy nature. A memorable and beautiful end to our vacation

Great place to visit on a warm day or just looking for something scenic. The walk down to the beach is a bit steep in some places and maybe even considered dangerous. There are stairs in some places. There is a sandy beach, and picturesque views.

POV: You found THE hidden gem in Malibu 🌊✨ Dramatic cliffs, dreamy sea caves, and golden hour that eats every time. Perfect for content, picnics, or just disappearing into nature for a few hours. Parking’s tight, but the views? Unreal. 📍 El Matador Beach — add it to your must-see list.

El Matador State Beach – Highway View Review (4/5) El Matador State Beach, as seen from the Pacific Coast Highway, is absolutely stunning. The dramatic cliffs, rocky formations, and sparkling blue waters make it a picture-perfect sight even without going down to the beach. It gives a strong urge to stop and take in the coastal beauty. Though I didn’t go down to the shore this time, the view from above was enough to appreciate why this beach is so popular among photographers and nature lovers. The only reason for not giving a full 5/5 is that without visiting the beach itself, you miss the up-close charm and serenity. Still, a solid 4/5 – definitely worth pulling over for a quick photo or moment of awe while driving through Malibu.

This is their perfect place to watch a sunset. It is romantic, beautiful, and so fun! Parking is paid the parking lot is small so get there early and be prepared to do lots of circles. You have to be able to walk a sloped trail and go down a few flights of stairs in order to access beach. Same goes for getting back to your car.

Beautiful beach views. Different from your average beach due to the huge rocks. Worth a visit! Note that there's a small parking lot that was full on a Saturday afternoon when I visited. We did grab a spot after waiting a few minutes though. It seemed like people were in and out and most cars going in were able to grab a spot with a few min wait.

El Matador is located in the Point Dume area of Malibu toward Ventura! There is a small parking lot, you must pay to park. There is a life guard stand but no one on duty when I visited. Great spot to take videos and a few pics up high from the tourist. It wasn't crowded during the week hours. Wow, paradise on earth is an understatement! This beach is indeed the picture postcard of a California beach that all are looking for! It was drop dead gorgeous in my opinion. I hiked down the hill slowly, and the beauty didn't stop. I saw humming birds enjoying all the flowers. There are other sea animals you will encounter once you reach the beach of course. This beach is ideal for all, just keep in mind its downward and then a climb back up a steep hill. I truly enjoyed my time spent at El Matador. This is on my list of beaches to return too soon!! @glampedlife

Discovered this beach through my engagement shoot photographer who suggested it. This location is amazing! It's a beautiful hidden gem. The views from the parking along are amazing. It's not the type of beach where you can camp out all day since it's in a cove that can become completely submerged in water depending on what time of the day you come. Make sure you check for high and low tide while planning your trip. There's a bit of a steep walk going up and down to the actual beach. It may not be safe for elderly that are not too stable and younger children. Once you get to the beach it's amazing. There are several areas to take pictures featuring caves and huge boulders. There are some picnic tables and porta-potties near the cliff by the parking lot. Nice place to go for scenic photos or romantic walk on the beach dates.

A popular photography spot! Not necessarily the best for lounging on the beach, but you can get some beautiful photos with the large rocks in this area. It can be filled with seaweed, as the case in my most recent trip, so just be wary if you make the drive up. Small parking lot for self-pay, but you may be able to find some street parking along PCH.

My Happy Place is the Beach Always, but this beach is really unique with big boulder rocks and a cave!. Beautiful views for days! Only downside or plus depending on the person is that There is a slight hike to get down to water which i underestimated when i brought my mom who has a bad hip. The hike down plus 2 stair cases is not for people with mobility issues (just want you to know what to expect). Otherwise it's a perfect sunny day place to relax and unwind, read a book, have a photoshoot, you name it!

One of my most favorite beaches in Southern California. Only 50 mins away from my house so when I don't feel like driving far I come here. Had a lovely, relaxing time here with my family to recharge and get ready for the week ahead. Beautiful views from every angle. Love it here

Look, no matter how nice the beach is, if I can't bring my dog, why does it all matter? Also, a huge long walk down the hill from the parking lot.

This place is unreal. The views are so good, we tool a bunch of photos! I higly reccomend visiting it. Paid parking has bathrooms.

This beach is my comfort place. I remember always making the drive out here after finals to get away from everything and just relax. Absolutely gorgeous. It does take some effort to make your way here. It's pretty far down PCH and deep into Malibu. The parking is absolutely horrendous. There is a small lot, but it fills up insanely fast (I've never been able to find a spot here), so everyone resorts to parking along PCH (very difficult to find and a little scary to walk along). It's also a bit of a trek to get down to the beach. It's a little hilly and there are two flights of stairs. With all that being said, the destination is absolutely worth it. Beautiful rock formations, lots of shade, and just the most gorgeous views. Honestly, feels like you're witnessing those stock photos in catalogs of California in real time. There are some more cons... It's a really popular place for photoshoots. There's always a wedding/engagement or a paternity shoot going on. I've never dealt with this before, but on my most recent visit I noticed that there was an insane amount of seaweed everywhere. I know all beaches have seaweed, but I've never seen this much in my life! My nose also caught a whiff of some green if ya know what I mean... At the end of the day, I think the views and vibes outweigh all the cons and struggles. It's a sight you don't want to miss!

This beach is my happy place. Love the rock formations, the caves, worth the effort of the many steps one has to climb down and then up to get there and back. It is so picturesque, words cannot even describe the beauty here. The currents are strong so use caution if going into the surf. Parking lot is limited so may consider arriving early, especially if going on a weekend. Bring your license plate number along with your credit card to the kiosk in the parking lot when you arrive to pay for your spot. Also, porta potties are in the parking lot, no bathrooms on the beach level. Probably the most important tip I can give you...remember your sunscreen and have a fabulous time!

This is an absolutely beautiful beach with picturesque rock formantions. As such, you'll see a lot of people doing photoshoots here. The beach itself is a little small and rocky, but there are some stretches that are pure sand. It's pretty narrow as well. We came around 11 am to noon-ish on a hot Saturday afternoon in May. Since it was the hottest its been in a while, we were expecting a large crowd. But we were able to find parking in the lot after waiting about 10 minutes. It's $10 to park for the day (or $3 per hour otherwise). The parking lot is very small though so it does fill up fast. As for the beach, there were people there but it didn't feel crowded at all. Iti was pretty quiet. Water was absolutely freezing despite it being over 90 degrees. It is a slight hike to get down (rocky and steep). There's a cute picnic table at the top before the stairs as well.

Stopped here to check it off out list of beaches to visit in So Cal. A high cliff beach with not too much beach area so just a heads up there.

I came here on Christmas Day with my boyfriend to watch the sunset. I've always wanted to visit El Matador - when I got engaged in 2016, I actually planned to get married on this beach (fast forward to now and thank hell I didn't, but still.) And I can finally attest to the fact that it is just as breathtaking in person as it is in photos, especially as the sun is setting. The only two reasons I deduct a star from the experience are 1) the stairs, which are steep and scary and if you haven't worked out in a while, you're going to want to take it slow. 2), if you're trying to uber here (or back from here), good luck. It's on the PCH but further out than some other Malibu spots like Moonshadows, Carbon Beach Club et al; we planned poorly and didn't drive, then had to call a car back to LA for ~$300. Gorgeous, though. Definitely one of those places that reminds you why you're paying so much again to live in Southern California.

One of my favorite beaches in LA. Every chance I get, every guest that comes to visit me from out of town, every time I want to get away...... This place is where I go. It's getting a little crowded now with photographers even on a weekday but the beach is big enough for you to hide in your own little corner. People don't really swim out here it's more for reflection, meditation, and great photo sessions lol! They are aggressive with giving out parking tickets so make sure you are paid up! I just put for all day because it's better than getting a ticket and who know how long I want to stay. Note: The location may not be ideal for people that can't do a little hike down to the beach because it's a little intense.

This beach was so fun to go to. Walking up to it, it feels like a little find. The sand was nice and granular and soft too. We made Sandcastle's and had a great time. There are people there that are taking photos because it is such a popular place, but everyone was super respectful of when you wanted to take photos as well. You can bring a blanket and perch up with a picnic, there are definitely enough spots for that. depending on what time you go in the year, obviously, if you go in the summer, you may not find a spot to perch down on that may feel secluded enough for you and your friends to have a picnic. Overall, we had a great time, talking to people that were visiting from all over and we had a great time enjoying the beach itself.

El Matador State Beach is a place that you'll definitely want to check out if you're in Malibu. You'll be able to see it while you're driving on Pacific Coast Highway, and this place is magnificent with its views. You have to go down a set of stairs to see the fancy views, but you'll still be able to see a beautiful view of the beach from the top. Great place to take photos and it's a healing view for sure. We climbed down the stairs, and the beach here has a lot of rocks and caves that really give Malibu a new different feeling. You can walk on the beach and just feel so happy and it's definitely a place for the Gram. The currents here are pretty strong so I don't really see anyone swimming on the beach (though we did come in January), but this is definitely a beach in Malibu that you want to stop by. You won't regret and I think this is the top 2 beach to visit in the Malibu area!

Probably one of my favourite beaches in Malibu. Popular for photoshoots, the view and sunsets are amazing here as well as the beautiful caves and rock formations. The downside though is that the parking lot is extremely small and there is a fee. There aren't any street parking areas on the highway either. The steps down to the beach area is a nice little workout.

Like any other government run beach they have an endless amount of rules and regulations. Parking was extremely difficult as most areas had signs and restrictions so it was really difficult to find a place to park. It's a very nice beach and park, but the rules and lack of parking. Just take the fun out of it.

Absolutely beautiful location for pictures. Very relaxing location. You can sit on the cliffs and enjoy the breeze or go down to the beach. A must visit when in the area.

Beautiful beach near Malibu that has a rock eroded to look like a kneeling elephant. Came here on a late afternoon and was lucky enough to watch a sunset right on the beach. Saw a few wedding couples, three teenager girls, two pregnant women, and a bikini clad model all chose this place for their Youtube clips so this must be a local favorite as well.

El Matador State Beach is just so stunning and beautiful. It's one of my favorite California beaches. They have this beautiful caves and arches in the rocks. It's like a natural amusement park for me. Some of caves are connected, kids can play the hide and seek game. It's good for photographers to shot the gorgeous sunset and modeling photos here. I see so many pro photographers with their tripod and reflector hunting for their stunning work here. The parking lot has limited parking spaces, $3/ hour and $10/day. If the lots is full, people usually park at along Pacific Coast Highway. There is a stareway to get the beach.

Very under-stated beach in the area, but at least it keeps the crowd to a minimum :) Parking is available but can be limited depending on how busy it is on that day. We came in lunchtime on a Monday and there were only 3 other groups apart from us. Decent walk to actual shore and generally peaceful since most people who come here are doing quick photo shoots. Porta-potty available by the parking and if you come in the morning its actually pretty clean.

El Matador is the signature beach of Malibu. This beach is classic and a popular destination for photographers for its rocky arches. Here is what you should know when visiting. Access: In order to access this beach, you need to descend two flights of stairs and hike a small strip of rocky, uneven terrain. Its not a huge effort but still more effort than average to get to a beach. Cleanliness: Despite the crisp photographs, the beach is not clean. There are thousands and thousands of flies on this beach. Every step you take on the sand, a gross swarm of flies fly away. I would not lie down or sunbathe on this beach. Amenities: There are porta-potties available use. Photography Tips: * Be prepared to get wet. The rock arches came to form from water and water is constantly seeping in and out of the arches. Its probably not possible to take close up photos with the arches without at least planning to get your ankles wet. After you get wet, be aware the beach does not have amenities to clean you up either. * Be aware there is a "high" and "low" tide. Parts of the beach become more difficult to access during high tide. * The beach requires a photography permit for professional and student photographers. Parking: There is a dirt parking lot available. Parking lot opens at 8am (so after sunrise) to sunset. Parking was $3/hr when I visited on a Friday morning. There is free parking on the Pacific Coast Highway but note there is no nearby parking to the side of El Matador beach so you would have to park across the highway with cars going 60 MPH. I did not have issues with finding parking; but, I showed up on a summer Friday at 8am. Verdict: This is an amazingly, beautiful beach for photos if you come at non-peak hours. I'm not sure how easy it is to park or take good photos at normal hours considering this beach is super popular. As a beach for relaxing or normal beach activities, I recommend against it. The beach fly problem is too much to endure for that.

Absolutely gorgeous beach! We went mid-day on a Wednesday in August and parking was pretty packed. We had to circle a few times. The walk down to the beach was gorgeous, and involved many flights of stairs. The beach itself was beautiful. I recommend bringing a chair or something to sit on. Would definitely go again!

This is a great beach to visit for taking pics and playing around the rock formations - they're beautiful natural formations and you can get up close and even walk through and under! The beach is lovely and has tons of cool rock formations and natural arches to play around. I was there right around low tide and there were lots of exposed rocks with mussels and anemones clinging to them! Not too many actual tide pools though. It's pretty crowded - probably the most crowded beach I went to this day so I didn't stay long. But it was still a good time! The "hike" wasn't what I'd really call a hike - more like one small incline, a short trail to and in between some stairs, and 2 sets of stairs for a total of about 80 stairs so not bad at all - the first set has 44 and the next 36 or something like that. They weren't steep at all, but some were in a very bad state of disrepair so be careful. Once you get to the bottom of the stairs, there a ledge of sand you have to kind of jump down - it's a lot shorter of a jump the further to the left you go. Then you're on the beach! Parking is definitely an issue here. The lot was small and completely packed with cars continuing to pour in, driving around and around waiting for spots, only to end up driving out and parking on the street. The lot is a pay-to -park and there are little machines to the side but I'm not sure how much it is. I parked out on the street which seemed to have plenty (and is free!) and it's an easy, paved walk to the trailhead - just be careful of the traffic on PCH. They also had many port-a-potties that were in ok shape. There are some picnic tables right next to them which was kinda yuck imo - I definitely wouldn't wanna eat right next to the potties. But there are a few more off to the right of the trailhead if you walk a little further past the parking lot. Overall I'm glad I came to at least see the cool rock formations but I probably won't be back - there are so many other beached around that are way less crowded and offer similar views, tide pools and the like.

Really cool spot! Went on a Monday afternoon and it was relaxing and super chill for the most part. Until all the photography got kind of ridiculous... There was a couple of people who were there for a professional shoot and it just got odd after a while especially when they started shooting and had no regard for the people ACTUALLY living their lives and enjoying the beach. I mean cmon I get it shoot the picture and model but let's be a bit more courteous of people tanning/hanging out at the beach. Lifeguards were super friendly and chill Overall a really gorgeous spot to check out if you haven't gone (: Anyways here's a compilation of birds that we spotted while we were there lol

This beach is a lovely picture spot. We absolutely loved the way our pictures came out with the beautiful blues of the beach and the rock formations. We took the pictures ourselves and were absolutely stunned by the results. We parked in the small parking lot. Luckily another expecting couple had just finished up with their photo session when we arrived so we were able to get a spot right away. We got here around 10 am and many other cars after us seemed to be scrambling for parking. I'm so glad we were able to luck out with a parking spot when we arrived.

Visited in a whim after work on a Friday evening. Entry to the parking lot was guarded by a park ranger and seemed closed by 7:45 so I parked on pch and walked about 5 mins to the driveway down to the parking lot. Brought a lobster roll from Broad Street Oyster Co. and walked down to the top of the stairwell to catch the hazy sunset from afar (it was too late and cold to walk all the way down). I was surprised to find so many people walking up from the bottom during the COVID-19 crisis but I guess we all need to leave the house right? Picnic tables are cute but currently taped up but overall the operations are open.

El Matador Beach is one of the hidden gems of Malibu. It is known for its beautiful rock formations and stunning ocean backdrops. Tourists, Photographers, YouTubers and inspiring Instagram models all flock here to take pictures at the beach. If you take a look at the pictures, you can see why. It is one of most beautiful beaches in Southern California. Walking down to the beach takes some effort. You need to walk down a small hill and go down two sets of stairs to get the beach but it's all worth it once you get there.

Such a gem. Probably my favorite beach in all of California. Imagine smooth, clean sand with a variety of rocks that invite you to explore. You'll probably have to park on a busy street, then climb down a fairly long staircase to get to this beach, but it is so worth it!! There are so many places for you to socially distance here if you walk a bit past the staircase. What is probably the most remarkable is that if you look on the big rocks, you can see crabs and sea stars. They are gorgeous! Will definitely come back here.

El Matador is breathtaking. I'm a photographer and came here with some clients to do a maternity shoot. The views were great and the rock structures make for amazing shots. I would say this is one of LA's best photo taking spots, but unfortunately everyone else knows about it too haha. Thus, be prepared to be patient if you're coming here to take pictures and do your best to avoid capturing people in the background. And since it seemed like everyone knows about this spot, parking was quite difficult. The lot right off from the stairs that lead down to the beach is small and fills up quickly (also costs money). After that, you're left to street parking which can be a hassle depending on the time of day. We went around sunset and I was able to get a spot a little less than a 10 min walk so it wasn't too bad. After you park, be prepared to take a long, steep, and uneven staircase down off the cliff to the shore. As for the beach itself, it is quite narrow so I wouldn't really recommend it as a place to hangout especially since it's more difficult to stay socially distant. They do require masks, but not everyone was wearing them and models take them off for photos. Every scene was amazing though! The waves hit the rocks/caves and every moment is picturesque. I've read there are also really cool caves you can go in, but they're only open at certain times in the day. Can't wait to go back and explore these!

You have to put this on your bucket list. Such an epic spot if you're into incredible beaches with caves to explore. Pay three dollars an hour to park or ten for all day parking in the lot. There is free parking on the road just watch for no parking signs. The views here are amazing love this spot!

If you are heading north on highway 1 it's pretty easy to spot as they have an abundance of signs letting you know that you are here. If you are heading south, back towards Santa Monica, it's a little trickier to spot - no signage, so basically you realize as you go zipping by that you are here. Parking was pretty easy when we were here, Monday afternoon in early June. They have meters that you can download an app to pay for a parking space ($3 per hour) ... make sure to have your plate number. The overlook from the parking area is amazing, not much of a view of the beach, but just the ocean. They have steps that lead down to the beach area which is a perfect location for some Pacific Ocean pics. The tide was coming in, so we didn't get to explore the caves like we would have liked to have, but otherwise it was a perfect day. One huge negative, if you have pups, they aren't allowed. Sorry!

Absolutely gorgeous! So many beautiful spots to take pictures. Lots of photographers out there tho so you sometimes have to wait to take pictures at certain spots. Luckily it wasn't too crowded on the day we went, which was Saturday late afternoon. They also have a ton of cool cave like holes in the rocks that the kids really enjoyed. Not sure how safe it is, but there were no warning or danger signs. They have a few benches & tables up on top if you wanted to have a picnic before going down to the beach. The only down side was the limited parking. They have a small parking area but there's a long line for that so come early. Parking is $10 all day from 8am to 7pm, or $3 an hour. For seniors it's $9 all day. They do have a ton of cars parked outside on the street where there's no parking signs everywhere. But we saw a few tickets on some of the cars so we didn't want to risk it. So park outside at your own risk. Seems everybody does it.

Mood- Photo Shoot When someone gives you creative control over what to accomplish you put thought into it. I am not in Hawaii at the moment, nor am I in the PNW - so I wanted something magical with the right visuals. Thus this beach with its caves all within easy reach. This particular beach is one of 3 beaches all located inside of the Robert Meyer State Beach. The other beaches have parking lots, however this beach has its very own lot on the bluff itself. You walk 150 ft down a trail and several stairs until you get to the beach nestled below. Along the trail there are several cacti and wildflowers which were not quite in bloom while we were there. There were several seal gulls that joined the party as well. This day proved to be quite amazing as I was able to get the shots I wanted to create. Several poses I envisioned in my mind were brought to life. There are several areas amidst the rock formations that you can explore especially while the tides are low lying. There are port-o-pottys located at the top of the bluff by the parking lot. Would def recommend - make sure to pack out what you brought in as it does get quite congested with all of the tourists there. In my opinion the beach itself was in clean condition. I have read other reviews stating otherwise. Maybe I just happened to be here at the right time of day. You pay for parking at the kiosk before the trail. It was fairly reasonable $3.00 an hour. Location is Malibu - parking is not ample - however if you take your time and arrive fairly early you will be able to snag a spot. Some people were not very happy about the parking situation.

The best beach in Malibu in my opinion. It strays from tourists more than any other beach so the crowd is quieter. The water is absolutely gorgeous and the rocks make it so picturesque. I was in awe when I first came. I will say it's a little bit of a hike to get down from parking, but it's absolutely worth the view.

ES PLAYA BAYBY. This place was amazing, I can't say enough about it. The cliffs, the rocks, the photo ops. I came here for engagement photos. That's right your boi is gettin hitched, ooowwweee. Check out the photos below! Tell me it doesn't look amazing. Water is decent temp, buuutt there i not a lot of beach space. And sundays are PACKED with ppl doing photo shoots, just FYI. Still, you need to check it out. It's a Cali gem!

Stunning view of the sunset at El Matador Beach. Be prepared to be amazed. This is one of the three Robert Meyer Memorial beaches. In the summer time this place is packed and it's impossible to find parking. But you can find parking along the PCH, but prepare to walk a long way to reach the beach. Parking is on a cliff, so to get to the beach, you have to walk a few hundreds steps to get down. Once you're down on the beach, the scenery is stunning. Beautiful sea stacks are on the beach and in the surf. This is a popular spot for pro photographers to shoot swimsuit models and stunning sunsets. Definitely check out the north part of the beach to explore the caves and arches in the rocks. The largest cave faces the ocean at the bottom of a huge flat rock that is connected to the base of the bluff. It's best to visit these natural features at low tide. Continuing your walk north leads to La Piedra State Beach. If you walk south you will pass in front of stunning homes on your way to Lechuza Beach. It's best to go around sunset time. The only thing is that there will be a lot of people there to take photographs of the sunset too. So be quick to scout out a spot and then take your picture quickly. After the beach, you can have a relaxing dinner in one of the well known restaurants along coast in Malibu and enjoy the ocean view at night.

Read every review before mine and you will find that this place is magical and a gem on the Malibu coast line. Be prepared for about 250+ stairs down to the beach. The parking is scarce so also be prepared to park far away. The parking police is around so don't get caught getting a parking ticket or towed.

Beautiful beach with less foot traffic than surrounding touristy beaches. The grounds were kept clean but limited parking based on the time that you come, so plan accordingly.

Crowded, very few parking spots, People leave there Trash on the beach. Weekend are crazy...

Tourists and non-California residents tend to have an expectation of how Los Angeles beaches should look: tropical paradises with rocky crags and caves, palm trees, clear water; the works. This is simply not the case. Drive a little further north or south and you'll find that more in abundance but LA is simply NOT the home to that type of beach. The exception? El Matador Beach. El Matador IS precisely the epitome of a California postcard beach that tourists may be familiar with: but thankfully, WITHOUT all the tourists. El Matador is located in the Point Dume area of Malibu on the PCH coast and can't be missed driving from LA north toward Ventura. The beach is smaller strip in comparison to other LA beaches but that is what makes this place feel like a hidden gem. El Matador has a small parking lot (not free - so expect to pay the machines) or free street parking is available. There is a walk to the beach past a lifeguard stand (which advises on the tides, waves, NO dogs, and masks to be worn during Covid), down two wooden flights of steps and then you hit the actual El Matador sands. The first thing you will notice at El Matador is literally the staircase walking down: suddenly you come around a corner and are welcomed by the most beautiful and romanticized view in the area: huge caverns/caves, boulders, rocky crags, giant waves and a beautiful golden hour sun (I recommend golden hour for optimal El Matador scenery). Even if you have seen it a million times; El Matador doesn't fail to take your breath away. There are no words to describe it and one is truly transported away to a golden paradise. It is epic, to say the least. Heavenly. El Matador surprisingly is NOT a tourist beach ; meaning that it isn't filled to the brink with sun tanners, umbrellas, etc. Not only does El Matador have a private beach feel but it lives up to that in attendance (or lack thereof). Don't misunderstand - there ARE beach goers but few enough that everyone is spaced out and enjoying their own time. What El Matador does have a lot of are photo shoots. I am a working model and was working a modeling photo shoot (bridal: so I was in a bridal gown and veil!). I was not alone with a formal quinceanera shoot, several Instagram shoots, couples, etc. This is the go-to spot for photos and you can't blame anyone due to the mossy rocks, caverns, foamy waves and perfect sand. Although this makes for a figurative queue for the hot photo spots; everyone is respectful to not ruin others' photos and share the picture-perfect spots. El Matador isn't just for photo shoots: it is ideal for a romantic date/walk/picnic, to hang out with friends, do yoga/meditate or even play instruments (several musicians had mini jam sessions). The energy is just amazing at El Matador which ruminates from the land itself. Mother Nature is quite amazing. Speaking of nature, bird-lovers will rejoice at El Matador where you will find pelicans, gulls, kestrals, sandpipers and common murres. Not to mention dolphins are occasionally spotted and lots of seaweed (kelp? what's the difference?). And I mean A LOT. However, El Matador is not the spot for sea glass or shells: there were none. Be on alert that the waves here tend to be larger than other LA beaches and much stronger with a higher tide and crashes. It is certainly not for kids to swim in (not safe). The complaints against El Matador? First of all, the beach is strictly "No Dogs" with signs present but OF COURSE there were dogs and NOT even on leashes! People are SO entitled! Follow the rules! Were masks worn during Covid? Nope. Maybe a handful, if that. Luckily, the low attendance meant that everyone is about 100 feet apart so even without masks; social distancing is present. Sadly, El Matador also has a lot of trash throughout the entire parking lot, walkways, and beach. Come on, people! You know better than that! There is a dumpster and cans in the parking lot (by the porta potties): use them!!! Sidenote: I've heard El Matador IS monitored during Covid but wasn't at all during my visit. The small mistakes aside; El Matador is simply amazing and something everyone should experience and enjoy whether on a date, photo shoot, or some "me time". It will surely become your favorite picturesque beach but don't tell the tourists: we don't want it overrun!

Great spot when it isn't crowded. Showed up at 9am on a Saturday and it was still relatively quiet with a few families checking out the rock formations. Parking is still $3 an hour or $10 a day, with the option to pay in exact cash or with card at the vending machine. Make sure to pay and put your receipt on your car dash. Great for taking pics when you're able to avoid the crowds, especially now during the pandemic.

Such a gorgeous beach. The Rock formations along the coast line are phenomenal. I love the beach and this place was picked out by a photographer for photos. I can definitely see why! Parking: parking is tough here with a tiny parking lot. There is street parking (also difficult) but expect a little trek. Also, they ticket in the lot so make sure you are only there the allotted time you paid for. Parking price is decent almost $9 for two hours. Location: Be prepared for a small trek down a trail and some flights of stairs. There was no life guard on duty, I am unsure if there ever is. The beach is beautiful and many come here for photos. I will definitely be returning to relax and enjoy a sunset here. Also, there were dolphins near the shore (super sweet).

This is truly an amazing beach. I drove all the way from Rancho Cucamonga to come here and I would do it again in a heart beat.They have paid parking in a really small parking lot, which if you don't get there early, don't even get your hopes up that you're going to get a parking spot. Then again you can always park on the other side of PCH for free and just run across the many lanes of PCH. You really do get an adrenaline high running across PCH as extremely expensive cars are driving by extremely fast and you're like frogger but with baggage trying to avoid the traffic. But totally worth it considering parking again there is free and its not really that far from the paid parking lot. They even have nice bench seating to enjoy the sunset and the birds eye view of El Matador beach. Even have some porta potties there just in case. Its quite a hike though to get from the parking lot to the actual beach especially if you're carrying like a 50 gallon cooler!!! Pretty steep gradiant going down or up, depending on which way you're going with so many uneven steps and a final descent down a very narrow set of stairs to finally get to the sand. But again definitely worth it. What you immediately notice are the huge rock like structures and caves throughout the area. Some of the rock structures to me look like large elephants. Large enough to go exploring in as well. There were several caves too that we didnt end up going into, but seemed pretty cool. There's just something about the water up in malibu compared to la county beaches or even orange county beaches. Just a lot cleaner, not so foamy, maybe less sewage runoff. But the water was cold, but not uncomfortable like the beaches in orange county. I would refer to them as refreshing. The sand is nice. There's a lot of people around the rock formation, but further along the way the crowds thin out, and you have your own peice of paradise to enjoy. Due to the cliffs and the location of the beach, you lose the sunset behind the cliffs, but the colors the surrounding sky gives off can still be spectacular. Again this beach is really amazing. If you've never been, I would highly recommend it!!!!

Stunning views! It's a bit of a hike there and back so if you are with elderly or are pregnant keep that in mind. There are small lots that are usually full. Most people parallel park. When you get to the beach I recommend going right. There are some beautiful arches. Keep in mind this beach can get crowded.

beautiful beach lookout with benches to sit. Only issue is minimal parking around sunset.

Beautiful beach that everyone should visit at least once. Plenty of parking available ($3 hr or $10 for the day). There are also porta potty's for use. If you're planning on visiting for a beach day, photo shoot or even for a couple of minutes to dip your toes, it's a little bit of a trek to get down. There is a hill that you'll have to walk down before approaching the first flight of stairs. From there, a landing strip where you'll probably see some lovely ladies painting. Continuing on towards the left, another and the final flight of stairs to bring you down. Going down isn't really the problem, now coming up, well, make sure you put shoes or flip flops on before your walk back up the hill. Views from the top are equally as beautiful.