Everyone loves the glamorous life of Hollywood from movies, the fabulous fashion trends from magazines or the sparkling red carpet events from all your stars. Far from the wheeling and dealing of  hustle and bustle of Hollywood life, beachgoers in the know seek solidarity by heading up the winding Pacific Coast Highway to the most spectacular shoreline along the coast – El Matador Beach, just north of Malibu. This rugged strip of sand is one of many small beaches that comprise the Robert H. Meyer Memorial Beach, though its long stretches of white sands, towering cliffs, and craggy rock formations and sea stacks make it an obvious favorite. In fact, El Matador is considered prime real estate by photographers, who tend to hold photo shoots amid the jutting rocks and crashing waves so don’t be surprised to rub elbows with them and their models. This beach is kinda seclusive for locale to explore and enjoy the El Matador’s splendid view while not being distracted by surfers. 

It’s easy to miss the small, brown sign pointing toward the tiny parking lot at the trailhead leading to El Matador, so keep your eyes wide open between Broad Beach and Decker Canyon roads.

The views from the upper cliffs are incredible, looking down on large boulders and deep blue water filled with kelp forests.

From the parking lot, you have to hike down a 150-foot bluff; although a staircase guides the way down, this isn’t the most child- or handicapped-friendly shore, made even less so by a lack of weekday lifeguards.

El Matador State Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Malibu, with sea caves and large rocks on the beach.  A steep dirt trail goes down to some stairs, which makes this location inaccessible for the handicapped.

The beach is long and there is plenty of sand for sunbathers. Be careful because there are some scattered rocks in the water along with marine life that was left off after the tide.

Natural piece of rocks anchor on the shoreline with great access through it caves. You can create some halo effect pictures here, which is why this beach becomes a picture perfect spot for your wedding/ engagement photos

Unfortunately the sunset is not until the tide is high. So checking Malibu tide and sunset schedule ahead is recommended. Maybe next time I could get thing like this

Hours: 8 a.m. to sunset

Parking: requires a day pass of $8 from 8 a.m.- sunset. There is also limited free parking on P.C.H.

Restrooms: Portable restrooms are located at the trailhead.

Address: 32215 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu