A well-known Malibu beach has been closed indefinitely after heavy surf and unusually high tides caused significant coastal erosion along the shoreline.
The shutdown covers Westward Beach Road past the pay gate, including access to Point Dume Beach and the nearby parking lot.
“There is currently no estimated reopening date,” the City of Malibu said.
City officials said the erosion also damaged a water line that serves three beach restrooms, prompting the closure of those facilities. Portable toilets and hand-washing stations have been set up in the area for beachgoers.
The Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors is warning visitors to avoid all closed sections of the beach.
“Visitors are reminded not to cross safety cones, caution tape, or barriers,” the department said in a statement.
“The bluff edge is unstable, with erosion creating drop-offs of up to eight feet in some locations. Entering closed areas could result in serious injury.”
The latest coastal erosion follows reports of more damage near oceanfront properties destroyed in the January 2025 Palisades Fire, underscoring the continuing strain that severe weather and an increasingly vulnerable coastline are placing on the Malibu area.
Officials are asking beachgoers to avoid restricted areas until it is safe to reopen.
