Malibu.

The breaks

Recognised, publicly known surf spots around Malibu. Suitability depends on the day's swell, wind and tide, so treat the level as a guide, not a guarantee.

Full profile: Malibu First Point.

Surfrider Beach and the first World Surfing Reserve

Surfrider Beach is the surfing name for the beach beside Malibu Lagoon State Beach, close to Malibu Pier. In October 2010 it was dedicated as the first World Surfing Reserve, a designation meant to recognise outstanding waves and the culture and ecology around them. The wave is a right-hand point over a cobblestone and sand bottom, and it is widely regarded as a model of a smooth summertime point.

The breaks are labelled First, Second and Third Point from the pier side up the coast. Third Point has both a left and a right and, on south swells, can link up to the pier. The shoreline is usually triple-cornered because sand, silt and cobble pile up at the creek mouth, which is why the wave breaks the way it does.

Who surfs First Point, and how

First Point is the classic longboard wave, with a long, forgiving face that suits noseriding and a lineup crowded with skilled surfers and, on a summer weekend, a large share of Los Angeles. Second Point works more for high-performance surfing, and Third Point is more open and can be fast.

With so many people in the water, etiquette is everything. Wait your turn, never drop in and do not paddle around the pack to the inside. Beginners and intermediates should avoid First Point on a busy weekend morning and pick a smaller beach break instead. Weekdays and early mornings are friendlier. The wave is mellow, but loose boards are dangerous in a crowded lineup, so control your board.

Zuma, Topanga, Leo Carrillo and the other beaches

Malibu has more than one wave. Zuma Beach, in the north of the city, is a long beach break with a lifeguard presence and plenty of parking, which makes it a standard choice for learners and families. Topanga State Beach, at the southern end, is a point wave that can be a good longboard option on south swells.

Leo Carrillo State Beach, near the Ventura County line, offers rocky coves, tide pools and a sand-bottom surf area. Point Dume is a rocky headland that gives some shelter from northwesterly winds. These locations are all different in character, so you can move along the coast depending on swell direction and tide. Check the beach before paddling out, since rocks and kelp can be exposed at low tide.

Water quality, wildlife and wildfire

Malibu Lagoon is an estuary at the mouth of Malibu Creek, and its restoration is a joint project by several agencies. Migratory birds use the lagoon and snowy plovers nest on the beach, which is why some areas are fenced off in the breeding season. Keep to marked paths and respect the signs.

After heavy rain, runoff from creeks and storm drains can lower water quality at Surfrider and other beaches. Local advisories usually recommend avoiding the water for a few days after a storm, and it is sensible to follow them. Wildfires have burned parts of the Santa Monica Mountains in recent years, so before a trip check which roads, parks and beaches are open.

Parking, the Pacific Coast Highway and the drive from LAX

Almost every visit to Malibu involves the Pacific Coast Highway, a busy two- to four-lane road with limited alternatives. The drive from LAX is about 25 miles and takes around 45 minutes in light traffic, but it can be an hour and a half or more at rush hours and on summer weekends. Parking at Surfrider is a mixture of paid lots and roadside spots, with strict signage.

If you do not have a car, it is possible to reach Malibu by bus from Santa Monica, but a car or ride share is much easier with a board. Arrive early on weekends, check signs carefully for time limits, and avoid blocking driveways. Some of the beach accesses are through narrow public paths between private houses.

Where to stay on this stretch of coast

Malibu is a high-cost area with limited accommodation, and many visitors stay in Santa Monica, Venice or the coastal towns of the South Bay and drive up. This adds time to the day but gives access to more places to eat and a wider range of prices. Others choose Ventura County towns north of Malibu, which are quieter and cheaper.

If you do stay in Malibu, expect to pay more than elsewhere in Southern California and to book far ahead for summer weekends. Short-term accommodation rules vary by city, and availability changes, so check current options rather than assuming. The local restaurants and cafes cluster near the pier and along Pacific Coast Highway.

Summer south swells, winter north-westerlies

Malibu's best-known waves are summer waves. South swells from storms in the Southern Hemisphere arrive in the warmer months, with the most reliable runs in late August and September, and they wrap around the point to give the long, clean rides that made the place famous. Winter brings north-west swells, but the angle often means that Malibu works less well, and other breaks along the coast take over.

Winds are typically light in the morning and onshore in the afternoon, so plan to surf early. The marine layer can leave mornings grey in early summer, and the sun usually breaks through by lunchtime. Water temperatures range from the mid-teens in winter to the high teens or low twenties Celsius in late summer, so many surfers wear a spring suit or a 3/2.

Malibu surf season month by month

A broad planning picture, not a forecast. Swell, wind and water temperature vary from year to year.

Learning to surf in Malibu

Malibu has several surf schools, and most lessons take place at Zuma Beach, at Surfrider on small days, or at quieter beaches to the north. The long, soft waves at First Point suit beginners in principle, but the crowd can make it hard, so many instructors prefer less busy locations.

Lessons typically last around two hours, with wetsuits and foam boards included. In summer the water is cool but comfortable in a spring suit, and in winter you will want a full suit. Ask how many students are with each instructor, and where the school plans to teach on the day.

Once you can pop up and ride the white water, Malibu is a good place to practise trimming a longboard. Stay inside the flagged area when there are lifeguards and respect other surfers' space.

Comparing options across the country? Read our guide to surfing in the USA.