Leo Carrillo State Park Beaches

Leo Carrillo State Park

Leo Carrillo State Park is 35 miles northwest of Santa Monica. The park has two beach areas North Beach and South Beach, which provide recreation for sun bathers, surfers, anglers, beach walkers, and divers. Good facilities, easy access, and varied coastal terrain make the beaches a favorite for visitors to explore and enjoy.

Inland, the park includes chaparral, sage, and scrub along with a riparian woodland. In the spring and summer wildflowers bring color to the park. Closer to the shoreline around Arroyo Sequit grow sycamores, black walnuts, and willow trees. Park trails connect to the Nicholas Flat Natural Preserve, where visitors find Nicholas Pond.

The beaches are composed of coarse sand that slopes steeply into the ocean. Waves break hard on the shore, making it unsuitable for inexperienced swimmers. Check with the lifeguard about conditions before entering the water. A picnic area is found at the North Beach next to the parking lot. From there a short accessible trail loops along the edge of the sand.

Note that a low undercrossing of the highway on the park road leading to North Beach only has enough clearance for vehicles less than 8 feet tall.

Robert H. Meyer Memorial
State Beach

A short distance south of Leo Carrillo State Park is a series of small beaches which are clustered under the umbrella of Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach.

• El Pescador Beach
• La Piedra Beach
• El Matador Beach

All three beaches have $8 paid parking.

El Pescador Beach

7½ miles north of Malibu a sign on the Pacific Coast Highway points to a small parking lot with restrooms and a trail and stairs leading down to the secluded beach. The beach is open from 6:00 AM to sunset. It is a good place to go to escape the crowds at Zuma Beach. Interesting rock formations, including sea stacks, are found along this section of coast, making it feel more like Big Sur than Malibu.

La Piedra Beach

Next door to the south of El Pescador Beach, La Piedra is a similar place. Find restrooms at the parking lot. While larger nearby beaches may be crowded, La Piedra will likely have only a sprinkling of visitors. This beach is also open from 6:00 AM to sunset.

El Matador

Located a mile south of La Piedra, El Matador Beach is the largest of the trio. Also open from 6:00 AM to sunset. Restrooms are located in the parking lot and a path and stairs lead to the beach. Along the bluff near the parking area are picnic tables.

Nicholas Canyon County Beach

Between Leo Carrillo State Park and the series of beaches that make up Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Park is Nicholas Canyon County Beach. It is possible to walk south from Carrillo Beach to Nicholas Canyon Beach. Beach-goers at Nicholas Canyon Beach enjoy surf fishing, swimming, and surfing. Facilities include a picnic area, restrooms, showers, and a parking lot. Parking fees range from $3 to $10.

During the summer a food truck is often parked at the beach. Accessible paths lead from the parking lot to the beach. Lifeguards are on duty during daylight hours.

Nearby Supplies

Starbucks: 8 miles south at Point Dume Plaza, 29211 Heather Cliff Road, off Pacific Coast Highway
Lily's Cafe & Pastries: 8 miles south, near Starbucks
Coral Beach Cantina: 7½ miles south, at 29350 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu Ranch Market: 7 miles south, at 29575 Pacific Coast Highway

Wildlife

Visitors to Leo Carrillo State Park often sight red-tailed hawks overhead and woodpeckers, quail, and even an occasional horned owl in the woodland areas. Mule deer, raccoons, and gray foxes roam the park, as well as smaller creatures such as salamanders, lizards, and snakes. At low tide the tide pools make interesting places to explore for everything from sea stars and crabs to mussels and anemones.

Offshore, watch for migrating gray whales, especially in April and May. Sometimes a mother whale and calf will venture close to the shore. Other marine mammals include harbor seals, sea lions, and dolphins. Shore birds abound, especially gulls, pelicans and cormorants.