Malibu’s iconic Point Dume Beach has been closed indefinitely due to severe erosion caused by high tides and surf.
City officials announced Sunday that a key access road into Point Dume Beach in Malibu, along with the entrance and parking areas, have been closed indefinitely due to severe erosion.
The erosion caused by high tides and surf Saturday was in addition to earlier damage reported last week around several beachfront properties that were destroyed in the January 2025 Palisades Fire, Malibu officials said.
“The Los Angeles County [Department] of Beaches & Harbors reports that, due to additional erosion caused by [Saturday] night’s high tides and surf, Westward Beach Road, beyond the pay gate, and the Point Dume Beach parking lot, are closed until further notice,” the announcement stated.
“There is currently no estimated reopening date.”
The bluff edge is unstable, with erosion creating drop-offs of up to 8 feet in some locations, and entering closed areas could result in serious injury.
“Additionally, Restrooms 1, 2, and 3 remain closed after erosion damaged the water line serving the facilities.
Temporary chemical toilets and hand-washing stations have been deployed for visitors nearby.
The California Highway Patrol has also issued a SigAlert shutting down Westward Beach Road at Birdview Avenue, leading into the entrance to Point Dume Beach, until further notice.
Nearby Pacific Coast Highway remains open, the CHP said.
Malibu officials noted the earlier erosion in late July and had met with Caltrans and members of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s staff to further discuss coastal erosion.
“Recent high tides and high surf have accelerated coastal erosion in the burn area where seawalls from the homes no longer provide any protection from the surf,” city officials said.
“In several locations, the erosion has advanced close to the roadway.”
While the access point to Point Dume Beach remains closed to vehicles, it’s not stopping people from cooling off during the extreme heat that continues to impact much of Southern California this week.
“It’s been really hot lately, so it’s nice to get a break and come out here to the beach with family. It’s not as hot, but it’s perfect. The water feels great,” a resident from Simi Valley told FOX 11.
“We actually didn’t know. We were trying to park here earlier, but we couldn’t find a spot,” said one person visiting from Santa Monica.
“It does look kind of crazy. The waves and the currents look a little insane,” one person told FOX 11.
“It’s pretty crazy. The last time we were here, it seems like the beach was further out,” one person said.
In the viral moment unfolding on Southern California’s coastline,
severe erosion forced the indefinite closure of Point Dume Beach after another round of high tides and surf destabilized the bluff, damaged a water line and created drop-offs as deep as 8 feet.
The closure comes as erosion continues to worsen along a stretch of coast where beachfront homes were destroyed in the January 2025 Palisades Fire and seawalls from those properties no longer protect the shoreline.
Without those seawalls, city officials said the coastline is more exposed to the surf.
There is currently no estimated reopening date.