Las Tunas Beach: Malibu's Hidden Surf Fishing Paradise

How to get there

On Pacific Coast Highway between Tuna Canyon Road and Las Flores Canyon Road.  Just north of topanga.

About Las Tunas

Las Tunas Beach, whose name derives from the fruit of the prickly pear cactus, represents a unique chapter in Malibu's coastal story—a dramatic rocky shoreline where the forces of nature have shaped an intimate fishing paradise that stands in striking contrast to the area's more expansive sandy beaches. This small but historically significant stretch of coastline offers visitors an authentic encounter with Southern California's rugged coastal character, where fishing enthusiasts, scuba divers, and tide pool explorers discover natural beauty in its most uncompromising form.

🏖️ Distinctive Rocky Coastline Character

Geological Drama: Las Tunas Beach showcases the raw power of coastal erosion, where waves have carved a rocky shoreline that reveals the underlying geological structure of the Santa Monica Mountains. The beach's narrow profile means that sand availability changes dramatically with tidal cycles, creating a dynamic environment where visitors witness firsthand the ongoing conversation between ocean and land that has shaped this coastline for millennia.

Intimate Scale Experience: Unlike Malibu's expansive beaches, Las Tunas offers an inherently intimate coastal experience where small groups can find solitude among the rocky outcroppings and tide pools. The beach's compact nature creates natural gathering spots for fishing enthusiasts and families seeking a more contemplative relationship with the ocean, away from the crowds that characterize the area's larger recreational beaches.

Tidal Transformation: During low tide, the beach reveals extensive rocky areas perfect for tide pooling and exploration, while high tide creates a more dramatic shoreline where waves crash directly against coastal bluffs. This tidal transformation offers visitors different experiences depending on timing, making each visit a unique encounter with the beach's changing personality throughout the day.

🎣 Premier Fishing Destination

Rocky Shore Advantage: The beach's extensive rocky areas provide exceptional fishing opportunities, with anglers able to cast directly from stable rock platforms into deeper waters that support diverse marine life. The rocky substrate creates habitat for fish species that prefer structure, while the varied depth profile offers fishing opportunities for both novice and experienced anglers seeking different types of marine encounters.

Year-Round Fishing: Las Tunas Beach provides consistent fishing opportunities throughout the year, with seasonal variations bringing different species within range of shore-based anglers. The protected nature of the cove creates conditions that support fish populations while providing anglers with a more comfortable fishing environment compared to more exposed coastal locations.

Local Fishing Community: The beach attracts a dedicated community of local and visiting anglers who appreciate the authentic fishing experience away from more commercialized locations. This community knowledge creates opportunities for novice anglers to learn from experienced locals while contributing to the welcoming atmosphere that defines the Las Tunas fishing experience.

🤿 Scuba Diving & Underwater Exploration

Clear Water Conditions: The beach's rocky environment supports clear water conditions ideal for scuba diving, with underwater visibility that allows divers to explore the rich marine ecosystems that develop around rocky substrate. The protected cove environment creates relatively calm conditions perfect for training dives and underwater photography, while more experienced divers can explore the deeper waters beyond the immediate shore.

Marine Life Diversity: The rocky underwater terrain supports diverse marine communities including colorful anemones, sea stars, hermit crabs, and various fish species that thrive in the complex habitat created by the boulder and rock formations. This biodiversity makes each dive an opportunity for discovery, particularly for divers interested in California's temperate marine ecosystems.

Easy Entry Points: Despite the rocky shore, experienced divers can find suitable entry points for underwater exploration, particularly during calmer sea conditions. The beach's proximity to parking and facilities makes it an accessible location for divers who prefer shore entries over boat-based diving, while the immediate underwater topography provides interesting exploration opportunities close to shore.

🐚 Tide Pool Exploration & Natural Discovery

Rich Intertidal Zone: During low tide, Las Tunas Beach reveals extensive tide pool areas where visitors can discover the fascinating creatures that inhabit the intertidal zone. Sea anemones, hermit crabs, sea urchins, and various marine snails create miniature underwater gardens that provide educational opportunities for families and nature enthusiasts seeking to understand coastal marine ecosystems.

Seasonal Discoveries: Different seasons bring different tide pool experiences, with spring and summer often providing optimal conditions for observing marine life activity. The rocky substrate creates permanent pools that maintain marine life even during lower tides, ensuring that visitors have opportunities for discovery throughout most of the year.

Educational Opportunities: The accessible tide pool areas make Las Tunas Beach an excellent location for informal marine education, where children and adults can observe marine adaptations, predator-prey relationships, and the remarkable diversity of life that thrives in the challenging intertidal environment. The hands-on discovery opportunities help visitors develop deeper appreciation for coastal conservation.

📍 Access & Practical Information

Free Parking Advantage: Las Tunas Beach offers free parking in a small lot located at 19444 Pacific Coast Highway, providing an economical beach option compared to many Malibu locations that charge parking fees. Additional street parking along PCH offers overflow options, though early arrival ensures better parking availability during peak visitation periods.

Basic Facilities: The beach provides essential facilities including lifeguard services during operating hours and chemical toilets, ensuring visitor safety and comfort despite the beach's more rustic character. The presence of lifeguards provides reassurance for families with children, while the basic facilities support extended visits for fishing and exploration activities.

Highway Accessibility: Located directly along Pacific Coast Highway with clear access signage, Las Tunas Beach offers straightforward access for visitors traveling the Malibu coast. The highway proximity provides convenience while requiring attention to traffic safety when crossing or parking along PCH during busy periods.

Las Tunas Beach offers visitors an authentic encounter with Southern California's rugged coastal character, where the absence of commercial amenities creates space for genuine natural discovery and specialized recreational activities. Whether casting a line from rocky outcroppings, exploring tide pools with curious children, or simply contemplating the powerful forces that continue to shape this dramatic coastline, visitors discover that sometimes the most memorable beach experiences come not from expansive sand and perfect facilities, but from intimate encounters with the ocean's raw power and natural beauty.

The lifeguard station is above the beach on the bluff beside the parking lot where the lifeguard can have a good view of the surfers in the ocean.

There are lots of rocks along the front and these make it a little hard to get straight down into the sea, and in the sea itself there are too many rocks to make swimming an option.  Parking in the lot is free as it is on the road.

Because of the closeness to the highway the beach may be a little noisy at times.  And because of the rocks in the water it doesn't make a good place for swimming or surfing although those are officially permitted.

Food: Food concession

Tide-Dependent Beach Strategy

Las Tunas Beach operates on nature's schedule, requiring visitors to plan around tidal conditions for optimal experiences. During **high tide**, the narrow beach virtually disappears, leaving minimal sand area and making beach access challenging. **Low tide** reveals the beach's true character, exposing rocky tide pools teeming with marine life and creating ideal conditions for exploration and surf fishing.

Premier Surf Fishing Destination

The rocky offshore structure and varied underwater topography make Las Tunas Beach legendary among Southern California surf fishing enthusiasts. The **abundant rock formations** create ideal habitat for various fish species, while the elevated bluff provides excellent vantage points for reading water conditions and planning fishing approaches.

**Popular target species** include surfperch, rockfish, lingcod, and seasonal runs of halibut and white seabass. The rocky structure also attracts baitfish, creating a complete ecosystem that supports diverse fishing opportunities throughout the year.

Local Character & Accessibility

As Malibu's southernmost beach, Las Tunas maintains a distinctly **residential and local character** that contrasts sharply with tourist-oriented beaches further north. The **convenient PCH access** combined with **free parking** makes this particularly attractive for visitors seeking a genuine local beach experience without crowds and fees.

There are lifeguards on the beach at day time.

Related information:

• Official website: here
• City of Malibu
• California State Beaches

Here is Las Tunas Beach on the map.