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Discover California's Hidden Gem at El Matador Beach

Published by Tina Isa, Writer

Country: United States

The Experience

California is renowned for its laidback sun and surf culture, with tons of tourists flocking to its beaches every year. Santa Monica Pier, Zuma Beach and Venice Beach are some of the best known beaches in California, but what is truly special are some of the small, secluded beaches of California that only the locals seem to know about. One such beach is El Matador Beach. It is rather difficult to find while driving, and not easily accessible, which makes it such a well-kept secret. The address is 32215 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu. If you use this in your GPS should have no problem with directions to El Matador Beach.

At the entrance of El Matador State Beach is a little dirt parking lot with a small fee. The parking lot is located at the top of a cliff, and also features a few picnic benches for visitors to eat at. El Matador Beach itself can only be accessed by climbing down a steep flight of stairs and then a dirt trail carved into the wall of the cliff. At the bottom of these stairs, visitors will find a gorgeous, sheltered beach, which is akin to a cove. Huge boulders and giant rock formations litter the sand, and at the end of the beach are a few caves that are fun to explore when the tides are low. Dried seaweed on the wall of the cliff marks how high the water level reaches during high tide.

Most of the time, there is little to no evidence of other visitors on El Matador Beach, which makes it perfect for a peaceful getaway or a romantic picnic. El Matador Beach gets some incredibly huge wave swells, making it ideal for experienced surfers. For beginners, most California surfing instructors will typically not recommend an area such as this, instead preferring larger beaches with gentler waves. Surfers as well as swimmers should be careful in the water at El Matador Beach since there are numerous rocks just below the water's surface.

There are several large houses flanking El Matador State Beach, and since it is so private, visitors might occasionally spot a celebrity relaxing on the beach.

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Puzzle

When to Go to El Matador Beach

The best time to visit El Matador State Beach is during the summer when visitors can take advantage of the warm weather. However, some may also choose to visit during winter months when the overall tourist population in California has vastly decreased in general. During this time, the weather in California will be mild but not unpleasant.

A very important note is that visitors should find out about the high and low tide times before heading to El Matador Beach. Since the beach is quite small, people can find themselves dangerously trapped if they happen to stay on the beach (since the entire beach will be submerged), or worse, in the caves during high tide.

The beach closes at sunset, and the main gate at the entrance is securely shut. There is no other way to exit, especially if you have a car, so make sure to leave well before the sun goes down.

Odds n' Ends

The parking fee is US$8.00 for the day, and there are no other fees to access the beach.

Senior citizens, children and visitors with physical disabilities are advised against visiting El Matador State Beach since the trail down the side of the cliff is extremely steep. If they do wish to see the beach, it may be safer to view it from the top of the cliff near the parking lot. Pets are not allowed on the beach.

Since El Matador State Beach is so small, there is no lifeguard, so visitors should definitely not go swimming or surfing alone. Make sure you go with a few people and carry cell phones in case of any emergencies. There is also a coin-operated telephone booth in the parking lot.

As with all beach activities, apply plenty of sunscreen since the temperature in California can soar during summer months.

Recommended Places to Stay

HI-Los Angeles
HI-Los Angeles is one of the larger hostels in the area. It is extremely clean and friendly, featuring many activities for its guests. The location is great, as it is close to the beach, a number of stores, restaurants and entertainment centers.

More Experiences Nearby

See the Quirky Side of California at L.A.'s Venice Beach
Of all of California's beaches and celebrity-spotting haunts, Venice Beach is one of the best-known favourites of tourists and locals alike. Named for the canals in the city which were inspired by the famous Italian ones, Venice Beach was mostly frequented by artists, musicians and poets in its early days. Today it is a vibrant, bustling area with a cheerful jumble of visitors from around the world, street-side musicians, buskers, vendors, and artists. While the energy levels are high, attitudes are enjoyably laidback. Celebrities can occasionally be spotted in Venice Beach and the row of their elegant mansions towering over ...24 miles away.

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Media References

El Matador State Beach - GoExploreNature.blogspot.com (blog)

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