Malibu Lagoon Campground

Fishing

Pop a squat on the Southern California icon known as Malibu Pier and bask in some of the best saltwater fishing in the area. Some of the favorite marine beings that are picked up along the pier include California halibut, yellowfin croaker, mackerel, sharks, rays, and many more. Now that’s what we call variety! Either way, our sources tell us that the best baits you should use consist of mussels, bloodworms, ghost shrimp, and squid (yummy). Before heading out, make sure to check out the fishing report and snag your CA fishing license. Some deep sea fishing is also available off the shore (ooooh!), and sportfishing boat trips leave the Pier twice a day. Just a short boat ride away, visitors can experience some great angling for sea bass, halibut, and rockfish. You can learn more about sportfishing in the area here.

Hiking

If you’re thinking something along the lines of “oh, it’s literally a beach in Malibu, how could there be any hiking nearby?” then you are wrong, my friend. With the Malibu Lagoon Beach Trail and nature trail, you can get that workout as well as enjoy some of the fantastic nature around the area. Trailheads to these jaunts are located at the Cross Creek parking lot, and from there just follow the hikes around the lagoon to the ocean. More information on the hikes available can be found here.

Surfing

This is where the real meat is, people. Surfing. What’s a SoCal beach without some great swell and waves? To say the least, Malibu Lagoon State Beach does the opposite of lack in this department. First of all, the beach on the coast is literally called Surfrider Beach. If that’s not enough indication of its longstanding title as a premier surfing beach, maybe the strong southwest swell and three-point break that offers rides of 300 yards is enough to sway you to grab your board and head out. You can check out the surf report here. The tapering, smooth-breaking waves are recognized among surfers worldwide as the gold standard for summertime "point" surf. It’s famous right-break has had a massive impact on surfing culture in SoCal in the 1960s that still prevails to this day. There are three primary surfing areas here: First Point (with waves popular with longboarders and shortboarders alike during larger swells), Second Point (used for the higher performance surfing), and Third Point (with both a left and right side). This beach is also perfect for all levels of surfers though and is a great place to learn among a fantastic and long-standing surf community! Bring booties if you plan on headin’ out into the water, though, as there are lots of sharp rocks close to shore and you don’t want to break a toe or twist an ankle before you’re able to experience the splendor of Surfrider Beach.

Wildlife watching

Thanks to a new restoration project, wildlife in the area has started to make a comeback so visitors can enjoy the multitude of animals that make their way through Malibu Lagoon. The Lagoon hosts over 200 species of birds, both resident and migratory, thus making it a haven for the modern bird-watcher. The restoration project in 2013 did a fantastic job of opening up the lagoon so more wildlife can call this place home. Now, guided tours of the wetlands and other natural elements such as grunion, monarchs, tidepools, and gray whales are scheduled seasonally. With wetlands, flower gardens and the beach, Malibu Lagoon State Beach has no shortage of flora & fauna to observe. You can find more information here.