Zuma Beach is a state beach in the community of Malibu, California in Los Angeles County. The beach is located at 30000 Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). Zuma Beach consistently rates among the healthiest for clean water conditions on the Los Angeles County Water Quality measured levels. Current conditions and current pictures may be viewed at the LA County Coastal Monitoring Network.

Features

One of the most popular and largest beaches in the State of California, Zuma Beach is known for its long, wide sands and excellent surf conditions. Though a state beach, it is protected by the Lifeguard unit of the Los Angeles County Fire Department, with 14 lifeguard towers on the sands proper and one of four Section Headquarters in L.A. County, the Zuma Lifeguard Headquarters located at the center of the beach.

Like all beaches with good surfing, Zuma has its share of the sea wave phenomenon known as the rip current. Visitors are encouraged to not swim or surf in front of the Lifeguard Headquarters (between Towers 8 and 9), as the rip currents are particularly numerous and strong there. (Hence, the concentration of lifeguards at the most potentially dangerous location on the beach.) As of 2007, it's telling that the Los Angeles County Fire Department Lifeguard Unit uses Zuma Beach to illustrate a rip current.

Zuma Beach hosts several surfing events where world premiere surfers compete. With optimum wind conditions nearly daily in the late afternoon, Zuma draws many to kitesurfing on the northern end of Zuma Beach.

Because of the beach's close proximity to Malibu High School, teens are partial to the stretch between towers 6 and 7 at Zuma (30750 PCH) located two blocks from their school campus and often utilize the beach for biology research.

Zuma Beach is directly accessed via PCH, and lies between the major access corridors Las Virgenes/Malibu Canyon Road and Kanan-Dume Road to the south, and Las Posas Road to the north. Parking is available in a large fee parking lot. Additional parking is available on the adjacent PCH.

On its southwest side, Zuma is bordered by Westward Beach. Westward is geographically situated on Malibu's westernmost promontory known as Point Dume. Westward includes a stretch of 2-way road right at the sand's edge. Parking is available on the road as well as a fee parking lot. Westward Beach is marked by a shorter sand shelf than Zuma, a veritable pipeline, making the waves of less duration and higher impact. Westward Beach is recommended for strong swimmers, as the wave action compared to Zuma Beach is stronger, can push down on swimmers, and delivers more of a "crunch." Westward Beach is where former lifeguard Jesse Billauer suffered his accident that left him paralyzed.

Facilities

• Swimming; lifeguard on duty during daylight hours
• Surfing
• Kiteboardion
• Windsurfing
• Fishing
• Bodysurfing
• Boogieboarding
• Diving (shallow)
• Volleyball courts
• Restrooms
• Outdoor showers (cold)
• Food stands, seasonal
• Parking lot
• Walkway (wheelchair accessible)

Parking: 2025 spaces (43 disabled) Electric Vehicle - 3 inductive, 1 conductive

Emergency Usage

During emergency conditions, e.g., fire, mudslide, earthquake, Zuma Beach is the designated emergency evacuation center for evacuees. With its flat terrain, open parking lot, miles of pristine sand, and xeriscape landscaping, it serves as an optimal first response open air shelter.

Zuma Beach also sports a dedicated helicopter landing area for medical emegency airlifts to local trauma centers.

Film Location

With its close proximity to the film and television industry in Los Angeles, Zuma Beach has been a popular filming location. It was a frequently used site for the popular television series, Baywatch as well as numerous films, television episodes, and advertisements. The beach is referenced in the 1978 TV-movie Zuma Beach starring Suzanne Somers. Westward Beach has been used for innumerable films, television shows, and advertisements for decades. Planet of the Apes's famous final scene was filmed here. Countless advertisements, both film and print, that require beach scenes are shots of Westward Beach.

Music

Zuma Beach is the source of the name of Neil Young's album Zuma. It is also mentioned in the songs "Some Girls" by the Rolling Stones and "Why I Came To California" by Leon Ware.

References

External links

County Coastal Monitoring Network Website
Zuma Beach Current Conditions
Zuma Beach Information
Beach profile