El Matador State Beach
El Matador State Beach
4.5
About
Hidden under dramatic bluffs overhanging the Pacific, El Matador State Beach is a spectacular sight thanks to the big rock formations dotting its shore. Have a picnic on the hilltop or surf the crashing waves—the beach is accessible via a steep flight of stairs. You can also explore the caves tucked into the cliffs. If you’re lucky, you might spot dolphins playing in the water. You can also walk to Lechuza Beach or San Juan Leighton Beach from El Matador. There’s a parking fee at El Matador Beach, but it’s worth it as you’ll get access to basic facilities such as public restrooms. – Tripadvisor
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- dongruikeAshburn, Virginia17 contributionsIn a State Full of Beautiful Beaches, El Matador Stands OutEarlier this year, I traveled along the Great Ocean Road from outside of Melbourne to The Twelve Apostles in Victoria. While that place is unique and amazing, it reminded me a lot of the Pacific Coast Highway in California and the beautiful beaches there like Leo Carrillo and El Matador State Parks. Getting to El Matador Beach requires a descent down two long sets of stairs but it’s worth the trip. Once down there, you will see beautiful rock formations and scenery. The place is simply breathtaking and is my favorite picturesque beach in the Los Angeles area.Visited October 2023Travelled soloWritten 14 October 2023
- Courtney NPrattville, Alabama204 contributionsFun BeachWe were staying in Santa Monica and decided to drive out of our way on the journey back to LA to visit this beach. It was a cloudy Friday morning but the beach was still beautiful. We visited several beaches on our trip and this was the favorite of both my teen boys. The rock formations and caves were fun to explore. There was a state park ranger in the parking lot who was friendly. We paid about $3 to park for a couple of hours. The hike down to the beach offered fantastic views. It is a bit of a hike and a couple of steep stair cases to get down to the beach but it's worth it.Visited June 2024Travelled with familyWritten 19 June 2024
- FellowTraveler6091694 contributionsMalibu is lots of fun!El Matador Beach and its neighbors are beautiful beaches. It was so fun to spend time (finally) in Malibu. After the beach we visited the Village Grocer and ate lunch nearby. Definitely a fun day!Visited August 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 24 August 2024
- 649001361 contributionsDramatic views. Must see.This is a small but dramatic beach with various stone formations. Must see! There was a same-sex wedding photoshoot there. Parking was a problem. There was a small parking lot down the hill with $3 per hour parking, but it was full! Some people parked along the road despite the sign "No parking - tow-away zone"Visited August 2024Travelled with familyWritten 2 September 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
739 reviews
Excellent
495
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176
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30
Poor
23
Terrible
15
Roadrunner423
Cheshire, CT10 contributions
Apr 2022
Breath taking beach. Spend a hour or a day on the beach in private coves, relaxing and listening to the sound of the roaring surf. Spend the day walking into and around spectacular caves carved by the surf. Or do both. This was a beautiful beach. Has porta-potties in the parking lot. Parking fee reasonable (10.00) Caution for some, there are many steps down from parking lot to the beach.
Written 26 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jehenson81
Washington DC, DC25,937 contributions
Jan 2023 • Solo
El Matador is one of three beaches that make up the Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach. It is the only section I visited and there were a few other people there. While the website states there is parking along PCH, I didn’t find any (lots of no parking signs on both sides of the road), so instead I paid to park in the beach lot. The parking lot is in need of a little work, so drive slow. I almost bottomed out my rental going over this one bump. This area of the coast is mainly cliff. I took the first set of stairs down to a lower level and walked down to the other set of stairs which leads to the beach. The water level was high and the beach had a lot of debris in it from the storm. I was mainly impressed with the rock formations and the plants growing along the cliff. It was a pretty place to visit and well worth a stop.
Written 12 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
misti
Los Angeles, CA17 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
Must Do!!! The drive is worth it, the horrible parking is worth it and the view you will never forget!!! There are picnic tables at the top you can view the cliffs and people down below. There are steps down and areas that you can stop and breathe if you aren’t the most athletic. View from the bottom is amazing too. If you see a sunset it’s beautiful and then once the parking lot closes at sunset drive to the left and then right up the hill and find another lookout point where the sunset will take you’re breath away. See all my pics to see what I’m talking about.
Written 29 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yann B
9 contributions
Nov 2019
It used to be fairly quiet even on weekends and now it's turned into a selfie taking backdrop. You can't walk more than 10 feet without having some idiot bump into you because they're staring at themselves on their phone. You might even have to wait to go any further as full photo production crews take up giant portions of the beach. It's sad.
Written 3 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
649001
Springfield361 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
This is a small but dramatic beach with various stone formations. Must see! There was a same-sex wedding photoshoot there. Parking was a problem. There was a small parking lot down the hill with $3 per hour parking, but it was full! Some people parked along the road despite the sign "No parking - tow-away zone"
Written 2 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JLM
Simi Valley, CA2 contributions
Sept 2020 • Friends
Dangerous and dirty beach. El matador was beautiful 15-20 years ago but no longer. Parking is impossible and pedestrians are getting killed running across 4 lanes of 55+mph traffic. Massive crowds descending on a tiny littered beach with filthy port a potties. Avoid this beach. There are much better beaches to visit.
Written 7 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rachel548
Farmington Hills, MI745 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
It was pretty overcast when we visited, misting rain, and we didn't get to see any of the cool caves or peep holes in the rocks due to the weather and tides, but it was still a nice beach to visit. Like others said, a little walk and lots of stairs down from the parking lot, so be prepared. It was pretty deserted when we visited.
Written 25 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christine R
Philadelphia, PA59 contributions
Mar 2021
We visited El Matador beach for sunset and it was absolutely gorgeous. There were definitely other people there, but I wouldn't consider it "crowded." There is a parking lot that is cheap and easily accessible directly off of the 101. You will need to walk down a long set of steep stairs to access the beach, so I wouldn't consider this accessible for people in wheel chairs or those with trouble walking or climbing stairs.
Written 21 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
iattila
Bakersfield, CA48 contributions
June 2021 • Couples
It was part of a Malibu day trip and 1 of the 2 beaches we visited. It is very pretty and different than the idea of a traditional beach with the high rocks it has. To avoid any confusion there is plenty of sand and it is very nice. I will go back and recommend it.
Written 9 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dongruike
Ashburn, VA17 contributions
Oct 2023 • Solo
Earlier this year, I traveled along the Great Ocean Road from outside of Melbourne to The Twelve Apostles in Victoria. While that place is unique and amazing, it reminded me a lot of the Pacific Coast Highway in California and the beautiful beaches there like Leo Carrillo and El Matador State Parks. Getting to El Matador Beach requires a descent down two long sets of stairs but it’s worth the trip. Once down there, you will see beautiful rock formations and scenery. The place is simply breathtaking and is my favorite picturesque beach in the Los Angeles area.
Written 14 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
small parking lot and you pay at a machine. If no open spots then you'll have to find parking elsewhere or wait for someone to leave
Written 26 March 2023
El Matador has become such a dangerous parking situation. Pedestrians are getting killed running across 4 lanes of high speed traffic. Also beach is littered and bathroom filthy. Does anyone agree there are much better beaches? Where?
Written 6 September 2020
clnkat03
Bakersfield, California
Do I need a permit to get married on the beach in August 2020
Written 17 June 2020
where is the right place to park nearel matador so being able to park at sunset?
Written 20 December 2017
There is a small parking lot by the beach itself and many people also park along Highway 1. I would plan on getting there early.
Written 20 December 2017
I'm planning on only spending an hour or so there but we have a family member that medically needs access to a bathroom. Are there porta potties or bathrooms nearby?
Written 28 April 2017
Yes, there are definitely porta a potties located in the parking area. The walk is pretty difficult to get down to the water so make sure to wear good walking shoes.
Written 28 April 2017
Vixter87
Chicago, Illinois
I am wondering if there's any possible way I can bike from Santa Monica to El Matador Beach. It seems like there isn't a designated bike path, but I'm wondering if the road is bike friendly, am I sharing it with cars, etc.
Written 15 March 2017
You would defiantly be on the road with cars (the PCH), but what a wonderful bike it would be as there's a few coves / beaches and cafes down the coast. Avoid rush hours and you would be quite safe...
Written 15 March 2017
none.
malibu beach inn--next to surfrider and the pier. its 15 minute drive to matador
Written 9 June 2016
acovarrubias3
Santa Clarita, California
My family and I want to come to El Matador on Saturday, especially because they love the idea of caves and big rocks, and pictures. But is there also open space to play Volleyball or run around? Also, how busy does it usually get on Summer Saturdays?
Written 8 June 2016
I was there on a sunday and it was crowded, but if you go to the South side toward the houses the beach is very open snd should be sufficient for volleyball. There were alot of people doing photo shoots and i recommend taking some family portraits its beautiful! Enjoy !!
Written 9 June 2016
bonjour je voudrais savoir si il existait un parking ou emplacement gratuit quitte a marcher un peu? . depuis les commentaires précédent j'ai vu que beaucoup se garait le long de la route mais je ne voudrait pas repartir de ce si belle endroit avec une mauvaise surprise .
Merci
Written 6 May 2016
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