If you have driven through Malibu on PCH, then you have seen Point Dume, a dome-shaped promontory jutting into the Pacific at the northwest end of Santa Monica Bay. The point is surrounded by picturesque white sand beaches and sparking blue water. The headland is protected by Point Dume Natural Preserve, a California State Park. A mile of trails on Point Dume’s bluffs lead to two overlooks, one at the top of Point Dume. Additional trails access both a secluded beach and a popular beach on opposite sides of the point. Seasonally, Point Dume Natural Preserve is a great place to spot whales migrating along the coast.
For a short simple hike on Point Dume, begin from the small 2-hour parking area on the bluff behind the point. It is a third of a mile to the top of Point Dume with 100 feet of elevation change. The route up is obvious from the start, but there are a couple junctions on the way.
First you will pass a trail on the left that descends to the beach east of Point Dume, which is called Dume Cove Beach or Big Dume Beach. Dume Cove has tide pools and a long stretch of sand to stroll across. Take this side trail and the staircase down to the beach to extend your visit.
Continuing past the first junction, the trail out on Point Dume leads to a four-way junction. The trail to the right goes to a trailhead at the northwest corner of the park, which is another place to begin the hike on Point Dume. The trail to your far left explores a level boardwalk out to a viewing platform. The other trail on the left (between the other two trails) goes to the overlook at the top of Point Dume.
Heading to the top first, you will gain 70 feet in a tenth of a mile. Reach a memorial plaque at the high point of Point Dume that describes how the point was named by a British sea captain.
Walk around the large fenced-in area on the crown of Point Dume and take in the panoramic views. Look west over the white sands of Westward Beach and Zuma Beach toward Point Mugu, and inland over the Santa Monica Mountains. To the northwest, the highest peaks in the range are in sight, the Boney Mountains, rocky pinnacles that rise above green ridges.
Return to the four-way junction and head up the gradual boardwalk. The plank walkway ends after 1/8 of a mile at a viewing platform. In the spring, this is a great place to spot whales traveling along the coast, and the ocean views are enjoyable year round. Beyond the viewing deck, a sandy track circles around the west side of Point Dume.
It won’t take long to explore Point Dume Natural Preserve. In the spring time, poppies and giant coreopsis bloom along the trail adding splashes of orange and yellow to the park. Hiking off trail is prohibited and dogs are not allowed. No fee or permit is required, so get out and enjoy.
Another way to access Point Dume Natural Preserve is from Westward Beach, which borders Zuma Beach on the west side of the point. This is a popular starting point for a 4-mile round trip beach hike crossing Point Dume to explore the less-crowded waterfront to the east leading down to Paradise Cove Pier. Westward Beach has a parking fee.
Parking Scarcity! With only 10 parking spaces on Cliffisde Drive (2 ADA), you may have trouble finding a space during busy periods. Parking is not permitted outside of these spaces along Cliffside Drive or Birdview Avenue due to street parking restrictions. (Read the signs so you don’t get a ticket.)
So where can you park? You can also park in the large lot at the end of Westward Beach Road. Westward Beach is between Zuma Beach and Point Dume. A trail from the parking area connects up to Point Dume. The address for Westward Beach is: 7103 Westward Beach Road, Malibu, CA 90265.
Directions to the Trailhead
- Take PCH to Malibu, driving 19 miles northwest of the end of the 10 Freeway in Santa Monica.
- Turn left (south) at the light on Heathercliff Road.
- Make the first left on Dume Drive and go one mile to Sea Lion Place.
- Turn right and drive to the end of the street.
- Make a left on Birdview Avenue, which curves to the left behind the park and becomes Cliffside Drive.
- Just after the curve, park in the small 2-hour parking area on the right.
- The trail begins from the parking area.
Trailhead Location
Trailhead address: 27807 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265
Trailhead coordinates: 34.004245, -118.80581 (34° 00′ 15.28″N 118° 48′ 20.91″W)
You may also view a regional map of surrounding Los Angeles trails and campgrounds.
Point Dume
Dume Cove
 | Charmlee Wilderness Park This 3.25-mile loop is one of several possible hikes in this bluff-top park with ocean views over Malibu. |
 | Zuma Canyon Trail This 2.8-mile hike leaves a coastal Malibu neighborhood to explore rustic Zuma Canyon. |
 | Ocean View Trail - Canyon View Trail Loop This 3.1-mile loop demands more effort than Zuma Canyon Trail and provides great ocean and canyon views. |
 | Escondido Falls This 3.8-mile out and back hikes visits a 200-foot waterfall that is split into two tiers. The upper tier is 150 feet tall and stunning after a rainstorm. |
 | Solstice Canyon This easy and level 2.6-mile out and back hike visits the ruins of a burned down ranch and a small waterfall. |
 | Corral Canyon This 2.5-mile loop offers ocean and canyon views from a unspoiled section of the Santa Monica Mountains in Malibu. |
 | More trails in the Santa Monica Mountains Explore other destinations in the range. |
Common Questions about Point Dume Natural Preserve in Malibu
- Is the trail open?
- Yes. You should expect to find that Point Dume Trail is open. There are no recent reports of trail closures. If you discover that the trail is closed, please help your fellow hikers by reporting a closure.
- Is this trail free to access?
- Yes, Point Dume Trail is free to access. No entrance fee, pass, or permit is required. If you discover that access rules have changed, please provide feedback on your experience.
- How much time does this hike take?
- It takes approximately 30 minutes to hike Point Dume Trail. Individual hiking times vary. Add extra time for breaks and taking in the views.
- How long is this hike?
- The hike to Point Dume Trail is a 1 mile loop with 100 feet of elevation change.
- Are dogs allowed on this trail?
- No, dogs are likely not allowed on Point Dume Trail. The trail is primarily open to hikers.
- Is Point Dume Trail good for kids?
- Yes, this hike is likely suitable for children. It is relatively short (1 miles) with manageable elevation gain.
- Are there ocean views on this hike?
- Yes, Point Dume Trail offers views of the ocean.
- Where is the trailhead located?
- The trailhead for Point Dume Trail is located in Malibu, CA.
Trailhead Address:
29188 Cliffside Drive
Malibu, CA 90265
Trailhead Coordinates:
34.004245, -118.80581 - What are the driving directions to the start of the hike?
To get to the trailhead: Take PCH to Malibu, driving 19 miles northwest of the end of the 10 Freeway in Santa Monica. Turn left (south) at the light on Heathercliff Road. Make the first left on Dume Drive and go one mile to Sea Lion Place. Turn right and drive to the end of the street. Make a left on Birdview Avenue, which curves to the left behind the park and becomes Cliffside Drive. Just after the curve, park in the small 2-hour parking area on the right. The trail begins from the parking area.
View custom Google Maps directions from your current location.
- Are there other trails near Point Dume Trail?
- Yes, you can find other nearby hikes using the Hikespeak Hike Finder Map.
This is one of the most beautiful places in the States! I went there back in 2009 on one of those rare crisp, clear days in the early spring. Definitely recommend it!
[…] is only a short period of time each year it looks like this in Point Dume, with yellow Daisies everywhere. It’s incredible beautiful, don’t you think? The Point […]
[…] Next we went a little farther down PCH to the incredibly gorgeous Point Dume Natural Preserve […]
How do you get to the tidepools?
This is my favorite hike…it’s so beautiful and we have seen whales, dolphins and porpoises from the cliffs many times.
I remember being there in WWII. The 543rd AA AW Bn. went there often to practice firing the Anti-aircraft 90mm, 30MM, and 50 cal. machine guns as a plane towing a target would pass across over the coast. I was Battery “E”‘s medic. They called me Doc. I’m 93 yeas old.
Bless you, Doc! Thank you for your service and for sharing your memory!
Wow!!! I love this!! Thanks Doc!
Yes! This is such an awesome hike! Thanks for the tips! https://youtu.be/M520QxnjopY
Does Point Dume to Dume Cove allow dogs?
No. Dogs are not allowed.
May you get one of the 5 parking spots! Good luck!? no street parking for miles and miles.
Yeah, ____ that ____. My taxpayer dollars wasted just to give the the entitled locals a private state park.
[…] A short hike at Point Dume […]
strong advise avoiding on the weekends. No parking (literally about six spaces) and the sheriff is constantly patrolling and ticketing.
Are there any restrooms in or near this location? Thanks