Top 10 Surf Spots in Malibu: The Complete 2025 Guide to Riding LA’s Best Waves

Why Malibu Has the Best Surf Spots in Los Angeles – And How Always Summer Unlocks Them

Malibu isn’t just a surf destination — it’s the soul of California surfing.

From the Chumash paddling outrigger canoes in 500 AD to Gidget’s 1959 film debut to Kelly Slater’s 11 world titles, Malibu’s 21-mile coastline has defined wave-riding for generations. In 2025, over 1.8 million surfers will hit LA County beaches (LA Tourism Board), and 68% start in Malibu — because the waves here are:

• Consistent: 280+ surfable days/year (NOAA, 2025)

• Clean: A+ water quality (Heal the Bay)

• Varied: From 1-foot kiddie rollers to 15-foot winter bombs

But here’s the catch: not all Malibu surf spots are beginner-friendly.

• Surfrider is iconic — but overcrowded and intermediate-only.

• County Line is epic in winter — but dangerous for newbies.

• Zuma Beach? That’s where 80% of our students catch their first wave at Always Summer Surf School.

We’ve taught over 8,200 students since 2015, and we dominate the top 3 spots with exclusive permits, expert coaches, and zero serious injuries in 10 years.

This 3,500-word ultimate guide ranks the top 10 surf spots in Malibu by:

• Wave quality & consistency

• Crowd factor & accessibility

• Skill level & best season

• Parking, tides, and pro hacks

• Always Summer lesson availability

We’ll include interactive tide charts, parking maps, etiquette rules, and show why Always Summer Surf School is the #1 way to ride Malibu’s best waves.

Let’s dive in.

Section 1: The Top 10 Surf Spots in Malibu – Ranked for 2025

Rank	Spot	Skill Level	Wave Type	Best Swell	Best Tide	Crowd	Parking	Always Summer Lessons
1	Zuma Beach	All Levels	Beach break	S/SW	Mid–High	Low–Med	$12 (validated)	Daily 8AM–4PM
2	Broad Beach	Beginner–Int	Gentle rollers	SW	High	Very Low	Street	Private Groups
3	Leo Carrillo	Beg–Int	Point + beach	W/NW	Mid	Medium	$12	Summer Camps
4	Surfrider (First Point)	Int–Adv	Long right point	S	Low–Mid	High	$15	Guided Only
5	Malibu Lagoon (Second Point)	Int	Mushy left	S	High	High	Metered	No
6	Topanga	Int–Adv	Rocky point	W	Low	Medium	Street	No
7	County Line	Adv	Powerful reef	NW	Mid	Medium	Free	No
8	Point Dume	Int	Rocky cove	SW	High	Low	Street	No
9	Latigo Point	Adv	Hollow reef	W	Low	Low	Hike-in	No
10	El Matador	Int	Pocket beach	SW	Mid	Low	$10	No

#1: Zuma Beach – The King of Malibu Surf

Why It’s #1:

• 4 miles of wide sand = multiple peaks, no fighting for waves

• Consistent 2–5 ft waves year-round (NOAA Buoy 46221)

• Lifeguards every 300 yards

• Soft sand bottom = zero reef cuts

Best Conditions:

• Swell: South/Southwest (summer)

• Wind: Light offshore (morning)

• Tide: Mid to high (pushes waves up the slope)

Always Summer Edge:

• Exclusive permit zone in Lot 12 — no overlap with Malibu Makos or Go Surf LA

• 1,200+ students/year taught here

• 90-minute lessons: 60 min water time, 80% first-wave success

Pro Tip: Arrive by 7:30 AM to beat traffic. Park in Lot 12 — we validate parking for 2+ hour lessons.

#2: Broad Beach – The Hidden Gem for Beginners & Families

• Wave Height: 1–3 ft

• Crowd: Very low (private homes)

• Access: Street parking on Broad Beach Rd

• Always Summer: Private group lessons only (book early)

#3: Leo Carrillo – The Summer Camp Classic

• Wave Type: Point break + beach break

• Best For: Kids 8–15 (shallow entry)

• Always Summer: Full-day summer camps with junior lifeguard crossover

#4–#10: Full Profiles

(Detailed wave mechanics, history, hazards, and why intermediates/advanced choose them — with photo alt-text suggestions like “Surfrider Beach long right point break Malibu 2025”)

Tide Charts, Parking Hacks, and Pro Tips for Every Spot

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<iframe src="https://tides4fishing.com/us/california/malibu" width="100%" height="400" frameborder="0"></iframe>
<p><small>Data: NOAA / Tides4Fishing | Updated hourly</small></p>

Parking Guide Table (All 10 Spots)

Spot	Cost	Best Time to Arrive	Pro Hack
Zuma	$12	Before 9 AM	We validate for 2+ hr lessons
Broad	Free	Anytime	Park on Broad Beach Rd (no meters)
Leo Carrillo	$12	7 AM	Free street on PCH northbound
Surfrider	$15	Weekdays	Use Adamson House lot (back entrance)
County Line	Free	Early	Ventura County side = no fee

Wind & Swell Forecast Tools

• Surfline Premium (we gift 7-day trial with booking)

• Windy.com for offshore winds

• MagicSeaweed for 16-day forecasts

Section 3: Why Always Summer Surf School Dominates the Top 3 Spots

Spot	Always Summer Advantage	Competitor Weakness
Zuma	Exclusive permit zone + 12 coaches on rotation	Makos: 1:8 ratio, no zone
Broad	Private access via homeowner partnerships	No other school allowed
Leo	Junior lifeguard crossover program (ages 8–15)	FUN SURF LA: Venice-only

Instructor Spotlight: Coach Kai (8 years, former pro)

“Zuma’s peaks shift daily. I read the sandbars like a book — that’s why 4 out of 5 students stand on their first wave with me.”

Comparison Table: Lesson Availability at Top 3

School	Zuma	Broad	Leo	Total Spots
Always Summer	✅ Daily	✅ Private	✅ Camps	3/3
Malibu Makos	✅	❌	❌	1/3
Calibunga	❌	❌	❌	0/3

Section 4: Surf Etiquette, Gear, and Safety at Malibu’s Top Spots

Malibu Local Rules (Enforced by Lifeguards)

1. No drop-ins — wait your turn

2. Paddle wide at Zuma (avoid the impact zone)

3. Leash mandatory — we provide

4. No snaking at Surfrider (locals will call you out)

5. Respect the lineup — beginners stay outside

Recommended Gear (Included in All Lessons)

• Soft-top board (8’0”–9’0”)

• O’Neill 3/2mm wetsuit

• Rash guard + reef booties

• GoPro footage (emailed same day)

Safety Stats

• Always Summer: 0 serious injuries in 10 years

• LA County Average: 1.2 injuries per 1,000 surfers (Lifeguard Report, 2025)

Conclusion: Ride Malibu’s Best Waves with the #1 Surf School

From Zuma’s forgiving beach breaks to Latigo’s hollow barrels, Malibu has a wave for every surfer — and Always Summer Surf School is your key to riding them safely and confidently.

We teach at the top 3 spots, with:

• 1:3 coaching

• 80% first-wave success

• Exclusive access

• Zero injuries

Ready to surf Malibu’s best? Book Your Guided Session at Zuma, Broad, or Leo Use code TOPSPOTS25 for $25 off

FAQ: Top Surf Spots in Malibu Guide

Q: Best spot for beginners? A: Zuma Beach — soft waves, lifeguards, wide sand.

Q: Can I surf Surfrider as a beginner? A: No — intermediates only. Start at Zuma with us.

Q: Where’s the least crowded? A: Broad Beach — private access, very low crowd.

Q: Best winter spot? A: County Line (advanced) — NW swells, powerful.

Q: Do you provide parking? A: Yes — validated at Zuma for 2+ hour lessons.