Malibu Lagoon State Beach facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Malibu Lagoon State Beach |
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Malibu Lagoon State Beach on a calm day
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 Malibu Lagoon State Beach
Location in California
Malibu Lagoon State Beach
Location in the United States
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| Location | Los Angeles County, California, USA |
| Nearest city | Malibu, California |
| Area | 110 acres (45 ha) |
| Established | 1951 |
| Governing body | California Department of Parks and Recreation |
Malibu Lagoon State Beach is a state protected beach of California, United States, and a unit of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Also known as Surfrider Beach, it has a long-standing reputation as a premier surfing beach. Located in Malibu, California, it was dedicated as the first World Surfing Reserve on October 9, 2010. The 110-acre (45 ha) site was established as a California state park in 1951.
Natural history
Malibu Lagoon is an estuary at the mouth of Malibu Creek at the Pacific Ocean in Malibu. It is being restored by a multiagency partnership. Migratory birds use the lagoon when on the Pacific Flyway. Snowy Plovers nest on the beach.
Surfing
Malibu Lagoon is a famous right-break that had a big impact on the surfing culture in Southern California in the 1960s. Located near the Malibu Pier, it is among the most popular surf spots in Los Angeles County. The shoreline is usually triple-cornered due to the buildup of silt, sand, and cobble at the mouth of the creek. The tapering, smooth-breaking waves are recognized among surfers worldwide as the gold standard for summertime "point" surf.
Malibu Lagoon has three primary surfing areas. First Point has waves popular with longboarders and shortboarders during bigger swells. Second Point is used for high performance surfing. It has a main takeoff that lines up and connects into the inside called the "kiddie bowl". Third Point has a left and right side. On the south swells most common in late August and September, surfers can ride all the way to the pier.
