Zuma, is the ultimate tourist destination for Malibu beach wise. It is large, lots of facilities. There are 5 restaurants within walking distance. Sunset Restaurant is a great happy hour place on the South end of Zuma. Parking is easy. Pay the extra dollars to park inside. I see accidents all the time for parking along the road. Whales are here right now. They will be coming through for the next 60 or so days. Nothing like it! There is one small hotel close and another within a mile. Nothing to right home about but what a way to wake up in the morning and walk Zuma!

I've lived in L.A. for 15 years and this is the beach I go to all the time. Zuma is a huge beach, long and deep. It is a great place to take kids. Tons of parking. Lots of changing facilities and showers. Very clean water. Decent surf (better for boogie-boarding and body-surfing than surfing). Not very commercial. There are some food stands which I've never eaten at. I recall a single temporary rental place for boards and blades. etc. There's a boardwalk along almost the entire length. There are plenty of life guard towers in the summer and early fall. The water is cold, except in August and September. A body suit can be a good idea. Particularly during the summer, I prefer to arrive early and leave early to beat the traffic and get a good parking spot.

It actually quite nice in the off-season on a clear day. In the summer, remember in May-July, there can be a very heavy early morning haze. Don't forget your sunscreen even on those days. Also, during the off-season, I recommend heading down to Pointe Dume for a hike up the cliffs overlooking the Santa Monica Bay.

This beach does not have a place for picnics (grills) but its a great place to sit back and relax or take a long walk.

Zuma is a beautiful beach, wonderful for a run, walk, swim or just enjoying the beach and oceanside views. A beautiful beach with a lot to enjoy, I highly recommend it.