52. Walking Around Point Dume Beach in Malibu

There are many sights to see and activities to enjoy, especially if you enjoy nature and the beach, when you visit Point Dume (pronounced doo-may), such as starfish sightings and surfing.

After visiting Point Dume a couple of times, I wondered if it was possible to walk around the point via the beach.  Given Point Dume's landscape of massive in size and height cliffs, it seemed reasonable to me that if I was going to accomplish this feat I'd need to be at the west side beach as close to low tide as possible.

To reach Point Dume by vehicle, you need to find your way to the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway).  Where Zuma Beach and Malibu border is where you find Westward Beach Road.  Turn onto Westward Beach Road toward the ocean.  Follow the road to the pay parking lot.  Voila!  You have now arrived at the west side beach of Point Dume.

The mid-January day I was there for this monumental experiment, I managed to arrive about half an hour before low tide.  As you will see in the video, I made it past the first set of rocks (although I needed to climb them to get by).  I reached the next set of rocks.  These were the last set of rocks to go around to reach the east side.  Darn!  I was going to have to climb these rocks.

Okay.  I had decided initially I would not get dirty, wet or risk hurting my self to accomplish this feat.  I'd barely started when I got dirty.  Out went that decision.  Yet, I was still fairly willing to hold to my other two.

I looked at this second set of rocks and decided I wasn't willing to risk falling off them to prove something most likely no one cared about except me.  Not having health insurance probably factored in a bit too.

Aaaahhhhhh!  I'd come this far.  Was I really willing to give up already?  After all I'd already navigated the first set of rocks that at first glance also appeared daunting.  Aaaaahhhhhh!  I had to keep going.

I started climbing the second set of rocks. I saw tide pools in some of the rocks.  During high tide these rocks are covered in water.  Still...before I got around, I decided I really had reached the limit of what I was willing to climb.  Fear of Falling!  Self-Denial!  Darn!

So I headed back to hurry along the long-way path to the east side beach just knowing there would be some awesome surfing watching and filming to be done.

Here's what I feel was my surprising yet welcome realization as I started to trek to the east-side beach.  I began feeling a bit smug believing I had just proven walking around Point Dume via the beach couldn't be done.  Before my back began to get too red from all my self-congratulatory patting, I realized all I'd actually proven was I couldn't do it on this day.  A better climber might have.  In the summer when the water level of low tide is lower, I might have.

Anyone else thinking, "I have a date with destiny."?  Anyone else thinking, "rematch"?

49. Surfing Winter Waves at Point Dume, Malibu

Point Dume (pronounce doo-may) is the western terminus of Santa Monica Bay and has been an important landmark for navigators since 1793, a mere 26 short years after the art of surfing is said to first have been observed by Europeans in Tahiti.

Most likely not one thought remotely related to the above information ran through any of the minds of the many surfers who found them selves enjoying the winter waves off the beach on the east side of Point Dume.

Let me tell you these surfers have at least one thing in common; and that's how bad they want it.

To reach this I've-seen-it-referred-to-as supremo "secret" surfing spot one must find parking, carry their surf board along the Point Dume trail which leads to the stairs one must descend to step foot on the beach.  Of course, you could jump but seriously...DO NOT!

Luckily, once down the stairs the water is only yards (as in three feet to a yard) away.  If it is around low tide time, the surfer may forgo most of the paddling to reach the catch-the-wave area by walking the beach instead.

I was fortunate enough to be at the beach soon after low tide the day I was there.  By standing on one of the huge rocks, I was able to video the surfers closely.  As you watch the video, decide for your self if it looks like it was worth the hike for the winter waves these surfers continued to return to ride again and again.

17. 2Beach - Manhattan Beach Pier

On a clear, sunny day (which most are in Manhattan Beach, the South Bay of L.A.) it seems fairly obvious to go to the beach to lay out in the sun and bathe.  This is awesome during about half the year.  Even though from about March to November you can get by without a jacket, the water stays a fairly consistent temperature that doesn't make it conducive to swimming or being in the water too long without a wet suit from about October to April.  Always a good idea to check.

So, 2Beach or not 2Beach?  That was the question.

Aaaahhhhhhh!  There's so much more to do at this beach than sun bathe.

Walking:  You can walk the cement path also known as the Strand.  You can walk the wet sand right by the water's edge.

Biking:  There's a bike path.

Volleyball:  Manhattan Beach is considered the home of beach volleyball.

Swimming

Surfing:  Traditional, Wind or Paddle

Photography

Walking the Pier: Alone or with a date

Fishing from the end of the Pier

The Roundhouse Aquarium:  The aquarium at the end of the pier.  This is the only place to buy food or beverages only during Roundhouse hours (weather permitting).

Watching the Sunset, Sunrise or for dolphins

There are restrooms and showers to wash off the sand and salt water. 

If you drive to the Pier, you want to be sure to bring plenty of quarters to feed the meter.  Twenty-five cents buys you 10 minutes.

Pets are allowed ONLY on the Strand.  No pets on the beach or on the Pier.  No smoking is allowed.  No nudity (just wanted to see if you are paying attention).

Please, please, please be sure to use the trash receptacles.

And please, please, please watch for bikers when you cross the bike path.  Also, remember the bike path is for bikes.  NOT for walkers.  That's what the Strand is for.

Before I end and include the video I did for this post, I leave with the following: T. Harv Eker has written that the poor think "or" and the rich think "and".  One could easily make a magnificent day at Manhattan Beach by parking closer to downtown (you are not a slave to putting quarters in the meter) where you have the best of both worlds; all the activities at the beach and all the shopping and dining not at the beach.

Just thought of a couple more things:  shell hunting, bird watching and Frisbee tossing.  Oh my!

12. El Porto

El Porto is the name of the beach that is located at the north end of the city of Manhattan Beach.

As I mention in the video, it is the beach I visit the most because it is the closest one to where I live.  This in no way means it is a lesser beach.  In fact, just the opposite.  So aren't I lucky?  Don't hate me 'cuz I'm beau...close to an awesome beach.

El Porto is known as a surfer beach.  You can almost always be assured that you will see surfers enjoying their waves anytime you visit.  On the day I visited at the beginning of the video, there were too many to even count.  I know I mention in the video that it is a great place to watch surfers.  I realized, hello, it is obviously a great place to surf.  Maybe that goes without saying.

El Porto also offers so much more when it comes to the beach experience.  Unfortunately, I don't know of public transportation that gets too close.  If you drive, you can drive around quite a bit to find free street parking.  You may actually end up spending more on gas that way than you will to simply park in the provided area.  FYI! Bring a whole bunch of quarters to feed the hungry meter.  I want to know the meters trick.  They eat more and still stay so slim and trim.

There is a bike path (if you want to bring your bike). You can bike all the way to Redondo Beach and back, if you like, or go north all the way to Marina Del Ray. Either way is a delightful little jaunt.

I personally love to get barefoot and walk down to where the wet sand is.  Then I love to stroll with the feel of sand between my toes, to the Manhattan Beach Pier and back.  It's great exercise, but I'm not thinking about that.  I'm just feeling my love for this experience.  I also love to watch for sand dollars.  I've noticed many beaches now rarely have shells.  Some beaches don't want you to remove anything because they feel it upsets the natural balance.  Some beaches have lots of rocks.  This stretch is where you just might be able to find a sand dollar.  And when I do, I take it as a sign that it is my lucky day.  One day I found about 15 sand dollars.  I should have played the lottery that day.  It's helpful for sand dollar prospecting if you walk the beach at low tide time.

As I walk, there are usually some of those cute little sand pipers playing along the beach.  I get a kick out of watching them.  It's like their biggest joy in life is to play with the water as it flows up the beach.  Can they out walk it before it hits their little legs?  It's like they can play all day and never get tired of it. I know...I just may be the ocean dork I claim I am.

As my trips usually include walking on the wet sand, I rarely ever use the walking path directly in front of the homes on the Strand.  The Strand is the name that has been given to all the homes with immediate beach access.  Personally, as much as I love the beach and would love to live at the beach, I wouldn't want to live in one of the homes on the Strand.  Okay, maybe if you paid me to live there or I lived there for free.  It's just that I often think of it as the sort of thing that happens at the zoo.  You walk the Strand and you get to watch all of the people who live there in their natural habitat.  And I know you should be looking at the ocean.  Yet, like a train wreck, I can't seem to look away.

Of course, the first time you walk the Strand, some of the homes are truly magnificent works of art from an architectural standpoint.  So, go ahead: look.

As I walked the Strand the day it rained, I noticed something else.  First, no pets are allowed on the actual beach nor is any smoking.  It has saved people from finding pet droppings or cig butts in the sand.  Dogs are allowed to walk with you on the Strand.  Poop bags are provided or bring your own pooper scooper.  It's the law.

Second, gardens.  I hadn't noticed before that many of the homes have gardens they keep up.  So if that is something you enjoy looking at, you'll love strolling the Strand.

Before I TTFN...no that isn't anything dirty...it means "ta ta for now", two more quick things.  One is that public facilities are provided and usually kept quite clean.  There are also showers and places to rinse off sand and salt water from your body.  You do need to bring your own towels, swim suits, sun screen and things like that.  And oh yeah, no alcohol or BBQing.

Two is this is the more mellow and less tourist-y area of the city of Manhattan Beach.  If that works for you, check it out.  The other area, which will be the subject of my next blog, is the Manhattan Beach Pier area.  Who knows?  Maybe that actually makes Manhattan Beach the perfect spot for you.  If you feel a little country or a little rock n' roll, this city offers two distinct beach experiences.