Probably – it’s definitely in the top 5. Visiting Point Dume is certainly one of the best things to do in Malibu.

Today I loaded the kids in the station wagon and headed over to PT Dume Natural Preserve for a little hike. For sheer dramatic value, I would say that this hike is one of the best in Malibu – actually, it’s not a real hike. More of a gentle 30 minute stroll around the cliffs at the end of spit of land shoots out from the coastline like the blade of knife.

The views are spectacular – to the southeast you can see the entire Santa Monica Bay – all the way to Palos Verdes. To the right of the Palos Verdes peninsula you’ll see Catalina Island on a clear day. Looking to the northwest is the Zuma Beach and, in the distance Point Mugu. From the cliffs along the trail you can a great view of a pristine stretch of ocean below that is part of the Point Dume State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA), which was established in 1972 to conserve and help restore ocean biodiversity.

One little bit of movie trivia. The last scene of the original Planet of the Apes was shot on Westward Beach, which lies directly under the cliffs. This is the scene in which Charleton Heston’s character spots the Statue of Liberty emerging out of the sand and realizes that he he’s been on earth all along. Oh, Ozymandias of Malibu.

It took me and the kids (9 and 6) about 45 minutes to walk do the trail and get back to the car. On the way home, we stopped at Trancas Market for some ice cream treats at SweetBu candy shop. Today was one of those amazing California days – 72 degree with bright sunshine and surfers bobbing in the water.

Directions

• From Santa Monica follow Pacific Coast Highway 18-miles west to Westward Beach Road. Turn toward the ocean, go beyond the fee collection station to the very end of the road.
• From the 101-Freeway, exit at Kanan Road, follow it south 12-miles to Pacific Coast Highway, then turn right. Westward Beach Road is over the rise, at the foot of the hill.

Consideration:

• Parking is scarce – go early. There are about 8 spots – we idled the car for a minute until we got lucky and someone left.
• Keep the kids on the trail. I could definitely see how someone could stray off the path, lose their footing and fall over the edge.

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