Zuma County Beach near Malibu, California, is one of the largest and most popular beaches in Los Angeles County and is well-known for its long, wide sands and excellent surf. With the crystal clean water and finest white sand, Zuma Beach attracts a lot of visitors throughout the year.
Zuma, as it is referred to by the residents, is an approximately three-mile long beach which is located 19 miles west of Malibu along the Pacific Coast Highway. Zuma is well-protected by the Los Angeles County Fire Department's Lifeguard unit which comprises 14 lifeguard towers and one of four L.A. County Section Headquarters. Zuma, with its small share of rip currents, is a perfect beach for surfing. Vacationers are requested not to swim or surf in front of the Towers 8 and 9, in the beach, as it is an area prone to rip currents. Zuma also draws many visitors to kite surfing on the northern end.
Zuma is a popular swimming, sunbathing, fishing, diving, surfing and socializing spot for families, teenagers and elders. At its southern-most end, Zuma has a popular wall for rock-climbing. For those who would like to stay out of the hot sunny day, the cool breezy wind at night will bring a soothing relief. Zuma has a boardwalk path along the beach for visitors who love walking tours of the shoreline. The beach is also well-equipped with volleyball courts. During winter, Zuma provides gray, whale watching too, when they make their winter migration.
Zuma provides its visitors with some of the best restaurants to dine in. The Sunset, Paradise Cove Beach Cafe and Geoffrey's Restaurant are among the many to choose from. Zuma is very well equipped with restrooms, outdoor showers and changing facilities for the visitors. The Zuma parking lot is open from 7:00 a.m till 7:00 p.m. Visitors can also go with the free parking available on the west side of the Pacific Coast Highway. Vacationers who would love to do a little shopping around Zuma should take a peek at the Zuma General Store which is full of interesting buys.
With its miles of white pristine sand, flat terrain and open parking area, Zuma servers as an open air shelter during emergency situations such as earthquake, fire and mudslide. Zuma also is equipped with a full-time dedicated helicopter landing area for medical emergencies. With the film and television industry very close in Los Angeles, Zuma has been a popular filming location and has been frequently used for the television series Baywatch. The final scene of the movie, Planet of the Apes was filmed near here too. Zuma has cryptozoological importance too with the sightings of Long Necked Seals whose existence has always been a topic of study by the researchers.
Zuma is 19 miles north of Malibu on the Pacific Coast Highway. Parking is always available here and there is always less traffic and chaos. There is frequent local bus transport to the beach too. Zuma serves as a perfect paradise for vacationers with the wide choice of activities for the day and the equally mesmerizing cool breezy long walks at night.
