Malibu City Government announced on Sunday (2nd) that the main road, beach entrance, and parking lot leading to Point Dume Beach are indefinitely closed due to severe coastal erosion.
According to the city news agency, the city government of Malibu stated that the high tide and strong waves on Saturday night (August 1st) caused new erosion, exacerbating the damage to the coastline that had already occurred last week. The damaged areas are located near several coastal residences, which were destroyed in the Palisades Fire in January 2025.
The city government’s announcement mentioned that the Los Angeles County Beaches and Harbors Department reported that due to further erosion caused by the high tide and strong waves on Saturday night, Westward Beach Road west of the fee gate and the Point Dume Beach parking lot are closed until further notice. There is currently no scheduled date for reopening.
The announcement also stated that due to erosion damaging water supply pipelines, restrooms number 1, 2, and 3 remain closed. Temporary portable toilets and handwashing facilities have been set up nearby for visitors to use.
The Beaches and Harbors Department of Los Angeles County reminded the public not to cross safety cones, caution tape, and other barricades.
The department stated, “Cliff edges are currently extremely unstable, with some areas experiencing drops of up to 8 feet due to erosion. Unauthorized entry into closed areas may result in serious injuries.”
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) has also issued a SigAlert traffic advisory, announcing an indefinite road closure at the intersection of Westward Beach Road and Birdview Avenue to prevent vehicles from accessing the entrance of Point Dume Beach.
Highway patrol officers stated that the nearby Pacific Coast Highway is currently open to traffic.
The city government of Malibu mentioned that they had already noticed the coastal erosion situation by the end of July and had meetings with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and Governor Newsom’s office personnel to further discuss the coastal erosion issue.
The city government stated, “Recent high tides and strong waves have accelerated the erosion of the coastline in areas affected by wildfires. With the original residences’ seawalls no longer in place to provide protection against the waves, erosion has encroached near the road in some areas.”
The city government also noted that as they gather more information, they will continue to update the community on the latest developments.