Westward Beach
Best for. Travellers who want Zuma's space without quite Zuma's crowd, a wide handsome beach under the Point Dume headland with the one proper ocean view restaurant on this stretch of sand.
Best spot. The southern end below the Point Dume headland, where the cliffs frame the bay and the late sun does its finest work, a short walk from the lot toward the rocks.
Know this. The paid lot fills on warm weekends and the gate closes when it is full, so arrive early or use the free roadside space on Westward Beach Road and walk in.
Westward is the quietly clever choice on this stretch of coast. It shares the wide golden character of Zuma immediately to the north, yet it feels a shade calmer and more composed, a long handsome beach that sweeps south to the dramatic headland of Point Dume. The luxury here is simple and real, room to breathe, a proper view of the cliffs, and the rare comfort on this coast of an ocean view table you can walk to from your towel rather than drive to. Come for the late afternoon and you understand why those in the know slip here instead of joining the crowd next door.
Be honest with yourself about the day you want. This is the open bay, lively and exposed, and the famous calm here is relative rather than a sheltered cove, so for a gentle protected swim the smaller coves to the west suit better. The polished beach club experience does not exist on this sand either, beyond the one restaurant, and for that the hotel terraces east in central Malibu are the address. Westward is for the traveller who wants space, a real beach and an easy lunch, without the performance.
The honest caveat is the parking, which is the whole game here. The lot at the end of Westward Beach Road fills on warm weekends and the gate simply closes when it is full, after which you join the free roadside line on the approach and walk in. Arrive early, or come for the softer late afternoon as the day trippers leave, and Westward gives you the best of this coast, the width of Zuma, the drama of Point Dume, and a table on the sand, with noticeably less fuss.
Where to eat at Westward Beach
Westward has the one luxury the western beaches usually lack, a proper ocean view table on the sand, with the polished hotel terraces a drive east as the alternative. Hours, access and any minimum spend are set by each venue and to be confirmed.
Photo: Andre Slintak via GoogleThe Sunset Restaurant
The ocean view restaurant set on the middle of Westward Beach itself, open through the day for lunch, dinner and a sunset drink with the sand at your feet. It is the rare beach this far west where you can dine properly without leaving the shore, so it stays popular and a reservation is wise. Hours and any minimum spend are set by the venue and to be confirmed.
Photo: Carbon Beach Club Restaurant | Malibu Beach Inn via GoogleCarbon Beach Club
The oceanfront restaurant of the Malibu Beach Inn on Carbon Beach, a refined terrace over the sand for lunch, dinner or a sunset drink. It is the closest the coast comes to a polished beach club setting, attached to a hotel rather than to open sand. Treat it as a graceful close to the day on the drive home.
With a table actually on the sand, Westward asks less planning than most of this coast, though a reservation still pays on a fine weekend. The full directory gathers the oceanfront venues across Malibu, each confirming its own hours, dress and minimum spend when you enquire.
Below Point Dume, off Westward Beach Road
Westward sits just south of Zuma below the Point Dume headland, signed off the Pacific Coast Highway down Westward Beach Road, about an hour from central Los Angeles depending on the traffic. A car is the practical way to arrive, as public transport along this coast is limited.
The paid lot lies at the end of Westward Beach Road and fills on warm weekends, closing its gate when full. Free roadside space along the approach fills first, after which it is a short level walk in, so come early or save the visit for the softer late afternoon.
Photo: Yax S via GoogleBook a beach club
Tell us your dates and party size and we will help arrange a table or a sunset dinner near Westward Beach in Malibu. We reply by email.
We are an independent editorial resource. Booking requests are passed to venues and operators, and some may earn us a commission at no cost to you. Prices, availability and opening status are set by the venue and are to be confirmed at the time of booking.
Common questions about Westward Beach
Is Westward Beach better than Zuma?
For many days, yes. Westward shares Zuma's wide golden sand but tends to feel a little calmer and more composed, and it has the headland of Point Dume at its southern end and an ocean view restaurant on the sand. Zuma has more facilities and the bigger lot, so the better choice depends on whether you want space or convenience.
Where do you park at Westward Beach?
In the paid lot at the end of Westward Beach Road, which fills on warm weekends and closes its gate when full, or for free along Westward Beach Road, which fills first. Arrive early or come in the late afternoon, and the fee is set by the operator and to be confirmed.
Is there a restaurant on Westward Beach?
Yes, there is one ocean view restaurant set on the middle of the beach, open through the day, which is a genuine rarity this far west. A reservation is wise on fine weekends, and the hours and any minimum spend are set by the venue and to be confirmed.
Is Westward Beach good for swimming?
It is the open bay, lively and exposed, and often a touch calmer than the surf at Zuma but still the real Pacific. Swim near the lifeguard towers, mind the rip currents, and for a gentler protected swim the smaller western coves suit better.
Can you walk to Point Dume from Westward Beach?
Yes. The southern end of Westward runs up to the Point Dume headland, and a short walk and climb take you onto the bluff and its trail for the wide views over the bay. Mind the tide and the rocks at the base of the point.
