Point Dume – Malibu

Hiking Point Dume in Malibu

I wasn’t going to miss going to the beach on my first trip to Southern California. But I wanted to get a little hike in at the same time and that is why Point Dume was so perfect. The best of both worlds, with a cliff to hike up and an ocean and beach to stare at the entire time!

Getting Started

Just off the Pacific Coast Highway in the Malibu area, sits Point Dume. It is part of the Point Dume State Beach and Point Dume Natural preserve. There is paid parking available at the beach that gets you close to the start of the hike. The hike is at the end of the road with all the parking near a small info graphic explaining the area.

The Incline

After a short walk across the beach, it is time to head up the main hill. You get about half of the elevation in the first two-tenths of a mile going up the cliffside. Unlike some of the hills I have hiked though, the view for this two-tenths of a mile made me completely forget about going uphill!

The hill is surprisingly green with a lot of small trees and bushes. At certain points you completely lose sight of the ocean that is just a few feet away. There is one large switchback that takes you to the loop point, where I think 99% of the people head to the right and back to the water. This is where the views really are amazing of the area.

The Overlook

About a third of a mile into the hike, there is an amazing overlook that actually takes you out over the ocean a bit. The overlook was not for those of us who have a fear of heights and I was only able to make it about half way out. At that point, I saw a spot where there was a bit of a crumble to trail and decided that discretion is the better part of valor and instead held back and admired the views of the Pacific.

From that overlook, there is actually a really cool view of a disconnected beach that is directly below the narrow rock. It really gives a feel for how steep the drop actually is!

There is also a second, more secure overlook that is just down the trail from the overhanging cliff. This one is fenced in and provides some amazing views of the ocean and the small island called Dume Island that is just off the coast.

View and Sealife

After these overlooks, the trail continues around the outer edge of the point and heads uphill gradually. This is where the trail gets a little more rocky but it is still fairly easily manageable. As you make it across to the eastern side of the point, the views change to see the long coastline and back to a bit more of civilization.

When I was walking around the bend I was stopped by hearing a barking sound. I looked down and saw a single seal that had made its way into the shallows and was working its way up onto the rocks. While I am used to seeing moose and deer and the occasional bear on my, this was a first for me. I loved it!

I will say, they are way bigger than I thought they were! Also, it may have been something other than a seal, as my aquatic animal recognition isn’t that good…yet!

Point Dume

The rest of the trail circles around the point and then there is a trail that takes you to the top of the point. This is where you will find the best of the best views of the Pacific.

There is also a historical plaque that gives you a lot of information about the area that is located at the top along with a bench to sit and enjoy the view.

The trail then loops back and connects to finish off the hike. As far as the hike goes, there isn’t too much to this one but the views are some of the most amazing I have seen on a hike. Just so many amazing views of the ocean. Some wildlife, beaches and everything you would ever want from an ocean cliffside!

Video of Hiking Point Dume

I have put this time-lapse video together of hiking the Point Dume loop so other hikers can get a feel of what the hike is like. If you enjoy this video make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel. It is free to subscribe and you will get the latest outdoor content.

Distance and Elevation

If you don’t have the AllTrails app you might want to check it out, I really love mine. It records your progress and is a great way to search for hikes that are nearby and gives you difficulty measurements. According to AllTrails today’s hike was around 1.37 miles and had a total elevation gain of about 230 feet including undulations. That put the high point at around 215 feet. I was also moving for a total 35 minutes.

I am a Pro member of AllTrails and love it. If you are interested in the platform, please consider using my affiliate link for AllTrails. It gives me a small commission with no extra cost to you.

Effort

For the most part, Point Dume is an easy hike but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some challenges. First, the easy part. At less than a mile and a half and only a couple hundred feet of elevation, this is a shorter hike. One of the challenges is hiking in and sand and some steep and narrow trails. I am still going to list this as an easy hike though.

Terrain

As you probably guessed, this hike is very sandy. The beach start is soft and loose sand and as you climb up the hill the sand gets harder and the trail gets a little easier to manage. The overlook has some crumbling sand on it that made me a little uneasy. There are also some sections that get a little rocky but it remains pretty manageable throughout. Despite the trail starting on the beach, I would recommend shoes due to the rocks that could cause some damage to bare feet.

Access to Point Dume

Point Dume is located at the end of the Point Dume State beach in Malibu, California. There is a parking fee depending on how long you will be parked at the beach and there are restrooms near the parking lot. This area fills up quickly so parking can be at a premium.

Wrapping up Point Dume

As someone who comes from the pretty land locked state of Colorado, my first trip to see the Pacific Ocean was very special. This hike was perfect. It let me enjoy the ocean while also doing a bit of a hike and climbing a hill to feel at home! There were several moments when I just stood and stared at the water. Plus, seeing the seals made it extra special.

There is a bit of elevation gain and hiking in sand at the beginning might be a challenge for some. I think most people of average fitness and health levels will be able to handle this hike and enjoy the amazing views that Point Dume has to offer.

I have added this hike and all of my hikes to the interactive map page you can find here. If you have any suggestions for hikes or comments feel free to email me at fatmanlittletrails@gmail.com or you can follow me on any of the below social media platforms. Happy Hiking!

Gallery of Point Dume

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