Dan Blocker State Beach - Malibu, California

Address:Malibu, California

Dan Blocker State Beach consists of a narrow strip of sand separating the clear blue water and the decks of some pretty spectacular Malibu homes. Despite the look and feel of a private beach (pretty empty, a little hard to access), it is in fact a public beach. This 1.5 mile strip of beach may be low on traffic, but is still teeming with activity. This is a great family beach and you'll see kids of all ages swimming in the calm water and even surfing – the waves are known to be a bit lazy usually, but can be unpredictable, so pay close attention as to what's going on when you're there. There is also scuba diving and fishing available.

In 1972 Dan Blocker ("Hoss" from Bonanza) donated what was then called Corral Beach to the State of California. Now, known as both Dan Blocker State Beach and Corral Beach, this narrow stretch of sand serves as a sort of memorial to the cast and legacy of Bonanza.

Parking is sparse at Dan Blocker Beach which means a) that you should get there early in order to get a spot and b) the beach is never crowded since people usually move on to another beach when they find parking. There is drinking water and restrooms available, and there is a lifeguard on duty during daylight hours.

Dan Blocker State Beach is located in Malibu at the Pacific Coast Highway and Corral Canyon Road. Have fun!