Point Dume

The Bluff-Top Vista

The trail from the small parking area climbs gradually across sandy paths covered in coastal scrub. Within ten minutes, you reach the flat-topped summit where the full sweep of Santa Monica Bay opens before you. On clear days, Catalina Island floats on the southern horizon. The Santa Monica Mountains rise behind you. Palos Verdes Peninsula curves away to the southeast. This 360-degree view explains why the Chumash people used this spot as a sun shrine and why British explorer George Vancouver marked it on his maps in 1793, naming it after Father Francisco Dumetz (though he misspelled it as “Dume”).

The preserve’s volcanic rock core makes it more resistant to erosion than surrounding cliffs, creating this distinctive promontory that juts into the Pacific. Two wooden viewing platforms extend over the cliff edge, offering prime spots for watching marine life. During December through mid-April, gray whales pass close to shore on their 10,000-mile migration between Alaska and Baja California. Mothers with newborn calves travel particularly close to land on the northbound journey in February and March. You might spend two or three hours scanning the water before spotting a spout, or you might see six whales in an hour. The unpredictability is part of the appeal.

Dume Cove and the Tide Pools

A spur trail descends via a long metal staircase (carefully maintained but showing its age with some weathering) to Dume Cove on the south side of the point. This secluded beach sits within the Point Dume State Marine Reserve, established in 2012 to protect the area’s exceptional biodiversity. At low tide, extensive rock fields emerge, creating shallow pools filled with marine life.

The volcanic rock weathers more slowly than sedimentary stone, forming an intricate network of protected pockets where sea creatures shelter between tides. Aggregating anemones cluster on rocks alongside solitary species. Purple and ochre sea stars cling to submerged surfaces. Small fish like sculpins and juvenile garibaldi dart through deeper pools. Sea hares, hermit crabs, turban snails, and occasionally octopuses hide among algae-covered rocks. Because this is a Marine Reserve, all collection is strictly prohibited. Touch gently if you must, photograph what you find, and leave everything in place.

Timing matters here. Check tide tables before your visit and arrive during low tide when the most area is exposed. The rocks can be slippery, so wear shoes with good grip rather than flip-flops. The beach itself is rockier and more rugged than the sandy stretches to the northwest at Westward Beach and Zuma, giving it a wilder feel that contrasts with Malibu’s more manicured shores.

Wildlife Beyond the Tide Pools

Point Dume’s steep cliffs provide nesting sites for seabirds and haul-out spots for California sea lions on rocks inaccessible to humans. Dolphins frequently pass close to shore. Harbor seals appear regularly. The surrounding waters support white seabass, giant sea bass, and kelp bass within the Marine Protected Area. Over 100 bird species have been recorded here, including brown pelicans, plovers, burrowing owls, and various raptors.

On land, the preserve hosts coyotes, rabbits, ground squirrels, and numerous lizard species including the distinctive silvery legless lizard. Five butterfly species flutter through the coastal scrub. Wildflowers bloom in spring, particularly the large yellow blossoms of giant sea dahlia shrubs in February through April.

Film History and Practical Notes

Film buffs know Point Dume as the location of Planet of the Apes’ famous ending, where Charlton Heston discovers the buried Statue of Liberty and realizes he’s been on Earth all along. The distinctive volcanic cliffs have appeared in dozens of productions since, from I Dream of Jeannie’s pilot to the digitally-added Tony Stark mansion in the Iron Man films (the house itself never existed).

The main challenge is parking. Only about ten spaces line Cliffside Drive at the preserve entrance, all limited to two hours. Arrive early, especially on weekends. The alternative is parking in the large paid lot at the end of Westward Beach Road (winter $3-8, summer $3-14) and hiking up from the beach, adding about 20 minutes to your visit. Some visitors park along residential streets like Grasswood, but watch for restrictions.

Plan for 1-2 hours if you’re just walking the bluff trails, longer if you want to explore Dume Cove’s tide pools or watch for whales. Restrooms, showers, and picnic tables are available at the Westward Beach parking area. The preserve itself has no facilities. Bring water, sun protection, and binoculars if you’re whale watching. The exposed bluff can be windy and several degrees cooler than the beach below.