A Stunning Beach Off California's Pacific Coast Highway Boasts Scenic Views & Tide Pools

If California is known for one thing, it's beaches. The Golden State boasts 840 miles of Pacific coastline, and while much of that is made up of rugged cliffs and rocky outcroppings, it's also home to some amazing stretches of sand. From this top-ranked beach (that's world famous for a reason) to one of the state's prettiest coastal spots that's still somehow off tourists' radar, choosing which beach to visit in California can be dizzying.

Malibu in particular is a hotspot for good beaches, boasting "27 miles of scenic beauty" on a roadside sign as you're entering its borders. This legendary playground for the rich and famous can make it tricky to access all of this patch of coastline, as a lot of it is blocked off by mansions and private beach clubs. However, there are a few notable exceptions, and this includes Big Rock Beach.

Situated just right off of the Pacific Coast Highway just north of Topanga Canyon State Beach, Big Rock is a gorgeous hidden gem. This narrow bit of sand is punctuated with plenty of stones that help to create tide pools. Just be careful, because as the tide comes in, the beach completely disappears, meaning you have to hit it when conditions are just right.

Named for the big rock that rises from the waves just off shore (which is also popular with birds), Big Rock Beach sits right beneath a row of beachfront homes. Still, the beach is open to the public, as California state law dictates that the public has access to all coastal areas below the mean high tide line. At Big Rock Beach, the tide comes up all the way up to the back of the beach, meaning that even when the dry, sand stretch is exposed, anyone is allowed to be there.

This also means that when the tide is high, there's no beach to go to, and even when the tide is out, there are few patches of dry sand. That said, it's a great, family-friendly place to take a stroll and peer into tide pools. Big Rock Beach also affords some of the best views up and down this amazing stretch of coastline, and offers arresting vistas of California's legendary sunset. If you're lucky, you may even spot a seal or two lounging on the rocks.

Big Rock Beach sits about eight and a half miles north of the Santa Monica Pier. the main access point is a public gate (20000 East Pacific Coast Highway), which leads up to a set of stairs heading down to the rocks and sand. Just make sure to watch your step, as the stairs are steep and the stones can be slipppery. There is limited free public parking, though if you park on the other side of the PHC, be careful crossing the road, as it gets busy. 

The L.A. wildfires of early 2025 were a cataclysmic event that destroyed over 16,000 homes, claimed the lives of 30 people, and caused over $130 billion in damage. The Malibu area was highly impacted, with thousands of structures burned to the ground, including a string of houses (along with the iconic Moonshadows restaurant) built above Big Rock Beach.

The good news is that with the reopening of the Pacific Coast Highway, Big Rock Beach and many of Malibu's other shoreline gems are once again open to the public. Even though the scars of the fire remain on Malibu's gorgeous stretch of coast, its natural charms remain untouched, and a visit will help breathe a bit of life back into a community that's still in the midst of rebuilding. For more Golden State coastal glory, check out these most underrated beaches for your California bucket list.