Dawn patrol surfing in Malibu
Malibu, California
Updated February 10, 2026 at 8:49 PM · Dialed recommendations refresh every 30 minutes based on tide, wind, and crowd telemetry from Quiver.
First light in Malibu means glass, empty peaks, and the best conditions of the day before thermal onshores build. These 10 spots are worth the 5am alarm.
Top spot recommendations
Sort your quiver, choose the right tide window, and jot down a backup in case the main peak gets stacked.
Featured Beaches
10 spots
County Line
IntermediateCounty Line, on the border of LA and Ventura counties, features a right-hand cobblestone reef break at the northern end and 500 yards of beach break to the south. Conditions range from peaky lefts and rights to heavy closeouts. On larger swells, currents and rips become strong and the point turns into an advanced wave.
Latigo Point
IntermediateLatigo Point is a right-hand point break that offers a less crowded alternative.
Leo Carrillo State Beach
Beginner friendlyLeo Carrillo is a family-friendly state beach with a gentle beach break.
Malibu First Point (Surfrider)
Beginner friendlyNo description available.
Malibu Second Point
IntermediateSecond Point is the middle section of the famous Malibu point break system.
Malibu Surfrider (First Point)
IntermediateMalibu First Point is one of the most iconic surf breaks in the world. This cobblestone point produces long, peeling right-handers perfect for longboarding.
Malibu Third Point
AdvancedThird Point is the outermost and most powerful section of Malibu.
Point Dume
IntermediatePoint Dume is a scenic reef break at the southern end of Zuma Beach.
Topanga
IntermediateTopanga Point is a right-hand point break over a cobble and sand bottom interspersed with rocks. The wave can be hollow and fast, offering fun rides for all levels, though beginners should be cautious at low tide. It works on most tides and picks up both south and northwest swells. Crowds and passionate locals are the norm.
Zuma Beach
Beginner friendlyZuma Beach is a long, wide stretch of sand with multiple peaks that break over a sandy bottom. The beach offers consistent, forgiving waves that suit beginners on smaller days and transforms into a powerful shorepound during big winter swells. On any given day you'll find peaks breaking left and right, with plenty of room to spread out.
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What to focus on today
- Glassy morning conditions before onshore winds
- Less crowded lineups at sunrise
- East-facing beaches for sunrise views
- Spots with easy parking for early arrivals
Session logging tips
Once you wrap the surf, drop a note in your Quiver journal with tide, board, and crowd observations. Over time you'll see crystal-clear patterns about when Malibu rewards this type of session objective.
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