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Escondido Creek, Malibu

27217 Pacific Coast Highway

GPS: 34.01.32N 118.45.52W or 34.02569N 118.76562W

Type of Beach: Sandy south- to southeast-facing beach

Facilities: None

Average Depth: 20-35'

Location/Parking: Dive site is near Via Escondido Drive and Pacific Coast Highway. Escondido drive is located between Corral Beach and Point Dume where PCH comes back and briefly kisses the ocean before veering away to go behind Point Dume. From Los Angeles, drive west on Coast Highway until you pass Geoffrey's restaurant (27400 Coast Highway, on ocean side of road), then make a U-turn at the first opportunity. Park on the shoulder of Coast Highway to the east of the restaurant, as close as possible to a sign that marks the beginning of a no parking zone. Beach access is via a gate that is never locked, located just off the bridge over Escondido Creek. Enter the ocean off the sandy beach, then swim out to the kelp and drop down in about 25 feet of water.

The Dive: Escondido Creek is one of several beaches in Malibu that are relatively shielded by Pt. Dume from northwest swells. On winter days when other beaches have significant surf, it can provide a more tranquil dive. On the flip side, this geography means less current flowing through the area, resulting in more debris in the water at times. It is a shallow dive, with depths never exceeding 35 feet, so many divers spend an hour or more touring on a single tank. Underwater structure includes rocky reef parallel to the shoreline, along with kelp.

For more aerial photos of the area visit: http://www.californiacoastline.org/cgi-bin/image.cgi?image=3866&mode=sequential&flags=0

DISCLAIMER: Dive site descriptions, while believed to be accurate are not guaranteed and should not be relied upon for making your dive decisions. Dive site conditions can and do change and each diver is responsible for making their own site survey to determine present conditions and the suitability of the site for diving. Every diver is responsible for their own diving decisions.

Webpage designed by Melvin Pasley of Pasley Realty http://www.pasleyrealty.com/ March 29, 2004. Special thanks to Frank O'Donnell for his site description and directions.