County Line Beach
A classic PCH surf strand at the Los Angeles–Ventura county line—point/reef energy, limited parking, and cold Southern California water.
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34.0514, -118.9620 · OSM
- Type
- beach
- Region
- Los Angeles County
- Season
- Best April, May, June
- Access
- Near LAX
About County Line Beach
A classic PCH surf strand at the Los Angeles–Ventura county line—point/reef energy, limited parking, and cold Southern California water.
Watch a set from shore before deciding whether conditions match your skill. Make PCH the spine of the day with flexible beach backups. Lodging, dining, and other shoreline stops on the Malibu guide. Use the National Weather Service forecast on this page before you commit.
Know before you go
- Parking: Extremely limited on PCH.
- Surf craft: Share the lineup; know your limits.
- Rocks/reef: Watch footing and entry points.
- Cold water: Wetsuits are normal year-round for many surfers.
- Privacy: Respect residences and posted land.
- Leave no trace: Pack out trash from small pullouts.
- Forecast: Use the NWS panel before swell-heavy days.
How to get to County Line Beach
County Line Beach sits on Pacific Coast Highway near the Los Angeles / Ventura county line, on the far northwest Malibu / Yerba Buena stretch. Almost everyone arrives by car; PCH congestion and scarce pullouts define the visit.
- Drive PCH to the county line corridor From Malibu or Oxnard/Ventura, stay patient on Highway 1. Watch for legal beach parking only—do not stop in travel lanes.
- Arrive early on swell days Surf interest fills turnouts fast. Midweek mornings are easier than sunny summer Saturdays.
- Respect private property and signs Use marked public access. Residential and agricultural edges nearby are not shortcuts.
- Have a backup beach If parking fails, continue to other Malibu or Ventura public accesses rather than circling endlessly.
Plan your visit
Best months
April, May, June, September
Typically the most comfortable months for weather and crowds.
Nearest airport
Los Angeles International (LAX)
About 55 minutes by car, depending on traffic.
Highlight
Beach · Surf · Malibu
A classic PCH surf strand at the Los Angeles–Ventura county line—point/reef energy, limited parking, and cold Southern California water.
Treat County Line as a surf-and-view stop inside a longer PCH day. Facilities are thinner than pier cities—pack water, shade, and patience.
Best time: Morning shoulder seasons; winter can bring stronger swell that attracts experienced surfers and spectators.
Who it’s for: Intermediate-to-advanced surfers and scenic drivers. Soft-sand family days with full services fit better at wider lifeguarded strands farther southeast.
Pairing: Combine with Malibu, other Malibu pockets, or a Ventura County coast continuation. See also Malibu beaches.
Surf etiquette: Local priority and lineup awareness matter. If you are new to the break, watch a full set before paddling out.
Swimming: Rip currents and rocks are possible—swim only when conditions and lifeguard presence make sense.
Name clarity: “County Line” refers to the LA–Ventura boundary shoreline, not a city named County Line.
Practical tip: Do not stack County Line with three other PCH pockets on a rigid timetable. Pick one primary stop and one backup.
Closing tip: Recheck the live forecast if wind or swell jumps during your drive; marine layer mornings can hide how crowded turnouts already are.
County Line Beach: FAQ
Where is County Line Beach?
County Line Beach is on Pacific Coast Highway near the Los Angeles–Ventura county line, on the northwest Malibu / Yerba Buena coastal corridor in Southern California.
Is County Line Beach good for surfing?
Yes for experienced surfers when swell and tides align. It is not an ideal first-lesson beach—watch the lineup and respect local etiquette.
Is County Line in Malibu or Ventura?
It sits at the county line between Los Angeles County (Malibu area) and Ventura County. Access and parking feel like a PCH coastal stop rather than a downtown beach city.
Is there parking at County Line Beach?
Parking is limited and competitive. Arrive early, use only legal spaces, and have another public beach as backup.
Can you swim at County Line Beach?
Swimming is secondary to surfing for many visitors. Cold water, currents, and rocks mean you should be conservative and follow lifeguard guidance when present.
How do I get to County Line Beach from Los Angeles?
Drive Pacific Coast Highway northwest through Malibu, or approach from Ventura County heading southeast on Highway 1. Budget extra time for coastal traffic.
What beaches are near County Line?
Other Malibu public accesses and Ventura County strands along PCH are the practical backups when County Line parking is full.
More places near Los Angeles County
Nearby destinations will appear as more place pages are published.
Nearby beaches
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / blmcalifornia