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Carbon - La Costa Beach

Shared BeachFinder spot: compare live conditions, water temperature, wind, UV, waves, currents, amenities and nearby alternatives before you leave.

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Weather and marine data: Open-Meteo

Carbon - La Costa Beach

Carbon – La Costa Beach stretches along the southern coast of California, in the Malibu region, about 50 kilometers northwest of downtown Los Angeles. This section of the Pacific coastline is characterized by shale and sandstone cliffs that plunge directly into the ocean, creating a dramatic coastal profile typical of the Malibu Palisades. The shore, exposed to west and northwest swells, receives the full energy of the North Pacific's low-pressure systems, particularly in winter. The beach itself features a fine sand surface, contrasting sharply with the rock formations that frame it. Compared to nearby beaches located 1.2 kilometers and 2.4 kilometers away, Carbon – La Costa Beach offers a more intimate character, less frequented than Big Rock Beach, which is 2.4 kilometers to the southeast. Access is via a narrow coastal path descending from the Pacific Coast Highway; at low tide, the sand widens considerably, revealing tide pools and pebble formations. The atmosphere remains that of a resident beach rather than a tourist spot, with few visible developments from the shore. No permanent facilities are reported on site. The beach is not labeled Blue Flag and does not have any official supervision. Wheelchair access is not arranged due to the rugged terrain and the slope of the approach path.

About this spot

The name "Carbon" refers to the deposits of oil shale that outcrop in the surrounding cliffs, formed millions of years ago during Miocene marine sedimentation. These geological formations, rich in fossilized organic material, attracted the interest of oil prospectors in the early 20th century. The Malibu area, long the domain of the Chumash before Spanish colonization, transformed into a prestigious residential enclave after 1920. Carbon Beach, despite its unpoetic name, remains one of the least densely developed portions of the Malibu coastline, its unstable cliffs having discouraged the large real estate developments seen at neighboring beaches.

Updated 5/9/2026

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Conditions

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Other nearby spots

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Carbon - La Costa Beach water temperature today | Wind, UV, Surf & Water Quality | BeachFinder