Leo Carrillo State Park

RUGGED TERRAIN & TIDE POOL SAFETY

Live AI Coastal Briefing

Friday, August 28, is shaping up to be a beautiful day at the coast, with clear blue skies and a temperature of 74°F. The morning sky conditions are perfect, with 0% cloud cover, making it an ideal day for outdoor activities. As the day unfolds, beach visitors can expect a wide range of activities to enjoy, from surfing and swimming to running, cycling, and beach volleyball.



The surf conditions are looking great, with waves at 3.1 feet, which is waist to chest high, and a solid beach break. With the water temperature at 73°F, boardshorts are the way to go, and no wetsuit is needed. However, rip current data is unavailable, so swimmers should be sure to check with the lifeguard on duty before entering the water. It's also a good idea to check the local tide chart for low and high tide times, as swell data is also unavailable.



For runners and cyclists, the morning conditions are ideal, with a gentle wind of 5mph from the ESE. With a low UV index of 0, no special sun protection is needed, but it's always a good idea to plan for increasing UV levels as the morning wears on. The air quality is moderate, with an AQI of 71, so sensitive individuals may want to limit their prolonged outdoor exercise. Beach volleyball, paddleboarding, and tennis are all great options for the morning, before the afternoon onshore breeze picks up. The calm morning conditions make it an ideal time to get out and enjoy these activities.



As the day develops, the slightly low pressure of 29.80 inHg may lead to some unsettled conditions, but for now, it's looking like a pleasant day at the coast. By midday, the sun will be shining brightly, and as the afternoon develops, the onshore breeze will start to pick up. Heading into this evening, the conditions should remain calm and enjoyable. With so many activities to enjoy and beautiful weather, it's shaping up to be a fantastic day at the coast, so get out and make the most of it.



Briefing issued 6:10 AM, Friday, August 28. Live conditions update continuously above.

About This Coastline

Leo Carrillo State Park combines more than a mile of Malibu coastline with canyon trails and shaded camping inland from Pacific Coast Highway. Beaches, reefs, tide pools and coastal caves make it one of the area’s most varied public outdoor landscapes.

The Vibe

The atmosphere is adventurous, family-friendly and strongly connected to nature. Beachcombers investigate rock shelves, surfers watch the breaks, campers move between sycamore-shaded sites and the shore, and children explore tide pools when conditions allow. The park feels less polished than central Malibu and more like a complete coastal excursion.

Weekends can be busy, but the separation between North Beach, South Beach and inland trails distributes activity across a large area.

The Local Anchor

The park’s diversity is the main anchor. California State Parks highlights swimming, surfing, windsurfing, surf fishing, beachcombing, reefs, tide pools and coastal caves. North Beach also has designated dog access under park rules, distinguishing it from many nearby beaches.

The park is named for Leo Carrillo, the actor and conservationist who served on the California Beach and Parks Commission and supported state acquisition of important coastal lands.

The Landscape

The shoreline alternates between sandy sections, rocky points, reef platforms and small coves. Waves and tide expose or cover caves and pools, so the landscape changes substantially through the day. Behind the coast, the park extends into former ranch land, canyons and the Nicholas Flat area.

Large sycamores shade the campground, creating an inland environment very different from the exposed beach. This transition—from ocean to rock shelf, highway, woodland and mountain trail—is what makes Leo Carrillo distinctive. It presents Malibu not as a single line of sand, but as an interconnected coastal ecosystem.