Leo Carrillo State Park

RUGGED TERRAIN & TIDE POOL SAFETY

Live AI Coastal Briefing

Saturday, July 11, is shaping up to be a beautiful day at the coast, with a dominant marine layer bringing 100% cloud cover and high humidity. This morning, the marine layer is expected to burn off by late morning, revealing a stunning day for beach visitors. As the day unfolds, we can expect a fun-filled morning for surfers, runners, and cyclists, with plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities like beach volleyball, paddleboarding, and tennis.



The surf conditions are looking great, with waves at 2.8 feet, which is perfect for longboarders, offering knee to waist high waves. With the water temperature at 67°F, a spring suit will be comfortable for most, but a full wetsuit may be necessary for longer sessions. However, before entering the water, swimmers should check with the lifeguard on duty, as rip current data is unavailable today. It's also a good idea to check the local tide chart for low and high tide times, and be aware that swell data is currently unavailable.



For runners and cyclists, the morning conditions are ideal, with a gentle 5mph wind from the ESE and the marine layer providing cool overcast cover. With a low UV index of 0, no special protection is needed for now, but it's always a good idea to plan for sun protection as the UV builds through the morning. The moderate air quality, with an AQI of 62, may require sensitive individuals to limit their prolonged outdoor exercise. Beach volleyball, paddleboarding, and tennis can be enjoyed in the morning, taking advantage of the calm conditions before the afternoon onshore breeze picks up.



As the day develops, the marine layer will burn off, and we can expect a pleasant afternoon, with the slightly low pressure of 29.87 inHg indicating potentially unsettled conditions. However, with no rain expected, it's shaping up to be a great day to enjoy the outdoors. As the afternoon develops, and heading into this evening, the coastal conditions will remain pleasant, making it an ideal day to soak up the sun, enjoy the surf, and take in the stunning scenery. So, grab your board, your bike, or your racket, and make the most of this beautiful coastal day.



Briefing issued 6:10 AM, Saturday, July 11. 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.