There’s a reason Point Dume was used as a filming location in countless Hollywood blockbusters, for a pivotal scene in the great classic Planet of the Apes and something the younger generation might be more familiar with, the backdrop for ultra-rich Tony Stark’s lavish mansion that everyone wished to call theirs. At the northern end of the Santa Monica Bay, this preserve epitomizes what one would expect from a Malibu beach, right down to the surfers dotting the waves and the sporty looking runners jogging along the cliffside. The beach got its name in a twist of fate, when it was misspelled on a state map from Dumez after Francisco Dumez, and the name stuck.

The preserve is revered by scuba divers who relish in the crystal clear waters. Rock climbing is also a popular activity, as the moderately straightforward climbing routes with the backdrop of the dazzling ocean view make it powerfully alluring to rock climbers of all expertise levels.

It’s also no surprise that this region features in many a song lyric, as the dramatic cliffs and glittering ocean certainly do inspire. Follow the boardwalk to the viewing platform, or alternatively, a stairway provides access to an isolated beach where you can soak in the views in privacy - well, except for the sea lions sunbathing on the rocks that is! Standing on the edge and looking out at the vast blue that stretches beyond the horizon itself, wondering at all that lies out there, makes you realize how tiny your are on our gigantic planet, insignificant among the expansive beauty.