Malibu's Secret Beach for the Wealthy Is Opening to the Public After 40 Years
Wealthy residents cut off access to the beach in the 1980s.
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A secret beach for the wealthy in Malibu, California is not going to be a secret for much longer.
Escondido Beach has been wrapped up in legal battles for decades, as the beach is not accessible to the public, as required by local regulations. According to The Guardian, access to the beach was cut off in the 1980s by wealthy homeowners. Now, things are slated to change.
During a June 7 hearing, the California Coastal Commission cited two property owners for violations of not having public access to the beach area near their homes. (Escondido Beach is located along the Pacific Coast Highway and off of Escondido Beach Road.)
“Escondido means 'hidden' in Spanish, and this beach has indeed remained difficult for the public to access well into the 21st century. Yet Escondido Beach is located in a highly popular area of central Malibu, near Paradise Cove and Escondido Falls, and within sight of Point Dume,” a summary from the California Coastal Commission revealed.
After challenging these violations for over 30 years, the property owners have agreed to pay penalties and cooperate by realigning the stretches of public access to allow for visitors.
Malibu, long considered to be an oasis for the wealthy, is nicknamed "Billionaire’s Beach" after celebrities and high-profile residents have purchased expensive homes in the area. (The city, which has a population of just over 10,000, has an average property price of $5.5 million, according to Realtor.com.)
The properties where the new access will be built were historically owned by a former executive from Paramount Pictures and the founder of Bally Total Fitness, according to the Los Angeles Times.
While there is no published timetable of when public access will be established, travelers can enjoy over 27 miles of public beaches in Malibu. A map from the California Coastal Commission highlights the various beaches and amenities offered at each.
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