Malibu Lagoon State Beach

California · Southwest

EasyOfficial Site View on eBird

Habitat

CoastalWetlandMarsh

Best Seasons

WinterFall

Difficulty

Easy

Best Months

October-March

Entrance Fee

$12 per vehicle parking

Hours

8:00 AM – Sunset daily

About This Location

Malibu Lagoon State Beach sits at the mouth of Malibu Creek where it enters the Pacific Ocean, creating a rare coastal lagoon ecosystem along the developed Malibu coastline. Over 200 bird species have been recorded in this compact but productive area, where restored salt marsh, mudflat, and sandy beach habitats attract an impressive concentration of waterbirds.

The lagoon is a reliable spot for Great Blue Herons, Snowy Egrets, and a variety of ducks and shorebirds. During migration, the surrounding willows and coastal scrub can hold surprising numbers of warblers and flycatchers. Brown Pelicans cruise offshore, while Elegant Terns, Royal Terns, and occasional rarities rest on the sandbar at the lagoon mouth.

Location

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Notable Species

Great Blue Heron Snowy Egret Elegant Tern Brown Pelican Black-bellied Plover Belted Kingfisher

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Ruff

Calidris pugnax

3/5/2026Cosumnes River Preserve1 observed

Snow Goose

Anser caerulescens

3/5/2026Lago Santa Margarita1 observed

Blackburnian Warbler

Setophaga fusca

3/5/2026Sunset Blvd. at Quintara St. intersection and vicinity1 observed

Blackburnian Warbler

Setophaga fusca

3/5/2026Sunset Blvd. at Quintara St. intersection and vicinity1 observed

Red-whiskered Bulbul

Pycnonotus jocosus

3/5/2026Skyline Drive at Miramar Drive (Fullerton)2 observed

Pine Warbler

Setophaga pinus

3/5/2026Craig Regional Park, Fullerton1 observed

Blackburnian Warbler

Setophaga fusca

3/5/2026Sunset Blvd. at Quintara St. intersection and vicinity1 observed

Barrow's Goldeneye

Bucephala islandica

3/5/2026Twain Harte Lake2 observed

Tropical Kingbird

Tyrannus melancholicus

3/5/2026Laguna Grande Park1 observed

Hairy Woodpecker

Leuconotopicus villosus

3/5/2026Mojave Narrows Regional Park3 observed

Neotropic Cormorant

Nannopterum brasilianum

3/5/2026Famosa Slough1 observed

Red-throated Pipit

Anthus cervinus

3/5/20264150 Clairemont High School, Ute Dr, San Diego US-CA (32.8080,-117.2032)1 observed

Nuttall's Woodpecker

Dryobates nuttallii

3/5/2026Whitewater Preserve1 observed

Northern Parula

Setophaga americana

3/5/2026Kate Sessions Neighborhood Park1 observed

Wilson's Warbler

Cardellina pusilla

3/5/2026Golden Gate Park--Arboretum (San Francisco Botanical Garden)1 observed

Tennessee Warbler

Leiothlypis peregrina

3/5/2026Home 2909 Brant St1 observed

Bushtit (Pacific)

Psaltriparus minimus

3/5/2026Loomis Basin Community Park6 observed

Green-tailed Towhee

Pipilo chlorurus

3/5/2026Pomona College1 observed

Western Cattle-Egret

Ardea ibis

3/5/2026Bayshore Bikeway--10th Street (Pond 23)1 observed

Pacific Golden-Plover

Pluvialis fulva

3/5/2026Bayshore Bikeway--10th Street (Pond 23)1 observed

Recent Observations

Red-tailed Hawk

Mount Auburn Cemetery

3/5/2026

1 birds

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Mount Auburn Cemetery

3/5/2026

1 birds

Downy Woodpecker

Mount Auburn Cemetery

3/5/2026

1 birds

Northern Flicker

Mount Auburn Cemetery

3/5/2026

1 birds

Blue Jay

Mount Auburn Cemetery

3/5/2026

30 birds

Black-capped Chickadee

Mount Auburn Cemetery

3/5/2026

9 birds

Tufted Titmouse

Mount Auburn Cemetery

3/5/2026

4 birds

White-breasted Nuthatch

Mount Auburn Cemetery

3/5/2026

1 birds

American Robin

Mount Auburn Cemetery

3/5/2026

2 birds

House Sparrow

Mount Auburn Cemetery

3/5/2026

1 birds

Dark-eyed Junco

Mount Auburn Cemetery

3/5/2026

6 birds

White-throated Sparrow

Mount Auburn Cemetery

3/5/2026

4 birds

Song Sparrow

Mount Auburn Cemetery

3/5/2026

1 birds

Common Grackle

Mount Auburn Cemetery

3/5/2026

1 birds

American Crow

Mount Auburn Cemetery

3/5/2026

1 birds

European Starling

Mount Auburn Cemetery

3/5/2026

2 birds

Canada Goose

Mount Auburn Cemetery

3/4/2026

3 birds

Mourning Dove

Mount Auburn Cemetery

3/4/2026

6 birds

Bald Eagle

Mount Auburn Cemetery

3/4/2026

1 birds

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Mount Auburn Cemetery

3/4/2026

1 birds

Birding Tips

1
View from the footbridge for an overview of the lagoon and its waterbirds
2
The sandbar at the lagoon mouth concentrates terns, gulls, and shorebirds
3
Early morning visits avoid crowds and offer the best birding light

Amenities

Parking

Restrooms

Trails

Nearby Attractions

Malibu Pier
Adamson House Museum

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Birding Guides

How to Identify Birds Like an Expert: The Four Keys to Field Identification

11 min read

The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Birdwatching: Gear, Identification, and Etiquette

8 min read

How to Start and Maintain a Birding Life List: A Beginner's Guide

9 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Malibu Lagoon State Beach for birding?▼

The best months to visit Malibu Lagoon State Beach for birding are October-March. The best seasons are Winter and Fall.

What birds can I see at Malibu Lagoon State Beach?▼

Notable species at Malibu Lagoon State Beach include Great Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, Elegant Tern, Brown Pelican, Black-bellied Plover, Belted Kingfisher. The area supports coastal, wetland, marsh habitats.

How difficult is birding at Malibu Lagoon State Beach?▼

Birding at Malibu Lagoon State Beach is rated as Easy. The trails and viewing areas are accessible for birders of all experience levels.

Is there an entrance fee at Malibu Lagoon State Beach?▼

The entrance fee at Malibu Lagoon State Beach is $12 per vehicle parking. Hours: 8:00 AM – Sunset daily.

What amenities are available at Malibu Lagoon State Beach?▼

Malibu Lagoon State Beach offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Trails.