Ask Southern California residents what their favorite beaches are, and Zuma will be ranked among the best. Certainly it is one of Los Angeles County's largest, and some say it is one of the finest white sand strands in California. The Zuma portion is more than two miles long and in summer it can be busy with hard bodies. The teen-age hangout has been near lifeguard towers 6 and 7. Some space at the end of the ample parking lot is shared with the Malibu Yacht Club.
Members keep their small sailboats beached and hold occasional races and regattas from there.
Zuma has been an occasional shooting location for movies and commercials, notable for its rocky bluff backdrop close to the water. The bluff also gets some use by rock climbers. Zuma has an undeserved reputation for big, rough surf. People in wetsuits will argue that the surf shape is unpredictable because the ocean bottom contour is inconsistent. But don't take that as notice to stash the board.