Getting groceries to your front door takes just a few simple steps.

Like most people these days, you’re likely on a budget. And if you are trying to get into “L.A.” shape, you are likely trying to eat healthy. These two factors are a great incentive to cook  your own meals and eat at home. (Or maybe, you just enjoy making your mom’s recipe for chicken and rice.) But also, like most people these days and those new to L.A. it is highly unlikely that you work a 9 to 5 shift, thus making those trips to the grocery store a total hassle. But, in this great city of ours, many grocery chains and services offer grocery delivery options at reasonable prices. That means, no more buggy-dinged car doors, aisle 7 or crazy ladies buying 72 cans of cat food, just the food you want at your front door.

Back when I first moved to L.A., I was without vehicle for a good amount of time. The closest grocery store was about 9 blocks away. Sounds pretty do-able right? That is until you are laden down with pounds of drinks, snacks and meals fixins. At that point, 9 blocks is a miserable experience. I thought the only helpful option was to get one of those old lady wheelie carts, and that was something at age 26, I just couldn’t resign myself to. So, when I found out about the revelation that is grocery delivery, I was elated at the prospect. But how does it work?

First, you have to find a store in your area with the delivery option. Many of the national chains offer this service. I used Albertson’s, and was happy with the results. Yummy.com and Pink Dot are popular options in L.A. There are also companies such as Amazon that offer FedEx delivery on select items. Once you find a store that delivers to you, you set up an order online, pick a delivery window that fits your schedule, pay via credit card (you can even still get the membership discounts) and place the order. Usually, delivery can be as early as a few hours or the next day depending on the service you choose and when you place the order. The charge for the service varies from free (if you spend a certain amount) to about $10 to $20. It’s still a good value when your time is tight.

The most common and understandable concern for most people with this kind of delivery service is the quality of things like produce and meat. I do have to admit, if you are very picky about this sort of thing, you might want to make a separate trip to the market for those needs. In my experience, I was happy with the produce I ordered. Usually, they would send items that were what I would pick out myself, or slightly under-ripe, so they lasted a little longer. With meat, you can usually make comments or requests.

So, when in a time crunch, save yourself one chore. And if you really think about it, cooking several meals at home will definitely cover the charge of delivery verses eating out at a restaurant or fast food joint. So next time you need some Coke Zero and Wheat Thins, ditch the paper and plastic, and get thee to a laptop. – Lori Bartlett

If you search craigslist for even just a few minutes, you will likely stumble upon any number of internships. While some might be paid, the majority are unpaid offering experience or school credit. There are definitely ups and downs to taking an internship.

As one of the people who handles hiring and recruiting for my company, I understand

Internships can be a good way to gain valuable experience and contacts.

the benefits and issues with interns. In L.A., interns are a dime a dozen, so if you aren’t currently employed, take on multiple internships or a paying gig and an internship. If you are an unpaid intern seeking a paying position at a company, do not tell the potential employers that you are currently unpaid and living off funds from the bank of mom and dad. Even if it is the case, it does not make you appear as a hard working individual. Most people who have made it to any height of position in business had to struggle to get there. Thus, it seems like an easy ride on the mom and dad ticket. Internships are great for experience, but riding on unpaid internships with parents footing the bill, isn’t going to impressive anyone. The skills that you acquire and the hardworking, go-getter ethic is what will win you jobs.

Here STC will give you the skinny on the good and bad side of these unpaid gigs.

The Good:

1. Taking an internship can give you skills that will be valuable later in your chosen field. It also can be a helpful resume builder if you don’t have alot of experience in your field. Be a sponge in these situations, as internships are usually for a fairly short period of time.

2. Employers will sometimes hire or promote an intern to a paying position in the company if they produce solid work and are a good fit. This is the best case scenario from an internship, so aim to be an impressive intern. Just because it isn’t paid, does not meant it doesn’t matter.

3. Taking on an internship with a respected company can help you make valuable contacts in the field. Even if the company you are interning at doesn’t hire you, you might make contacts for someone who will.

The Bad:

1. It can be difficult to find a job after an internship if the company you were at does not hire you. Potential employers may look down on internships as not “real” experience. Thus, making a more pressure-filled situation to get hired by the original company you worked for. It may take multiple internships to impressive prospective employers.

2. Since you are essentially free help, some employers might take advantage of the situation. Be cautious who you accept an internship with before making any kind of commitment. Research the company, and if you can, talk to past interns about their experience.

3. If you are still in school, you must have the discipline to maintain classes, internships and any paying jobs you may have. It’s a definitely a tough work load and balance. – STC Editor, Lori Bartlett

Packing the boards on the boat set for adventure.

In my humble opinion, nothing is better than rounding up a couple of great friends and finding activity we can all participate in. This past weekend, our found activity: Wakeboarding. We gathered up some refreshments, snack and spirits and took a short trip down the coast to Carlsbad, CA. If you’ve ever taken a car trip down to San Diego or Mexico via the 5 Interstate, you’ve probably caught a glimpse of the activities that are happening in the lagoon directly off the freeway. In one glance you’ll notice boats towing waterskiiers, wakeboarders and tubers, lots of jetskiis, paddleboarders and an array of oddly shaped paddleboats. You will also see a small beach with beach volleyball and some picnic tables full of families and friends.

We decided to take an early time window for our boating excursion – one of our friends has a knack for skiis (in the water and in the snow) so beating the other boats into the water minimized the choppiness of the wake. We didn’t beat August’s marine layer by coming early in the morning, so it was a little chilly and foggy – but as the day advanced, so did the temperature and fog line.

She's up!

First player’s turn in the water: She’s up! Makes it look like a piece of cake. Second player’s turn in the water (wakeboarding): He’s up! Makes it look like a piece of cake. Third player’s turn in the water: She’s up! Piece of cake! Fourth player….snorts a lot of Salt Water! Fifth and Sixth players rocked the wakeboard, as well – taking advantage of tips from our driver and utilizing every ounce of determination to stay up longer each time they stood up on the wake!

The trick to wakeboarding and water sports on the lagoon can be found by using this recipe: one part “let the boat pull YOU up”, two to three parts inhaled salt water, six parts fun friends cheering you on when you struggle and when you succeed and eight parts try, try again! (And I’ve heard that if you find the right boat driver, you may also add a couple parts of beer to wash it all down.)

The Molecule!

After we were all pretty beat, we decided to taxi the boat in to retrieve “The Molecule” which is a three person mega tube. Needless to say, this thing was an intimidating beast of a tube… but you really don’t know what to expect until you watch the first person experience the rush. At this point we had been on the boat for a few hours bonding and joking around with our driver, who now felt comfortable to assess how daring each of us were. We learned a few things from The Molecule: how to fear for your life in a good way, when to grip harder, when to let go and if you are 6’6” you get to cheat because your legs can reach the handles on the opposite side of the tube for extra grip!

In closing, if you’re looking for a fun and humbling bonding experience with your family and friends –  taking a day trip to the lagoon in Carlsbad is a great idea (and cheaper with the more adventure-seekers you bring to split the cost). Don’t forget to take advantage of the awesome Mexican restaurants the area has to offer; the best cure for one part Dramamine is three parts Margarita. No Salt. – Maux Gitto

If you would like to see more pictures of our Carlsbad adventure, check us out on facebook.

Many of us forget that the true spirit of Labor Day is to take a day off from our jobs and celebrate the achievements of all American workers. Instead, so many of us put pressure on ourselves and throw a party, often creating more work than you would have at our 9-5 job. Survive the City wants to remind you to take a deep breath and enjoy what should be a day of great weather and fun with family and friends. And if you still insist on hosting that party here are STC’s tips for maximum fun with little effort.

Picking a venue is your first step.

1. Pick a venue. In So-Cal you have your choice of fantastic locations for a Labor Day BBQ. Here you get to choose from parks, beaches, or even your apartment or house. For public locations, see if reservations are available, if not, get there early and stake your claim. Bonus to a public location, there is minimal prep and clean up is easy. If you are having it at your pad, make sure you have some extra seating and try to keep it outside which translates to less clean up inside for you.

2. Have some activities to keep guests occupied. Cornhole (or Bags if you’re from where I’m from), Bocce ball, croquet, badminton, Frisbee and water balloon toss are all low cost games that will pay dividends to have on hand. If you don’t have any of these, ask around, I guarantee your friends do and will be happy to bring them. If you are lucky enough to have your party at a pool, extra rafts, pool volleyball, and water guns are great party pleasers.

Have some bbq staples ready, but a potluck will save you some stress.

3. Keep food costs and stress levels down, have a potluck. Offer to provide the main protein (don’t forget veggie dogs and Boca burgers, this is California after all) but have guests bring a dish to pass or help out with beverages. People will be happy to bring the chips and dip or a six-pack of beer. Classic Americana food is great but don’t be afraid to encourage guests to bring more exotic foods. Just don’t rely on them for all of it.

4. Music keeps the party going. Don’t try to DJ the party. Knowing you need about 20 songs for every hour make a playlist and be done with it. For my work party, I downloaded some oldies compilations and threw 100 songs in a playlist and hooked my iPod up to some speakers and never thought about it for the rest of the party.

5. Be flexible with time. Pace your party knowing that not everyone will be there in the beginning or the end. That was my biggest adjustment in Los Angeles, finding out fashionably late means over an hour after the start time. Aim to serve food a little later into the party in order to get the max number of attendees. And if you’re a really nice host, you can save some food for those that think fashionably late means 5 hours after the start.

6. Make sure to socialize and have fun at your own party, otherwise what is the point of having one? - Connie Sommerville

When Malibu looses its zest, and Venice’s breaks just won’t do, SoCal has a multitude of beaches that can scratch that sea-loving itch. If you don’t mind a quick 2 hour car trip south, Carlsbad offers some impressive sandy banks with rocking waves.

Carlsbad is a sleepy little resort and residential area just about 45 minutes north of San Diego. Don’t let the sleepiness fool you though, the high property values, and stunning locale make this one of the wealthiest communities in California, and the nation. Yet even with the surrounding wealth, on the beach you definitely don’t feel any snobbery.

Catching rays on Carlsbad's shores.

The beaches in Carlsbad a small, usually a little rocky, fairly uncrowded and boast good waves. Individual beaches are broken up by sea walls. The cliffs are definitely less dramatic than in other areas of the coast, and are usually pretty easy to carefully climb down to the shore.

Tamarack Beach, Warm Water Jetty and Terramar Beach are the most popular for waves. Carlsbad State Beach (also called Tamarack because it is located at the end of Tamarack Ave) is a four mile stretch with decent sets and dark sand. This beach has a small parking lot and restrooms available. Warm Water Jetty aptly named due to the fact it gets a little heat boost from water that is pumped from lagoon just across the street. Terramar is just up the street from Tamarack, and is named for the surrounding neighborhood.

All of these Carlsbad beaches are scattered with rocks and have dark nearly black sand. When the sand is churned in the waves, it twinkles in the sunlight like glitter. It’s kinda magical.

While this STCer hasn’t braved the waves to try full on surfing, it remains one of

Carlsbad waves are perfect for bodyboarding.

my favorite spots for bodyboarding. For the uninitiated, bodyboarding is a kinda like lazy man’s surfing, but is quickly becoming more popular and challenging unto it’s own. Actually, according to Wikipedia, it’s the “fastest growing sport of all time.” Basically, you take a small, rectangular piece of hard foam board and thrust it under your mid-section with arms partially extended as you ride down the face of a wave. Imagine surfing on your belly. While you aren’t standing, thus saving a little face as you don’t fall into a wave, you can still definitely get drilled by great ocean swells, and get a good sinus cleansing. But, it’s super fun.

The best part about these beaches is the lack of a scene. While L.A. has hoards of beautiful people tossing volleyballs and frisbees, sometimes you just want to relax and not feel pressure to be beach body perfect. These Carlsbad beaches usually offer more space between groups, as well as, a crowd of families or low key people just looking to catch some rays. The vibe is chill and sleepy, just like this darling little seaside town. – Lori Bartlett

In the Los Angeles job market, you know you are a small fish in a big pond, and you are basically trying to swim up stream. Yet, people make it here, and the best way to get attention is to market yourself. Yep, I said. Look at yourself as a commodity, because employers, agents and casting directors will. If you wanna get noticed, you have to see “you” through their eyes. Luckily, STC is here with some tips for creating a marketing plan for yourself and making connections that will get attention.

1. Know Your Strengths and Weaknesses

Make a written list if you need, but you should be aware of areas where you basically rock, and areas where you might not be the best. Often times in interviews and meetings, employers will grill you on the areas where you are weak. Have a solid answer ready, and reply for how you are working to make it a strength. Being aware makes you seem reliable and honest. Also, no matter how modest you may be, know how to talk yourself up. If you talk a big game, and smartly admit your weaknesses, no one will likely call your bluff.

2. Develop a Message and Package

While it might seem tired to keep repeating the same lines about yourself, have a little script prepared. As goofy as you may feel, practice it in the mirror. Be ready to deliver information about yourself in a clean package. Plus, since you have a “script” you will be more comfortable and can add more personality than worrying about if you are saying the right thing. If you are dealing mainly in email, find a way to make your email special without getting cheesy. For example, add an interesting photo at the closing and change it each time you correspond. You could also close the email with a interesting quote each time. Stand out without seemingly trying too hard, and still keeping it professional. Oh, and definitely have business cards.

3. Back Up Your Words With Your Look

Now, I’m not saying to cruise around town in a business suit constantly, but look good whenever the potential to meet someone in the biz (whatever biz that is) is present. Know what clothes are in style and appropriate for your desired business. L.A. is not New York when it comes to fashion in the workplace. So, know the styles and fashion that are appropriate for your business of interest. Most are more casual than you would think, especially in entertainment. So, stay in style, and when opportunities are possible, be ready to put your fresh face forward.

4. Have a Name in Cyberspace

If you don’t already, make sure you have an account with facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Make one your “go-to” as the page you send people to for more information about you. Anyway that you can make your name pop up at the top when someone does a Google search, is a good thing. You not only want to make a good impression in person, but you want to follow it up with solid materials after. While it’s fine to use these pages for personal use as well, try to keep it clean and relevant or it could come back to haunt you. Un-tag those pictures of that Friday night debauchery now.

5. Hitch Your Wagon to Another Rising Star

While you definitely want to make a name for yourself, it couldn’t hurt to meet people with similar goals, and get on their team. If you are a writer and collaborate well with someone with firmer roots in the L.A. chain, it just might benefit you. This doesn’t mean to take advantage of people or sell yourself short, just make friends with those who share your desires. You can ride the rail to success together.

We can’t claim these are surefire ways to success. It takes hard work, the right skills and a little luck. But these tips should up your chances for lady luck to deal you the right hand. – Lori Bartlett

Making friends in a new city when you don’t know anyone isn’t the easiest thing. However, it is easier than you may think. This Survivor moved here about seven years ago from New Jersey. I wasn’t in school, which is often an easy way to meet people, and I felt a little silly trying to pickup girls at the bar to be friends with. So, I started to think perhaps the Internet would be a good way to meet other cool gals to chill with. It works for dating right?

Thus, I started a girls group on myspace. I was able to look up girls within a close radius to me and within my age group and I started reading their profiles. From what I read, some of them and I had a lot in common, so I emailed them and told them of my idea to meet others gals in the area. After that we met up for a night of girl talk and drinks, and now one of them is one of my best friends here in California, years and years later. I know now most people use facebook, not myspace, thus the search options may have changed, but it always worth a try.

Another way to meet people via the Internet is a website called Exercisefriends.com. It’s nice because from the beginning you and the people you are searching though all have one thing in common; you want to get in shape! A few years ago, I also met another one of my closest friends on this site, and both of these gals will be lifelong friends of mine, and I am uber lucky to have them in my life.

The web can work to help you find true friends. We're proof!

I usually recommend to always meet for the first time in a public place where you can feel safe. Never give people your home address until you have met and feel comfortable. Also, do not be discouraged if you do not hear back from people especially in facebook or myspace. Some find it very odd to message people out of nowhere, but if they don’t give you a chance, then perhaps they aren’t the kind of friends you really want anyway. Just remember be open minded and what our parents once taught us…if at first you don’t succeed try, try again. If you follow these ideas this big city doesn’t seem nearly as big. Good luck! – Alison Boyle

Other sites to try to meet friends:

Notfordating.com

Meetup.com

Classmates.com

Safety Tips for Meeting People Online:

1. Make sure someone knows who and where you are meeting your new friend, and meet in a public place.

2. Keep your first meeting short. Meeting for coffee is a good way to start.

3. If you feel even a little uncomfortable, bring a friend with you.

4. Don’t give out too much personal information until you see each other face-to face. Even create an email address just for these kinds of searches. If you can, don’t give out your cell phone number until you meet.

5. Always be cautious. While you don’t want to live paranoid, the Internet does provide a barrier for those looking to take advantage of people. Be aware and cut contact if you feel uncomfortable.

“All these people that you mention? Yes, I know them, they’re quite
lame? I had to rearrange their faces? And give them all another name.” - Desolation Row, Bob Dylan.

Since I formerly made my living selling jewelry and hair wraps on the Venice Boardwalk, I always include a walking tour of the Venice boardwalk in any friends’ visits to L.A. Over the years, I have seen the names, faces, trends and even a few rules change, but the overall ambiance of the Venice Boardwalk is the same.

Included in my memory bank of the boardwalk is being arrested at the young age of 21 for hair wrapping without a cosmetology license. Cops seized me and all of my stuff including; glass pipes, hemp jewelry, plus beads, spare hemp and material to sew pouches for glass pipes. When the cops released me, they kept all my wares, which left me without a means to make an income. Well they had certainly messed with the wrong girl. I may have looked like a ragamuffin, but I had a particular cousin who was a lawyer, dedicated at that time to Break the Cycle, a non-profit that helped women. She placed one call into the courthouse and my stuff was released within hours.

These days, I go to the boardwalk as any tourist would (not in handcuffs),

Watching over the circus that is Venice Beach.

watching the circus of the population and picking up a few cheap and nifty beach wares. I personally like to start at the far end, which is nearly Marina del Rey at the Venice pier, located on Washington Ave. At this particular end of the boardwalk, things are much calmer and quieter. After sipping on a coffee at the Cows’ End, a local coffee shop, I might walk out on to the pier and check the surf forecast. Walking further north, my friends and I will pass beautiful Architectural Digest worthy homes, beach volleyball courts, and a grass strip for dogs.

Once we pass Venice Blvd. the mellow vibe quickly changes into a sensory carnival of sausage and pizza stands mixed with wafting nag champa incense. A young man tries to get us to listen and buy his cds. Then we truly arrive at…..Muscle Beach!

Muscle Beach is a gym on the beach where bodybuilding contests are held annually on the 4th of July weekend (our dear old Governor even stops by some years). Adjacent to muscle beach are paddle tennis courts and basketball courts with many energetic players. A local playground is near a mayflower pole. If you peek out at the water at this particular spot, you can see Venice’s local surf spot, the Venice Breakwater. Waves may look closed out and crashing. Of course, this is “Dogtown” so be careful if you are a surfing beginner, stay out of the way of some of the more advanced surfers, unless you want to be called a “Kook.”

Back to the boardwalk, things are starting to get more intense. Local venders are on one side, selling arts and crafts on tables that they set up for free. The vendors use a lottery system and get a permit from the city.

A variety of street performers grace the boardwalk.

On the other side of the boardwalk are paid permanent vendors, who have stores and cafes. Even some of the permanent vendors sell from underneath a tarp and rent a space for the summer. Dollar slices of pizza, empanadas, mini doughnuts, and ice cream call out to you. Musicians, some good, some awful, jam out next to fortune tellers, and artists. A brand new skate park is next to a roller skating area straight out of “Zanadu.” One continues down the path and if it is the weekend, the path is quite crowded. Street performers do comedy and acrobatics. Loud Native American music beckons you into a store.

Medical marijuana doctors sell prescriptions for $100-$150 and have promoters in front of their clinics. Next to the medical marijuana clinic is a Botox on the beach clinic. A man wakes up every morning and builds a sand sculpture of a mermaid in one of the open spaces. This is true existentialism as he will tear it down tonight and rebuild it tomorrow (and he has been doing this for over 15 years). For a small fee, you can photo it, and photo yourself with it.

At this point, you might be hungry or ready to get out of the madness. The Sidewalk Café is a tourist spot, serving up local grub, however I prefer the Figtree Café, a few blocks down. Walking down, there are endless rows of vendors. Of course, hemp jewelry is no longer the fad it was in the early 90s when I sold my jewelry and wallet chains. However, with the 80s back in fashion, my latest purchases have included a pair of different sized feathery earrings.

Can't beat beers and cheers at the Waterfront on the Venice boardwalk.

As I am a hippie at heart, some of the cheap Balinese clothing often peeks my interest. I bought a great wall covering for only $10, which sells at places like Pottery Barn for much more. I even bought a funky pair of harem pants from a darling Israeli woman, who said they were worn in “Sex and the City,” and I purchased them for only $20. Of course, have cash. Luggage and cheap t-shirts as well as $7 sunglasses are virtually everywhere. If you are a drinker, I would bypass the Venice Bistro, and head to On the Waterfront, a German beer garden. Of course, one could always rent a bike or rollerblades and take the bike path that runs along side of the boardwalk and shimmy sham right out of the boardwalk, and cruise down to the Santa Monica Pier.

On weekends near Rose and the boardwalk, they have a drum circle. Or if you have partied a little too hard, they have an AA meeting on the beach on Sundays at 9 a.m. While dolphins cannot be promised, they often show up in the water while the meeting takes place.

Whatever your pleasure, you are sure to find it on the Venice beach boardwalk. It is a cultural phenomenon. If you want less intensity, try the boardwalk early in the morning or on a weekday. And whatever you do, do not attempt to give a hair wrap without a cosmetology license on the boardwalk. Weed may be practically legal, but hair wraps… Never! – Annie Kotok

“Follow Survive the City creator, Heather Broeker, and East-Coaster Meagan Massa as they take on a new challenge each month in their new blog It’s Just a Month.”

The beachfront city of Malibu is known for its lovely beaches, famous residents and a terrible Jamie Kennedy movie. Though it’s just a short trip north, there are many hidden gems in this mostly residential stretch of coast. Enough that it makes for a great day escape or place to take the out-of-towners. From beaches to food, the surprisingly low-key vibe of this beautiful place makes it a welcome retreat from the typical L.A. bustle.

If you are heading up to the Malibu area, you must take PCH. It’s just an unparalleled drive with the waves crashing on one side, and the rolling hills covered with homes on the other. If you start your trek in the morning, Survive the City recommends a breakfast stop at Patrick’s Roadhouse. Located just off PCH at Entrada Drive, the bright green, shamrock-laden building is hard to miss. This tiny nook that has been featured on the Food Network has a bevy of brunch favorites including omelettes, pancakes and toast. Sandwiches and burgers are available for those craving lunchtime fare.

Mid-day trips should include a stop at The Reel Inn just off PCH near Topanga Canyon. This local dive has a super casual vibe, but some of the tastiest fish around. The fish tacos are so fresh, and the just-off-the-beach vibe, makes this joint a perfect pit stop on your way to your Malibu adventure.

With a full belly, you can now proceed up the coast. If you happen to be in L.A. during the June gloom or one of our few rainy days, or if the beach just doesn’t call to you, the Getty Villa would be a great place for you to relax and absorb some cultural history in a famously stunning home. Like it’s the Getty Center, the Villa is full priceless works of art surrounding in architectural marvel. Not to mention, it’s free to go the Villa. However, they do ask that you book and print tickets ahead of time. So, it’s takes a little planning, but it’s worth it to see this fabulous Malibu site.

If you want to take advantage of the beautiful SoCal weather and enjoy the outdoors,

Solstice offers an pretty easy hike with interesting sites along the trail.

but sandy toes and salt water just aren’t your fav, Malibu has a number of hikes. This STCer is a fan of Solstice Canyon. Just off PCH and Solstice Canyon Road (by the 76 gas station), there is a very well kept state park.  The main Solstice Canyon Trail is a shady, fairly easy hike, with a good payoff at the end. The end of this out-and-back trail goes to a lovely waterfall, and the remains of a burned down house. And if you feel like treating yourself after the hike, there is a wine tasting room for Rosenthal Winery right at the turn to the park on PCH. A tasting flight will run you about $12 here, but you deserve it after all the communing with nature.

But wait, we can’t really talk about Malibu without talking about beaches can we? Keep reading. We’ll get there. But before you hit the Malibu shore, you gotta make sure you are looking good. For stylin’ beach gear, Becker Surfboards has trendy suits, flops and hats and stuff for the kiddos. The store is located just off PCH in the large shopping center near Pepperdine. If you don’t find the right gear there, just a little drive up PCH, and you’ll find Clout. Near Zuma beach, this store carries threads essential for action sports.

Sunsets at El Matador are magical.

Once you have the gear, and you’re ready for the shore, I’m gonna let you in on the secret that is my favorite beach. Heading north past Point Dume, past Zuma, there will be one sign on the right for El Matador State Beach. Shortly after that sign, there will be a small, hard to find parking lot on the left. You park up here, paying the small fee for your car, and then trek down the side of a cliff to the sandy shores. This beach has a ton of sea caves and creatures and the shore can be rather small during high tides. But what it lacks in size, it makes up for in beauty.  There isn’t accommodations here, so make sure to pack whatever supplies you will need. Don’t get over-zealous though. You will have to bring everything back up that very steep cliff.

These are just some of the hidden gems and local places in Malibu. There are surely more, but that’s for you to go out and discover, and when you do, let us know what  you find. – Lori Bartlett