Thanks to the Los Angeles Urban Rangers, I’ll never be intimidated by a no-trespassing sign again.
On Saturday, August 11, 2007, the Rangers, a merry band of artists, urban planners, and environmentalists, led a "safari" to the Malibu Beaches and showed about 35 people how to access and enjoy the pristine beaches there that are blocked by beachhouses. Under California law, the coastline up to the mean high tide line is open to public access. Not too many people know this, and thus shy away from what seem to be exclusive beaches. The owners also post up misleading private property signs to scare off people. Please see my previous posts for more info and links to great maps.
The safari was very well organized with activities such as enacting stereotypical beach activities and making tableaus out of them, "trailblazing" - measuring off dry sand easements, potlucking and singing. We used a tape measure to find the specs of the sandy beach that we were allowed to play on. Homeowners can own parts of the sand, just not the part that directly touches the ocean. Many of the private properties have easements which allow the public to use the beach. It was empowering seeing what a 25 feet easement looked like and knowing we had all that space. We took a moment of silence at an accessway gate (public path to the beach) that was only opened for three weeks, most likely as a vengeful act by one beachhouse owner to another. In front of another beach house, we sang Arlo Guthrie’s "This Land is Your Land." The rangers, outfitted in forest ranger garb, were knowledgeable, sincere, and irreverent, a great combo. Smokey the Bear and Ranger Rick would love them.
At least one angry homeowner in bathing trunks came after us as we used a tape measure before this property. At the end of his beach deck, he stood ready to bite. We entered the beach at the 22126 Pacific Coast Highway, the David Geffen accessway as it is fondly known. I feel bad for the guy; he’s basically has a parade of beachgoers right next to his compound. But what does he expect? He doesn’t own the beach. His security guard patrolled the area, telling a few group members not to lean on the porch.
Here are some shots from our day.
My killer FREE parking spot right next to the accessway (22126 PCH) and right before Geffen’s house. Notice the brown Coastal Access sign. Look for these as you drive for they mark accessway gates. Some accessways, however, are not marked.
22126 PCH is the accessway to Carbon Beach. At least the gates match the Cape Cod look of Geffen’s house. Walking from my car to the beach was equivalent to walking from one room to another. No more forking over $10 for parking and being with crowds at other beaches.
The lovely Carbon Beach. 1:00 pm on a Saturday and no one’s around! Also there are no lifeguards, restrooms, and food stands. Restaurants and businesses are nearby enough if you dare to walk across PCH.
Safari-goers listening to the rangers:
Safari participants next to the "natives":
Ranger with beach arrows. Those umbrella-tipped pins were used to mark off the easements.
One of the many Malibu Road accessways, off of Webb Way from the PCH. This beach felt more secluded.
Watch out for dog poop (that’s seaweed above). Though dogs are not allowed on the beach, they were everywhere and apparently not curbed. I stepped in some poop and spent the rest of the safari trying to get it all off. Yuck.
Misleading signs:
Afterwards, we ate shrimp cocktails, mussels, and fish tacos at Malibu Seafood, very fresh and delicious. I’ve lived in L.A. for over a decade and this was the first time, I truly felt the call of the ocean. Thanks Rangers! Thanks to the California Coastal Commmission and Access for All for all their hard work forging public access to the beaches. Visit their sites to get maps and more info. (The Access for All site appears to be in progress.)
Previous posts on this topic here. It’s your beach, go out and enjoy it!
