
Malibu Lagoon: A Diverse Ecosystem
See also: California Department of
Parks and Recreation - Malibu
Lagoon State Beach |
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About Nine miles north of
Temescal Canyon, but still on Santa Monica Bay,
Malibu Lagoon State Park has a beach of a very different
character than the home beach at Will Rogers. One
walks to the beach via a short trail through the
wetlands;
there are many specially adapted plants growing here
as well as abundant birds feeding in or at the edges
of the calm water. The lagoon, which
encompasses 15 acres, has undergone restorations in
1983, 2008 and 2012. Water circulation is a key
factor in the health of this ecosystem. A sign
explains the seasonal variation; in the summer
accumulated sand blocks the egress of water from the
lagoon, while in the winter storms clear away sand
allowing for outflow of the water. Surfrider
Beach, as the name suggests, is favored by surfers; the
beach also has interesting tidepools. To the north
is Malibu Colony, a fenced off area with big beach
houses, and to the south is Adamson House and the Malibu
Pier.