May 28, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Malibu Surfing Area Added to National Register of Historic Places

The Keeper of the National Register (National Park Service, Department of Interior) has listed Los Angeles’ iconic Malibu surfing area in the National Register of Historic Places. This is the first National Register listing centered on surfing history and recognizes Malibu’s worldwide contributions to the sport made in the years following World War II — from surfboard design and production; to a distinct, relaxed, and “cool” style of surfing; to the beach of Gidget and the explosion of surfing’s popularity.

The 160-acre Malibu Historic District is entirely composed of public property and includes: the First Point, Second Point, and Third Point surf breaks, the Malibu Pier, and portions of both Surfrider and Malibu Lagoon State Beaches. The immediate area of eastern Malibu now has three periods of California’s cultural history represented in the National Register: the Chumash Humaliwo village site; Stiles O. Clements’ Adamson House; and now the Malibu Historic District.

The Malibu Historic District listing establishes a new pathway for coastal conservation — complimenting established protection models based on natural habitats or important species with those based on historical and cultural significance. The listing is site-specific and secures protections in state and federal coastal project planning explicitly from the point of view of the area’s significance, in this case surfing. The listing serves as a qualifying step for additional state protections based on historical significance.

Said Michael Blum, Executive Director, Sea of Clouds, the organization which researched and authored the Malibu Historic District National Register nomination: “From Barcelona’s Camp Nou to Yosemite’s Camp 4, people gathered together in sport have created places of history, culture, community, and tradition. A jewel of surfing like Malibu is no different. We’re pleased to honor the women and men who helped make Malibu and made their names surfing there. This project documents a part of our broad coastal history, an indelible part of California’s history, and certainly of surfing history itself.” He adds, “We think the history this National Register listing celebrates and the protections it secures establishes a forward-looking conservation path centered on coastal places rich in story. We are excited to explore these ideas further in future projects.”

Said Henry Stern, California State Senator (D-27), whose district includes Malibu: “Never before has a surf spot been officially recognized as a historic place in our National Register. Nowhere is more fitting to be first than First Point, and the magical place that is ‘Surfrider.’ The iconic wave, deep cultural roots dating back thousands of years, and timeless style have always made surfing Malibu historic. Now it’s official.”

Said Skylar Peak, Mayor, City of Malibu: “It’s terrific news for our community when you can add a National Register property to Malibu. Surfrider Beach has long been a destination for beach goers and surfers alike while acting as the catalyst destination for the Southern California surfing community in shaping its surf and beach culture seen on the worldwide stage. This beautiful beach and cobble point-break with the back drop of the Malibu Pier creates a perfect wave when the south swell is up and hosts millions of visitors on an annual basis. The district honors a generation who created surfing history here and whose legacy you see today surfing at First Point. I’m excited to celebrate the listing with our residents, other Angelenos, and the world community of surfing, Aloha!”

In addition to the coastal planning protections secured through the National Register listing, the Malibu Historic District maintains existing public access, public safety, nearby private property rights, public property ownership, and the area’s current uses, such as: pier fishing, summer camps, special events and, of course, surfing.

The National Register of Historic Places was created through the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and is the nation’s official list of properties worthy of preservation. More than 90,000 properties are listed in the National Register and represent 1.4 million individual resources. The Keeper of the National Register, the National Register Chief, is part of the National Park Service, United States Department of Interior. Prior to final review by the Keeper, the Malibu Historic District was reviewed by: the Bureau of Land Management; California Department of Parks and Recreation; California State Historic Preservation Officer; California State Historic Resources Commission; California State Lands Commission; and Los Angeles County. The City of Malibu and local tribal representatives also provided comments.

The Malibu Historic District nomination included two photographs graciously provided by Mr. Dick Metz and the Surfing Heritage & Culture Center (surfingheritage.org). Mr. John Mazza and the Pepperdine University Special Collections Library provided access to, and photography of, several rare, period-specific surfboards (library.pepperdine.edu).

Information on the Malibu Historic District and an updated schedule of community outreach events is online at seaofclouds.org. A dedication ceremony celebrating the Malibu Historic District listing will be scheduled for Summer 2018.

Related Posts

Film Review: Bring Her Back

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

By Dolores Quintana Grief is the price of love.  Danny Philippou and Michael Philippou’s second feature film, Bring Her Back,...

County Assessor Stresses Need For Fire-Affected Households to Update Addresses to Receive Relief Checks

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

Assessor’s Office Offers Automatic Tax Relief for Fire-Affected Homeowners Following the destruction caused by wildfires earlier this year, the Los...

Caltrans Schedules Public Meeting for $143.7 Million I-405 Rehabilitation Project

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

Virtual Forum Set to Brief Residents on Upcoming Construction The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will hold a virtual public...

Crustacean Launches ‘Little C’ Vietnamese Pop-Up to Celebrate Chef Helene An’s Legacy

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

Three-Day Lunch Series Honors AAPI Heritage Month With Chef’s Personal Recipes Crustacean Beverly Hills will host a limited-run pop-up dining...

Academy Award Winning Director Sean Baker to Attend Anora Screening in Support of Theater Preservation

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

Acclaimed Director Joins Special Event on May 30 to Help Keep Historic South Bay Cinema Open The independent studio Neon,...

Motorcyclist Killed in Westchester Collision with Vehicle Near Centinela

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

Crash Prompts Hours-Long Investigation of Crash Site of Violent Accident One person was killed Monday evening when a motorcycle collided...

Metro LA to Host Public Meetings This Week on Westside to Valley Transit Alternatives

May 26, 2025

May 26, 2025

Community Input Needed as Release Draft Environmental Impact Report Approaches Metro LA is inviting the public to a series of...

Over 100,000 Pounds of Illegal Fireworks Seized in Los Angeles County Before July 4th

May 26, 2025

May 26, 2025

Cal Fire, ATF Uncover Massive Stockpile, Urge Residents to Report Incidents More than 100,000 pounds of illegal fireworks were confiscated...

Missing West Hollywood Woman Found Safe, According to the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Department

May 26, 2025

May 26, 2025

Woman Who Was Last Seen on May 19 near Hayworth Avenue Reunited with Family The West Hollywood Sheriff’s Department confirmed...

Brentwood Estate Once Owned by Hollywood A-Listers Finds Buyer in One Week

May 26, 2025

May 26, 2025

The 1929 Mediterranean-Style Home Went Under Contract in Seven Days Celebrity pedigree and classic design helped a 1929 Mediterranean-style estate...

Hollywood Man Sentenced for $65M COVID Tax Scam Tied to Fake Beverly Hills Farm

May 26, 2025

May 26, 2025

IRS Scam Featuring Fictional Beverly Hills Farm Ends in Prison Term  The Hollywood resident who fabricated a Beverly Hills-based farming...

Toxic Metal Recycler Shuttered After Felony Waste Disposal Conviction

May 26, 2025

May 26, 2025

Company Permanently Closes Following Hazardous Waste Charges Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman has announced that a longtime...

West Hollywood Releases Transit and Parking Details Ahead of WeHo Pride 2025

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

Santa Monica Boulevard to Close for Weekend-Long Celebration May 30–June 1 The City of West Hollywood has released transportation and...

Man Accused of Stalking Jennifer Aniston Ruled Incompetent to Stand Trial

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

Stalking Suspect Says He’s Fit for Trial After Initial Psychiatric Evaluation Jimmy Wayne Carwyle, a Mississippi man accused of stalking...

The Grove to Host Patriotic Tribute for 250th Anniversary of U.S. Navy and Marine Corps During LA Fleet Week

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

Friday’s Celebration Will Feature Flyovers, Live Music, Military Displays, and Family-Friendly Activities The Grove will welcome the United States Navy...