A sinkhole that has put luxury homes on Malibu's E. Sea Level Drive in jeopardy has also resulted in the indefinite closure of Lechuza Beach, a secluded coastal area known for its privacy.
The sinkhole, which poses a threat to the expensive residences, has eliminated all safe public access points to the beach. While the beach itself sustained minimal damage from recent storms, the ongoing instability above has led to its closure.
According to a representative for the Mountains & Recreation Conservation Authority (MRCA), public access is currently unavailable. "You could theoretically access the beach if you swam in from another location," the representative told the California Post. "However, there is no safe access point from the street."
Historically, Lechuza Beach had three points of entry: a pedestrian-only gate on W. Sea Level Drive, a stairway at the corner of Bunnie Lane and Broad Beach Road, and another gate on E. Sea Level Drive. These access points are situated among properties owned by notable figures, including actor Pierce Brosnan.
Currently, E. Sea Level Drive is completely closed due to mandatory evacuations. The stairs at Bunnie Lane are also shut. While pedestrians can still pass through the W. Sea Level Drive gate to reach a public viewpoint, the stairs leading down to the beach from that access point are closed.
MRCA has not provided an estimated timeline for the reopening of the beach. "We are taking [it] day by day and cannot estimate the length of the closure because the public hazards that need to be mitigated are on adjacent land," the MRCA representative stated.
Lechuza Beach has been a favored spot for locals seeking a less crowded alternative to popular beaches like El Matador State Beach. The MRCA acquired the site nearly 25 years ago with funding from California's Coastal Conservancy, valuing its sense of seclusion.