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Photo locations · Malibu · United States

El Matador State Beach Sea Caves: sunset photography forecast

El Matador has more shape than most Malibu beaches: sea stacks, arches and pocket coves that catch warm light from the west. The tide decides how much beach you have, so the location can feel completely different from one evening to the next.

Sunrise todaySunrise tomorrowSunrise Monday

Will today's sunset be worth it?

Simplified forecast from the open model run. The full forecast — a second model, your exact viewpoint, the hourly cloud timeline — is in the app.

Global model, about 13 km: less certain than in Europe.

Most of the cloud overhead sits in shadow and is unlikely to catch colour.

in 14h 6m

Mostly unlit cloud canvas

Starts

in 13h 31m

Diffused muted light · even light for details & forests

Little usable cloud structure, or the viewpoint sits inside a uniform lid.

High confidence · event-time scene

Sky colors

Golden hour
Sunset

Light corridor

Viewer's line of sight, tangent to the Earth at your locationNear-ground relative humidity15% cover — too thin to draw as cloudConnected cloud layer · 52–58% cover · 45–45% visual uncertaintyConnected cloud layer · 33–33% cover · 10–10% visual uncertaintyConnected cloud layer · 0–100% cover · 10–65% visual uncertaintyConnected cloud layer · 0–100% cover · 10–65% visual uncertaintyConnected cloud layer · 0–100% cover · 10–65% visual uncertaintyConnected cloud layer · 50–100% cover · 45–45% visual uncertaintyConnected cloud layer · 66–100% cover · 10–45% visual uncertainty-5 km · 1.7 km of air with no pressure level in it — the decks above and below are measured, this span is not0 km · 1.7 km of air with no pressure level in it — the decks above and below are measured, this span is not5 km · 1.7 km of air with no pressure level in it — the decks above and below are measured, this span is not20 km · 1.7 km of air with no pressure level in it — the decks above and below are measured, this span is not50 km · 1.7 km of air with no pressure level in it — the decks above and below are measured, this span is not100 km · 1.7 km of air with no pressure level in it — the decks above and below are measured, this span is nothigh cloud · 87% reported, 0% resolved on a pressure surface — 87% is somewhere between 8 and 12 kmhigh cloud · 87% reported, 0% resolved on a pressure surface — 87% is somewhere between 8 and 12 kmhigh cloud · 87% reported, 0% resolved on a pressure surface — 87% is somewhere between 8 and 12 kmhigh cloud · 100% reported, 0% resolved on a pressure surface — 100% is somewhere between 8 and 12 kmhigh cloud · 69% reported, 0% resolved on a pressure surface — 69% is somewhere between 8 and 12 kmhigh cloud · 73% reported, 0% resolved on a pressure surface — 73% is somewhere between 8 and 12 km-5 km · the model says the lowest depicted cloud underside may catch orange light0 km · the model says the lowest depicted cloud underside may catch orange light5 km · the model says the lowest depicted cloud underside may catch orange light5 km · the model says the lowest depicted cloud underside may catch orange light · lit on one reading: the strongest cloud toward the sun was set aside, and counting it would have darkened this deck20 km · the model says the lowest depicted cloud underside may catch orange light · lit on one reading: the strongest cloud toward the sun was set aside, and counting it would have darkened this deck50 km · the model says the lowest depicted cloud underside may catch orange light100 km · the model says the lowest depicted cloud underside may catch orange light

-5 km

Behind you

8/8L 0 · M 100 · H 8764%—

Your location

20 m asl

8/8L 0 · M 100 · H 8764%—

5 km

Nearby

8/8L 0 · M 100 · H 8764%—

20 km

Near horizon

8/8L 0 · M 96 · H 10071%—

50 km

Light path

7/8L 0 · M 79 · H 6979%—

100 km

Light path

8/8L 0 · M 93 · H 7375%—

150 km

Far light path

8/8L 55 · M 97 · H 1379%—

200 km

Far light path

8/8L 60 · M 95 · H 978%—

300 km

Far light path

7/8L 76 · M 59 · H 074%—

350 km

Far light path

8/8L 75 · M 73 · H 073%—
cloud-cover fieldinterpolation uncertaintysun directionnear-ground humiditycloud at unresolved heightmodelled underlightunderlight · height uncertainunderlight · lit on one readinglit but hidden behind nearer cloud

Terrain is drawn for illustration only — it is not used to calculate underlight or obstruction.

Clarity: Good

Forecast refreshed a few hours before sunset.

Know the light
before it happens

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For photographers: shooting El Matador State Beach Sea Caves

Best months

Autumn through spring for lower sun angles and dramatic surf; summer for easier access and warmer conditions, though crowds are heavier.

Suggested focal lengths

16–35 mm inside the coves; 50–135 mm for layered stacks and backlit spray.

Composition

Use the rock openings as frames only when the tide leaves a safe exit. A mid-telephoto from open sand often produces a cleaner picture than squeezing into the caves.

Recommended arrival

Arrive 75 minutes before sunset to assess tide, surf and which coves remain connected.

Access planning

Check tide and swell forecasts. Cliffs can shed rock and waves can cut off the small coves; never put the camera between you and your exit.

Parking: Small paid state beach lot on Pacific Coast Highway; legal roadside spaces are limited.

Approach: Ten to fifteen minutes down a steep trail and staircase; the return is uphill in low light.

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