California town turns up nose at access to public beaches

MALIBU, Calif. -- It is a stretch of coast that defines Southern California -- picture-perfect surfing waves, forested ravines, beachfront mansions, long stretches of near-empty sand. And much of it is off-limits to the public.

While the California coast has become more accessible in recent years, nowhere has the fight to keep beaches private been so ferocious as in Malibu, home to Hollywood moguls and the super-rich.

The city and some of its wealthiest residents are engaged in a long-running feud with the California Coastal Commission over whether the public should be granted more access to the coast.

Along one strip where director Steven Spielberg has a house, homeowners have roped off narrow sections of sand and posted private security guards mounted on all-terrain vehicles.

"It does seem a bit extreme," said Jens Holst, 45, who brought his 11-year-old daughter to Malibu, 25 miles west of Los Angeles, on a recent weekend.

Samantha Holst doesn't understand why she can't play on the rest of the beach.

"Nobody even uses it," she said, gazing at a long stretch of empty sand. "If we have to stay in between those chains, they should at least make the space bigger."

The latest salvo is a lawsuit filed by the city and entertainment giant David Geffen that seeks to stop the state from opening a public path next to his beachfront home. The walkway is among hundreds that have been promised over the years but have never opened because of concerns about parking, trash and security, and because cities and other agencies have been reluctant to assume liability.

Geffen spokesman Andy Spahn said it might make sense to allow more access -- just not next to Geffen's home. Geffen and city officials say they aren't against access but want a more detailed plan from the state.

"We're not saying there's anything wrong with this access-way," said Christi Hogin, an attorney for the city. "We're concerned about the process of it."

'Not enough reason'

Steve Hoye, whose Access for All group hopes to maintain a path next to Geffen's home, said he understands the concerns but "they are not enough reason to keep people out."

It has been 30 years since voters approved the California Coastal Act calling for public access to state beaches. Exactly how to gain access in areas full of homes -- including Malibu -- has been a stumbling point ever since.

The state for years granted homeowners construction permits in exchange for the rights to beach in front of their homes. The state has gained the rights to dozens of strips in Malibu that way, but hasn't claimed them for public use because it has no way to maintain them. It has largely dropped the swaps because of court battles.

In Geffen's case, he ceded the rights to a beach in front of his property and nearby in exchange for a remodeling permit. Now he is contesting the state's bid to make the beach public.

The suit is expected to be heard in Superior Court in September.