City volunteers and officials engage beachgoers in friendly conversations to raise awareness about safe driving, encouraging visitors to slow down, enjoy the views, and get home safely
The City of Malibu launched its “Big Blue Beach Crawl for PCH Safety” over Labor Day weekend, welcoming beachgoers with an important message: slow down, enjoy the views, and get home safely. The outreach event brought city staff, volunteers, and community members together—not to clean the beaches, but to connect directly with visitors and residents about safe driving on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH).
Malibu Mayor Marianne Riggins emphasized that the event was focused on education, aiming to increase awareness of roadway safety as the city wrapped up the busy summer season.
“It wasn’t a beach cleanup — it was more an education project,” Riggins explained. “The plan was to actually connect with beachgoers and talk to them about safety on PCH and safety when they’re coming out to enjoy Malibu’s beaches. We want people to be aware of their travel plans, stay mindful on the road, and, most importantly, make sure they get home safe.”
The Big Blue Beach Crawl is part of the city’s broader “Slow Down for PCH” campaign, which encourages safe driving through education, signage, and community engagement. With millions of visitors traveling into Malibu each year, the city faces ongoing challenges in balancing tourism with safety on one of California’s most iconic highways. PCH, while scenic, has also been the site of tragic accidents. Riggins acknowledged that eliminating deaths and serious injuries along the route remains a top priority for city leaders.
“We want to eliminate fatalities on PCH if possible,” Riggins said. “People can do that by following the rules of the road — observing the speed limit, not making unsafe U-turns, being cautious around pedestrians, and remembering that everyone is coming out here to enjoy our public spaces.”
By meeting people “where they’re at”— on the sand and at the shoreline — the city hoped to make its safety message more approachable. Volunteers spent the day walking the beaches, engaging in friendly conversations, and distributing information to remind drivers that the road into Malibu is as much a part of the coastal experience as the surf and sand. Riggins noted that the response from beachgoers was overwhelmingly positive.
“It was a gorgeous day, and people were open to talking,” she said. “The feedback was great — very positive interactions with people, just talking, having a good time, and meeting people where they’re at.”
Although the mayor was unable to stay for the entirety of the event due to other commitments, she underscored the importance of the city’s ongoing efforts to spread awareness and promote roadway safety. While no immediate plans for another Beach Crawl have been announced, Riggins encouraged residents and visitors to stay connected with city staff for future updates.
“If you contact Richard Rojas or Susan Duenas at the city, they can let you know if another one is scheduled,” she said. “This one really tied into the end of the official summer season, with Labor Day being such a high-traffic holiday.”
As Malibu continues to draw visitors year-round, the city remains committed to creating safer conditions on PCH. Events like the Big Blue Beach Crawl are just one piece of the puzzle, alongside enforcement, infrastructure improvements, and public education campaigns. For Riggins, the message is clear: Malibu is a destination for all to enjoy, but safety must come first.
“Everybody wants to come to Malibu, and we want to make sure they don’t hurt us and that they get home safely,” she said. “It’s really about awareness — slowing down, following the rules of the road, and remembering that this community is home to families, children, and neighbors, not just a place to visit for the day.”
The mayor also expressed appreciation for the community’s role in helping amplify the city’s message.
“We truly appreciate everything people are doing to get the word out,” she said. “At the end of the day, we all want what’s best for the community, and it shows in different ways. Events like this help us remind people that safety is something we can all work toward together.”
While the Big Blue Beach Crawl may have been just one afternoon of outreach, the effort reflects Malibu’s ongoing dedication to keeping PCH safe for residents and visitors alike. By blending education with community spirit, the city is making sure that the beauty of Malibu’s beaches can be enjoyed without tragedy on the roads that lead to them.
“Malibu is a special place,” Riggins said. “We want everyone to enjoy it, but we also want them to remember to drive safely. That way, we can all share the beauty of this community — and make sure everyone gets home to their loved ones.”
