Point Dume, mountain in California, United States of America
Point Dume is a headland on the Malibu coast that extends into the Pacific Ocean and forms the northern end of Santa Monica Bay. The roughly one-third mile hike to the summit follows a well-marked trail and offers views of the Pacific coastline, the Palos Verdes Peninsula, and Santa Catalina Island.
British explorer George Vancouver named the headland in 1793 after Padre Francisco Dumetz of Mission San Buenaventura. In the 1930s, the whaling ship California anchored here and processed gray whales during their migration season for several months.
The name comes from Padre Francisco Dumetz of Mission San Buenaventura, whom George Vancouver honoured when he charted the headland in 1793. The summit area lies within the Point Dume State Preserve, and the bluff above Westward Beach is a known winter vantage point for watching migrating gray whales offshore.
Only about ten parking spots are available at the trailhead and fill up quickly during busy times. The larger Westward Beach lot requires a fee and is about 1.5 miles away but offers a longer route across the entire headland with additional views.
In the 1930s, this location was part of a whaling operation where hunters pursued gray whales from boats as they migrated past the shore. It also served as a filming location for several movies, including scenes from Iron Man where Tony Stark's mansion was digitally inserted into scenes set here.
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