Make Mine a Cosmo: SoCal Beaches: Malibu

Stretching for more than 30 miles along the Pacific and Highway One, Malibu has achieved almost mythological status among California beach towns. Hollywood stars and top athletes live in oceanfront homes here, under an elegant veil of privacy on long strands of beach, and enjoy front-row seats for surfing and unforgettable sunsets.

The Bu

Nicknamed "the 'Bu" by surfers and locals, beaches along the Malibu coast include: Topanga Beach, Big Rock Beach, Las Flores Beach, La Costa Beach, Surfrider Beach, Dan Blocker Beach, Malibu Beach, Zuma Beach, Broad Beach, Point Dume Beach, and County Line. State parks and beaches on the Malibu coast include Malibu Creek State Park, Leo Carrillo State Beach and Park, Point Mugu State Park, and Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach, with individual beaches: El Pescador, La Piedra and El Matador. The many parks within the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area lie along the ridges above the city along with local parks that include Malibu Bluffs Park (formerly Malibu Bluffs State Park), Trancas Canyon Park, Las Flores Creek Park, and Legacy Park.

Signs around the city proclaim "21 miles of scenic beauty", referring to the incorporated city limits. The city updated the signs in 2017 from the historical 27-mile length of the Malibu coast spanning from Tuna Canyon on the southeast to Point Mugu in Ventura County on the northwest. For many residents of the unincorporated canyon areas, Malibu has the closest commercial centers and they are included in the Malibu ZIP Codes. The city is bounded by Topanga on the east, the Santa Monica Mountains (Agoura Hills, Calabasas, and Woodland Hills) to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the south, and Solromar in Ventura County to the west.

Malibu (/ˈmælɪbuː/ MAL-ih-boo; Spanish: Malibú; Chumash: Humaliwo) is a beach city in the Santa Monica Mountains region of Los Angeles County, California, situated about 30 miles west of Downtown Los Angeles. It is known for its Mediterranean climate and its 21-mile strip of the Malibu coast, incorporated in 1991 into the City of Malibu. The exclusive Malibu Colony has been historically home to Hollywood celebrities. People in the entertainment industry and other affluent residents live throughout the city, yet many residents are middle class. Most Malibu residents live from a half-mile to within a few hundred yards of Pacific Coast Highway (State Route 1), which traverses the city, with some residents living up to one mile away from the beach up narrow canyons. As of the 2020 census, the city population was 10,654.

The Malibu Coast lies on the fringe of an extensive chaparral and woodland wilderness area, the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Various environmental elements collectively create a recipe for natural disasters: the mountainous and geologically unstable terrain; seasonal rainstorms that result in dense vegetation growth; seasonal dry Santa Ana winds; and a naturally dry topography and climate

The Malibu coast has seen dozens of wildfires:

October 26, 1929 – Malibu Colony, 13 homes burned.
1930 – "Potrero," Decker Canyon Road Corridor, 15,000 acres, accidental blaze caused by walnut pickers in Thousand Oaks area.
October 23, 1935 – "Malibu" or "Latigo/Sherwood," Kanan/Decker Corridor, 30,000 acres.
November 23, 1938 – "Topanga," Topanga Canyon, 14,500 acres.
October 20, 1943 – "Las Flores," Malibu Canyon, 5,800 acres.
November 6, 1943 – "Woodland Hills (Las Virgenes)," Kanan/Decker Corridor, 15,000 acres.
December 26, 1956 – "Newton," Kanan/Decker Corridor, 26,000 acres, 100 homes, one death, Frank Dickover.
December 2, 1958 – "Liberty," Malibu Canyon, 18,000 acres, eight firefighters injured, 74 homes destroyed (17 in Corral Canyon).
November 6, 1961 – "Topanga," Topanga Canyon, 8,000 acres.
September 25, 1970 – "Wright," Malibu Canyon, 28,000 acres,10 deaths, 403 homes destroyed.
October 30, 1973 – "Topanga," Topanga Canyon, 2,800 acres.
October 23, 1978 – "Kanan," Kanan/Decker Corridor, 25,000 acres, 2 deaths, 230 homes.
October 9, 1982 – "Dayton," Malibu Canyon Corridor, 44,000 acres, 15 homes in Paradise Cove destroyed.
October 14, 1985 – "Piuma," Las Flores area, Topanga Canyon, 4,700 acres.
October 14, 1985 – "Decker," Kanan/Decker Corridor, 6,600 acres. Both arson-caused; six homes destroyed; $1 million damage.
November 2, 1993 – "Old Topanga/North Malibu." One of the largest fires in Malibu history, which burned more than 16,516 acres from November 2 to November 11. The 1993 firestorm was composed of two separate fires, one ravaging most of central Malibu/Old Topanga, and another, larger fire affecting areas north of Encinal Canyon. Three lives were lost and 739 homes destroyed in the central Malibu/Old Topanga blaze. 18,949 acres (77 km2) were torched in the north Malibu fire, with no deaths and few homes destroyed in the less densely-populated region. Los Angeles County Fire Department officials announced suspicions that the fire was started by arson. The fire and widespread damage to properties and infrastructure resulted in the City of Malibu adopting the strictest fire codes in the country.
October 21, 1996 – "Calabasas," Malibu Canyon Corridor, Brush fire ignited by arcing power line, 13,000 acres.
January 6, 2003 – "Trancas", Trancas Canyon, 759 acres.
January 8, 2007 – At approximately 5:00 pm a fire started in the vicinity of Bluffs Park, south of Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. The fire hit near the Colony area, burning down four houses on Malibu Road, including the oceanfront home of Step By Step star Suzanne Somers. Los Angeles County Fire Department officials announced that a discarded cigarette stub started the blaze.
October 21, 2007 – At approximately 5:00 am a fire started off of Malibu Canyon Road. As of 1:00 pm there were 500+ personnel on scene. 1,200 acres burned with no containment. 200+ homes have been evacuated. Five homes confirmed to have been destroyed, with at least nine others damaged. Two commercial structures were completely destroyed. Castle Kashan and the Malibu Presbyterian Church have both been destroyed. Los Angeles County Fire Department officials announced that the fire is still under investigation.
November 24, 2007 – The "Corral Fire" destroyed 53 homes, damaged 35, and burned over 4,720 acres, forcing as many as 14,000 people to evacuate. Damages from the fire were expected to reach more than $100 million. The blaze originated at the top of Corral Canyon, where a group of young people who were in closed parkland after dusk had started a bonfire despite the presence of high Santa Ana winds. The individuals responsible for starting the fire were later identified, and are the subject of ongoing civil and criminal litigation.
November 8, 2018 – The Woolsey Fire, a wildfire that burned from November 8–21 that burned 96,949 acres and destroyed 1,500 structures and left 341 buildings damaged. The fire also resulted in 3 firefighter injuries and 3 civilian fatalities. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

One of the most problematic side-effects of the fires that periodically rage through Malibu is the destruction of vegetation, which normally provides some degree of topographical stability to the loosely packed shale and sandstone hills during periods of heavy precipitation. Rainstorms following large wildfires can thus cause a phenomenon known as mudslides, in which water-saturated earth and rock moves quickly down mountainsides, or entire slices of mountainside abruptly detach and fall downward.

Mudslides can and do occur at any time in Malibu, whether a recent fire or rainstorm has occurred or not. Pacific Coast Highway, Kanan-Dume Road, and Malibu Canyon road (as well as many other local roads) have all been prone to many subsequent mudslide-related closures. During any period of prolonged or intense rain, Caltrans snowplows will patrol most canyon roads in the area, clearing mud, rocks, and other fallen debris from the roadways. Such efforts keep most roads passable, but it is nevertheless typical for one or more of the major roads leading into and out of Malibu to be temporarily closed during the rainy season.

Malibu is within 50 miles of the San Andreas Fault, a fault over 800 miles in length that can produce an earthquake over magnitude 8. Several faults are in the region, making the area prone to earthquakes. The Northridge earthquake in 1994, and the 1971 Sylmar earthquake (magnitudes 6.7 and 6.6, respectively) shook the area. Smaller earthquakes happen more often.

Early History

The area is within the Chumash territory which extended from the San Joaquin Valley to San Luis Obispo to Malibu, as well as several islands off the southern coast of California. The Chumash called the settlement Humaliwo or "the surf sounds loudly". The city's name derives from this, as the "Hu" syllable is not stressed.

Humaliwo was next to Malibu Lagoon and was an important regional center in prehistoric times. The village, which is identified as CA-LAN-264, was occupied from approximately 2500 BCE. It was the second-largest Chumash coastal settlement by the Santa Monica Mountains, after Muwu (Point Mugu). Baptismal records list 118 individuals from Humaliwo. Humaliwo was considered an important political center, but there were additional minor settlements in the area. One village, Ta’lopop, was located few miles up Malibu Canyon from Malibu Lagoon. Research shows that Humaliwo had ties to other pre-colonial villages, including Hipuk (in Westlake Village), Lalimanux (by Conejo Grade) and Huwam (in Bell Canyon).

Explorer Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo is believed to have moored at Malibu Lagoon, at the mouth of Malibu Creek, to obtain fresh water in 1542. The Spanish presence returned with the California mission system, and the area was part of Rancho Topanga Malibu Sequit—a 13,000-acre land grant—in 1802. That ranch passed intact to Frederick Hastings Rindge in 1891. He and his wife, Rhoda May Knight Rindge, were very staunch about protecting their land. After his death, Rhoda May guarded their property zealously by hiring guards to evict all trespassers and fighting a lengthy court battle to prevent the building of a Southern Pacific railroad line through the ranch. Interstate Commerce Commission regulations would not support a railroad condemning property in order to build tracks that paralleled an existing line, so Frederick H. Rindge decided to build his own railroad through his property first. He died, and May Rindge followed through with the plans, building the Hueneme, Malibu and Port Los Angeles Railway. The line started at Carbon Canyon, just inside the ranch's property eastern boundary, and ran 15 miles westward, past Point Dume.

Point Dume

Few roads even entered the area before 1929, when the state won another court case and built what is now known as the Pacific Coast Highway. By then May Rindge was forced to divide her property and begin selling and leasing lots. The Rindge house, known as the Adamson House (a National Register of Historic Places site and California Historical Landmark), is now part of Malibu Creek State Park and is situated between Malibu Lagoon State Beach and Surfrider Beach, beside the Malibu Pier that was used to provide transportation to/from the ranch, including construction materials for the Rindge railroad, and to tie up the family's yacht.

In 1926, in an effort to avoid selling land to stave off insolvency, May K. Rindge created a small ceramic tile factory. At its height, Malibu Potteries employed over 100 workers, and produced decorative tiles which furnish many Los Angeles-area public buildings and Beverly Hills residences. The factory, located one-half-mile east of the pier, was ravaged by a fire in 1931. Although the factory partially reopened in 1932, it could not recover from the effects of the Great Depression and a steep downturn in Southern California construction projects. A distinct hybrid of Moorish and Arts and crafts designs, Malibu tile is considered highly collectible. Fine examples of the tiles may be seen at the Adamson House and Serra Retreat, a 50-room mansion that was started in the 1920s as the main Rindge home on a hill overlooking the lagoon. The unfinished building was sold to the Franciscan Order in 1942 and is operated as a retreat facility, Serra Retreat. It burned in the 1970 fire and was rebuilt using many of the original tiles.

Most of the Big Rock Drive area was bought in 1936 by William Randolph Hearst, who considered building an estate on the property. He sold the lower half of his holdings there in 1944 to Art Jones. Jones was one of the prominent early realtors in Malibu, starting with the initial leases of Rindge land in Malibu Colony. He was also the owner/part-owner of the Malibu Inn, Malibu Trading Post and the Big Rock Beach Cafe (which is now Moonshadows restaurant). Philiip McAnany owned 80 acres (32 ha) in the upper Big Rock area, which he had purchased in 1919, and had two cabins there, one of which burned in a brush fire that swept through the area in 1959, and the other in the 1993 Malibu fire. McAnany Way is named after him.

Malibu Colony was one of the first areas with private homes after Malibu was opened to development in 1926 by May K. Ringe. Her husband, Frederick Hastings Rindge paid $10 an acre in 1890. As one of Malibu's most famous districts, it is located south of Malibu Road and the Pacific Coast Highway, west of Malibu Lagoon State Beach, east of Malibu Bluffs Park (formerly a state park) and across from the Malibu Civic Center. May Rindge allowed prominent Hollywood movie stars to build vacation homes in the Colony as a defensive public relations wedge against the Union Pacific from taking her property under eminent domain for a coastal train route. The action successfully forced the Union Pacific to route their northbound line inland then return to the coast in Ventura. However, the long legal battle to protect her beloved Malibu coast had been costly and she eventually died penniless. Long known as a popular private enclave for wealthy celebrities,the Malibu Colony today is a gated community, with multimillion-dollar homes on small lots. The Colony has views of the Pacific Ocean, with coastline views stretching from Santa Monica to Rancho Palos Verdes to the south (known locally as the Queen's Necklace) and the bluffs of Point Dume to the north.

Interesting Facts

Malibu is named for the Ventureño Chumash settlement of Humaliwo, which translates to "The Surf Sounds Loudly." This pre-colonial village was situated next to Malibu Lagoon and is now part of the State Park.
HRL Laboratories, the research arm of the former Hughes Aircraft Company, was established in 1960 in Malibu. Among its research accomplishments was the first working laser. Despite the aerospace industry's downsizing in the 1990s, HRL is the largest employer in Malibu. The first working model of a laser was demonstrated by Theodore Maiman in 1960 in Malibu at the Hughes Research Laboratory (now known as HRL Laboratories LLC). In the 1990s HRL Laboratories developed the FastScat computer code.
TRW built a laboratory in Solstice Canyon without any structural steel to test magnetic detectors for satellites and medical devices.
This region experiences warm and dry summers, with no average monthly temperatures above 71.6 °F (22 °C). According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Malibu has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, abbreviated "Csb" on climate maps. The city's climate is influenced by the Pacific Ocean, resulting in far more moderate temperatures than locations further inland experience. Snow in Malibu is extremely rare, but flurries with higher accumulations in the nearby mountains occurred on January 17, 2007. More recently, snow fell in the city on January 25, 2021. The record high temperature of 104 °F (40 °C) was observed on September 27, 2010, while the record low temperature of 26 °F (–3 °C) was observed on January 14, 2007.
The Malibu Arts Festival is held annually on the last weekend in July by the Malibu Chamber of Commerce.
The Malibu International Film Festival is held every year showcasing new films and filmmakers from around the world.
The Malibu Chili Cookoff, held every Labor Day weekend, is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Malibu. Proceeds benefit children and youth organizations.
The Malibu Nautica Triathlon is held every September. In 2007, it raised $718,000 to benefit Children's Hospital Los Angeles.
The Polar Plunge (Los Angeles) is held each year in February at Zuma Beach to help raise funds for the Special Olympics in Southern California.
The Malibu Art Association, a non-profit organization to foster the arts in Malibu produces shows, demonstrations and workshops for its members, and offers art for public display throughout the community.
The Malibu Garden Club holds an annual garden tour of private, residential gardens.
Malibu High School offers musicals every spring and instrumental and vocal musical concerts every winter and spring.
Smothers Theatre of Pepperdine University's Theatrical Drama Department offers concerts, plays, musicals, opera, and dance.
The Malibu Chamber of Commerce was formed in 1949 to provide support to local Malibu business, and now has over 500 members.
Heal the Bay, a non-profit organization for environmental advocacy, was formed in 1985 to protect Santa Monica Bay, which extends from Malibu's Point Dume along the entire coastline of Malibu past Santa Monica to the Palos Verdes Peninsula.
Following the opening of Passages Malibu in 2001, the city has become home to numerous residential drug-abuse treatment centers. As of 2013, there are 35 state-licensed drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities in Malibu, in addition to a multiplying number of unlicensed sober-living homes.
Pepperdine's Malibu campus has often been threatened by brushfires, including in 1985, 1993, 1996, 2007, 2007, and 2018. The university prepares for the fires by clearing brush 200 feet from all buildings and has developed plans with Los Angeles County Fire Department to shelter faculty, staff, and students in place.

Pepperdine University

In February 1937, against the backdrop of the Great Depression, George Pepperdine founded a liberal arts college in the city of Los Angeles to be affiliated with the Churches of Christ and to be called—to the founder's embarrassment—George Pepperdine College. Established in in south-central Los Angeles, Pepperdine University moved to its Malibu campus in 1972. However, when Malibu incorporated as a city the boundaries were drawn to exclude Pepperdine, at the college's insistence.

Pepperdine had built his fortune largely through the Western Auto Supply Company, which he founded in 1909 with a $5 investment, but his prosperity led to his greater ambition to discover "how humanity can be helped most with the means entrusted to [his] care. [He] considered it wrong to build up a great fortune and use it selfishly." Pepperdine voiced his twofold objective for the college that bore his name, "First, we want to provide first-class, fully accredited academic training in the liberal arts ... Secondly, we are especially dedicated to a greater goal—that of building in the student a Christ-like life, a love for the church, and a passion for the souls of mankind."

On September 21, 1937, 167 new students from 22 different states and two other countries entered classes on a newly built campus on 34 acres at West 79th Street and South Vermont Avenue in the Vermont Knolls neighborhood of South Los Angeles later referred to as the Vermont Avenue campus. The campus was designed in the Streamline Moderne style by John M. Cooper, an art deco architect. By April 5, 1938, George Pepperdine College was fully accredited by the Northwest Association in large part due to the leadership of president Batsell Baxter and dean Hugh M. Tiner.

The student newspaper, called the GraPhiC, published its first issue in October 1937.

The college expanded significantly in the years following its founding, reaching an enrollment of 1,839 for the 1948–1949 year. The college's first graduate program, a master of arts in religion, admitted its first students in 1944, and the school's first international program, a year-long program in Heidelberg, Germany, was launched in 1963.

By 1957, when M. Norvel Young was named president, the young college faced serious problems, not least of which was the high cost of expansion in South Los Angeles. The area around the Vermont Avenue campus was developing issues including rising crime and urban decay, and racial tensions had arisen that led to the 1965 Watts Riots.

Before the worst of the tensions began, President Young began to look for suburban sites to expand the university's footprint. In 1966, a committee was formed to look at potential locations, including sites in Westlake Village and Calabasas. Pepperdine favored the Westlake Village location until the Adamson-Rindge family, who owned hundreds of acres near Malibu, offered to donate 138 acres and to sell 58.7 adjacent acres. Despite concerns over building costs on the mountainous site, the school decided to move forward based on its prime location and potential for raising donations, accepting the land in Malibu in 1968.

In March 1969, Larry Kimmons, a Black teenager from the South LA neighborhood, was murdered by Pepperdine campus security officer Charlie Lane following a verbal argument. Protests ensued, with Black students opposing the university and White students fleeing the campus altogether. The killing was attributed to racism, and is said to have accelerated the move to Malibu, as a sort of White flight.

In December 1970, student activists threatened to burn down the campus, even setting small fires in three buildings. They later occupied the Academic Life building, leading to a standoff with the Los Angeles Police Department that was defused by negotiations with vice president William S. Banowsky.

"bomb threats were made, buildings were destroyed, the National Guard surrounded the campus, random acts of vandalism were committed, and fighting between Blacks and Whites was reported"

Construction in Malibu began on April 13, 1971 and the new campus opened for student enrollment in September 1972. The campus and many of its buildings were planned by Los Angeles–based architect and urban planner William Pereira, who had also designed the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the University of California, Irvine, and much of the University of Southern California. The construction of the Malibu campus was made possible largely by gifts from Blanche Seaver, the wife of Frank R. Seaver and heir of his oil-drill manufacturing fortune, who donated to Pepperdine more than $160 million over her lifetime. The undergraduate college was officially named after Seaver in 1975.

The university retained and continued to expand its original Vermont Avenue campus, building a new academic building there in 1970, and redesigning the curriculum to serve its more urban setting. Much of the undergraduate liberal arts program, however, moved to the new Malibu campus. In the decade to come, the Vermont Avenue campus transitioned away from its residential model, and in 1981 the Vermont Avenue campus was sold to Crenshaw Christian Center, whose minister, Frederick K. C. Price, then oversaw construction of the "Faith Dome," then the largest-domed church in the United States.

Just as the university was looking for room to expand, it established several graduate schools. In 1969, Pepperdine bought the Orange University College of Law in Santa Ana, California, which became the School of Law and moved to the Malibu campus in 1978. What had been a business division offering graduate and undergraduate degrees became a graduate business school in 1968, which in 1971 was named the School of Business and Management. Also in 1971, the School of Education was formed, which in 1981 became the Graduate School of Education and Psychology. Pepperdine administrators used these expansions as justification to change the institution's name to Pepperdine University in 1971.

Pepperdine continued to expand, adding permanent international programs in London and in Florence beginning in 1984 and 1985, respectively. These were followed by similar programs in Buenos Aires, Lausanne, and Shanghai. The School of Business and Management was renamed the Graziadio Business School to honor a gift of $15 million from real estate developer George L. Graziadio Jr., and in 2019 the School of Law was renamed the Caruso School of Law after a pledge of $50 million from alumnus Rick J. Caruso. The Malibu campus itself was expanded by the construction of the 50.4 acres. Drescher Graduate Campus, which was completed in 2003 under the supervision of president Andrew K. Benton.

Pepperdine's Malibu campus is situated on 830 acres of the Santa Monica Mountains overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California.[42] It is widely considered one of the most beautiful college campuses in the world in terms of scenery and architecture, and has been described as "a place that looks more like a beach resort than a private university." The campus offers views of the Santa Monica Bay, Catalina Island, the Palos Verdes Peninsula, and much of the westside of Los Angeles. Most buildings are designed in the Mediterranean Revival Style with white stucco walls, red tile roofs, and large tinted windows. The first round of construction on the site was completed in 1973.

The most distinctive feature of the Malibu campus, apart from its location, is the Phillips Theme Tower, a 125-foot obelisk with an embedded cross that stands on the front lawn. The tower was designed by William Pereira in 1972, and construction was completed in 1973. The tower was dedicated in 1974 as a symbol of Pepperdine's dedication to its Christian mission. Following disputes with Malibu residents over the lighting of the cross, the tower has not been illuminated since 1980.

Pepperdine University

Things to Do

The Getty Museum

The perfect aesthetics stretch beyond the beach, too. The Getty Villa—the original home of the Getty Museum, which opened in 1974—focuses on Ancient Greek and Roman Art (admission is free, but you need to make a reservation). The Getty Center is not just for art lovers. Its dramatic buildings, perched in the hills above West Los Angeles, house galleries filled with masterpieces that might intimidate those not familiar with 17th-century Baroque art—or with the sculptures of Henry Moore or Isamu Noguchi.

But herein lies the beauty of the Getty Center: Whether you go for the art, for free weekend music and theater performances, for kid-friendly workshops, or just to find the perfect place for a relaxing picnic lunch, it has something for everyone. Even better? Admission is free. (You just need to pay for parking.)

The main branch of the world-class museum looks like an elevated modernist city. More than a million visitors a year ride the tram from the street-level entrance to the hilltop Getty Center, its white travertine walls and breathtaking city views as compelling as the art inside. Designed by renowned architect Richard Meier, the complex includes the Getty Conservation Institute, the Getty Research Institute, the J. Paul Getty Museum, the Harold M. Williams Auditorium, two cafés, a full-service restaurant, and more than 86 acres of landscaped outdoor spaces, including the tree-lined Central Garden with more than 500 plant species and a delightful cactus garden. About 14 miles away—in Pacific Palisades, near Malibu—the Getty Villa focuses on ancient Greek and Roman art, housed in a Roman-style country house.

The art—including works by Van Gogh and Renoir—was the personal collection of businessman and art collector J. Paul Getty, once the world’s richest man, who saw art as a civilizing influence in society and sought to make it more widely available to the public. Through the work of the J. Paul Getty Trust after his death, the Getty Museum displays hundreds of pre-20th-century European paintings, drawings, illuminated manuscripts, sculptures, and decorative arts., as well as 19th-, 20th-, and 21st-century photographs.

While there are no entrance fees for either the Getty Center or the Getty Villa, you do have to request an advance timed-entry ticket for the Villa, and you’ll pay $20 for parking at either location (the rate drops after 3 p.m.). Bypass the fee by taking Uber, Lyft, or public transportation. The Getty Center is closed on Mondays; the Villa is closed on Tuesdays.

Adamson House

Adamson House, the historic house and gardens of the 19th-century original owners of Malibu, the Rindge Family, is a state museum. This striking 1929 Spanish-style building sits, along with the Malibu Lagoon Museum, inside the confines of Malibu Lagoon State Park. The major attraction at Adamson House is the array of decorative tiles manufactured at the once-celebrated but now-closed Malibu Tile Works. The guided tours allow visitors access to much of the property.

Outdoorsy Stuff

While Malibu may sound exclusive, there is plenty of magic for visitors to access too. Considered to have some of the most perfect waves anywhere. On October 9, 2010, Surfrider Beach was dedicated as the first World Surfing Reserve. Across the street from the civic center of Malibu, Surfrider Beach is adjacent to the Malibu Colony and Malibu Pier. This surfing beach was featured in 1960s surf movies, like "Beach Party". The Surfrider point break stems from the Malibu Colony into Santa Monica Bay and carries the nickname "Third Point". Surfing at this spot is popular during the winter. The Surfrider Foundation was formed in 1984 by a group of surfers gathered to protect 31 miles of coastal waters from Marina Del Rey through Malibu to Ventura County, and represent the surfing community. Those seeking escapism and romance may want to seek out another beach, but the payoff for fighting the crowds here is enjoying a stretch of sand deemed a World Surfing Reserve made famous by Gidget and other surf legends. The quintessential Malibu beach, the prime location makes for great people-watching and three point breaks make this a perennial hot spot for both long boarders and short boarders.

Nearby Zuma Beach is a sun magnet for locals and families. In winter, Point Dume, at Malibu’s north end, provides an ideal perch for spotting migrating gray whales. Or, watch the sunset from El Matador State Beach. The narrow beach is easily the most scenic stretch of coastline in the region, whether you’re staring out from atop the cliff or exploring its rocky coves.

Tough as it is to drag yourself away from the ocean, head inland a short distance and you can also hike through hills and canyons, filled with spring wildflowers and even waterfalls, on trails in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

With dramatic gorges, open pastures hidden pools and jagged peaks, Malibu Creek is simply one of the most stunning spots in Southern California. The Santa Monica Mountains space is filled with scenic trails and, since this is still L.A., a bit of silver screen history: you can spot singed remnants of the M*A*S*H set and splash in the rock pool that was featured in Planet of the Apes.

Follow the sound of running water to Escondido Falls. This is one of the biggest waterfalls in Southern California: a two-tiered, 150-foot cascade that pours down a series of limestone rocks covered in bright-green moss. You’ll start on the approximately 3.8-mile journey from Winding Way East, a private road in the Malibu hills that takes you uphill past ocean-view estates. Be prepared to crisscross streams and for some serious rock-hopping.

For a cool guided experience, take one of the two-hour Malibu Wine Hikes across the varied, rolling terrain of Saddlerock Ranch vineyard. Walks include stops to see Chumash cave drawings, a meet-and-greet with a movie-star giraffe (he was in Hangover 3) and, of course, a wine tasting. With stellar views of the scenic Malibu surroundings along the way, reward yourself with some wine to-go at the end. The tasting room at Malibu Wines never reopened following the Woolsey Fire—the vineyard instead shifted its attention to a wine and beer garden in the Valley—so this two-hour, 21-plus hike is pretty much your only option to trek through the area. https://www.malibuwinehikes.com/

Eats & Drinks

When you think of Malibu, you think of sun-kissed surfers shredding the waves (and possibly a celebrity sighting or two), but there’s plenty more to lure visitors both near and far. Between the serene beaches and a high-end dining scene, many Angelenos make the trek up Pacific Coast Highway for a slice of coastal bliss and turn it into a weekend staycation.

Grab a bite at one of the many eateries along the water. Malibu Farm Restaurant is an organic café and restaurant that sits right on the pier, The charming Malibu pier welcomes both local residents and tourists for breathtaking views of the coast, boutique shops and eateries. Unlike the crowded Santa Monica Pier, Malibu’s is a quiet, tranquil spot for a sunset stroll or beachside bite from Malibu Farm, either the casual cafe at the end of the pier or the sit-down patio restaurant near the entrance. The Scandinavian-inspired restaurant has a simple, crowd-pleasing menu filled with light, kind-of-healthy salads, protein plates, and tacos. Plus, those views off the pier never hurt anybody. If you want a quintessential Malibu experience without having to take out a home mortgage, Malibu Farm is where you should go. https://www.malibu-farm.com/malibu-pier/

Duke’s Malibu (I've written about Duke's in previous blog posts), which honors pioneering surfer and Duke Kahanamoku, delivers Hawaiian cuisine along with indoor/outdoor seating and excellent water views. Or browse the fresh catches—and try one of the famed ahi tuna burgers—at Malibu Seafood, right across from Dan Blocker Beach. Don’t come to Duke’s feeling too serious. This is a kitschy Hawaii-themed restaurant on PCH overlooking the ocean, where surfboards, historical timelines, and vintage surfing videos on TVs line the wood-paneled walls. And we kinda love it. Mostly because it’s very much a local hang. Come any evening and you’ll find a bunch of sandy people who clearly take up permanent residence at the bar, which overlooks the unobstructed Pacific. And on Taco Tuesday, the outdoor patio gets particularly packed. The margaritas are contenders for the Best In The City, and pods of dolphins are so close and frequent, it gets old after a while. The food? The tacos, salads, ribs, and burgers are good enough, and that’s just fine with us. https://www.dukesmalibu.com/

From the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, Geoffrey’s, with its simple lines and unassuming façade, hardly looks like the kind of place you’ll be posting about for days. But walk through the sleekly sophisticated dining room to your umbrella-topped table on the terrace, and we’re sure you’ll be Instagramming nonstop—if not for the views (big blue Pacific capped by far-off Santa Catalina Island), then for the celebs who like to dine here too. Designed by famed architect Richard Neutra, Geoffrey’s is Southern California incarnate—a seamless blend of ocean, lush landscaping, and head-swiveling stars. Savor a crab Benedict and sip a mimosa during weekend brunches. Catch a Malibu sunset while you indulge in the seafood paella at dinner. Then treat yourself to the maple blueberry cheesecake or an espresso flan as the stars twinkle over the Pacific. https://www.geoffreysmalibu.com/

Founded in 1972, Gladstones restaurant has been a symbol of Los Angeles and the Southern California lifestyle for nearly half a century. Located at the historic intersection of PCH and Sunset Blvd—where the sun meets the sea, this classic establishment has stood the test of time, outlived trends, and set the bar for quality and warmth. https://gladstones.com/

When your overbearing auntie is in town and demands to be “on the water,” Moonshadows is exactly where you take her. Located off the PCH, this restaurant’s dining area juts out over the ocean, making it a great spot for wrap-around sunset views and feeling like you’re on a Carnival cruise liner, minus the all-inclusive cocktails. The dinner menu is just OK, with the creamy lobster and crab linguine being a safe pick, but brunch is undeniably pleasant with the ocean breeze and diner-style omelets. It’s Moonshadow’s prime location that ultimately make it worth visiting for a pineapple mojito at sunset. From a midday brunch to supper at sunset, whether you sit out on the sundeck or unwind indoors, Moonshadows is the ultimate casual dining setting, right on the Malibu beach. The friendly staff serves a mouthwatering mix of seafood and signature dishes with Asian fusion, Italian and American influences. https://moonshadowsmalibu.com/

Nobu is the official restaurant of Malibu. Combine world-class sushi with the best space on the coast, and you’ve got one of the most loved restaurants in California. To be clear, you are going to spend some money here. A LOT of money. But this is the legendary Chef Nobu we’re talking about here, and Oprah just walked in drunk with Spielberg - you’re not in Kansas anymore. Amidst the flurry of "LA's Best Of" round-ups, Nobu's Malibu outpost will surely land on a few lists: Best Ocean View, Best Romantic Getaway, Best Bathroom...Formerly housed in the Malibu Country Mart, chef Nobu Matsuhisa's relocated restaurant—overlooking Surfrider beach and the Malibu Pier—is so close to the beach, you can see the footprints in the sand. The restaurant's minimalist aesthetic—wood paneling, no white table cloths—creates an understated feel that complements its environment; likewise, the menu is as stellar as its surroundings (and pricey). The food combined with the ambiance give Nobu the prize for Best City Escape. When you're ready to check out, that view of a KFC across the street will jolt you back into reality in no time. https://www.noburestaurants.com/malibu

Unlike the other places I've listed, Malibu Cafe doesn’t have a view of the water. But it does offer something just as spectacular: a view of the Santa Monica mountains. Getting here is a trek—about a 20 minute drive from PCH—but once you arrive, you’re gaze out on a gorgeous 5,000 acre property filled with waterfalls, tree groves, and smoky fire pits. It’s located on the historic Calamigos Ranch, an event space that’s been around since the 1930s. And although it costs a ton of money to host a party here, literally anyone can drive up and eat at the restaurant. The food is good rather than great, but nothing is straight up bad. There’s a crab salad we like that’s a mess on the plate, but generous with the shellfish. It’s a nice pick-me-up while daydreaming about moving here and living off the land. https://www.themalibucafe.com/

Technically in Topanga, I'm including Inn of The Seventh Ray because I've heard it’s simply not to be missed. This hideaway in the trees sounds more like a nudist colony than a place to grab brunch, but rest assured, it’s very much a restaurant. And a surprisingly upscale one at that. The food is good enough, but you’re here for the fantastic patio and those old-school Topanga Canyon vibes. Great date restaurant. www.innoftheseventhray.com Originally, the Inn’s location was rumored to have first been a meeting place of the Chumash Indians at the sacred intersection of 2 creeks. Then it may have been Aimee Semple McPherson’s private retreat in the 1930's, later becoming the site for Topanga’s first church. Afterwards, it became a feed store, then a gas station/garage and auto junk yard, an eyesore on Topanga’s crossroads of an eclectic culture of artists, musicians and hippies, counter culture lifestyle seekers, along with families just wanting to live having the energy of nature around their family.

Walking into Saddle Peak feels more like you’re checking into a wilderness lodge in Jackson Hole than a restaurant above the Malibu coast, and that’s what you’re here for. Part roadhouse, Pony Express stop, hunting lodge, European auberge, perhaps even a hint of a bordello, Saddle Peak Lodge has been many things to many people in its long history. For 100 years, some say even more, Saddle Peak Lodge has been a place of enchantment, romance and great dining for generations of those seeking a unique experience. With everything from bone-in ribeye to emu tenderloin, this is a meat lovers’ paradise. If you’re tired of all your old date spot go-to’s, Saddle Peak’s patio is the perfect place to change it up. https://www.saddlepeaklodge.com/

If you took a natural wine shop, a retro vinyl store, and a pizza parlor, threw them all in a blender, and dropped it off in Topanga Canyon, you’d get Endless Color. The space looks like Burning Man meets Pee-wee's Playhouse: you’ll spy wiggly light fixtures, blob-shaped tables, and giant disco balls hanging above a cactus-lined patio. It’s casual enough to drop by after a day at the beach, but interesting enough to go out of your way for after an impromptu photoshoot on Malibu Pier. A huge chunk of the menu is dedicated to Neapolitan-style pies with puffy, charred crusts. But they also serve a pretty good cheeseburger, chicken tenders, and a few side salads. If you need a whimsical departure from the stark modern dining rooms we’re all used to, you’ll probably love it here. https://www.endlesscolortopanga.com/

There are plenty of places for beach snacks in Malibu (if you couldn’t tell by now), but when the only thing you want is a solid sandwich and impressive macaroni salad, Vintage Grocers has you covered. Located in the massive Trancas Country Market, this high-end grocery store is filled with all the prerequisite health food items you’d expect: green juices, specialty cheeses, and adaptogenic whatevers. But the deli is where the action is: there’s a tri-tip sandwich that comes on a hot panini-pressed baguette and is covered with sauteed onions and bell peppers for a welcome sweet kick. Plus, you have your choice of sides—salt and vinegar chips, coleslaw, pasta salad, fresh fruit, etc.—but if you’re not getting the macaroni salad… get back in line and try again. Thick, al dente elbow macaroni tossed in creamy mayo that’s used judiciously. Chef’s kiss. https://www.vintagegrocers.com/

There’s no shortage of quality seafood along Malibu’s coast. But for our money, it doesn’t get better than Malibu Seafood. Founded in 1972, Malibu Seafood is owned and operated by commercial fishermen intent on bringing you the finest seafood from around the world. From the fish and chips to the fresh Louisiana shrimp, everything at this tiny roadside shack is fantastic. There will definitely be a line on the weekends, but you will not care. The sun is out, there’s sand in your hair, and you can smell the ocean from your spot in line. And I love that their tagline is: "The reason we don't serve breakfast is we're out catching lunch." https://malibuseafood.com/

Founded by Christopher Tompkins as a seafood centric mobile raw bar, Broad Street Oyster Co. established its first restaurant in Malibu during the summer of 2019 and is the ultimate seafood destination. A little bit coastal and a whole lot of a party, Broad Streeet Oyster Co. is tucked inside a Malibu strip mall and is the perfect setting to grab a beer or some natural wine to accompany their World Famous Lobster Roll. Served either warm with butter or chilled with mayonnaise, be sure to add caviar and uni to find out what all the hype is about. . The move at this barebones seafood shack (located inside of the Country Mart) is to come here with a small group for a late lunch, that way you’ll be able to order a bit of everything: oysters on the half shell, spot prawns from the raw bar, maybe a cup or two of their excellent clam chowder, etc. Just make sure to include their lobster roll. . . best served hot and smothered in butter, a luxurious sandwich that’s sure to impress even the pickiest of seafood eaters. https://www.broadstreetoyster.com/

Lucky’s is an upscale steakhouse in the Malibu Country Mart that originated in the A-Lister commune known as Montecito. Though this location lacks Oprah and Meghan Markle sightings, the crowd milling around the dining room will keep you entertained. You’ll spot locals sipping martinis and intentionally placing their hands so everyone can see their jewelry and surfers who didn’t even bother changing out of their board shorts. That said, Lucky’s is more than just a people-watching sideshow—the food is good too. We recommend doing your best to not to fill up on their excellent table rolls, starting with the shrimp and prosciutto chopped salad, and going for whatever big piece of meat catches your eye. https://www.luckysmalibu.com/

You’ve spent the last half hour in bumper-to-bumper traffic, getting passed by a dealership’s-worth of shiny Teslas—so the last thing you want is a crowded, scene-y place to eat. Head to Reel Inn. Service Malibu since 1986, this fun, festive shack at the bottom of Topanga Canyon often gets overlooked by its more famous neighbors, but that just means you’ll get all of Malibu’s charms (quality seafood, oceanfront patios, campy string light aesthetics that’d feel right at home at the 2019 Met Gala) with none of the bad (too many people, long lines, etc.). The massive menu is filled with everything from fried oysters to fish and chips to shrimp tacos, so no matter who you’re with, everyone will leave satisfied. http://www.reelinnmalibu.com/

Let’s be clear here—Paradise Cove does not have the best food in Malibu. And that ticketed parking lot of theirs can be a certifiable nightmare. That said, once you’re actually in the place, all that fades away. Most restaurants in Malibu advertise themselves as being beachfront, but Paradise Cove is the only one literally on the beach. And if you think Mom and Dad (or a date) want anything else besides sipping a Bloody Mary with their feet in the sand, you’re wrong. https://www.paradisecovemalibu.com/

Located in the Country Mart, but slightly removed from all the exhausted yogis and screaming Galliano-dressed children in the main square, Taverna Tony is an oasis of pretty great albeit pricey Greek food. If you’re looking for a quintessential Malibu date night, but don’t want to deal with the hassle of all the main spots on the water, Taverna’s lively, local vibe is where you should be, especially on weekend nights when they typically have live music and belly dancers. You could also come by for an unencumbered lunch. Their covered patio is a great place to have a drink and fill up on octopus and Greek salad before or after hitting the beach. Opa! http://tavernatony.com/

This kitschy seafood diner on the north end of town is arguably the most popular pullover spot on the entire PCH. And while the swarms of brochure tourists can get intense, we’re never mad we went. The food is good (get that clam chowder), and the retro 1960’s California vibes are unparalleled.While the deep-fried seafood here is tasty enough, Neptune’s Net is worth a visit for its postcard-perfect location (I've posted about Neptune's Net in a previous post). With a colorful front porch that dates back to the ’50s and a ceaseless stream of bikers, the water-adjacent spot beckons motorists making their way along PCH. Take your bites across the street and watch the kite surfers at County Line Beach sail by. https://neptunesnet.com/

Shopping & Sleeping (two of my favorite things)
Shop and eat at the Malibu Country Mart. This spacious, casual outdoor lifestyle center attracts a mix of both locals grabbing lunch in wetsuits, celebrities pretending they don’t want to be seen and tourists strolling through after a day at the beach. Restaurants range from take-away sandwich shops (Starbucks, SunLife Organics, John's Garden, Malibu Mutt's Grill) to upscale eateries (Lucky's, Taverna Tony), while the retailers mostly sell L.A. quintessentials: designer jeans and $100 T-shirts. When you wish to relax after a long day shopping, there are several sizable playground, picnic, and courtyard areas that will keep you and the children comfortable. Make sure to also check out the adjacent Malibu Lumber Yard, a virtual extension of the Country Mart, as well as Malibu Village across the street—home to easily the area’s best lobster roll at Broad Street Oyster Co. https://www.malibucountrymart.com/

The Trancas Country Market is a beautiful shopping center located in the heart of western Malibu set on a 17 acre natural sanctuary. The market's charming rustic, barn-style design captures the timelessness and ease of the coastal community. Surrounded by scenic views of the beach and mountains, Trancas Country Market comes to life in exceptional retail and dining experiences, a relaxing open-air commons, much-loved local garden nursery and so much more. Shops include: SweetBu Candy, Shine Beauty Collective, Sea Lily Malibu, NATI Boutique, Hiptique, Drill Surf & Skate and CODA.

Point Dume Village is a vast shopping mall in the center of Malibu that provides you with nearly a dozen stores, smaller boutiques, and cafes to visit when spending time in the city. Almost all of the stores within this shopping center are local shops that are designed to provide the community of Malibu with everything it needs . . . Pavillions is the neighborhood grocery store, while Le Cafe De La Plage offers homemade vegan and classic ice creams. There are a couple of banks, a nail salon, a dry cleaner and even a fertility clinic. https://pointdumevillage.com

Malibu Village Malibu Village is one of the largest shopping centers in Malibu and has a focus on local boutiques, restaurants, and high-end retail. Whether you’re searching for a one-of-a-kind experience or stopping by to have your favorite shoes repaired by the local cobbler, look no further than Malibu Village - a collection of local boutiques, classic brands, restaurants, and services. You can meditate at the Mindry, Make a custom hat with Teressa Foglia and eat like a local at Marmalade Cafe. Shop for Los Angeles and national designers at Fred Segal and discover travel-inspired apparel and goods at Res Ipsa. Find the perfect board at Catch Surf and search for California treasures at Surfing Cowboys. Finish the afternoon with some love from Summer Somewhere Wines, a familly-run, local wine company. https://www.malibuvillage.com/

While the surfer-clad beach town stretches for just 21 miles of coastline, you’ll find a small but mighty range of hotel options to satisfy your budget. From luxurious waterfront suites and rustic bungalows to boutique inns and even a Japanese-style ryokan, the best hotels in Malibu make a tempting case for an overnight stay. Find well-appointed rooms, lavish spas, fitness centers, ocean views, rooftop bars and other enticing hotel features. During your stay, be sure to check out the waves at some of L.A.’s best beaches, dine at oceanfront restaurants, hike to waterfalls, sip wine at local tasting rooms and soak up all that “the ’Bu” has to offer. For the early risers, be sure to catch the morning surf for some of the best waves on the West Coast.

To spend the night like an insider, get a room at the 47-room Malibu Beach Inn, a former motel located on the so-nicknamed Billionaire’s Beach, which was given its original makeover by Hollywood mogul David Geffen. Located on the picturesque Carbon Beach, the waterfront Malibu Beach Inn features private beach access for exclusive use of hotel guests. Book a stay in one of 47 well-appointed rooms, all of which come with a private balcony and face the water in some fashion. Outdoor, high-end shopping and dining destination, Malibu Country Mart, is within a mile, and the Malibu Pier is right next door, where fabulous breaks provide some of the best longboard surfing in Southern California. The high-end getaway isn’t cheap, but that’s the price you pay for your own slice of paradise on one of L.A.’s most coveted stretches of beach. https://www.malibubeachinn.com/

Or book a stay at The Surfrider Hotel, a 20-room “California beach house”-style getaway just across the street from the famous strip of sand it takes its name from. A former roadside motel originally built in 1953, the Surfrider has evolved from its humble beginnings to a posh sanctuary–complete with a roof deck and farm-to-table restaurant—without losing any of its old-school surf-culture charm. turned stylish, beachy retreat, the Surfrider has the best—and most exclusive—rooftop in Malibu. The beachy, uncluttered and refined rooms are fit for a magazine spread without ever feeling too precious. This is a space equipped to handle the water and sand you’ll track in from across the street, with a comfy bed you’ll sink into after a day in the sun. While the street noise won’t creep much into your room, it may keep you off your private balcony, but no matter: Most of your time on property is likely to be spent on the hotel’s rooftop terrace anyway, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner exclusively for hotel guests. Make sure to take advantage of the surfboards on loan, as well as hybrid Minis to cruise about town. https://thesurfridermalibu.com/

Inspired by the traditional Japanese ryokan (inn), the oceanfront Nobu Ryokan Malibu offers 16 intimate, luxurious rooms complete with teak soaking tubs, indoor and outdoor fireplaces, beachfront decks and stunning, minimalist design. The tranquil retreat is located on the exclusive Carbon Beach—and for sushi fans, it’s just steps away from high-end Japanese restaurant Nobu Malibu. But luxury amenities and well-appointed rooms come at a pretty price. There is a two-night minimum stay with rates starting at a jaw-dropping $2,000 per night. https://malibu.nobuhotels.com/

Hidden in the Santa Monica Mountains, the rustic yet elegant hotel rests on longtime, family-owned property, Calamigos Ranch. The dreamy, 200-acre location—often used as a prime California wedding destination—is home to 70 private cottages, bungalows and estate rooms. During your stay, head to the property's trendy outdoor restaurant, Malibu Cafe, go wine tasting in the vineyards, surf the waves at the nearby beach, or horseback ride through the surrounding mountains. It has the makings of a dream vacation. https://www.calamigos.com/

Sure, there are frillier spots and it’s located right next to buzzy PCH, but if you’re looking for lodging that’s just a short walk from the ocean, the M Malibu is a fine choice. Located near plenty of restaurants, shops, beaches and dining options (including a takeout menu from the nearby Nicolas Eatery), the M Malibu (renovated in 2016 along with a more recent refresh) offers minimal, retro-style rooms with free Wi-Fi and parking, air conditioning, beach towels and balconies with partial ocean views. https://www.themmalibu.com/

Perched atop a beachside bluff in the famed beach town, the rustic Malibu Country Inn boasts sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and a prime location. Each of the 16 quaint rooms includes your standard fridge, coffee maker and TV, while spacious suites offer a fireplace, Jacuzzi bathtub and breathtaking ocean views. The charming inn also offers free wireless Internet and free self-parking for added convenience. Dine at the on-site restaurant which overlooks the property’s gardens and Zuma Beach in the distance, take a dip in the heated pool, catch a wave at the beach or drive down to the nearby Malibu Country Mart to peruse the local boutiques and eateries. https://www.malibucountryinn.com/

Popular Culture

Malibu has been used as a location or setting for many films, television programs, fashion shoots and music videos: