Just west of Los Angeles, Malibu spills along the Pacific Ocean coastline with mega-celebrity mansions and some of the most picturesque beaches in Southern California. From wine tasting to old movie sets, trendy open-air shopping plazas and a famous villa-museum, Malibu is all glamour.
Things to do in Malibu
Malibu beaches are world-famous with sun worshipers. Depicted in film and television, Malibu Surfrider Beach is a surfer’s dream, but for a more nature-conscious beach experience, head about 15 minutes down the coast to Leo Carrillo State Park for beachcombing, surf fishing, hiking trails and coastal caves.
Looking for a romantic spot in Malibu? Drive along Pacific Coast Highway for sunset on El Matador Beach. Secluded inlets and coves provide the perfect place for private picnics. Spend the evening at Malibu Winery with wine-tasting and nightly events, such as movie screenings, yoga and karaoke.
Art and antiquity lovers are drawn to Getty Villa, which cradles the private collection of oil magnate J. Paul Getty. The collection features about 1,200 Mediterranean antiquities and artefacts dating back to 6,500 BC and 500 AD. Stop by Paramount Ranch to see remnants of film sets from 1930s Westerns, including wooden town structures with a backdrop of the Santa Monica Mountains.
For upscale shopping and dining, head over to Malibu Country Mart and Malibu Lumber Yard. You’ll find plenty of beachwear, gift shops and cafes, along with a variety of celebrities enjoying days off with their families.
Getting around Malibu
Metro buses service the main beaches of Malibu, but the only way to explore the area after arrival is by taxi or car. You can rent a car at Los Angeles International Airport or various spots along Pacific Coast Highway.