Malibu.
Malibu sits thirty miles west of downtown Los Angeles, reached in under an hour along the Pacific Coast Highway if the morning traffic cooperates. The town is essentially a twenty-seven-mile strip of coastline pinned between the ocean and the Santa Monica Mountains, known for right-hand point breaks, sandstone canyon trails, and roadside seafood shacks. Malibu is worth visiting if you want to surf point breaks at dawn and eat grilled local rockfish beside the highway. Look elsewhere if you want a walkable town center, late-night bars, or budget-friendly lodging.
Last updated 8 Sept 2026
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What to do in Malibu Los Angeles United States
Life here stretches in a long, sun-bleached line along Highway 1. There is no traditional town square, just ocean on one side and steep canyons on the other. Days revolve around the tides, morning fog burning off the bluffs, and unhurried meals eaten with salt in your hair. It suits travellers who prefer salt spray, dusty trail shoes, and simple roadside plates over polished urban formality.
24 hours in Malibu Los Angeles United States
Start early at Surfrider Beach before the wind picks up, watching the longboarders from the pier. Grab fish tacos and clam chowder at Malibu Seafood by midday, then spend late afternoon walking the bluffs at Point Dume before sunset. Keep twenty minutes of buffer between stops to account for Pacific Coast Highway traffic. Select 1 Day above to see it.
2 days in Malibu Los Angeles United States
Turn inland on day two up Malibu Canyon Road toward the quiet oak groves of the Santa Monica Mountains. Hike the shaded trail in Solstice Canyon to see the stone ruins of the Keller House, then head back down for grilled yellowtail and local greens on a deck over the water at Carbon Beach. Choose 2 Days to expand the plan.
3 days in Malibu Los Angeles United States
Spend a third morning inspecting Roman marbles at the Getty Villa near Pacific Palisades, reserving your entry ticket well in advance. Drive north past Zuma Beach to explore the sea arches of El Matador, finishing with a relaxed vineyard tasting in the hills of the Malibu Coast AVA.
Malibu Los Angeles United States itineraries by interest
Local Seafood in Malibu Los Angeles United States
Order steamed Dungeness crab, fried clams, and grilled Pacific rockfish at roadside counters like Malibu Seafood along Highway 1.
Surfing in Malibu Los Angeles United States
Watch longboarders work the right-hand point break at Surfrider Beach, California's first World Surfing Reserve, or paddle out at Zuma.
Coastal Hiking in Malibu Los Angeles United States
Climb the sandstone ridges of Solstice Canyon or hike through coastal sage scrub to the waterfall pools in Escondido Canyon.
Ancient History & Art in Malibu Los Angeles United States
Book timed entry to the Getty Villa off Pacific Coast Highway to study Roman antiquities set inside a recreated first-century villa.
Wine & Vineyards in Malibu Los Angeles United States
Taste cool-climate Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Semillon produced in the high-elevation microclimates of the Malibu Coast AVA.
Scenic Drives in Malibu Los Angeles United States
Wind through dramatic hairpin turns on Malibu Canyon Road, Decker Canyon, and Mulholland Highway through the Santa Monica Mountains.
Coastal Walks in Malibu Los Angeles United States
Walk past tidal sea caves and rock arches at El Matador State Beach, or explore the bluffs above Point Dume State Marine Reserve.
Farm-to-Table Dining in Malibu Los Angeles United States
Eat wood-fired flatbreads, seasonal squash, and local greens sourced from coastal canyon growers at rustic outdoor tables in the hills.
Local History in Malibu Los Angeles United States
Visit the 1929 Adamson House at Malibu Lagoon to see Persian and Spanish Revival decorative tiles made by the Malibu Potteries.
Wildlife & Nature in Malibu Los Angeles United States
Scan the Pacific from the Point Dume headlands between December and April to spot migrating gray whales, dolphins, and sea lions.
Birdwatching in Malibu Los Angeles United States
Spot snowy plovers, great blue herons, and migratory shorebirds resting in the protected saltwater wetlands of Malibu Lagoon State Beach.
Horseback Riding in Malibu Los Angeles United States
Ride guided trails along the chaparral ridges and oak woodlands of Paramount Ranch and the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.