All About Visiting
Malibu California

Driving along the Pacific Coast Highway, you'll see the Santa Monica Mountains rising on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other. Much of the way, the ocean view is blocked by beach homes backed right up to the highway. This is the area notorious for movie stars, fires, floods and mudslides.

Some of the beaches are wide and sandy, while others are so narrow, the surf splashes practically right up to the backs of these houses. There is also no shortage of tidepools and rocky coves.

There is no real "downtown" to Malibu California, but there are a few shopping centers with cafes, restaurants and shops where people congregate. Besides the tightly packed beachfront houses, the local residents also live in the mansions in the hills where glorious views abound.

WHERE TO STAY

There is just a handful of hotels, motels and inns to stay along Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu California.

Find a Malibu hotel or motel.

Some are right on the beach, such as the Casa Malibu Inn.

Alternatively, down the coast there is an abundance of Santa Monica hotel options, from highrises to chains and more.

Find out about Malibu campgrounds.

If you are interested in a little piece of Malibu heaven for our vacation home or early retirement, check out Malibu California real estate.

PLACES TO HIKE

Though the Pacific Ocean is the main attraction, Malibu California has plenty of other natural beauty to explore. There are several hiking trails to enjoy in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

Charmlee County Park, Corral Canyon Park, Arroyo Sequit and Circle X Ranch all have trails and nature centers.

Other areas with hiking trails include: Malibu Springs, Zuma/Trancas Canyons, Lower Zuma Canyon, Castro Crest and Solstice Canyon.

Special tip:If you go to the end of Malibu Canyon Road, you'll end up at Malibu Bluffs County park, which has a parking lot, playing fields and a public restroom. If you go to the other end of the fields, there are a few unmarked trailheads which go down through the bluffs to a residential street below. The scenery is stunning.

Once down on the street, look for one of the public access gates. There you can go between the houses onto the sand and straight into the cool, blue sea for a dip, or maybe take a barefoot walk along the shoreline before heading back up to your car.

PARAGLIDING

Ever get the yen to take to the skies above this glorious coastline? Click here to read about a paragliding tour if you're the brave sort!

THE GETTY VILLA

Not to be confused with the newer Getty Center Los Angeles up in Brentwood, the Getty Villa is on Pacific Coast Highway just north of Sunset Boulevard. It has reopened this year after several years of renovation. It is world reknowned for its collection of Greek, Roman and Etruscan antiquities. The villa's visiting hours for the public are Thursday through Monday 10-5.

For more information on visiting the Getty Villa, see www.getty.edu.

THE ADAMSON HOUSE

This historic house located near the pier and lagoon is open for tours Wednesday through Saturday, 11-3. Gorgeous tiles from the Malibu Potteries are plentiful throughout. They also offer a garden tour on the first Friday of the month.

To view a gallery of Malibu pictures, click here.

Getting to Malibu.

Return to the Southern California Beaches Vacation Guide home page.