Things to do nearMalibu

Malibu, California has drawn artists, surfers, and nature lovers for generations, its identity shaped as much by the land as by the people who settled it. The Chumash people inhabited this coastline for thousands of years before Spanish ranchers claimed the territory in the nineteenth century. Frederick and May Rindge later fought legendary legal battles to keep the public off their private ranch, but the coast ultimately opened, and Malibu evolved into the sun-soaked community it is today.

The beaches are the main draw, each with its own character. Surfrider Beach, beside the Malibu Pier, is one of the most celebrated surf breaks in the world, producing long, peeling right-hand waves that draw experienced surfers from across California. Zuma Beach offers a broad, family-friendly expanse of sand, while El Matador State Beach rewards the short hike down the bluff with sea stacks, sea caves, and striking seclusion. Guided surfing lessons are available near the pier for those just starting out.

Beyond the shore, the Santa Monica Mountains offer hundreds of miles of trails through oak woodland and coastal scrub, with trailheads accessible directly from Pacific Coast Highway. Wildlife sightings, from red-tailed hawks to mule deer, are common on quieter weekday mornings.

Dining in Malibu leans toward fresh, casual, and local, with seafood restaurants and farm-to-table spots scattered along the highway. The combination of dramatic scenery, surf heritage, and accessible wilderness makes Malibu a destination that earns its reputation entirely on its own terms.