Malibu, California
About
Malibu is about one hour north of LA, up the Pacific Coast. My first trip to Malibu was a solo mission to explore the place that I’d read about in books, seen on TV shows, and for as long as I can remember, was where I wanted to live, even as a young girl. I joke that when I started trying to write fiction books as a kiddo (on my parents’ vintage macintosh computer) my main character was always a girl named Cali (like California), and when it wasn’t Cali it was Mali, after Malibu. While I still dream of owning a home one day on the California coast, going to Malibu a few times a year, either as a trip in and of itself or as an add-on to a work trip that brings me to LA, makes my soul feel right. I hope if you decide to go, you’ll check out the spots that make me love Malibu so much. Enjoy!
How to get there
You’ll want to get a rental car to zip up to Malibu and to be able to get around while you are there. I always rent using Turo (like Airbnb for cars, I’ve previously rented this BMW, Porsche, and Highlander). You’ll drive north up the coast from LA on the Pacific Coast Highway. Traffic can get heavy on this two lane highway, so try not to leave during peak hours, leave early and come back late. You can easily make Malibu a day-trip from LA, but pro move is to do at least a weekend getaway.
Know before you go
I thought Malibu was going to be a thriving metropolis before I went there for the first time. It’s not. Like not at all. In fact, it’s a sleepy-ish beachside town (almost like New Buffalo, MI) that just so happens to have some of the most expensive real estate in the country, but also some of the best views in the country… know before you go that your adventures will be primarily daytime adventures as it’s been my experience that the sidewalks pretty much roll up in Malibu about 9PM local time.
Eat
Groceries + Smoothies — Vintage Grocers, the most beautiful setting for a grocery store in the US
Breakfast + Coffee — Le Cafe De La Plage, an adorable little french coffee shop in a cute little shopping spot
Lunch — Malibu Farms at the Malibu Pier, fresh, farm to table bites, with an oceanside ambiance.
Drinks — The rooftop at the Surfrider Hotel (only available to guests) or The Sunset Bar at Point Dume
Dinner —
Boujee — Nobu Malibu or Geoffrey’s, for either, you’ll need a reservation, or belly up at the bar, but even bellying up to the bar is difficult at both these highly sought-after spots.
Not as boujee: Duke’s is a Malibu staple, and if you’re in the mood for Sush, but don’t want the pretentiosness of Nobu, here’s the next best spot, Bui Sushi.
Stay
Delightfully tucked away: Hotel June
On the coast: Surfrider Hotel
In the mountains: Scorpiese Airbnb
Workout
Hike any of the amazing trails
Start at the 76 gas station at the base of Corral Canyon Road (26101 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA) and hike up Corral Canyon Road until you get to the Scorpiese Airbnb. Warning: there is no sidewalk, but if walking/hiking is your thing, this will be a booty-buster. You’ll 100% be sore as hell.
I have not tried a studio workout in Malibu, but if you try one, let me know what you think!
Play
Surf lesson with Henry, the guy behind Malibu Surf Experience, I’ve surfed with alone, surfed with him with friends, I even hosted my colleagues for a team offsite with him. Henry is the real deal!
Park and shop at the Malibu Country Mart, you can get coffee, grab light bites, and putz around for an afternoon of shopping.
When you get your smoothie at Vintage Grocers, stay a while to sit in the park (often live music on the weekends) and check out the cute clothing boutiques and home design shops. If this is your vibe, also spend some time doing the same thing after you get breakfast at Cafe De La Plage… also lots of cute shops here!
Malibu Wine Safari unfortunately closed during the pandemic, but I hear Malibu Wine Hikes is a great option!
Dream Day
Pick up a coffee at Cafe A La Plage on your way to your surf lesson
Get tumbled around by mother nature in the surf at 31336 Broad Beach Rd. with your surf instructor Henry
Stop at Vintage Grocers for a smoothie to fuel up for your hike
Hike while your still feeling active — pick your poison on All Trails!
Head back to your the hotel to shower from your adventure
Get out for a little shopping at the Malibu Country Mart
Once your wallet is emptied, drink away your woes at Malibu Wine Safari Malibu Wine Hikes
Head to the beach for sunset and appetizers at The Sunset Restaurant in Point Dume
Grab sushi at Nobu
Head back to the hotel, lay your weary head to rest, it’s been a long day!
Summary
Malibu has so much to offer, and to me, a beach bum who loves to surf, shop and eat/drink/be merry oceanside at sunset, Malibu has it all. I hope you enjoy your trip!
