Malibu is 21 miles of coast along the Pacific Coast Highway, and the planning reality is that it is spread out, so you drive between stops more than you walk. Most visitors come for the beach and the views, but the trails in the Santa Monica Mountains and a couple of strong museums are what make a full day of it. Here are the things to do in Malibu, in a realistic order.
1. Surfrider Beach and the Malibu Pier
Surfrider Beach, below the Malibu Pier, was named the first World Surfing Reserve for its point break, and it is still the place to watch longboarders. The pier itself has Malibu Farm at the end and a small aquarium below. Parking fills early, especially on summer weekends, so come before mid-morning or use a ride-share to the pier.
2. Zuma Beach and Point Dume
Zuma Beach is the big, wide, family-friendly stretch with a large paid lot, lifeguards, and space to actually spread out. At the south end, Point Dume State Beach has a bluff-top trail with whale-watch views in season and tide pools at the base. The climb to the top of the point is short but exposed, bring water.
3. El Matador and the smaller coves
The El Matador, El Pescador, and La Piedra beaches are the dramatic ones, sea stacks and cliffs, reached by steep stairs from cliff-top lots. They are photogenic at sunset but have almost no sand at high tide and no facilities, so they suit a short visit more than a beach day. Paradise Cove to the south has a restaurant and pier feel if you want services.
4. Hike Malibu Creek State Park and the hills
Inland, Malibu Creek State Park has the Rock Pool and Century Lake trails, the kind of oak-and-rock canyon that stood in for “Mars” in old TV. Saddle Peak is the harder climb with coastal views. Most of these are in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, which means heat in summer and muddy, closed trails after winter rain, so check conditions before you go.
5. The Getty Villa and Malibu’s culture
The Getty Villa in the Pacific Palisades (Malibu postal area) is the ancient-Greek-and-Roman collection, free with timed parking reservation, and the building and gardens are the draw as much as the art. Pepperdine’s Surf Museum (at the Payson Library) covers the local surfing history, and the Malibu Country Mart and Lumber Yard are the low-key shopping and gallery cluster near the pier. The Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts on the Pepperdine campus runs concerts and shows through the year.
6. Eat along the coast
Malibu’s food is better than its tourist rep. Malibu Farm on the pier does farm-to-table with the view; Malibu Seafood on PCH is the fresh-catch shack (the ahi burger is the local pick); Cholada Thai Beach Cuisine is the casual Thai standby; and Broad Street Oyster Co. does oysters and crab rolls. None are cheap, the coast tax is real, but the seafood is fresh.
Planning Tips for Malibu
- PCH is the only road. It is slow, scenic, and jammed at commute times. Build the drive into your plan, not around it.
- Parking. The named beaches have lots that fill; the cove stair-parking is limited. Arrive early.
- Fire and weather. Malibu closes in wildfires and after mudslides; check alerts before a winter trip.
- Getty Villa books up. Reserve the free timed entry and parking ahead.
Final Thoughts
Malibu is best as a beach-plus-trail day, not a checklist. Pick one beach (Zuma for family, El Matador for photos, Surfrider for the pier), add the Getty Villa if you like museums, and keep the drive along PCH as part of the experience. The mistake is trying to “do Malibu” in a two-hour stop between LA and Santa Barbara; it rewards a slower, coastal pace.
